[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by DoingIT77

I’m in the market so I will dare to chime in here

I have not run, tested or have any biased opinion in regards to a quality downpipe but I am a consumer that would make an educated buying decision, which is why I am here.

I see a few different debates and shots being fired on the thread and it all seems subjective. The information I have seen is centered on quality, fitment, origin and price.

As a consumer, I'll open it up in that order
1. Fitment - This should be the top priority in my eyes because this will impact the effectiveness of the product
2. Price - Price is # 2 for me in the grand scheme of things, there are other mods that add up to build the 335 land rocket
3. Quality - The steel used and the assembly process is important, but is it really required to have a pipe that surpasses the rest of the BMW piping? (not proven, just a thought)
4. Sound- I for one have heard different things about the sedan and that the sound is more suppressed in a sedan, which is great because I do not want a ricer, want to keep id down to a gritty rumble in a Daily driver, but has presence when getting open.
5. Origin - Great to don the Made in USA badge, but as mentioned earlier, this is not the Ford Fusion forum and part of the reason for the price tag jump. Outsourcing the assembly of the part based on a specification happens all the time and if they can stand behind the product, all the better.
6. TCO – The total cost of ownership is also a factor when doing mods that requires wrench time, replacing a shoddy product, removing for inspection, mod sensors and fixes etc.. This is a big factor for the Xi especially because of having to drop the engine mount, which requires additional labor.

All of those things in mind, I would lean towards better price point because:
• This is not a permanent mod, realistically it will not be there for the life of the car and I would still have to get a mechanic to do the work.
• I have many different mods that are on the radar and won’t spend more on a set of pipes than the cost of my tires, unless cat back.

Part = $500-600
Installation = $300-400
O2 Fix = $75
________________________
$1,000+

Feel free to chime in with anything to help my buying decision including your best price on a Xi set of pipes.

Like I said , just going on what I have been reading, any real experiences are welcome, Trolls need not apply.

With todays popular tunes you wont need an o2 fix. COBB PROCede JB4.

[16M4]

Make a set yourself out of a PVC pipe....

[phazen23]

Originally Posted by Alfred

Make a set yourself out of a PVC pipe....

I've heard some people have had issues with PVC fitment. Cedar's usually recommended since you can shave it if you have to.

[16M4]

Originally Posted by phazen23

I've heard some people have had issues with PVC fitment. Cedar's usually recommended since you can shave it if you have to.

Only inexperienced people have issues with PVC. Quick tip from a pro, use a blowtorch!

[6underpressure]

pipe is a pipe... 3" is 3"... and in 3 years they will all look the same

[16M4]

Originally Posted by 6underpressure

pipe is a pipe... 3" is 3"... and in 3 years they will all look the same

PVC is a pipe..

[phazen23]

Originally Posted by Alfred

PVC is a pipe..

And no DP's are totally 3" end to end either. They all taper down to 2.5", and to the best of my knowledge no two do it in the same place.

[matreyia]

Originally Posted by AU335i

interesting you say that... have you heard of a failed VRSF downpipe yet? or are you speculating because the fact they are cheaper, that they will automatically eventually fail?

what makes AR $400 more reliable?

I have vrsf downpipes and they are of the shittiest quality. The monkeys that assembled them did not even weld the correct threading for the o2 bungs. One of the pipes has a reversed threading and it fucks up my o2 sensor each time I replace it. I am about to throw it out and get AR or CpE. And their silicon outlets suck too. Fitment is NOT good on either one of their products. The downpipe needs 3 exhaust gaskets each pipe to seal correctly...i shit you not. You know how expensive those gaskets are?

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by matreyia

I have vrsf downpipes and they are of the shittiest quality. The monkeys that assembled them did not even weld the correct threading for the o2 bungs. One of the pipes has a reversed threading and it fucks up my o2 sensor each time I replace it. I am about to throw it out and get AR or CpE. And their silicon outlets suck too. Fitment is NOT good on either one of their products. The downpipe needs 3 exhaust gaskets each pipe to seal correctly...i shit you not. You know how expensive those gaskets are?

Bummer.. I have VRSF downpipes, inlets, aluminum outlets and the 7.5" Race FMIC and the quality is amazing on everything.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by matreyia

I have vrsf downpipes and they are of the shittiest quality. The monkeys that assembled them did not even weld the correct threading for the o2 bungs. One of the pipes has a reversed threading and it fucks up my o2 sensor each time I replace it. I am about to throw it out and get AR or CpE. And their silicon outlets suck too. Fitment is NOT good on either one of their products. The downpipe needs 3 exhaust gaskets each pipe to seal correctly...i shit you not. You know how expensive those gaskets are?

This is the first I've heard of this. Please post your order number & I'll be more than happy to look up your order and assist. Please note that we've revised and upgraded our design about half a dozen times in the past 6 years or so.

Please note that we offer a lifetime guarantee against defects and fitment. If anyone has an issue with our products, just contact us directly and we'll get you squared away. The last thing we want is someone to have a bad experience with our parts