[a404freedom]

Can someone convince me please. I have JB4, MHD, intercooler, catback, basically most but DP. The smell as every person on earth mentions is clearly the main problem and price is as well.

1: Fabspeed catted has been the suggestion, anyone looking to get rid of one so im not spending a million dollars lol?

2: Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[FancyTie]

Smell isn't that bad.. It's personal preferences anyway.
I've ran catless the last 4 years on all my cars lol but I do agree that my 335i smells more than my others v4. I can't smell anything if I don't do pulls but I do if I let the car do some crazy burbles and park the car!

You should check Members classified on the forum for used part.

[a404freedom]

Originally Posted by FancyTie

Smell isn't that bad.. It's personal preferences anyway.
I've run catless the last 4 years on all my cars lol but I do agree that my 335i smells more than my others v4. I can't smell anything if I don't do pulls but I do if I let the car do some crazy burbles and park the car!

You should check Members classified on the forum for used part.

I check the classifieds every day lol. There are a lot of DP, just looking specifically for ones suggested for less smell, or is that rubbish?? Lol

[zole2112]

Originally Posted by a404freedom

Can someone convince me please. I have JB4, MHD, intercooler, catback, basically most but DP. The smell as every person on earth mentions is clearly the main problem and price is as well.

1: Fabspeed catted has been the suggestion, anyone looking to get rid of one so im not spending a million dollars lol?

2: Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

I have no smell, never did

[a404freedom]

Originally Posted by zole2112

I have no smell, never did

What pipe do you use?

[thejeremyman9]

If you are concerned about price and want the no CEL guarantee along with no smell and OBD2 emissions compliance, just wait until black friday. AA was on sale for $750 last year (although that could have been in part because it was just launched), and fabspeed was around $1150.

If you dont care about emissions or CEL and just want to get rid of most the smell, get a cheaper catted.

[XutvJet]

A DP is worth it. Less restriction on the turbo (very good), reduced under hood heat, more responsive motor/turbo, more HP and TQ, and improved sound.

Spend the money and get a quality catted DP. Fabspeed ($1300), Active Autowerke's ($1000) and HJS ($1400) all make good DPs that won't throw CELs. I'd go with the Autowerke's or HJS as they run cleaner running 300 cell cats. It improves the sound quality and won't make your catback loud as hell.

I wouldn't go catless because:

1) With your catback, it will be real loud and raspy
2) Raw fuel smell on cold starts and will while idling in traffic.
3) No real performance gains compared to catted.

[a404freedom]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

If you are concerned about price and want the no CEL guarantee along with no smell and OBD2 emissions compliance, just wait until black friday. AA was on sale for $750 last year (although that could have been in part because it was just launched), and fabspeed was around $1150.

If you dont care about emissions or CEL and just want to get rid of most the smell, get a cheaper catted.

You get what you pay for and id never go cheap, every dollar counts in both directions lol

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by a404freedom

You get what you pay for and id never go cheap, every dollar counts in both directions lol

Then refer to my post and XutvJet above. I suggest waiting until black friday sales in 2-3 months. Like i said, they were significant last year, and you can probably save $200+ on the expensive ones.

[Conr4d]

Originally Posted by a404freedom

Can someone convince me please. I have JB4, MHD, intercooler, catback, basically most but DP. The smell as every person on earth mentions is clearly the main problem and price is as well.

1: Fabspeed catted has been the suggestion, anyone looking to get rid of one so im not spending a million dollars lol?

2: Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Your best bet is to visit your local BMW tuning shop or find a local BMW car meet-up to compare the smell and sound of fellow enthusiast’s cars with catless & catted down pipes. I was on the fence until I did the same and it helped persuade my decision to go catless.

Don’t believe the hype about catless making your exhaust sound raspy. I believe that is only a problem when paired with a resonator delete + muffler delete.

Here’s what my set-up sounds like. Evolution Racewerks Catless Down Pipe, Dinan Resonator Delete, Dinan Exhaust.

https://youtu.be/yEutWAQZDF8

[itsrichierich]

I'm down in San Diego, you are more than welcomed to hear and smell my catless setup.

[a404freedom]

Originally Posted by itsrichierich

I'm down in San Diego, you are more than welcomed to hear and smell my catless setup.

Much appreciated, we have moves from Santa Monica to Austin so I'm on the hunt out here for good shops. I've met someone who has an incredible m4, havent sat in the car, just aware of what hes got. Next time we meet I'll definitely jump in. Thank you all very much!

[WaleeF30]

I was hesitant to go catless but now I can't go catted anymore lol

The turbo spook delay is way less than it was before catless

Yes there's a smell when you're sitting in traffic but I'm addicted to that smell now plus you can just put your windows up

Cold start is LOUD but the exhaust note is worth it IMO

It's all up to preference but if you go high flow catted remember that you still run the risk of blowing out your cat with burbles

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by WaleeF30

I was hesitant to go catless but now I can't go catted anymore lol

The turbo spook delay is way less than it was before catless

Yes there's a smell when you're sitting in traffic but I'm addicted to that smell now plus you can just put your windows up

Cold start is LOUD but the exhaust note is worth it IMO

It's all up to preference but if you go high flow catted remember that you still run the risk of blowing out your cat with burbles

"Spool delay" is way less going from OEM to catless? Yes.

"Spool delay" is way less going from a good catted to catless? No.

The performance difference between a good catted (read - fabspeed, AA, or equivalent) compared to a catless on a stock turbo application is negligible. You shouldn't feel like you are leaving power on the table by going with one of those catted. That's the objective part.

These threads always turn into a debate about catted vs catless, with half the people say it smells and the other half saying it doesn't, so people liking the sound and others saying its too raspy or loud, etc. That's the subjective part.

Extremely aggressive burbles are dumb to begin with, and shame on you if you run them with any catted DP. Normal (read - OEM) burbles are completely fine on a catted DP.

The advice to go smell and hear a catless F30 is probably the best advice to make an informed decision. Or, just pay the money for a good catted and call it a day; you can't go wrong going that route.

[redbullfan]

Catted downpipes make the car sound muffled and unnatural in my opinion

[a404freedom]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

"Spool delay" is way less going from OEM to catless? Yes.

"Spool delay" is way less going from a good catted to catless? No.

The performance difference between a good catted (read - fabspeed, AA, or equivalent) compared to a catless on a stock turbo application is negligible. You shouldn't feel like you are leaving power on the table by going with one of those catted. That's the objective part.

These threads always turn into a debate about catted vs catless, with half the people say it smells and the other half saying it doesn't, so people liking the sound and others saying its too raspy or loud, etc. That's the subjective part.

Extremely aggressive burbles are dumb to begin with, and shame on you if you run them with any catted DP. Normal (read - OEM) burbles are completely fine on a catted DP.

The advice to go smell and hear a catless F30 is probably the best advice to make an informed decision. Or, just pay the money for a good catted and call it a day; you can't go wrong going that route.

I agree, going to shops and meeting with other to hear and smell is probably the best thing to do.

That being said, if anyone has recommendations to shops in Austin please let me know. I moved here in June and with Covid there has been many restrictions with me being able to go around and meet people.

[zole2112]

Originally Posted by a404freedom

What pipe do you use?

VRSF, no fitment issues. I haven't had a leak as far as I know but I am going to be doing the O-ring upgrade when I install my turbo.

And as far as cost, I'll likely get crucified for this lol, it's just a pipe man....fitment is key though. I am an engineer and I am old, just saying!

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by zole2112

VRSF, no fitment issues. I haven't had a leak as far as I know but I am going to doing the O-ring upgrade when I install my turbo.

And as far as cost, I'll likely get crucified for this lol, it's just a pipe man....fitment is key though. I am an engineer and I am old, just saying!

The "it's just a pipe" argument is somewhat true for catless (assuming fitment is OK), although the VRSF still doesn't have a support bracket.

Does not apply to catted, as the cats between different cost/brands are very different (plus concerns about fitment and support brackets).

[mike@x-ph.com]

If legal in your state, get the Active Autowerke downpipe.
No smell, no CEL

[zole2112]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

The "it's just a pipe" argument is somewhat true for catless (assuming fitment is OK), although the VRSF still doesn't have a support bracket.

Does not apply to catted, as the cats between different cost/brands are very different (plus concerns about fitment and support brackets).

True Dat!

[GPM]

Originally Posted by redbullfan

Catted downpipes make the car sound muffled and unnatural in my opinion

In my opinion, its the turbo that makes the car sound muffled and unnatural.

[FastF30]

So I finally had my FabSpeed cat put on... definitely louder but not too loud... in my opinion it's perfect.... People heads turn when I get on it (sounds very cool)... but won't turn the cops head during normal driving... Was going to take the resonator off but don't think I need to... Turbo spools up a lot quicker...

Cold start in my Apartments 50 car Garage is really loud coming out of one pipe until the other pipe opens up... I was surprised...