VRSF vs ARM?

[low135]

I know a lot of people have preferred and spoken for VRSF but I'm curious how many people have tried ARM Motorsports products. Looking around, They seem to get good reviews on the other products they offer for other platforms. Many have said their dp's fit well and are made to quality. I've seen good reviews on their intercoolers as well. Just wanted to get some feedback from anyone that had experience with them. Always nice to have a cheap option if it's good quality. DP's and intercoolers arent necessarily complicated parts lol ARM sells intercoolers, DCI, and chargepipe for the N54 135i with dp's releasing next month.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

I don't want to get into a manufacturer war here but I just want to say there are many people who only try 1 brand of product. Unless someone has tried both, their opinion may not be as credible to compare between the two.

DP's aren't complicated parts per say, that being said there have been plenty of no name companies that never lasted in this platform.

Intercoolers are actually quite complex depending on their core design, end tanks and other things. There is a lot that can go wrong between all of these parts and we've seen this being in the platform since 2008. Not everything is as cut and dry as a pipe is a pipe or a intercooler is an intercooler.

There are actually many details that go into making something decent good or the best.

If you need any help, we try to offer unbiased opinions whenever we can.

[low135]

Thanks Jeff@TopGearSolutions I'm new to the platform so just wanted to see if there was any feedback on ARM versus the tried and true VRSF. It's hard to not look at ARM for downpipes being almost half the price of VRSF and getting good reviews from 335i guys.

Understanding the intercooler technology, those are also getting good reviews on other platforms. I guess these being new to the 135i platform, me trying it out might be the only route.

[YearOneOne]

Try it out and let us know

[mfindigital]

Id be curious to see what fitment is like on the FMIC from ARM as well. There isn't a massive price difference, but if fit and finish is at the same level, it doesn't make sense to spend the extra 175$.

[low135]

Originally Posted by mfindigital

Id be curious to see what fitment is like on the FMIC from ARM as well. There isn't a massive price difference, but if fit and finish is at the same level, it doesn't make sense to spend the extra 175$.

Agreed! Between that and the downpipes being only $200, it could be a great opportunity for people. I'm thinking of picking up both next month and seeing how it goes. If it's anything like the other products they sell for other platforms, I think I'll be happy with them. Will be interesting going from stock right to stage 2+ with mhd

[mfindigital]

Originally Posted by low135

Agreed! Between that and the downpipes being only $200, it could be a great opportunity for people. I'm thinking of picking up both next month and seeing how it goes. If it's anything like the other products they sell for other platforms, I think I'll be happy with them. Will be interesting going from stock right to stage 2+ with mhd

I sort of wish I'd waited to go stage 2 instead of wasting money on stage 1 and now going stage 2 1.5 months later. I guess it's nice to have different maps available. Stage 1 already feels slow, lol.

[icegrill]

Check out MMP, they make some pretty quality parts at reasonable prices. I have their charge pipe and down pipes and both fit well. I didn’t install the dps and the mechanic said they had to adjust one slightly to clear the transmission bolt. All in all super happy with the company and it’s owners.

[low135]

Originally Posted by icegrill

Check out MMP, they make some pretty quality parts at reasonable prices. I have their charge pipe and down pipes and both fit well. I didn’t install the dps and the mechanic said they had to adjust one slightly to clear the transmission bolt. All in all super happy with the company and it’s owners.

I'd looked at them before too. I want to stick with the oem DV's though for the chargepipe. Eventually going to Forge DV's

[Thewind727]

i have the arm dps and they fit without issue and work well, as far as the intercooler i went up to a wagner soon after my purchace of the arm Fmic, it simply could not keep the temps down like i needed it to at the level my car is and my mods. That being said the wagner will soon be for sale for cheap because i have to go up to a 7inch very soon due the type of racing ive been getting into

[low135]

Originally Posted by Thewind727

i have the arm dps and they fit without issue and work well, as far as the intercooler i went up to a wagner soon after my purchace of the arm Fmic, it simply could not keep the temps down like i needed it to at the level my car is and my mods. That being said the wagner will soon be for sale for cheap because i have to go up to a 7inch very soon due the type of racing ive been getting into

Glad to hear about the ARM dps! I'm assuming that you're racing and either 5" intercooler was just not enough? Any trouble with fitment of the ARM intercooler?

[Thewind727]

Originally Posted by low135

Glad to hear about the ARM dps! I'm assuming that you're racing and either 5" intercooler was just not enough? Any trouble with fitment of the ARM intercooler?

Nope it fit just fine and yes pushing the stock turbos way past there limit and the 5" just couldnt handle it after a few consecutive pulls it was just heat soaked to bad and now out at the track even the wagner evo 2 comp FMIC cant keep the temps down

[low135]

Originally Posted by Thewind727

Nope it fit just fine and yes pushing the stock turbos way past there limit and the 5" just couldnt handle it after a few consecutive pulls it was just heat soaked to bad and now out at the track even the wagner evo 2 comp FMIC cant keep the temps down

Good to hear about the fit. Sounds like it would do the job for me. It won't be raced and rarely do I do anything crazy with it on the highway. More of backroads banging around. Thanks for the info!

[MikeOrmsby]

I've been running the arm 5 inch stepped intercooler for about 2 years now and I've never had an issue! Fitment was pretty on point when installing. Only reason I went with vrsf dp's was because at the time that I was trying to order dp's from arm they were out of stock and then put on back order so I spent the extra money to have the vrsf overnight shipped as well because I became too impatient lol

[low135]

Originally Posted by MikeOrmsby

I've been running the arm 5 inch stepped intercooler for about 2 years now and I've never had an issue! Fitment was pretty on point when installing. Only reason I went with vrsf dp's was because at the time that I was trying to order dp's from arm they were out of stock and then put on back order so I spent the extra money to have the vrsf overnight shipped as well because I became too impatient lol

Sounds like the intercooler and DPs are pretty solid options for a daily driver. Very good to know

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by low135

Thanks Jeff@TopGearSolutions I'm new to the platform so just wanted to see if there was any feedback on ARM versus the tried and true VRSF. It's hard to not look at ARM for downpipes being almost half the price of VRSF and getting good reviews from 335i guys.

Understanding the intercooler technology, those are also getting good reviews on other platforms. I guess these being new to the 135i platform, me trying it out might be the only route.

No doubt there are plenty of options available. Items that fit your budget and wants are of great value.

I've heard mixed feedback on ARM. For some it's a great entry level, foot in the door type modification. Others down the road tend to upgrade, especially on the intercooler side of things.

Originally Posted by mfindigital

I sort of wish I'd waited to go stage 2 instead of wasting money on stage 1 and now going stage 2 1.5 months later. I guess it's nice to have different maps available. Stage 1 already feels slow, lol.

That's the mod bug