VRSF vs ARM DP fitment

chris23023 · 06-26-2020, 08:32 AM

I wanted to share my first hand experience with ARM and VRSF down pipe fitment. I purchased ARM DP's to save a little money over VRSF DP's. I have a 2009 335XI and was certain to order the XI version. After being back ordered for a month- the ARM pipes finally arrived. This is my third DP install on N54's, but my first on an AWD. I mounted up the ARM DP's and they absolutely did not fit. Regardless of how I rotated them on the turbos, when one DP was lined up the other DP was at least 1" out of line with the rest of the exhaust. I triple checked my order and packing receipt from ARM and confirmed that they were DP's for the XI version.

I immediately ordered DP's from VRSF because I had heard people express concerns over ARM's customer service and I didn't want to mess with getting ahold of someone and then havving another set not fit all while my car sat on jacks. I went with VRSF DP's because I have installed their DP's on my last two N54's and never had any issues. I received the DP's from VRSF in a couple days and they fit perfectly.

It took a couple weeks and about five emails, but I was able to return the DP's to ARM and get a refund. This was an inconvenience to have my car in the air for almost a week waiting for parts that fit, but I did put together an install video for the XI with my extra time.

I will be getting that onto Youtube soon.

Moral of the story- you get what you pay for. I have no affiliation to VRSF, (as I clearly tried to save $$ by going with another company) and got screwed. So here is a shout out to VRSF and my fourth N54 mod I have purchased from them without any issues.

Also, I am not on E90 very often, but if you are considering a DP install on an XI, shoot me a PM if you have any questions and I will try and help you through it. Hopefully my install video will help some people too.

chris23023 · 06-26-2020, 08:51 AM

Attached are photos of the non fitting ARM DP's

mike@x-ph.com · 06-26-2020, 09:07 AM

Thank you for sharing

Rule1977 · 06-26-2020, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris23023

Attached are photos of the non fitting ARM DP's

Absolutely no surprise.

Good choice going with VRSF!

iqraceworks · 06-26-2020, 09:27 AM

I have ARM Downpipes on my 07' 335i. They fit absolutely perfect....

Smgs1992 · 06-26-2020, 09:37 AM

Heard of fitment issues with ARM downpipes even on RWD models. I didnt want to chance it and i prefer to support tiago anyway as he has been good to the bmw community. When my shop installed mine(they were doing my clutch anyway so it made sense to just let them do it) they were relieved to hear i had VRSF DPs as they told me other brands(they didnt say who) they have tried in the past were a pain.

type-dRew · 06-26-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rule1977

Absolutely no surprise.

Good choice going with VRSF!

absolutely is surprise, lol

since most have zero issue. ive seen the same exact posts for vrsf downpipes. any thread like this is the exception not the rule

Smgs1992 · 06-27-2020, 07:16 AM

So someone is mad that VRSF wont cover labor costs yet they offer to reimburst him for the product? I’m siding with VRSF on this there is no reason to expect them to pay for labor costs. Yes its unfortunate it didnt fit but sometimes that happens perhaps it was a manufacturing defect as that happens when you ship out thousands of parts a year.

Smgs1992 · 06-27-2020, 10:16 AM

What companies offer better fitment quality and customer service for the price? Not ARM, BMS doesnt offer the same number of parts, MMP sent me the wrong parts and were a pain to deal with trying to get the correct ones.
I had installation questions and tiago answered my questions immediately. No vender is gonna be perfect and fitment can be a problem anytime you use aftermarket parts even on high end cars such as a porsche GT3 ive heard of exhaust fitment issues.
However to get upset that a vender isnt going to pay a shops labor fees is pretty ridiculous especially when they offer to reimburst for the part itself.
I know of literally no company out there that would do that and as a former business owner i wouldnt do that.

Smgs1992 · 06-27-2020, 11:08 AM

Because i like good products? Maybe there is a reason they have the hype they do? ��

feuer · 06-27-2020, 11:58 AM

I don’t thinks so, and that comes with me not throwing my weight around.

Smgs1992 · 06-27-2020, 12:17 PM

Why do you not think so? Specific reasons? I have most of their bolt ons on my car with zero issues with quality or fitment. Tiago has specifically helped me during an install and bmw performance shops that work on hundreds of these cars all highly recommend their parts.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 06-30-2020, 03:36 PM

No brainer on VRSF for the downpipes.

iqraceworks · 06-30-2020, 09:23 PM

My ARM downpipes fit perfectly! And the welds were awesome! Just saying.......

chris23023 · 07-04-2020, 10:38 AM

Now that the p*ssing match is over....

I came here to share my first hand experience of installing several VRSF parts, on several E90's and the customer service I experienced- and was comparing that to my experience with ARM DP's and their customer service. I can not and will not speak for other ARM products as I haven't personally tried them. (FMIC, CP, etc)

I assure you it was not an installation error in this case. As you can see in the photos, the height of the pipes are radically different. A slight rotation on the turbo (which swings the pipe in a "U" pattern, but I assume you would know that if you installed your own pipes) would not line the ARM pipes up.

I am not saying every DP created by VRSF will fit 100% of the cars. That is, unless every fitment issue post is trolled?

And I am not saying that ALL ARM DP's are ill fitting. I am just sharing my first hand experience with VRSF products compared to ARM. Take it for what it's worth

Happy 4th of July!

06-26-2020, 08:32 AM	#1
chris23023 New Member 3 Rep 25 Posts Drives: '07 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1)	VRSF vs ARM DP fitment I wanted to share my first hand experience with ARM and VRSF down pipe fitment. I purchased ARM DP's to save a little money over VRSF DP's. I have a 2009 335XI and was certain to order the XI version. After being back ordered for a month- the ARM pipes finally arrived. This is my third DP install on N54's, but my first on an AWD. I mounted up the ARM DP's and they absolutely did not fit. Regardless of how I rotated them on the turbos, when one DP was lined up the other DP was at least 1" out of line with the rest of the exhaust. I triple checked my order and packing receipt from ARM and confirmed that they were DP's for the XI version. I immediately ordered DP's from VRSF because I had heard people express concerns over ARM's customer service and I didn't want to mess with getting ahold of someone and then havving another set not fit all while my car sat on jacks. I went with VRSF DP's because I have installed their DP's on my last two N54's and never had any issues. I received the DP's from VRSF in a couple days and they fit perfectly. It took a couple weeks and about five emails, but I was able to return the DP's to ARM and get a refund. This was an inconvenience to have my car in the air for almost a week waiting for parts that fit, but I did put together an install video for the XI with my extra time. I will be getting that onto Youtube soon. Moral of the story- you get what you pay for. I have no affiliation to VRSF, (as I clearly tried to save $$ by going with another company) and got screwed. So here is a shout out to VRSF and my fourth N54 mod I have purchased from them without any issues. Also, I am not on E90 very often, but if you are considering a DP install on an XI, shoot me a PM if you have any questions and I will try and help you through it. Hopefully my install video will help some people too.
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06-26-2020, 08:51 AM	#2
chris23023 New Member 3 Rep 25 Posts Drives: '07 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1)	Attached are photos of the non fitting ARM DP's Attached Images Last edited by chris23023; 06-26-2020 at 09:02 AM..
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06-26-2020, 09:07 AM	#3
mike@x-ph.com BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 24079 Rep 190,597 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Thank you for sharing __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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06-26-2020, 09:27 AM	#5
iqraceworks Brigadier General 1994 Rep 3,725 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	I have ARM Downpipes on my 07' 335i. They fit absolutely perfect.... __________________ 2007 335i, BMS DCI, BMS Chargepipe w/Tial BOV, ARM Catless Downpipes, silicone inlets, Bilstein B12 Prokit Suspension, Whiteline subframe bushings, Front/Rear M3 control arms, G-Plus FMIC, Stage 2 LPFP, Custom E40 tune by Justin (V8Bait), xHP stage 3 transmission flash, RB Two Turbos....10.90 @ 128mph
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06-26-2020, 09:37 AM	#6
Smgs1992 Captain 720 Rep 946 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 335i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Cincinnati ohio iTrader: (0)	Heard of fitment issues with ARM downpipes even on RWD models. I didnt want to chance it and i prefer to support tiago anyway as he has been good to the bmw community. When my shop installed mine(they were doing my clutch anyway so it made sense to just let them do it) they were relieved to hear i had VRSF DPs as they told me other brands(they didnt say who) they have tried in the past were a pain. __________________ 07 E92 335i 6MT, MMP inlets, DCI, VRSF 7.5 competition intercooler, VRSF catless downpipes, VRSF chargepipe, 335is clutch, Vader Solutions stage 2 LPFP, MHD stage 2+, Hawk HPS 5.0 pads, R1 Concepts drilled slotted rotors, TSW Nurburgring 19x8 19x9.5
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06-27-2020, 07:16 AM	#8
Smgs1992 Captain 720 Rep 946 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 335i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Cincinnati ohio iTrader: (0)	So someone is mad that VRSF wont cover labor costs yet they offer to reimburst him for the product? I’m siding with VRSF on this there is no reason to expect them to pay for labor costs. Yes its unfortunate it didnt fit but sometimes that happens perhaps it was a manufacturing defect as that happens when you ship out thousands of parts a year. __________________ 07 E92 335i 6MT, MMP inlets, DCI, VRSF 7.5 competition intercooler, VRSF catless downpipes, VRSF chargepipe, 335is clutch, Vader Solutions stage 2 LPFP, MHD stage 2+, Hawk HPS 5.0 pads, R1 Concepts drilled slotted rotors, TSW Nurburgring 19x8 19x9.5
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06-27-2020, 10:16 AM	#9
Smgs1992 Captain 720 Rep 946 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 335i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Cincinnati ohio iTrader: (0)	What companies offer better fitment quality and customer service for the price? Not ARM, BMS doesnt offer the same number of parts, MMP sent me the wrong parts and were a pain to deal with trying to get the correct ones. I had installation questions and tiago answered my questions immediately. No vender is gonna be perfect and fitment can be a problem anytime you use aftermarket parts even on high end cars such as a porsche GT3 ive heard of exhaust fitment issues. However to get upset that a vender isnt going to pay a shops labor fees is pretty ridiculous especially when they offer to reimburst for the part itself. I know of literally no company out there that would do that and as a former business owner i wouldnt do that. __________________ 07 E92 335i 6MT, MMP inlets, DCI, VRSF 7.5 competition intercooler, VRSF catless downpipes, VRSF chargepipe, 335is clutch, Vader Solutions stage 2 LPFP, MHD stage 2+, Hawk HPS 5.0 pads, R1 Concepts drilled slotted rotors, TSW Nurburgring 19x8 19x9.5
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06-27-2020, 11:08 AM	#10
Smgs1992 Captain 720 Rep 946 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 335i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Cincinnati ohio iTrader: (0)	Because i like good products? Maybe there is a reason they have the hype they do? �� __________________ 07 E92 335i 6MT, MMP inlets, DCI, VRSF 7.5 competition intercooler, VRSF catless downpipes, VRSF chargepipe, 335is clutch, Vader Solutions stage 2 LPFP, MHD stage 2+, Hawk HPS 5.0 pads, R1 Concepts drilled slotted rotors, TSW Nurburgring 19x8 19x9.5
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06-27-2020, 11:58 AM	#11
feuer Major General 4276 Rep 9,206 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	I don’t thinks so, and that comes with me not throwing my weight around.
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06-27-2020, 12:17 PM	#12
Smgs1992 Captain 720 Rep 946 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 335i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Cincinnati ohio iTrader: (0)	Why do you not think so? Specific reasons? I have most of their bolt ons on my car with zero issues with quality or fitment. Tiago has specifically helped me during an install and bmw performance shops that work on hundreds of these cars all highly recommend their parts. __________________ 07 E92 335i 6MT, MMP inlets, DCI, VRSF 7.5 competition intercooler, VRSF catless downpipes, VRSF chargepipe, 335is clutch, Vader Solutions stage 2 LPFP, MHD stage 2+, Hawk HPS 5.0 pads, R1 Concepts drilled slotted rotors, TSW Nurburgring 19x8 19x9.5
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06-30-2020, 03:36 PM	#13
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,212 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	No brainer on VRSF for the downpipes.
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06-30-2020, 09:23 PM	#14
iqraceworks Brigadier General 1994 Rep 3,725 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	My ARM downpipes fit perfectly! And the welds were awesome! Just saying.......
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07-04-2020, 10:38 AM	#15
chris23023 New Member 3 Rep 25 Posts Drives: '07 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1)	Now that the p*ssing match is over.... I came here to share my first hand experience of installing several VRSF parts, on several E90's and the customer service I experienced- and was comparing that to my experience with ARM DP's and their customer service. I can not and will not speak for other ARM products as I haven't personally tried them. (FMIC, CP, etc) I assure you it was not an installation error in this case. As you can see in the photos, the height of the pipes are radically different. A slight rotation on the turbo (which swings the pipe in a "U" pattern, but I assume you would know that if you installed your own pipes) would not line the ARM pipes up. I am not saying every DP created by VRSF will fit 100% of the cars. That is, unless every fitment issue post is trolled? And I am not saying that ALL ARM DP's are ill fitting. I am just sharing my first hand experience with VRSF products compared to ARM. Take it for what it's worth Happy 4th of July!
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