Downpipes vs exhaust

dannyjones · 05-07-2015, 09:23 PM

Hi all,

I had been considering getting catless downpipes for my e90 335i n55, rather than an exhaust, mainly due to price. I know that both can give a better sound, but that only downpipes will really give any more hp. Personally, in my situation, I'm only really looking for the sound. Even stock, but with golf tee mod, I love hearing some pops when decelerating in garages, and I want more of that. Now that the performance exhaust has been reduced by a lot, I am really considering going that way instead. I'm in Florida, so I don't think emissions are an issue.

In my situation, and considering its primarily for sound (deep powerful growl, pops and gargles), what would you go for? I haven't been able to hear any live, and YouTube videos don't really do any justice to either. I've read that doing both would be way too loud without resonators.

Just looking for opinions.

Cheers

Rahim e92 · 05-07-2015, 09:43 PM

IMO stock exhaust with catless downpipes sounds nice

patsbimmer1 · 05-07-2015, 10:00 PM

I went catless dp's and I have been very happy with the growl on my stock exhaust.

weehe126 · 05-07-2015, 10:06 PM

Stock exhaust w/ catless dp is perfect

bloppitybloop · 05-07-2015, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Stock exhaust w/ catless dp is perfect

Agreed

dannyjones · 05-08-2015, 10:40 AM

Do you get the same kind of pops/gargles I read about the performance exhaust having with downpipes?
If stock exhaust with downpipes is perfect, why do people go the route of getting an exhaust, considering the downpipes are cheaper? Is it mainly because of emissions/fumes? I also read that technically its illegal - so is there any trouble getting them installed at a normal shop?
Will I get the same sound with catted dps?

Sorry, so many questions. But without seeing/hearing(/smelling) them live its really difficult to make the choice...

bloppitybloop · 05-08-2015, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyjones

Do you get the same kind of pops/gargles I read about the performance exhaust having with downpipes?
If stock exhaust with downpipes is perfect, why do people go the route of getting an exhaust, considering the downpipes are cheaper? Is it mainly because of emissions/fumes? I also read that technically its illegal - so is there any trouble getting them installed at a normal shop?
Will I get the same sound with catted dps?

Sorry, so many questions. But without seeing/hearing(/smelling) them live its really difficult to make the choice...

I guess it's possible that people go with exhaust over DP's due to emissions/fumes. Where I live, I don't have to get inspected for emissions and I didn't even really notice any smell from having catless DP's.

And I did have some trouble finding a place to install them for me since they are illegal for road use.

924er · 05-08-2015, 12:26 PM

Stock exhaust with catless DPs sounds cool esp with the golf tee mod. That's what I'm running right now. Not so loud as a DD some people can't even tell its modified. When you go WOT it's another story

As for aftermarket exhaust AND a downpipe, I thinks it's way to loud and smelly

E90Flossin · 05-08-2015, 01:25 PM

I have an aftermarket exhaust and DP. Its not that loud when you're cruising, but WOT, and everybody looks. It does drone on the highway. I dont mind it, but if you do, stick with just a downpipe and stock exhaust. Only issue is you may not pass emission

CantCatchMe · 05-08-2015, 02:29 PM

I got the PE and just installed the VRSF DP today. I'll give you my first impressions since I'll be driving on the hwy too.

Underground6t9 · 05-08-2015, 02:51 PM

Im getting my VRSF down pipes installed today. I have stock exhaust, I needed DP's to go to stage 2+

dannyjones · 05-08-2015, 04:35 PM

For me it's really about the sound. It's what brings a smile to my face

The extra hp would still be nice but on Miami roads you don't really get to use it.
Still undecided on which way to go for the best sound

Dark_Knight_335 · 05-08-2015, 05:00 PM

Are you in it for the sound or the performance?

Sound: upgrade exhaust
Power: catless DPs

Of course be prepared for the headaches when inspection time rolls around, and the constant O2 errors being thrown in the car.

Now if all that hassle is worth it to you, go for the downpipes man!

CantCatchMe · 05-08-2015, 06:17 PM

Holy cow, I don't know why some people said it drones. It doesn't drone with the PE. It sounds great and no drone.

Underground6t9 · 05-08-2015, 06:39 PM

Mine sounds great no drone. It pulls hard with stage 2+ tune.

05-07-2015, 09:23 PM	#1
dannyjones Lieutenant 82 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida, USA iTrader: (0)	Downpipes vs exhaust Hi all, I had been considering getting catless downpipes for my e90 335i n55, rather than an exhaust, mainly due to price. I know that both can give a better sound, but that only downpipes will really give any more hp. Personally, in my situation, I'm only really looking for the sound. Even stock, but with golf tee mod, I love hearing some pops when decelerating in garages, and I want more of that. Now that the performance exhaust has been reduced by a lot, I am really considering going that way instead. I'm in Florida, so I don't think emissions are an issue. In my situation, and considering its primarily for sound (deep powerful growl, pops and gargles), what would you go for? I haven't been able to hear any live, and YouTube videos don't really do any justice to either. I've read that doing both would be way too loud without resonators. Just looking for opinions. Cheers
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05-07-2015, 09:43 PM	#2
Rahim e92 Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Potomac, MD iTrader: (0)	IMO stock exhaust with catless downpipes sounds nice
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05-07-2015, 10:00 PM	#3
patsbimmer1 Second Lieutenant 173 Rep 280 Posts Drives: E90 SSii M3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: North Prairie, WI iTrader: (0)	I went catless dp's and I have been very happy with the growl on my stock exhaust.
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05-07-2015, 10:06 PM	#4
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,189 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Stock exhaust w/ catless dp is perfect
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05-08-2015, 10:40 AM	#6
dannyjones Lieutenant 82 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida, USA iTrader: (0)	Do you get the same kind of pops/gargles I read about the performance exhaust having with downpipes? If stock exhaust with downpipes is perfect, why do people go the route of getting an exhaust, considering the downpipes are cheaper? Is it mainly because of emissions/fumes? I also read that technically its illegal - so is there any trouble getting them installed at a normal shop? Will I get the same sound with catted dps? Sorry, so many questions. But without seeing/hearing(/smelling) them live its really difficult to make the choice...
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05-08-2015, 12:26 PM	#8
924er Colonel 352 Rep 2,050 Posts Drives: e92 335i '10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Stock exhaust with catless DPs sounds cool esp with the golf tee mod. That's what I'm running right now. Not so loud as a DD some people can't even tell its modified. When you go WOT it's another story As for aftermarket exhaust AND a downpipe, I thinks it's way to loud and smelly __________________ '10 e92 N54 DCI intakes, ER chargepipe, TIAL BOV, VRSF 5in FMIC, BMS Downpipes COBB e30
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05-08-2015, 01:25 PM	#9
E90Flossin Vroooomm 23 Rep 352 Posts Drives: Lci 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I have an aftermarket exhaust and DP. Its not that loud when you're cruising, but WOT, and everybody looks. It does drone on the highway. I dont mind it, but if you do, stick with just a downpipe and stock exhaust. Only issue is you may not pass emission
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05-08-2015, 02:29 PM	#10
CantCatchMe Lieutenant Colonel 340 Rep 1,744 Posts Drives: 2012 335i xdrive msport(E92) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: West Bloomfield, MI iTrader: (2)	I got the PE and just installed the VRSF DP today. I'll give you my first impressions since I'll be driving on the hwy too.
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05-08-2015, 02:51 PM	#11
Underground6t9 Lieutenant Colonel 317 Rep 1,735 Posts Drives: BMW 335xi, Lexus is250 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (2)	Im getting my VRSF down pipes installed today. I have stock exhaust, I needed DP's to go to stage 2+
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05-08-2015, 04:35 PM	#12
dannyjones Lieutenant 82 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida, USA iTrader: (0)	For me it's really about the sound. It's what brings a smile to my face The extra hp would still be nice but on Miami roads you don't really get to use it. Still undecided on which way to go for the best sound
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05-08-2015, 05:00 PM	#13
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1112 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Are you in it for the sound or the performance? Sound: upgrade exhaust Power: catless DPs Of course be prepared for the headaches when inspection time rolls around, and the constant O2 errors being thrown in the car. Now if all that hassle is worth it to you, go for the downpipes man!
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05-08-2015, 06:17 PM	#14
CantCatchMe Lieutenant Colonel 340 Rep 1,744 Posts Drives: 2012 335i xdrive msport(E92) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: West Bloomfield, MI iTrader: (2)	Holy cow, I don't know why some people said it drones. It doesn't drone with the PE. It sounds great and no drone.
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05-08-2015, 06:39 PM	#15
Underground6t9 Lieutenant Colonel 317 Rep 1,735 Posts Drives: BMW 335xi, Lexus is250 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (2)	Mine sounds great no drone. It pulls hard with stage 2+ tune.
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