Which first? CF splitter or MPE?

[CeeTeeX5]

Hi all,

Looking for opinions on which to go with first or at all? They are both around the same cost and I'm having a hard time deciding between going with the visual mod or the audible mod first.

Anyone have both that would chose one over the other if they could only have one? Pros and Cons of either?

My concerns with both:

Splitter
- Reduced front end clearance. Anyone taken before and after install measurements?
- Having to drill in to the bumper. Non-reversible without either having holes in the bumper or having the have the holes filled and painted.
- I also have clear bra installed that does wrap under the bumper. Am I going to have to remove it for the install? Anyone run in to this problem?

MPE
- I'm really not sure how loud it is as I've yet to witness one in person. Hoping I can find someone local that has one that I can meet up with. I've heard a few people mention it drones at cruising speed...Anyone have any video at cruising speed?
- No performance gains for "Performance" exhaust

Both are ridiculously overpriced, so that's a moot point

TIA

[yewlock]

MPE first. 2HP gain. Sound make you feel like having twice the fun.

[yewlock]

Are these the same exhaust? I means m performance exhaust

[yewlock]

M3 m performance design.

[Wavy]

I like to do cosmetic things first to stand out from the other stock cars.

[HomeIn2]

In regards to a few of your questions:

1. OEM CF splitter doesn’t reduce your ground clearance. It extends you a bit horizontally, but does not make you lower.
2. I suspect you would have to remove part of you paint protection film so the Betalink can properly adhere to the front bumper.
3. MPE sounds good but really isn’t too loud. I never noticed any drone whatsoever.

[LocksmithNick]

I drove one with the MPE and unfortunately couldn’t tell a huge difference. However, I’m probably going to order one in a month or two.

[shezi01]

MPE. The sound is pure joy to my ears. When i got my car first thing i ordered while picking up was MPPK and then wanted MPE. Last month got that put on.

Its not super loud at all and inside the cabin sound is not annoying at all. Only time its loud is on initial start up. the rumble is very nice on low rpm's. i do have a video that i made between M Sport exhaust note with MPPK and then with MPE(but MPE is just on idle not while driving).

I got mine from here by the vendors. I paid $1270 (exhaust, finishers and shipping). I was not going to pay BMW $1700+ plus labor (set $215+tax). If you PM me, i can share where i got mine.

[shezi01]

Also, if you do end up going down the road of MPE, i recommend to get VHT black glass and clear gloss paint(parts store, i got mine from auto zone) and paint the tips before installing if you are interested in making them black.

[Violator]

I’ve never experienced the MPE w/out the MPPK, but paired with the MPPK it sounds great! Especially in Sport/+ modes, mine even has a great note and pops in Eco (I use this mode in traffic).

Do you plan on getting MPPK and/or a piggy back then? If so, I’d say get the MPE and wait on the splitter.
If you don’t have or plan to tune, I’d get the splitter.

[Plokmp]

Originally Posted by Violator

I’ve never experienced the MPE w/out the MPPK, but paired with the MPPK it sounds great! Especially in Sport/+ modes, mine even has a great note and pops in Eco (I use this mode in traffic).

Do you plan on getting MPPK and/or a piggy back then? If so, I’d say get the MPE and wait on the splitter.
If you don’t have or plan to tune, I’d get the splitter.

In my car eco pro provides a better lower rpm tone and slightly more pops than comfort lolol

[lovesm3s]

Depends what you want to do. Personally I would do the MPE first because it's something you will hear all the time when you drive.

The splitter doesn't really decrease ground clearance much if at all. You should not hit anything and if you do, it would have likely damaged the bumper anyway.

I have a full body wrap on mine with ceramic and so it was harder to get the 3m tape to stick well even after the prep. I took the car over 100 just to be sure and I was paranoid so I took the 3M off and used betalink instead. My wife who is not a car buff feels the increased stability at speed in turns and actually complained the car felt weird without the lip when I had it off in between to do the betalink.

[CeeTeeX5]

Originally Posted by HomeIn2

In regards to a few of your questions:

1. OEM CF splitter doesn’t reduce your ground clearance. It extends you a bit horizontally, but does not make you lower.
2. I suspect you would have to remove part of you paint protection film so the Betalink can properly adhere to the front bumper.
3. MPE sounds good but really isn’t too loud. I never noticed any drone whatsoever.

good to hear there is no change in ground clearance. Sounds like just approach/departure angle impact. No noticeable drone is a plus.

Originally Posted by shezi01

Also, if you do end up going down the road of MPE, i recommend to get VHT black glass and clear gloss paint(parts store, i got mine from auto zone) and paint the tips before installing if you are interested in making them black.

Thanks for the PM with the vendor. I plan to have the tips powdercoated for durability.

Originally Posted by Violator

I’ve never experienced the MPE w/out the MPPK, but paired with the MPPK it sounds great! Especially in Sport/+ modes, mine even has a great note and pops in Eco (I use this mode in traffic).

Do you plan on getting MPPK and/or a piggy back then? If so, I’d say get the MPE and wait on the splitter.
If you don’t have or plan to tune, I’d get the splitter.

I have Dinan Stage 1.

Originally Posted by lovesm3s

Depends what you want to do. Personally I would do the MPE first because it's something you will hear all the time when you drive.

The splitter doesn't really decrease ground clearance much if at all. You should not hit anything and if you do, it would have likely damaged the bumper anyway.

I have a full body wrap on mine with ceramic and so it was harder to get the 3m tape to stick well even after the prep. I took the car over 100 just to be sure and I was paranoid so I took the 3M off and used betalink instead. My wife who is not a car buff feels the increased stability at speed in turns and actually complained the car felt weird without the lip when I had it off in between to do the betalink.

The wrap you are referring to is vinyl or xpel? Sounds like you have the splitter on top of the wrap?


Thanks all for the feedback so far.

[lovesm3s]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

The wrap you are referring to is vinyl or xpel? Sounds like you have the splitter on top of the wrap?

It's a clear paint protection wrap, similar to Xpel. They used STek Dyno Shield I believe. I placed the splitter on after the car was wrapped, but had the splitter coated with the ceramic since it was easy to do

[CeeTeeX5]

Originally Posted by lovesm3s

It's a clear paint protection wrap, similar to Xpel. They used STek Dyno Shield I believe. I placed the splitter on after the car was wrapped, but had the splitter coated with the ceramic since it was easy to do

got it, ok. So I could just mount it on top of the ppf if I wanted to.

[lovesm3s]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

got it, ok. So I could just mount it on top of the ppf if I wanted to.

But you have to sand it still to make it rough otherwise it's too slick

[sbinshihon]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

Hi all,

Looking for opinions on which to go with first or at all? They are both around the same cost and I'm having a hard time deciding between going with the visual mod or the audible mod first.

Anyone have both that would chose one over the other if they could only have one? Pros and Cons of either?

My concerns with both:

Splitter
- Reduced front end clearance. Anyone taken before and after install measurements?
- Having to drill in to the bumper. Non-reversible without either having holes in the bumper or having the have the holes filled and painted.
- I also have clear bra installed that does wrap under the bumper. Am I going to have to remove it for the install? Anyone run in to this problem?

MPE
- I'm really not sure how loud it is as I've yet to witness one in person. Hoping I can find someone local that has one that I can meet up with. I've heard a few people mention it drones at cruising speed...Anyone have any video at cruising speed?
- No performance gains for "Performance" exhaust

Both are ridiculously overpriced, so that's a moot point

TIA

Definitely do the CP splitter first, it will transform the look of the car. Its important to remove part of the PPF where splitter will go, so it sits level/flush and wont give you problems down the road.

The MPE is okay but seriously sometimes you wont feel its there, let alone someone else.

[CeeTeeX5]

How well is the CF splitter holding up for you guys? Are you seeing many dings and rock chips?

I am thinking about going the RW Carbon route. I know the fitment may not be 100% perfect but it's also about half the cost and I won't feel too bad if it gets a bit banged up.

[sbinshihon]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

How well is the CF splitter holding up for you guys? Are you seeing many dings and rock chips?

I am thinking about going the RW Carbon route. I know the fitment may not be 100% perfect but it's also about half the cost and I won't feel too bad if it gets a bit banged up.

It's holding up pretty well, just be careful not to hit it while parking and you are good! Like everyone has said it doesn't reduce front end clearance. You can even put PPF film to protect it before the install.

So, Definitely get the OEM part.

[Chigger]

IMO, CF splitter.

[P1]

You already got bigger wheels, right? If so, do the splitter. I don't think the splitter in combination with 20" wheels looks right.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

How well is the CF splitter holding up for you guys? Are you seeing many dings and rock chips?

I am thinking about going the RW Carbon route. I know the fitment may not be 100% perfect but it's also about half the cost and I won't feel too bad if it gets a bit banged up.

You are guaranteed rock chips on the splitter unless you're driving 30 miles and under.. I have several chips on mine after 2+ years..

IMO I'd go with the MPE.