[Boostedphil698]

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to figure out what downpipe would be the best choice for me. I know the AA downpipe is EPA certified while the Fabspeed one is not. Please share your experiences and opinions below. Also, which downpipe gives more sound?

[BMWApp]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to figure out what downpipe would be the best choice for me. I know the AA downpipe is EPA certified while the Fabspeed one is not. Please share your experiences and opinions below. Also, which downpipe gives more sound?

I only have experience with the AA catted downpipe but I loved it. I had it on my 340ix and really liked the sound and power increase. I went with AA because of the no CEL guarantee and the fact that it is EPA approved. It passed NC state inspection with no problem and was worth the cost imo. I'm going to add the AA catted downpipe to my 435 later this year.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by BMWApp

I only have experience with the AA catted downpipe but I loved it. I had it on my 340ix and really liked the sound and power increase. I went with AA because of the no CEL guarantee and the fact that it is EPA approved. It passed NC state inspection with no problem and was worth the cost imo. I'm going to add the AA catted downpipe to my 435 later this year.

Inspections are the reason I'm looking at it. But, why did you go from the B58 back to the N55?

[14F30Daily]

^Solid question. Also looking to buy the AA DP soon as well so I would love to hear some feed back too. Thanks OP

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by 14F30Daily

^Solid question. Also looking to buy the AA DP soon as well so I would love to hear some feed back too. Thanks OP

The on perk of the AA downpipe is that it's EPA registered.

[Fthree6mafia]

Only have experience with the AA catted DP, but absolutely nothing to complain about yet. Love the increase in sound and power.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by Fthree6mafia

Only have experience with the AA catted DP, but absolutely nothing to complain about yet. Love the increase in sound and power.

I'm excited to grab mine.

[BMWApp]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

Inspections are the reason I'm looking at it. But, why did you go from the B58 back to the N55?

I wanted to get into a coupe and by chance got an offer I couldn't refuse on my 2016 340ix and then found a very low mileage 2015 435i that was spec'd exactly how I would want. I did think a lot about going from the B58 to the N55 and while I did love my 340ix, I don't regret the decision. I love being in a two door coupe again (it's been 17 years) and am having a blast. I'm upgrading the intercooler and getting a tune put on this week and can't wait to see the impact.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to figure out what downpipe would be the best choice for me. I know the AA downpipe is EPA certified while the Fabspeed one is not. Please share your experiences and opinions below. Also, which downpipe gives more sound?

The Fabspeed is the best because it uses an HJS cat which are the best in the world. Guaranteed no CEL. Fabspeed is the only one that I know of that dyno tests performance and got 93% of the performance of their catless downpipe. I suspect other catted downpipes aren't as good or they would publish testing.

Fabspeed has models for both F3x N55 PWG (3.5") and N55 EWG (4.0"). I believe AA might only have an N55 EWG downpipe.

However Fabspeed recently increased their price up to $1,800. They do have regular holiday sales.

Active Autowerke is an excellent choice with no CEL and a price of $950. I don't know what the performance is.

I honestly don't understand the current fixation with attempting to use a downpipe as an exhaust sound enhancement. I assume because catless downpipes are cheap. Yeah, a downpipe adds sound but the best sound by far comes from a great exhaust like AWE.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by johnung

The Fabspeed is the best because it uses an HJS cat which are the best in the world. Guaranteed no CEL. Fabspeed is the only one that I know of that dyno tests performance and got 93% of the performance of their catless downpipe. I suspect other catted downpipes aren't as good or they would publish testing.

Fabspeed has models for both F3x N55 PWG (3.5") and N55 EWG (4.0"). I believe AA might only have an N55 EWG downpipe.

However Fabspeed recently increased their price up to $1,800. They do have regular holiday sales.

Active Autowerke is an excellent choice with no CEL and a price of $950. I don't know what the performance is.

I honestly don't understand the current fixation with attempting to use a downpipe as an exhaust sound enhancement. I assume because catless downpipes are cheap. Yeah, a downpipe adds sound but the best sound by far comes from a great exhaust like AWE.

I have the full AWE system and it sounds great, I'm hoping either Fabspeed or AA increases the sound.

[AlpinaFS]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

I have the full AWE system and it sounds great, I'm hoping either Fabspeed or AA increases the sound.

Fabspeed will absolutely increase your sound and power output! A much more aggressive tone IMO

[mike@x-ph.com]

They are equal in my opinion. Both fit perfectly, top-notch quality, no CEL and significantly increase the sound of the car

[johnung]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

I have the full AWE system and it sounds great, I'm hoping either Fabspeed or AA increases the sound.

They will!

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by johnung

They will!

Yes, they will, and OP should be aware that lots of these exhausts were designed to be paired with OEM DP and going to aftermarket may cause them to drone or be "too loud" depending on your preference or tolerance. Hopefully the DP change doesn't overshoot what you are looking for in terms of sound because it certainly provides performance benefits.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Yes, they will, and OP should be aware that lots of these exhausts were designed to be paired with OEM DP and going to aftermarket may cause them to drone or be "too loud" depending on your preference or tolerance. Hopefully the DP change doesn't overshoot what you are looking for in terms of sound because it certainly provides performance benefits.

Good point! A buddy of mine installed the Fabspeed HJS catted downpipe on his 435i along with the full AWE exhaust. The AWE midpipe was too loud for his neighbors so he went back to the stock midpipe. Really sounded great!

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Yes, they will, and OP should be aware that lots of these exhausts were designed to be paired with OEM DP and going to aftermarket may cause them to drone or be "too loud" depending on your preference or tolerance. Hopefully the DP change doesn't overshoot what you are looking for in terms of sound because it certainly provides performance benefits.

My car isn't a daily and only sees the road on the weekend. Not to mention my neighbor has an extremely loud motorcycle and no one complains.

[FastF30]

Yes mine is louder with the Fabspeed and stock exhaust ... but it's not loud at all... not even a tiny bit... kinda disappointed... wanted it just a little bit louder

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by FastF30

Yes mine is louder with the Fabspeed and stock exhaust ... but it's not loud at all... not even a tiny bit... kinda disappointed... wanted it just a little bit louder

Resonator delete

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by FastF30

Yes mine is louder with the Fabspeed and stock exhaust ... but it's not loud at all... not even a tiny bit... kinda disappointed... wanted it just a little bit louder

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Resonator delete

or get an axle-back REMUS or Active sound the best with the catted DP option in my opinion

[435imao]

I have Fabspeed catted Dp with Borla full catback, it sounds great. Not super super loud but way better than stock and the best part is I NEVER got CEL on the Fabspeed for the past year and a half. It is pricy thou, we paid about $1450 for it about 1 1/2 years ago directly from factory.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by 435imao

I have Fabspeed catted Dp with Borla full catback, it sounds great. Not super super loud but way better than stock and the best part is I NEVER got CEL on the Fabspeed for the past year and a half. It is pricy thou, we paid about $1450 for it about 1 1/2 years ago directly from factory.

It is pricey, and they recently raised their prices to like $1800. That's why AA is now in the table.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

It is pricey, and they recently raised their prices to like $1800. That's why AA is now in the table.

HJS constant price increase is forcing Fabspeed to do the same unfortunately