[f22b58]

I recently purchased the AWE exhaust, waiting on fabrication. I was assured by their "product specialist" that their midpipe was not required and would mate up to the stock midpipe per their install instructions. I am wondering if anybody else is running just the AWE axle back. Their website states that their midpipe is a requirement under special fitment notes. I hate misinformation and do not trust sales people when an engineer was designing this and stated that this was a catback solution, requiring midpipe, specific to the M240i model.
I followed up, after the sale, just as an FYI to update their product information and I got no response, as usual. I will let my exhaust deal with the install but I want perfect fit and no issues.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by f22b58

I recently purchased the AWE exhaust, waiting on fabrication. I was assured by their "product specialist" that their midpipe was not required and would mate up to the stock midpipe per their install instructions. I am wondering if anybody else is running just the AWE axle back. Their website states that their midpipe is a requirement under special fitment notes. I hate misinformation and do not trust sales people when an engineer was designing this and stated that this was a catback solution, requiring midpipe, specific to the M240i model.
I followed up, after the sale, just as an FYI to update their product information and I got no response, as usual. I will let my exhaust deal with the install but I want perfect fit and no issues.

I feel you on this. Dealt with a similar line of BS purchasing a heat exchanger where the product page and manufacturer assured me it was a "direct bolt on" but in reality it required some plastic cutting and zip ties to make it work.

Maybe the axleback does fit without the mid-pipe but requires some jimmy-rigging whereas if you also bought the mid-pipe it would be more of a direct bolt on situation.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by f22b58

I hate misinformation and do not trust sales people when an engineer was designing this and stated that this was a catback solution, requiring midpipe, specific to the M240i model.

Im sorry to hear that, OP, i doubt the salesperson was being shady, more than likely he just did not know better. Hopefully they'll learn from your experience and inform their sales team about the midpipe.

Please let us know how it goes

[f22b58]

Finally shipped after placing the order in late August. Fabrication lead time that I was told about when I placed the order. This is not an off the shelf part. I asked about the midpipe. They have a perfect fit guarantee assuming you buy the whole exhaust so that might be part of their midpipe requirement plus the dual resonators on the M240i stock exhaust that you want to remove.

As far as the mid-pipe goes, It will make for a no-cut install. It is non-resonated so it will add volume and make for an overall deeper tone. Not too over the top loud but it will step it up a bit. It will still have the Euro sports car tone you want, just more volume to it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by f22b58

Finally shipped after placing the order in late August. Fabrication lead time that I was told about when I placed the order. This is not an off the shelf part. I asked about the midpipe. They have a perfect fit guarantee assuming you buy the whole exhaust so that might be part of their midpipe requirement plus the dual resonators on the M240i stock exhaust that you want to remove.

As far as the mid-pipe goes, It will make for a no-cut install. It is non-resonated so it will add volume and make for an overall deeper tone. Not too over the top loud but it will step it up a bit. It will still have the Euro sports car tone you want, just more volume to it.

I have the exhaust with black tips in stock and ready to ship

[Finn Germai-Yaz]

i have the full exhaust if you just want a axleback you should go with a MPE

[f22b58]

Exhaust exits not straight.
Mid pipe not lining up.
Mid pipe hitting cross brace.
AWE nonresponsive after the sale.

I took my car in 4 different times to 2 different shops to get this right.
The last shop was a BMW specialty shop. They added spacers to the cross brace to give the mid pipe some clearance. They tack welded the mid pipe to the link pipe going back to the muffler. Now the mid pipe does not sag and the clamps hold the mid pipe in line. And they adjusted the exhaust tips as best they could.

Overall disappointed with my experience with AWE. I was willing to buy their mid pipe if that would solve the issues I was having. Without their support I was at a loss as to what to troubleshoot or replace. Glad I did not need a return or refund. Their lifetime, perfect fit guarantee is all marketing.

[WolfGTI]

Your experience sounds nothing like AWE at all, based on previous experience.

Originally Posted by f22b58

Exhaust exits not straight.
Mid pipe not lining up.
Mid pipe hitting cross brace.
AWE nonresponsive after the sale.

I took my car in 4 different times to 2 different shops to get this right.
The last shop was a BMW specialty shop. They added spacers to the cross brace to give the mid pipe some clearance. They tack welded the mid pipe to the link pipe going back to the muffler. Now the mid pipe does not sag and the clamps hold the mid pipe in line. And they adjusted the exhaust tips as best they could.

Overall disappointed with my experience with AWE. I was willing to buy their mid pipe if that would solve the issues I was having. Without their support I was at a loss as to what to troubleshoot or replace. Glad I did not need a return or refund. Their lifetime, perfect fit guarantee is all marketing.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by f22b58

Exhaust exits not straight.
Mid pipe not lining up.
Mid pipe hitting cross brace.
AWE nonresponsive after the sale.

I took my car in 4 different times to 2 different shops to get this right.
The last shop was a BMW specialty shop. They added spacers to the cross brace to give the mid pipe some clearance. They tack welded the mid pipe to the link pipe going back to the muffler. Now the mid pipe does not sag and the clamps hold the mid pipe in line. And they adjusted the exhaust tips as best they could.

Overall disappointed with my experience with AWE. I was willing to buy their mid pipe if that would solve the issues I was having. Without their support I was at a loss as to what to troubleshoot or replace. Glad I did not need a return or refund. Their lifetime, perfect fit guarantee is all marketing.

I'm sorry to hear that; It's surprising to hear this feedback on AWE. I have worked with them long, and their customer support is always top-notch.

That being said, this is another reason to buy from a trusted vendor instead of direct. You'll have someone fighting on your side and pushing for a fast response and resolution.