[VegasG42]

I installed the downpipe yesterday , and have driven the car about an hour total since the install.

I had intended on having a shop install the DP , because I figured hey, for a few hundred bucks, I can avoid laying on the garage floor under the car and busting my knuckles.

Wrong.

The first shop had the idea in their head that the dp install would immediately throw a bunch of codes and put the car into limp mode. Okay , no worries.

Then another shop quoted me like $900. And then a third shop told me it's illegal to alter the emissions system.

Long story short, I bit the bullet and installed it myself.

Very straight forward install. Hardest parts were seperating the factory downpipe from the midpipe. And then getting the AA downpipe into the midpipe. To which a large exhaust pipe expander helped TREMENDOUSLY. I don't think it would have been possible without the pipe expander.

Everything else was just a matter of finesse and finagling, and a bit of strong arming and knuckle busting.

Active Autowerkes sends a sheet of break-in instructions that you MUST FOLLOW to minimize the likelihood of ever getting a CEL. It's funny - I haven't seen a single YouTube install video that followed these instructions. They all start the car up and immediately rev it up.

First impressions: It sounds great , at every range and every level of driving.

Normal relaxed driving , I would say it's maybe 10% louder.

Sports Plus high revving driving , it's probably 20 - 30% louder. Increased burbles, and a couple pops and bangs here and there.

Cold starts are obviously louder and more raw as well. And parked revs are a good deal louder and throaty as well.

As for the performance : Well I have to be honest , there isn't really any noticeable difference according to my butt-dyno. So the 10 - 20 added WHP that dynos show, really seems accurate. If I said the car felt noticeably faster, I would be embellishing.

I really like it , and I'm glad I have it!



Harbor Freight Large Pipe Expander:



Oh, and by the way - I purchased it from Mike at https://x-ph.com/
Best price by a couple hundred bucks.

[BG42]

Its def nice I have been debating swapping the MPE axel back for something louder to me the car is still pretty quiet. As for the install cost the problem is so many shops give you book hours and rates a dealer would charge, luckily for them people are dumb enough to pay it most times.

[VegasG42]

Originally Posted by BG42

Its def nice I have been debating swapping the MPE axel back for something louder to me the car is still pretty quiet. As for the install cost the problem is so many shops give you book hours and rates a dealer would charge, luckily for them people are dumb enough to pay it most times.

And as soon as you say "2024 BMW ......." , the price increases.

I probably saved myself at least $600 by installing it myself.

Shops are out of control lol.

[I1PUTT]

Originally Posted by VegasG42

I installed the downpipe yesterday , and have driven the car about an hour total since the install.

I had intended on having a shop install the DP , because I figured hey, for a few hundred bucks, I can avoid laying on the garage floor under the car and busting my knuckles.

Wrong.

The first shop had the idea in their head that the dp install would immediately throw a bunch of codes and put the car into limp mode. Okay , no worries.

Then another shop quoted me like $900. And then a third shop told me it's illegal to alter the emissions system.

Long story short, I bit the bullet and installed it myself.

Very straight forward install. Hardest parts were seperating the factory downpipe from the midpipe. And then getting the AA downpipe into the midpipe. To which a large exhaust pipe expander helped TREMENDOUSLY. I don't think it would have been possible without the pipe expander.

Everything else was just a matter of finesse and finagling, and a bit of strong arming and knuckle busting.

Active Autowerkes sends a sheet of break-in instructions that you MUST FOLLOW to minimize the likelihood of ever getting a CEL. It's funny - I haven't seen a single YouTube install video that followed these instructions. They all start the car up and immediately rev it up.

First impressions: It sounds great , at every range and every level of driving.

Normal relaxed driving , I would say it's maybe 10% louder.

Sports Plus high revving driving , it's probably 20 - 30% louder. Increased burbles, and a couple pops and bangs here and there.

Cold starts are obviously louder and more raw as well. And parked revs are a good deal louder and throaty as well.

As for the performance : Well I have to be honest , there isn't really any noticeable difference according to my butt-dyno. So the 10 - 20 added WHP that dynos show, really seems accurate. If I said the car felt noticeably faster, I would be embellishing.

I really like it , and I'm glad I have it!

Attachment 3370070

Harbor Freight Large Pipe Expander:

Attachment 3370083

Oh, and by the way - I purchased it from Mike at https://x-ph.com/
Best price by a couple hundred bucks.

Is this the only exhaust mod that you’ve completed on the car? Asking so I have context around the % louder estimates. Thx!

[VegasG42]

Originally Posted by I1PUTT

Is this the only exhaust mod that you’ve completed on the car? Asking so I have context around the % louder estimates. Thx!

Yep. Only the Downpipe.

No intake, exhaust , or piggyback tune.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!

next time check with me for shop recommendations. We work with a few different ones in town

[sacowich]

I paid $425 for Downpipe instal by my preferred shop plus cost of new gaskets ($59).
I did try to follow break in procedure.
Purchased from x-ph.

[BG42]

If it was aa should have come with gasket attached.

[VegasG42]

Or maybe they installed it with a new v band clamp

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by sacowich

I paid $425 for Downpipe instal by my preferred shop plus cost of new gaskets ($59).
I did try to follow break in procedure.
Purchased from x-ph.

Congrats

$425 is a little high for a downpipe install

[VegasG42]

Little update :

Everything great so far. Still sounds great. No issues.

And possibly , it seems that the car is pulling a bit harder. Or at least it seems it runs through the revs a bit smoother.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by VegasG42

Little update :

Everything great so far. Still sounds great. No issues.

And possibly , it seems that the car is pulling a bit harder. Or at least it seems it runs through the revs a bit smoother.