[SPDER]

Hey guys, what's happening?

Quick and simple question...

I ordered some parts for my 235. It's a 2016 with the MPE.

Looking for a JB4 with a downpipe, chargepipe and intercooler.

That being said, I've heard a lot of people rooting for the VRSF downpipe.
My local tuning garage is pushing me to get a CTS TURBO 4" decatted downpipe.

Is there any big differences between the two? (VRSF vs CTS)
Sound difference possibly? I know the power gain is more or less the same anyhow. Price as well the CTS is a little cheaper.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[hwntime]

Originally Posted by SPDER

Hey guys, what's happening?

Quick and simple question...

I ordered some parts for my 235. It's a 2016 with the MPE.

Looking for a JB4 with a downpipe, chargepipe and intercooler.

That being said, I've heard a lot of people rooting for the VRSF downpipe.
My local tuning garage is pushing me to get a CTS TURBO 4" decatted downpipe.

Is there any big differences between the two? (VRSF vs CTS)
Sound difference possibly? I know the power gain is more or less the same anyhow. Price as well the CTS is a little cheaper.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

If I recall correctly, and I could be wrong, but I vaguely remember one or two people having fitment issues with their CTS IC and CP. Again, I could be mistaken but that's what comes to mind. Why not just go with a tried and true brand like VRSF? I have the CP and fit and finish is spot on, and I only heard good things about their IC and DP.

[BostonM235xi]

Originally Posted by SPDER

Hey guys, what's happening?

Quick and simple question...

I ordered some parts for my 235. It's a 2016 with the MPE.

Looking for a JB4 with a downpipe, chargepipe and intercooler.

That being said, I've heard a lot of people rooting for the VRSF downpipe.
My local tuning garage is pushing me to get a CTS TURBO 4" decatted downpipe.

Is there any big differences between the two? (VRSF vs CTS)
Sound difference possibly? I know the power gain is more or less the same anyhow. Price as well the CTS is a little cheaper.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I have the VRSF DP - no drone, bump in power, great quality and price. It's about 25% smaller than stock. Fitment and install was easy, the length was off by a 1/4 inch compared to stock.

[SPDER]

Originally Posted by BostonM235xi

I have the VRSF DP - no drone, bump in power, great quality and price. It's about 25% smaller than stock. Fitment was good, the length was off by a half inch compared to stock.

I've heard great things about VRSF. I just cant seem to understand why my tuning garage keeps insisting to put the CTS downpipe instead. He insists it's the same thing. Both being 4in diameter.

It's just not enough info to sell me on the CTS downpipe.

[este]

Also look into a BM3 tune instead of JB4, much simpler and slightly better results.

[gaijin]

Agree on both counts. VRSF charge and downpipes are well made, bolts-on without any hassles and works. BM3 is the only way to go with tune. Excellent product plus hands down the best customer service I've encountered in many years. If they sold BMW's, I'd buy one. That's how good these guys are when it comes to customer care.

[hwntime]

Originally Posted by SPDER

I've heard great things about VRSF. I just cant seem to understand why my tuning garage keeps insisting to put the CTS downpipe instead. He insists it's the same thing. Both being 4in diameter.

It's just not enough info to sell me on the CTS downpipe.

Bigger margin for the shop? Maybe they get CTS goods for dirt cheap and even if selling it cheaper than VRSF, the profit margin is larger? I wouldn't trust a shop that's pushing you with a certain brand as it sounds like they're after the interests of themselves and not their customer.

[arhoads335i]

Multiple people swear by CTS plus they are having a sale right now

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by BostonM235xi

I have the VRSF DP - no drone, bump in power, great quality and price. It's about 25% smaller than stock. Fitment was good, the length was off by a half inch compared to stock.

If the length was off by 1/2", I would not say that's good fitment at all. That's huge and can cause all sorts of exhaust clearance issues. It seems minor, but it's not. Been there, done that with so many poorly made exhaust parts in the past. It's such a hassle.

OP - You really should spend the money to can get something that's going to fit like OEM. You get what you pay for. The Wagner, Fabspeed, and the HJS Euro 6 downpipes consistently seem have OEM fitment. Fabspeed had some recent issues with their jig that created a fitment issue with a bracket, but it's been addressed. If you don't want a check engine light, the Fabspeed catted downpipe or the HJS Euro 6 are the only two on the market right now that are likely not to throw codes, especially the Euro 6 since it runs a 300 cell cat vs the 200 cell used in the Fabspeed.

[hwntime]

Originally Posted by arhoads335i

Multiple people swear by CTS plus they are having a sale right now

Too bad not many, if any at all here have them so we can get feedback. Seems like the most popular ones are VRSF, ER, Active Works, and CSF. I don't recall seeing anyone having a CTS here

[accs]

Originally Posted by hwntime

Too bad not many, if any at all here have them so we can get feedback. Seems like the most popular ones are VRSF, ER, Active Works, and CSF. I don't recall seeing anyone having a CTS here

A lot of people including myself have CTS. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1588288

[hwntime]

Originally Posted by accs

A lot of people including myself have CTS. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1588288

Never been on the F30 forum so I had no clue lol I don't recall anyone on this forum with it.

[accs]

Originally Posted by hwntime

Never been on the F30 forum so I had no clue lol I don't recall anyone on this forum with it.

It's the same engine with the same downpipe. F30 forum is much more active.

[khoanguyen0705]

If you can handle the fume smell of the catless DP then go for it. People in here claimed that VRSF catless DP is infamous for the smell. I'm personally in the market for DP too and is very interested in Active Autowerke catless DP. Lots of good reviews about it.

[aturk]

I have CTS charge pipes, downpipe, and intake. Charge pipes are mated up to a Wagner intercooler.

No issues with fitment or performance.

And I wouldn't call VRSF a tried and true brand, I see more than a few cases of fitment issues.

[hwntime]

Originally Posted by aturk

I have CTS charge pipes, downpipe, and intake. Charge pipes are mated up to a Wagner intercooler.

No issues with fitment or performance.

And I wouldn't call VRSF a tried and true brand, I see more than a few cases of fitment issues.

In the first initial release which has since been remedied.

[Taskmaster]

Besides for, what are the differences?

I can’t image there is much.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

Besides for, what are the differences?

I can’t image there is much.

There's not much to these at all. The driver should be:

1) Exact fitment
2) The DP utilizes both bracket connection points. The VRSF and CTS catless DPs do not have any bracket connection points. Not good. BMW put those brackets there for reason and it's not because the catted DP a few pounds heavier.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

There's not much to these at all. The driver should be:

1) Exact fitment
2) The DP utilizes both bracket connection points. The VRSF and CTS catless DPs do not have any bracket connection points. Not good. BMW put those brackets there for reason and it's not because the catted DP a few pounds heavier.

Support for all the exhaust components, especially with age and corrosion. Outside of having catalyst, the catless DPs should all be similar in cost.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Jb4 does not hide the CEL code, you need a downpipe which does not throw a CEL.
Fabspeed is your best option

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by aturk

And I wouldn't call VRSF a tried and true brand, I see more than a few cases of fitment issues.

VRSF downpipe fits like stock, its the most popular downpipe by a wide margin.

[Bombermon3]

Just gut out your stock dp.. it’s free. OEM fitment