[twintub]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some CATTED downpipes for my N54 335i in the UK.

What brand are people generally going with now that AR have (allegedly) gone bust? I have searched extensively and AR seemed to be the only pipes that consistently got good reviews for fitting etc.

Thanks,

TT

[imy]

AR went bust? really? wow

why not go catless?

[twintub]

Apparently....(I have no way to verify this I hasten to add).

I thought catted are needed to pass roadside emissions and MOT etc. Also I read that catless can cause fault codes etc (even with JB "fix") and I want to avoid fault codes.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by twintub

Apparently....(I have no way to verify this I hasten to add).

I thought catted are needed to pass roadside emissions and MOT etc. Also I read that catless can cause fault codes etc (even with JB "fix") and I want to avoid fault codes.

I too have been told that AR have gone bust.

If keeping the secondary CATs in place then you can remove the downpipe ones with no issues to MOT. Others have passed.

With the JB4 set to autoclear faults I do not get the fault code coming up on the dash.

[imy]

Originally Posted by twintub

Apparently....(I have no way to verify this I hasten to add).

I thought catted are needed to pass roadside emissions and MOT etc. Also I read that catless can cause fault codes etc (even with JB "fix") and I want to avoid fault codes.

Just had my MOT last week. It passed with zero advisories (although I took the car for a thrash before hand - this may not even have been necessary). Also ive never had any codes or lights due to DP's with JB4.

[twintub]

OK catless it is.

Looking at reviews it seems that BMS, VRSF and COBB pipes seem to get reviews for fitment. However, many of the VRSF video clips sound a bit "raspy" - have any VRSF users found this? The COBB videos sound much better to my ear...?

[imy]

I got Vrsf. Mine do sound raspy to be honest but it's mainly when the car is cold. Once warmed up the raspiness cuts down. I like the raspiness though so doesn't bother me.

[andyoxon]

I have some bought them from Birds had them on the car for about 4000 miles sounded amazing gave a noticeable increase in torque. Took them off as had BMW warranty am in Crowthorne Berkshire if you are interested will look what I paid for them but £350 and they are yours.

[twintub]

So after looking into this I still want a set of CATTED pipes. Mainly because I don't want any smell issues.

But it seems like its no longer possible to get any catted pipes for RHD cars. Does anyone know of a source?

Thanks,

TT

[imy]

Originally Posted by twintub

So after looking into this I still want a set of CATTED pipes. Mainly because I don't want any smell issues.

But it seems like its no longer possible to get any catted pipes for RHD cars. Does anyone know of a source?

Thanks,

TT

... there is no smell if you decat the primaries.

[twintub]

I think there are mixed opinions on that. Anyway I really want a catted pipe - someone must know a source!

[BMW Steve]

Have you looked at custom systems or some one like Torque Technique who can make custom exhaust parts.

http://torquetechnique.co.uk/wordpress/

[russjonesr]

I don't experience any smells...both primary and secondary have been removed!

If you want to keep it cheap get them to gut the current cats, you know for sure fitment will be fine...although I had no issues with VRSF DP's

[RajB]

I can smell the petrol more but that's probably because I've decatted both primary/secondary and only got a single small backbox.

I've got Wagners decatted and they fit well.

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by RajB

I can smell the petrol more but that's probably because I've decatted both primary/secondary and only got a single small backbox.

I've got Wagners decatted and they fit well.

It'll depend on how rich you run the car and how much unburnt fuel goes out the back..

Even with cats you will get that on cold startup with the Open loop and the warming cycle.

As you know the warm up cycle can be disabled with a flash tune.

There's no more smell from a catless DP car with primary cats than a full catted car. That's proven by getting through the MOT.

[twintub]

Thanks for your reply guys, but its safe to say that there are mixed opinions on smell and there is clearly no firm answer. Getting through an MOT does not mean there cannot be more smell.

I'm really hoping someone knows of a supplier of catted pipes (and I don't want to have a custom one made)...

Thanks.
TT

[RajB]

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

It'll depend on how rich you run the car and how much unburnt fuel goes out the back..

Even with cats you will get that on cold startup with the Open loop and the warming cycle.

As you know the warm up cycle can be disabled with a flash tune.

There's no more smell from a catless DP car with primary cats than a full catted car. That's proven by getting through the MOT.

I had the JB4 and a few other bits with the AR catted DP's and Akra before going catless and the smell of petrol wasn't there for sure as remember when getting it tested even to see how it would fair with an MOT. As soon as I swapped the DP's the petrol smell was prevalent for sure, hence my observation in my circumstance.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by twintub

Thanks for your reply guys, but its safe to say that there are mixed opinions on smell and there is clearly no firm answer. Getting through an MOT does not mean there cannot be more smell.

I'm really hoping someone knows of a supplier of catted pipes (and I don't want to have a custom one made)...

Thanks.
TT

I don't think you've mentioned what exhaust system you have to marry to the DP's as this will make a huge difference.

If you are running the standard system then most definitely catless will be fine with no issues of smell or MOT emissions failure as the secondary cats will still be in place.

[imy]

^^^ This. With a standard exhaust set up there will be no smell. At the end of the day its down to preferance and I appreciate your logic. I just wouldnt hold my breath is all. And its a dam good mod to do as well.

[twintub]

I have a stock exhaust. Again thanks for the input but for every 100 posts that say there will be no smell with this setup, there are a 100 posts that say there will!

[AWSAWS]

Well I'd be very surprised if there is smell as the test means HCs need to be below 200 parts per million. Not sure what the human nose can detect and true that figure does go out of the window when you floor it.

I think Gangzoom may have had high flow cats. You could contact him to see what he did.