135i new exhaust - opinions needed

[WilsoN55]

This past week I was able to get my car out on a closed course for a few spirited laps, car performed exceptionally and I had a lot of fun. Problem being on my way home the exhaust blew a major leak. I only have kneeled down and had a quick listen but I'm 95% sure it's just infront of the muffler. I took a quick look online and immediately ordered a VRSF cat back as it showed 1 day shipping (<$1000cad tax & shipped).. I got an email saying it would actually be shipped in 2-3 weeks. Now I'm having buyers remorse and wondering if I should just take it to shop to be repaired. I know there's an exhaust specialist near me who knows what he's doing -- if I had him fab me a custom exhaust I'm concerned I have no clue what it will sound like. do you think VRSF is a good choice and I should just be patient? should I just patch my stock pipe?

[Aceway]

I can't find the thread but someone posted a few months ago saying the fitment was garbage for the Vrsf 135i exhausts. No first hand experience of it but Vrsf does not have the best record for fitment.

[WilsoN55]

Originally Posted by Aceway

I can't find the thread but someone posted a few months ago saying the fitment was garbage for the Vrsf 135i exhausts. No first hand experience of it but Vrsf does not have the best record for fitment.

Much appreciated for the tip. Going to do some digging on fitment consensus.

[Aceway]

This is the thread I remembered

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1845555

[twinturbovan]

I say you should buy Berk Midpipes and Berk Race Exhaust. It's what I have on my 135i and it is the best sounding exhaust ive heard in person on any n54. It is really loud at full throttle but keep in mind it has alot of drone but it makes you feel like you're in a race car.

[WilsoN55]

Originally Posted by twinturbovan

I say you should buy Berk Midpipes and Berk Race Exhaust. It's what I have on my 135i and it is the best sounding exhaust ive heard in person on any n54. It is really loud at full throttle but keep in mind it has alot of drone but it makes you feel like you're in a race car.

I am really hoping to keep my sound levels, even at WOT, to be "reasonable". I live in a fairly "mature" neighborhood with a cpl police officers on my street. I also like to drive with spirit but don't want to "upset" anyone. So taking on a few extra db would be fine but I don't expect that I'd like a racing style exhaust setup. My n57 diesel is plenty loud with a Darkside Developments downpipe. I have a VRSF downpipe to install still on the n55.. an agency power axle back perhaps?

[WilsoN55]

Originally Posted by Aceway

This is the thread I remembered

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1845555

I just read through the review.. definitely concerning (taken with a grain of salt). but I think I'll talk with the exhaust shop I was thinking of just to get an idea of what that cost may look like.

[white.nasty135i]

Originally Posted by WilsoN55

I just read through the review.. definitely concerning (taken with a grain of salt). but I think I'll talk with the exhaust shop I was thinking of just to get an idea of what that cost may look like.

Hey, I got the vrsf exhaust as well, I did have some fitment issues, had a fab shop make two cuts on the first section of piping after downpipes to rotate it a little bit then it fit great. But yeah not ideal. It's not much louder than stock but nice to get the weight savings. I have pondered at times if I should cut the muffler off for more sound

[StevieJ2]

Originally Posted by Aceway

I can't find the thread but someone posted a few months ago saying the fitment was garbage for the Vrsf 135i exhausts. No first hand experience of it but Vrsf does not have the best record for fitment.

That was me, the dimensions of the muffler are too tall and it will not bolt it properly, you would have to smash it in over an inch just to maybe get it to fit, and put some washers and longer bolts on the V brace to drop that down too.

Vrsf knows the fitment is trash, and they keep selling them anyways; multiple people on here have the same issue.

I went with the stock midpipe and an axle back from agency, fitment was perfect, sounds great.

[StevieJ2]

As for the people saying you just need to take it to a shop to get it modified, I don't buy a $600 bolt-on cat-back to have to take it to a shop and pay another $100 to have it modified just so it fits. If I'm going to spend $700 on exhaust at a shop, I'm going to go in there and have them make me a custom exhaust. The intent behind a cat-back is that you can just bolt it on and go about your business, and that's usually why they charge more for them.

[WilsoN55]

quick update:
Shop said that it's a good thing the exhaust mounts are sturdy because the exhaust itself let go somewhere in the mid section.. I haven't seen pics but based on db level when it was running I'll assume he's not embellishing... {shrugs} life in Canada.

I cancelled my order for the VRSF exhaust and took a 15% restocking fee charge. I don't want to chance having fitment issues and the ordeal that ensues.

I am on my last day (self imposed) of trying to locate a Berk exhaust before I tell the shop to go ahead with a stock catback replacement + install ($1500). The exhaust shop I was planning to bring it to for custom fab work, which was owner operated for decades, has closed : making way for a new commercial development - hopefully he got paid and is happily retired.

[WilsoN55]

.... I have now ordered a Berk Street cat back exhaust in ceramic black ($1500 shipped).

for those thinking it's a lot, $989USD+tax was the lowest price I could find, but would need to pay shipping and duty.. which would make it difficult to guarantee it would be any less.