[Tarthuss]

So I've been thinking about purchasing a downpipe for my N55. As of right now, I've only seen two companies that have, or are in the process, of releasing one and that's ARdesign and iCarbon. So, I guess the choices are narrowed down already to two. The question is, which one do you guys think I should go with?

Here are the points I've been considering:

Fitment
Why do you ask? I've had my share of fights with fitment and that's something I DO NOT want to have to deal with.

Harold from HPautowerks says that he's never seen a DP with better fitment than the iCarbon one, and I trust his judgement since he has a great reputation both on and off the forums.

ArDesign has had some hickups in their development and their fitment is not yet confirmed by a third party yet. Although hickups generally mean that an improvement has been made, so their fitment might be flush as well.

GAINS
The iCarbon DP has shown gains. Both by the company itself, and through HPAutowerks. Harold even posted a dyno sheet showing the gains which are great.

I have yet to find the proven gains posted by ardesign, this is not to say that the DP won't make gains, it just means that I don't know what to expect.

Quality
Ardesign has history making DP and although I never had their N54 downpipe, I have heard good things from people who have.

This is iCarbon's first DP... Normally this would be of concern to me but they have an absolutely IMPECCABLE reputation on 1addicts with their quality on all their products, so this makes me feel that they will hold that same quality in their DP. Plus, my friend from Florida saw them at a meet and said that their exhaust from the 1 series is the cleanest and best he has ever seen. From the pictures I think their DP might look a little cleaner and better built. A bonus here is that they are offering theirs BRUSHED for no extra cost, so that's pretty sick.

Waiting Period
Ardesign announced the DP first. However, it's been forever and still no word of anything, so I'm scared that it will be months and months before I get my hands on one.

iCarbon did like a sneak attack and have theirs available already and produced. However, they are doing an introductory GP and won't ship until the GB is over which is, I think, in about 25 days.

Price
It's not THAT huge of a deal. AR originally said they were going to sell it for $599 I believe. iCarbon said they were starting it off at $525 shipped (I think) and now ar dropped to $500 (Don't know if includes shipping).

So that's where I am. Any help is very much appreciated. But please try to be objective, I don't want a biased opinion from some fanboy (no offense) or a thread jack from a vendor (no offense).


Here are some pics of the ARdesign:






Here are some pics of the iCarbon:







iCarbon Dyno on stock 135i

[Jake@MOTIV]

Personally I would get the AR Design. The other one looks like the cheap chinese pipes you get off ebay. I wouldn't be surprised to see those crack under the heat our bmw's are known to put out.

[Tarthuss]

Originally Posted by FlyLow335i

Personally I would get the AR Design. The other one looks like the cheap chinese pipes you get off ebay. I wouldn't be surprised to see those crack under the heat our bmw's are known to put out.

Is this based off of the chromy looking finish? Because I think that's just the prototype since they are coming brushed.

Thanks for your .2 cents

[madmanhiker]

Jury is still out on both, hence I too am waiting. I'd like to see more quantitative results before taking my OEM parts off. A dp is a big decision in my opinion because of the single cat design of the n55. I haven't seen any hi-flow dp's, so CEL's or CANbus will be required to clear codes to my knowledge. Performance gains are needed with the n55, I think the dp can unleash some power as proven in the above dyno... just need more information...

[onefastman]

I think a pipe is a pipe, they are both about the same price and same style.


With that said I would go for the Icarbon dp for the sole purpose of their reputation. IF, you ever had a problem which you wouldnt, then they would have it solved with in the day. I have delt with them on every product they have made for the 1 series except for the seat backs and they have been the best company I have ever delt with, ever.

Also they will be strait with you, if it is delayed they will let you know and they wont pad when they think they will be available so if they say 25 days it means 25 (or less) days.


GO ICARBON!!!!

[Bakeme521]

Originally Posted by onefastman

I think a pipe is a pipe, they are both about the same price and same style.

eehh, not exactly

I would go with AR b/c they are known for their quality and how flawless their fitment is. I just got my catless DPs yesterday and they are beautiful. With AR you wouldn't be taking any chances, you know what you are buying is going to be great quality and have no problems.

[DTMrack.com]

Originally Posted by Bakeme521

eehh, not exactly

I would go with AR b/c they are known for their quality and how flawless their fitment is. I just got my catless DPs yesterday and they are beautiful. With AR you wouldn't be taking any chances, you know what you are buying is going to be great quality and have no problems.

We have yet to do a review on AR as a company as we havent had the opportunity to have any of their products in our hands. And I am sure that they are a decent reputable company since they have good customer reviews. However, I will point out that iCarbon is also known for their impeccable craftsmanship, with the very best quality. I have yet to see their down pipe in person so we can do am full review on it ourselves. However, HPautowerks has weighed in on the quality of the DP and if I'm not mistaken, they have dealt with AR in the past so that speaks for itself.

I am not in anyway speaking against AR, simply weighing in on the fact that iCarbon is a company from which you can expect nothing but quality as well.

Since the OP explicitly asked no vendor advice, I will respect his wish on any opinion on any grounds. But I wanted to point out something that is worth pointing out.

Cheers,

Setian

[shockin330i]

Should have one soon :woot:

[Tarthuss]

Originally Posted by shockin330i

Should have one soon :woot:

Which one?

[Pepe_pr]

i chose the AR for the 4''

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

ar design all the way. Top quality, great fitment and they stand by their products 100%

Mike

[Tarthuss]

Thanks for all the help so far. Still undecided. As of right now these arethe points I've concluded:

As far as quality, both companies seem like they stand by their products. And there's people from both sides that vouch for their quality.

Still waiting on AR results on a sheet.
And can anyone from iCarbon confirm the diameter of the pipe? At it's widest? Or anyone from HPA?

[OpenFlash]

We'll be testing the iCarbon downpipe soon. Our 135 needs some more GO.

[DTMrack.com]

Originally Posted by shiv@vishnu

We'll be testing the iCarbon downpipe soon. Our 135 needs some more GO.

Nice!

[Forcefed3]

Defiantly go with AR, their fitment is always spot on.

[iCARBON DESIGN]

Originally Posted by Tarthuss

Thanks for all the help so far. Still undecided. As of right now these arethe points I've concluded:

As far as quality, both companies seem like they stand by their products. And there's people from both sides that vouch for their quality.

Still waiting on AR results on a sheet.
And can anyone from iCarbon confirm the diameter of the pipe? At it's widest? Or anyone from HPA?

Hello everyone!

To answer some of your questions,

Our DP is 4".

Our fitment is absolutely 100% guaranteed. Even though this is ONE of our first downpipes together as a company, it is not the first time our team of engineers has been involved in developing one. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that our fitment is as flush as the OEM downpipe. Harold from HP autowerks has confirmed this as a 3rd party, and I am sure that Shiv from Vishnu will find the same sentiments.

[ar design]

Originally Posted by gbreeE90

Defiantly go with AR, their fitment is always spot on.

Thanks

[bryce]

they're both great companies that stand behind their products, you probably can't go wrong with either. i would recommend ar design, since i'm extremely happy with my dp's from them. the fitment and overall quality are top notch.

[shockin330i]

I think my gf ordered me the ar one for xmas :eeps:

[huyner328]

The AR ones have superior welds. I'd get those. Or wait for the CP-E ones.

[ar design]

Originally Posted by huyner328

The AR ones have superior welds. I'd get those. Or wait for the CP-E ones.

[Pepe_pr]

my AR are paid, so soon, i shall have them lol