[Mike oxlong]

Do all decat downpipes flow/perform the same? Give or take..
Also, I've noticed a few manufacturers have separate parts for say the (EWG) M135I/M235I etc to the M2. I thought they were all the same. I'm about to buy, I'm not a cheapskate but I can't get excited about a hollow pipe.

Is it worth spending the extra?

[nioh_lbbm2]

Buy the cheapest one with the support bracket like on the OEM cat. Don't buy from a brand that cheats out and leaves off the bracket.

Off the top of my head I can think of ER and Wagner that have the bracket

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Mike oxlong

Do all decat downpipes flow/perform the same? Give or take..
Also, I've noticed a few manufacturers have separate parts for say the (EWG) M135I/M235I etc to the M2. I thought they were all the same. I'm about to buy, I'm not a cheapskate but I can't get excited about a hollow pipe.

Is it worth spending the extra?

They should all be the same TBH, just make sure it has good reviews and has the supports like the other poster said, these things are suprisingly hefty and you don't want it to just hang off of the turbo.

[Mike oxlong]

Thanks for your input guys. That's narrowed down my search

[mike@x-ph.com]

Not all downpipes are the same as fitment and air flow play a big role. That being said any proven brand will performance. The only difference is going to be sound.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Not all downpipes are the same as fitment and air flow play a big role. That being said any proven brand will performance. The only difference is going to be sound.

Fitment wise you are correct, some cheaper pipes don't Always fit good. But I have seen $1K downpipes have absolute garbage fitment and eBay pipes fit perfectly so pricing is not a factor.

Pricing meaning quality is not a good comparison for the bmw platform especially on an M, because at this point you're talking about M tax on top of bmw tax which is wack and a huge skewing factor. I've seen $200 Subaru downpipes look better in terms of welds and build quality than $1K BMW downpipes.


As long as you don't have crazy bends or a bunch of welding stalactites then airflow shouldn't be impeded too bad, factoring that the diameter is the same.

Sound may be different depending on resonance but I don't suspect it to be too different.

[Mike oxlong]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Not all downpipes are the same as fitment and air flow play a big role. That being said any proven brand will performance. The only difference is going to be sound.

That's interesting. Do say the VRSF which look like a 2 stroke motocross pipe sound much different to say the Wagner which has a more uniform 'can' appearance

[Mike oxlong]

Originally Posted by F87source

Fitment wise you are correct, some cheaper pipes don't Always fit good. But I have seen $1K downpipes have absolute garbage fitment and eBay pipes fit perfectly so pricing is not a factor.

Pricing meaning quality is not a good comparison for the bmw platform especially on an M, because at this point you're talking about M tax on top of bmw tax which is wack and a huge skewing factor. I've seen $200 Subaru downpipes look better in terms of welds and build quality than $1K BMW downpipes.


As long as you don't have crazy bends or a bunch of welding stalactites then airflow shouldn't be impeded too bad, factoring that the diameter is the same.

Sound may be different depending on resonance but I don't suspect it to be too different.

Cheers F87, do you have a recommendation for a reasonably priced decat downpipe

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Mike oxlong

Cheers F87, do you have a recommendation for a reasonably priced decat downpipe

For my m235i I had one off ebay, it was a clone of the ER. Perfect fitment and great quality. Just find a highly reviewed one.

For my m2 I'm going to get a titanium one made by a great shop in town (who makes stuff for the 720s), which is still going to be cheaper and better than the M tax stuff.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by F87source

Fitment wise you are correct, some cheaper pipes don't Always fit good. But I have seen $1K downpipes have absolute garbage fitment and eBay pipes fit perfectly so pricing is not a factor.

Pricing meaning quality is not a good comparison for the bmw platform especially on an M, because at this point you're talking about M tax on top of bmw tax which is wack and a huge skewing factor. I've seen $200 Subaru downpipes look better in terms of welds and build quality than $1K BMW downpipes.


As long as you don't have crazy bends or a bunch of welding stalactites then airflow shouldn't be impeded too bad, factoring that the diameter is the same.

Sound may be different depending on resonance but I don't suspect it to be too different.

I dont know about these 1K pipes but i can tell you for sure that VRSF, Wagner, AR Design, Evolution Racewerks all fit perfectly and they range from $250 to $450

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Mike oxlong

Cheers F87, do you have a recommendation for a reasonably priced decat downpipe

We offer VRSF

[Mike oxlong]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I dont know about these 1K pipes but i can tell you for sure that VRSF, Wagner, AR Design, Evolution Racewerks all fit perfectly and they range from $250 to $450

Cheers Mike. The short term goal is stage 2, the end goal is uprated turbo , probably PS2 and supporting fuel mods. What combo (intercooler/downpipe/charge pipe) do yoi recommend please? The car will be tracked now and again but not too hard. Which would you say is the best value for money

[Mike oxlong]

Originally Posted by F87source

For my m235i I had one off ebay, it was a clone of the ER. Perfect fitment and great quality. Just find a highly reviewed one.

For my m2 I'm going to get a titanium one made by a great shop in town (who makes stuff for the 720s), which is still going to be cheaper and better than the M tax stuff.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 254381168186

Like this one F87?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I dont know about these 1K pipes but i can tell you for sure that VRSF, Wagner, AR Design, Evolution Racewerks all fit perfectly and they range from $250 to $450

What I'm trying to compare is price to value, and $1k in terms of CAD for botique brands, and none of the downpipes over $300 are worth it imo, if you pay more than that it's essentially m tax for a metal pipe, you can get the same quality for less.


Like I normally advocate fkr spending the premium and not being cheap to buy quality parts and support manufacturers. But I can't do that for a hollow metal pipe that should cost more than $150, which is what they cost on normal platforms, because it feels like I'm supporting the m tax.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We offer VRSF

That's what I would go with OP, tbh there are good options on eBay but sometimes you'll get a crappy seller from over seas. If I were you I'd probably save the hassle and just get the vrsf pipe from Mike since he's one of the stand up sellers on the forums, and it's only a bit more for a lifetime warranty as well.

I totally forgot about vrsf, but yeah their price may be a bit higher than eBay but you'll get great support and a life time warranty which does justify the price, especially if you get a good black Friday deal, and is one of the few brands that isn't m taxing everything.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Mike oxlong

Cheers Mike. The short term goal is stage 2, the end goal is uprated turbo , probably PS2 and supporting fuel mods. What combo (intercooler/downpipe/charge pipe) do yoi recommend please? The car will be tracked now and again but not too hard. Which would you say is the best value for money

I have a combo deal on my website called just that, best value n55 combo

It includes BM3, VRSF charge pipe, interooler and downpipe.

I do recommend to choose the VRSF 6" Competition intercooler for stage 2 or above power

[Mike oxlong]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I have a combo deal on my website called just that, best value n55 combo

It includes BM3, VRSF charge pipe, interooler and downpipe.

I do recommend to choose the VRSF 6" Competition intercooler for stage 2 or above power

Perfect, cheers Mike. I have my BM3 license from my F80. Is there an option to skip the tune? Will there be a black friday deal coming up?

[cecaa850]

Be sure that it has a mounting bracket. Some manufacturers leave it off for some reason.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Mike oxlong

Perfect, cheers Mike. I have my BM3 license from my F80. Is there an option to skip the tune? Will there be a black friday deal coming up?

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