[F87Kesh]

Looking for a catless downpipe for my 2018 BMW M2. There are many options. Part of me says it's just a pipe and I should go with the VRSF(good price/ceramic coated/new hardware included). Any reason to pay more for a wagner/Megan/ER? Slightly considering the megan because it looks like it has a cat but it is actually catless LOL. (I live in CA). Have heard great things about the Wagner but I dont see why. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of each one?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by F87Kesh

Looking for a catless downpipe for my 2018 BMW M2. There are many options. Part of me says it's just a pipe and I should go with the VRSF(good price/ceramic coated/new hardware included). Any reason to pay more for a wagner/Megan/ER? Slightly considering the megan because it looks like it has a cat but it is actually catless LOL. (I live in CA). Have heard great things about the Wagner but I dont see why. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of each one?

It’s a pipe.
Pick on that fits and buy it. People like to pretend they are paying for craftsman ship, as if some old Italian guy is hand measuring and eyeballing everything he makes, and welding it himself.

It’s not that, and the only time ‘quality’ comes into play is when you’re looking at catted. Some brands (Super Sprint, Fabspeed) use a higher cell count/higher quality (allegedly) cat that doesn’t trigger the readiness monitor.

[PackPride85]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

It’s a pipe.
Pick on that fits and buy it. People like to pretend they are paying for craftsman ship, as if some old Italian guy is hand measuring and eyeballing everything he makes, and welding it himself.

It’s not that, and the only time ‘quality’ comes into play is when you’re looking at catted. Some brands (Super Sprint, Fabspeed) use a higher cell count/higher quality (allegedly) cat that doesn’t trigger the readiness monitor.

What he said. I would avoid anything that has been on the market less than a year. I've seen several parts for the M2 get rushed to market and end up needing fitment revisions.

[nioh_lbbm2]

Pick one that has a transmission mount like the OEM cat. It's a pipe. Don't overthink it.

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2

Pick one that has a transmission mount like the OEM cat. It's a pipe. Don't overthink it.

Sucks that the VRSF doesn't have one. Having a ceramic coated one seems good to have but Wagner includes the mount but no coating options.

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

It’s a pipe.
Pick on that fits and buy it. People like to pretend they are paying for craftsman ship, as if some old Italian guy is hand measuring and eyeballing everything he makes, and welding it himself.

It’s not that, and the only time ‘quality’ comes into play is when you’re looking at catted. Some brands (Super Sprint, Fabspeed) use a higher cell count/higher quality (allegedly) cat that doesn’t trigger the readiness monitor.

Mike from X-PH told me that Wagner has a deeper sound because of the middle section that is larger. It also has the OEM mount but no ceramic coating. Think I might go with Wagner. Anyone know if ceramic coating makes a big difference?

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

What he said. I would avoid anything that has been on the market less than a year. I've seen several parts for the M2 get rushed to market and end up needing fitment revisions.

Yeah Mike from X-PH also told me Megan doesn't fit

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by F87Kesh

Yeah Mike from X-PH also told me Megan doesn't fit

Megan fitment is not the greatest.

VRSF is the best value
Wagner has the deepest sound
Evolution Racewerks comes with a bracket

You cannot go wrong with either one

[GerardzM]

You don't really need ceramic coating on a catless DP...it runs A LOT cooler with out the cat there.



.....so least expensive would be VRSF no coating.

[cecaa850]

Originally Posted by GerardzM

.....so least expensive would be VRSF no coating.

But no bracket, I'd pass. Honestly, it can't cost that much to build it with one on there, I have no idea why they wouldn't.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by cecaa850

But no bracket, I'd pass. Honestly, it can't cost that much to build it with one on there, I have no idea why they wouldn't.

Does it make that big of a difference? I know if didn't with my headers and exhausts on my other cars.

[Anthony1s]

I can't imagine it'd cost too much to get a downpipe cerakote'd yourself. Maybe $60. To search online for a shop that does it and ship it out to them. You can choose from a ton of colors as well, instead of going with whatever the dp mfg choose.

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating

I kinda wish I knew about this sooner cause I'd have my fabspeed catted downpipe coated, just to make it a bit more custom. Doubt I'd see any differences in heat or power from it.

[cecaa850]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Does it make that big of a difference? I know if didn't with my headers and exhausts on my other cars.

The manufacturer believes that it needs to be there. They know a lot more about vibration and stress than I do. Actually, it probably needs 2 braces and the bean counters cut it back to one, LOL.

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Megan fitment is not the greatest.

VRSF is the best value
Wagner has the deepest sound
Evolution Racewerks comes with a bracket

You cannot go wrong with either one

I think the Wagner is what I'm leaning towards. Can you provide a link to hardware for the Downpipe? I only see it on the VRSF Downpipe in the options.

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by GerardzM

You don't really need ceramic coating on a catless DP...it runs A LOT cooler with out the cat there.



.....so least expensive would be VRSF no coating.

I figured it wouldn't be a huge difference but better to have it than to not I guess

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by Anthony1s

I can't imagine it'd cost too much to get a downpipe cerakote'd yourself. Maybe $60. To search online for a shop that does it and ship it out to them. You can choose from a ton of colors as well, instead of going with whatever the dp mfg choose.

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating

I kinda wish I knew about this sooner cause I'd have my fabspeed catted downpipe coated, just to make it a bit more custom. Doubt I'd see any differences in heat or power from it.

I just want to be as safe as possible. Any thoughts on titanium heat wrap?

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by cecaa850

But no bracket, I'd pass. Honestly, it can't cost that much to build it with one on there, I have no idea why they wouldn't.

Would rather have it ready to go but yeah I'm sure you could fabricate it.

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Does it make that big of a difference? I know if didn't with my headers and exhausts on my other cars.

I haven't heard any complaints with the VRSF but better to have it than to not I assume.

[Anthony1s]

Originally Posted by F87Kesh

I just want to be as safe as possible. Any thoughts on titanium heat wrap?

People say moisture can get in there and corrode the pipe. Depends on the type of metal the pipe is made of for how likely that is to happen, I guess. But I like power-washing my engine bay, so I see heat wrap as bad.

But yea, that was another thing I wanted to mention when choosing a downpipe. Make sure it's of a durable metal. I don't know what the pipes available are made of, or if they're all made of the same. But it's something I look for when choosing.

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by Anthony1s

People say moisture can get in there and corrode the pipe. Depends on the type of metal the pipe is made of for how likely that is to happen, I guess. But I like power-washing my engine bay, so I see heat wrap as bad.

But yea, that was another thing I wanted to mention when choosing a downpipe. Make sure it's of a durable metal. I don't know what the pipes available are made of, or if they're all made of the same. But it's something I look for when choosing.

Wagner and VRSF are SS304. Thanks for the tip

[cecaa850]

Is there any benefit to wrapping or coating it? You certainly can't see it once it's installed.

[F87Kesh]

Originally Posted by cecaa850

Is there any benefit to wrapping or coating it? You certainly can't see it once it's installed.

Less heat