[ACR3597]

I have a few questions about downpipes for the F30 328i:

1. Which is the best brand of downpipes and do you prefer catted or cat less?

2. If I install a downpipe will I get any check engines lights or any of that sort? If so, how do I remedy the check engine light?

3. I hear that a cat less downpipe causes the car to smell. What does it smell like and how pungent is this smell?

4. For those with an aftermarket cat back exhaust and downpipe, is there any cabin drone and how bad is it?

Additionally, for those who the AWE Tourning Exhaust with the performance midpipe with a downpipe, how does it sound and do you happen to have any videos?

Any and all help is appreciated!

[mike@x-ph.com]

1. Which is the best brand of downpipes and do you prefer catted or cat less?

Wagner and ER are the most popular and very high quality
Catless is louder with some fuel smell
Cattted is quieter, no fuel smell

Performance gains are slightly more with catless

I prefer catless but catted options are very popular on this platform

2. If I install a downpipe will I get any check engines lights or any of that sort? If so, how do I remedy the check engine light?

Catless downpipes will get you a CEL code.
Catted downpipe should not, but it is not a 100% guarantee since our DME is very sensitive

JB4 will auto clear the code

3. I hear that a cat less downpipe causes the car to smell. What does it smell like and how pungent is this smell?

Its a fuel smell that is most noticeable when on cold start and car is sitting on idle.
I dont mind it, most dont either.
If you are sensitive to fuel smell, i recommend the catted option

4. For those with an aftermarket cat back exhaust and downpipe, is there any cabin drone and how bad is it?

Depends on the exhaust
If you get a trusted downpipe and exhaust, there will be no drone


Additionally, for those who the AWE Tourning Exhaust with the performance midpipe with a downpipe, how does it sound and do you happen to have any videos?

This is with stock DP.
Catless will even get you a louder tone

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

1. Which is the best brand of downpipes and do you prefer catted or cat less?

Wagner and ER are the most popular and very high quality
Catless is louder with some fuel smell
Cattted is quieter, no fuel smell

Performance gains are slightly more with catless

I prefer catless but catted options are very popular on this platform

2. If I install a downpipe will I get any check engines lights or any of that sort? If so, how do I remedy the check engine light?

Catless downpipes will get you a CEL code.
Catted downpipe should not, but it is not a 100% guarantee since our DME is very sensitive

JB4 will auto clear the code

3. I hear that a cat less downpipe causes the car to smell. What does it smell like and how pungent is this smell?

Its a fuel smell that is most noticeable when on cold start and car is sitting on idle.
I dont mind it, most dont either.
If you are sensitive to fuel smell, i recommend the catted option

4. For those with an aftermarket cat back exhaust and downpipe, is there any cabin drone and how bad is it?

Depends on the exhaust
If you get a trusted downpipe and exhaust, there will be no drone


Additionally, for those who the AWE Tourning Exhaust with the performance midpipe with a downpipe, how does it sound and do you happen to have any videos?

This is with stock DP.
Catless will even get you a louder tone

Thanks for all your reply! You've pretty much told me everything I needed to know! I have the AWE exhaust I just wanted to know if anyone had it wth a downpipe. It's a wonderful exhaust and that video doesn't do it justice!

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

1. Which is the best brand of downpipes and do you prefer catted or cat less?

Wagner and ER are the most popular and very high quality
Catless is louder with some fuel smell
Cattted is quieter, no fuel smell

Performance gains are slightly more with catless

I prefer catless but catted options are very popular on this platform

2. If I install a downpipe will I get any check engines lights or any of that sort? If so, how do I remedy the check engine light?

Catless downpipes will get you a CEL code.
Catted downpipe should not, but it is not a 100% guarantee since our DME is very sensitive

JB4 will auto clear the code

3. I hear that a cat less downpipe causes the car to smell. What does it smell like and how pungent is this smell?

Its a fuel smell that is most noticeable when on cold start and car is sitting on idle.
I dont mind it, most dont either.
If you are sensitive to fuel smell, i recommend the catted option

4. For those with an aftermarket cat back exhaust and downpipe, is there any cabin drone and how bad is it?

Depends on the exhaust
If you get a trusted downpipe and exhaust, there will be no drone


Additionally, for those who the AWE Tourning Exhaust with the performance midpipe with a downpipe, how does it sound and do you happen to have any videos?

This is with stock DP.
Catless will even get you a louder tone

Also would you happen to know the difference in loudness between a catted and catless?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Also would you happen to know the difference in loudness between a catted and catless?

catless will increase sound by 25% more than catted

Sound with both will be upgraded, pick your downpipe based on your sensitivity to fuel smell

[iki4life]

this sounds dumb on a car forum but whats the difference between stock, downpipe, and midpipe? advantages and disadvantages?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by iki4life

this sounds dumb on a car forum but whats the difference between stock, downpipe, and midpipe? advantages and disadvantages?

Stock is original pipes

Stock downpipe has restrictive cats
Catless downpipes remove the cats ( increase power and sound)
Catted DP are high flow cats. Also increase power and sound

Midpipes are the pipes between the downpipes and the mufflers.
Replacing midpipes will not add power but it increase sound

[Project Elite]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Also would you happen to know the difference in loudness between a catted and catless?

I am currently running an ER catless downpipe and would like to say the sound is amplified by about 2-3x.

I ordered my AWE Tuning Exhaust last week so should be done by the end of this week and shipped to my house the week after. From the video, I think the exhaust is pretty loud in the midrange. Will probably be a lot louder with catless. If you can wait, I will let you know once I get mine installed!

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by Project Elite

I am currently running an ER catless downpipe and would like to say the sound is amplified by about 2-3x.

I ordered my AWE Tuning Exhaust last week so should be done by the end of this week and shipped to my house the week after. From the video, I think the exhaust is pretty loud in the midrange. Will probably be a lot louder with catless. If you can wait, I will let you know once I get mine installed!

Yeah I have the AWE exhaust and I'm curious what it sounds like with a downpipe even though the exhaust already sounds fantastic, especially in sport or sport+

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Yeah I have the AWE exhaust and I'm curious what it sounds like with a downpipe even though the exhaust already sounds fantastic, especially in sport or sport+??

It will sounds noticeably more aggressive under WOT (wide open throttle)