What Down Pipe Would You Recommend For a N55?

[GT1281]

I figured I'd shake things up a bit with my car. I decided to get rid of my BMW Performance Tune and BMW Performance Exhaust. I'm going to go with the N55 JB4 Stage 2 and a Down Pipe. The problem I'm having is deciding which company to go with and if I should go catted or cattless. What do you guys that have come across this recommend? Thanks!

[Harlequin]

I'm currently tossing up between the BMS and the AR Design...

The AR is 4" and the BMS is only 3.5" but the AR is double the price...

[GT1281]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

I'm currently tossing up between the BMS and the AR Design...

The AR is 4" and the BMS is only 3.5" but the AR is double the price...

Those are the two I was looking at. I hear a lot of good things about the AR pipes but BMS usually makes some pretty good products as well. I'm leaning towards the BMS cause the price as well.

Don't you guys have really strict rules in Australia about what you can use on your car?

[M135]

I am not sure the 4" would make that much difference power wise for the money. I am not speaking with total fact here, but I think that the turbine on the N55 is very limited in flow and an extra 1/2" likely will not make a difference. Terry at BMS tested intercoolers and though they can help for non-meth cars with lowering IAT the stock intercooler has more than enough flow for the N55 turbine.

I went BMS 3 1/2" and am very happy. Great quality product, and the one advantage I see so far in the N55 versus N54 debate is finally getting a plus one on the N55 column for sound. A downpipe + stock exhaust N55 sounds so much better than downpipe + stock exhaust N54 (even with N54 using N55 midpipe IMO).

[GT1281]

Originally Posted by Spoolin55

Agreed I have the BMS Downpipe and stock exhaust and the car sounds like a monster. Very happy with that and all the amazing turbo noises that come along with it... cant beat it for the price imo...

I really think I'm going to go with the BMS Pipe. Terry puts a lot of effort, research and time into his products which makes me think that when I buy his down pipe I'm getting the best for my car. AR is nice but I can't justify the HUGE difference in price.

[bogart]

I would go with the BMS DP to be honest, because you are right, Terry puts in a lot of great work.

I ended up finding a deal back when iCarbon actually made DP's... yes, I know, iCarbon, lol. It's a 4-incher and is thermal coated. Got it for $450 shipped from a guy who bought it but never installed it.

A catless DP was probably one of the best mods I ever did. More power, throttle response, and sounds awesome... oh, and I love the smell.

[cooler2442]

If you have the $, I would go with Berk. They were one of the first to pioneer a downpipe for our platform and it is one of the highest quality ones.

If your more budget oriented then get the BMS.

[GT1281]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

If you have the $, I would go with Berk. They were one of the first to pioneer a downpipe for our platform and it is one of the highest quality ones.

If your more budget oriented then get the BMS.

Not so much budget oriented. I just look at it as if I don't need to overspend I'm not going to. I'm not a fan of Berk products.

[bogart]

There is no such thing as a "high quality" DP... all it is is a bunch of steel welded together... Honestly, if you had enough fabrication skill you could easily make your own DP.

[M135]

Originally Posted by bogart

There is no such thing as a "high quality" DP... all it is is a bunch of steel welded together... Honestly, if you had enough fabrication skill you could easily make your own DP.

I dunno man, I've seen some exhaust products from lower quality vendors with nasty looking welds. So quality is more of that concern versus quality of pipe for instance.

[bogart]

But you like your BMS DP?

[ParkNuts]

I have inspection coming up in April. It's yearly in Texas. So I have a Vishnu 3.5" catted dp. I I paired that with a golf tee mod and the car sounds amazing, with great spool time. It does throw a CEL so I had to get the can tool. I'm considering getting a reasonably priced intake to really amp up the turbo and exhaust noise. Anyone above have any input on the effect of an intake on an N55 w/ downpipe? (not trying to thread derail)

[GT1281]

Originally Posted by ParkNuts

I have inspection coming up in April. It's yearly in Texas. So I have a Vishnu 3.5" catted dp. I I paired that with a golf tee mod and the car sounds amazing, with great spool time. It does throw a CEL so I had to get the can tool. I'm considering getting a reasonably priced intake to really amp up the turbo and exhaust noise. Anyone above have any input on the effect of an intake on an N55 w/ downpipe? (not trying to thread derail)

I got the HP Autowerkes drop in filter and I'm happy with that. BMS has a new Intake for the N55 but it sold out immediately. It will be available in April some time. It's putting up nice numbers.

[Tweeked SRT4]

I'm actually looking into getting a BMS DP myself. But my car is a lease and trying to keep it simple. I've been running on JB4 for about 2 weeks now. I ordered the BMS Intake also before it sold out. From what Terry said you don't see gains from the intake unless your running more than stock boost. What do most of you guys do when you have dealer visits running a catless dp? Even if it's just a oil change or routine maintance. I know for the JB4 you just switch back to Map 0 but won't that throw a code once you do that?

[M135]

Originally Posted by bogart

But you like your BMS DP?

Yessir, would highly recommend it.

[M135]

Originally Posted by Tweeked SRT4

I'm actually looking into getting a BMS DP myself. But my car is a lease and trying to keep it simple. I've been running on JB4 for about 2 weeks now. I ordered the BMS Intake also before it sold out. From what Terry said you don't see gains from the intake unless your running more than stock boost. What do most of you guys do when you have dealer visits running a catless dp? Even if it's just a oil change or routine maintance. I know for the JB4 you just switch back to Map 0 but won't that throw a code once you do that?

Dunno what I will do yet had my first service before the DP install, won't have to worry until next Feburary.

[Tweeked SRT4]

I probably won't have my car in for service for awhile unless I break something or something goes wrong with the car. Prior to installing the JB4 I had my car in the shop at least 4 times for 4 different things. That's why I'm contemplating if I should get a DP or not for my car. The JB4 and intake is easy to remove if I'm going in for warranty work but a DP I'm sure takes a bit longer to uninstall. This guy I know works at the dealer I got my car and he said the place is usually cool about mods. I still doubt that.

[GT1281]

Originally Posted by Tweeked SRT4

I probably won't have my car in for service for awhile unless I break something or something goes wrong with the car. Prior to installing the JB4 I had my car in the shop at least 4 times for 4 different things. That's why I'm contemplating if I should get a DP or not for my car. The JB4 and intake is easy to remove if I'm going in for warranty work but a DP I'm sure takes a bit longer to uninstall. This guy I know works at the dealer I got my car and he said the place is usually cool about mods. I still doubt that.

A lot of dealerships are fine with mods unless the car is in there for a serious issue which they might associate with the mods. I work for a BMW dealer and we don't care.

[Tweeked SRT4]

Originally Posted by Phil135

A lot of dealerships are fine with mods unless the car is in there for a serious issue which they might associate with the mods. I work for a BMW dealer and we don't care.

That's good to know. I wanted to get a Mopar Stage 3 turbo upgrade for my SRT4 but even though it's a factory upgrade Dodge would still void the warranty. Everything that's gone bad on my car was before I installed the JB4 and stuff I feel mods would't be to blame for. I was originally planning on just doing a JB4, intake and DP but since I keep reading about charges pipe exploding under high boost levels I was thinking of getting one before I break mine cause I know the dealer would stand for that. haha I'm still learning more and more about these cars. So far the JB4 only is a night and day difference and made the car more enjoyable to drive. I almost wish it was that quick stock. I'm running Map 7 with 100 octane every fill up now.