N55 Midpipe

[River Rat]

Guys who have installed the N55 mid pipe onto your 1M.... how is the sound after weeks or months of installation? Louder or the same? any problems? thanks

[ayao]

No problems.

Drone is substantially improved (it wasn't horrific to begin with).

Sound improvement is underwhelming. There's a nice howl that kicks in @ 3000-3500 rpm, though. Kind of reminds me of Nissan's G35 VQ?

I want to imagine better throttle response but that's probably my imagination.

[///1M]

Will the dealer agree to do this installation?

[River Rat]

I am still on the fence about making the change.. just want to make the exhaust sound a bit louder.. Will this do the trick?

[MrRoboto]

The MadDad mid pipe has a more pronounced sound change from what I have heard.

[ayao]

It's very subjective. Some feel that the change is huge and the best thing evar. Others can barely notice a difference at all.

I think the change is subtle...

It does seem like the berks and maddads have a more noticeable difference in sound.

[dsomc6]

I have done it - have a modest amount of street driving and a track day session on it.

I found a bit more burble on start up and would agree with a bit more rasp from 3000rpm and up. I found throttle response and spool up to be a bit better and installation was a breeze.

I agree that it also assisted with moderating the drone as well.

[Denso]

Originally Posted by dsomc6

I have done it - have a modest amount of street driving and a track day session on it.

I found a bit more burble on start up and would agree with a bit more rasp from 3000rpm and up. I found throttle response and spool up to be a bit better and installation was a breeze.

I agree that it also assisted with moderating the drone as well.

Spot on agree with your comments 100%

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by River Rat

I am still on the fence about making the change.. just want to make the exhaust sound a bit louder.. Will this do the trick?

Yes especially from outside the car versus in the cabin

Originally Posted by Denso

Spot on agree with your comments 100%

+2

[oldBMWguy]

Originally Posted by Denso

Spot on agree with your comments 100%

+3 .... based on three months of the N55

[kskpsu]

I installed the MadDad a few weeks ago, still trying to decide if I like it. No doubt louder, burbles way more, can be a little boy racer at times. Sometimes I think it's spot on, sometimes I have buyer's remorse...not really a mod guy, so use that for context. Wish I had an N55 to do a back-to-back test with and see which one I'd like to settle with. Value equation is definitely in favor of the N55 through the many online OEM retailers.

[providence]

Did my N55 switch 2days ago (after much back and forth between MD pipes) Frist thing, on my drive back from my dealer .... The drone was all but GONE!!!
There was hardly a noticeable difference on start-up and idle.. And driving on highway was quiter ( bue to lack of drone)... Didn't do much pulls because I had the original pipes in the car stretching from the trunk to the front passenger seat w little room to spare... Didn't want to scratch interior parts.
But on returning home pulling into my garage she made a nice little durable that made even my wife smile!!
I'm not after the boy racer sound... And I suspect that there is yet to be a deepened note once we get some carbon build-up. (after 6300 miles on the original pipes they definitely sounded much better than they did last yr... The N55's are as good or slightly better brand new)
All in all for the cash lay-out I'm happy w my choice... The drone is gone.. Sound will be better... And if not to my specs then I'll add an akrapovic axle back and call it a day.

[Thumpers1M]

Originally Posted by oldBMWguy

+3 .... based on three months of the N55

+4 , had them on for about 5 months . It is just a very nice touch to the exhaust sound and there is absolutely no drone. Also up on a lift , the N55 midpipes looks like it belongs there(OEM) !

[Mahlzeit]

Hi guys, any actual power increase over a stock setup? I read about spoolup and throttle response. But, any actual power? Maybe on combintation with a tune??

Thanks in advance.

[///1M]

Would any specific part of the warranty be affected?

Would the entire warranty be affected?

[providence]

just a little update:
did my PA state inspection this AM.. absolutely No problems....and the car sounds amazing from the outside... The mechanic stopped and started it a few times (not sure if he was trying to throw a code vs liking the sound), there is def a "modded" sound to the set-up.
Interestingly, as I was driving thru traffic I had to make sure that the M button was not engaged... limp mode is waaay more responsive now (speaks to spool-up time).
However, i used to experience a noteable "jolt" when the M buttom is pressed while driving... Its still there... just less pronounced... Can anyone back this up??

ps. if there are any concerns about emissions testing, I simply let the car idle for 30 min before my appt (shop is less than 3 miles from my home) that way the primary cats are at temp (hence fully functional) at time of inspection.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by ///1M

Would any specific part of the warranty be affected?

Would the entire warranty be affected?

This thing is easy to install, and just as easy to put the old part back. IMO you should always put the old part back before letting the dealer look under your car. They can crucify you for deleting a cat.

[-Z-]

Anyone in CT has just the N55 pipe and no other mods? I am installing MadDad's pipe next weekend and we could do a little test if interested.

[Xaeryan]

Anyone know if there are provisions in SCCA stock classes for secondary cats? The rules are written with the traditional setup in mind (i.e. "cat-back exhausts" are allowed) and as such, strictly forbid cat removal. From 13.10E:

Any part of the exhaust system beyond (downstream from) the header/
manifold or catalytic converter, if so equipped, may be substituted
or removed provided the system meets the requirements of 3.5 and
3.3.3.B.15. Stainless steel heat exchangers are permitted only if the
physical dimensions and configuration remain unchanged.
Modifications of any type, including additions to or removal of, the
catalytic converters, thermal reactors, or any other pollution control
devices in the exhaust system are not allowed and the system must
be operable.

I would imagine not since it contributes (however small or short-lived) to pollution control, and N54s are therefore limited to rear muffler section changes only in stock class, but perhaps there is a clarification somewhere?

[CarJunkie]

Originally Posted by Xaeryan

I would imagine not since it contributes (however small or short-lived) to pollution control, and N54s are therefore limited to rear muffler section changes only in stock class, but perhaps there is a clarification somewhere?

I doubt it would ever be noticed, but if it was it would be an embarassing disqualification.

Someone who knows their stuff would probably know to look for the secondary cats on a 1M midpipe. There is a reported 5-10hp gain, which is enough to warrant a non-stock designation when swapped.

[Em/1]

Originally Posted by JohnCena

its glorious and add the meisterschaft and AR DPs yum

Do you have cat delete DP's? That must be VERY loud combo if so.

[River Rat]

What is everyone doing with their old 1M midpipes?

Also, is there a problem with installing other company's slip-on exhaust with the N55 midpipes? is there alignment issues?

Thanks guys..