Active Autowerke N54 Downpipes review

[Flash237]

A few weeks ago I installed the AA N54 downpipes. Just wanted to post some pics and a few thoughts....

Taking a look at the downpipes at first, they looked really clean. I am not sure if there is any difference between the AR downpipes except for being able to see the raw bends but oh well...its probably the last time I'll be able to look at them anyways.

Install was pretty simple. Did it at home in the garage. The only issue I had was the O2 sensors by the turbos. They are very hard to get to, especially with a big 22 Wrench and they are on very tight. I ended up cutting my 22 in half since I saw I had 2 in the garage. The fitment was snug and everything else was simple.

After starting the car on a cold start, it is very loud. After about a min it isn't bad and I was really happy with the way it sounds idling. The car is now very throaty. The exhaust tone was completely changed but I'm really happy with it since my cars bark now matches its bite

The power difference is very noticeable and the throttle response is a lot better. Im running Map 2 on my JB4 and I fell in love with this little car all over again.

Thanks to Virul and the owners at Active.

[Bavarian54bimmer]

Originally Posted by Flash237

A few weeks ago I installed the AA N54 downpipes. Just wanted to post some pics and a few thoughts....

Taking a look at the downpipes at first, they looked really clean. I am not sure if there is any difference between the AR downpipes except for being able to see the raw bends but oh well...its probably the last time I'll be able to look at them anyways.

Install was pretty simple. Did it at home in the garage. The only issue I had was the O2 sensors by the turbos. They are very hard to get to, especially with a big 22 Wrench and they are on very tight. I ended up cutting my 22 in half since I saw I had 2 in the garage. The fitment was snug and everything else was simple.

After starting the car on a cold start, it is very loud. After about a min it isn't bad and I was really happy with the way it sounds idling. The car is now very throaty. The exhaust tone was completely changed but I'm really happy with it since my cars bark now matches its bite

The power difference is very noticeable and the throttle response is a lot better. Im running Map 2 on my JB4 and I fell in love with this little car all over again.

Thanks to Virul and the owners at Active.

Are they Catted ? and what was the price sir ?

[foofopps]

They are not catted. They cost 699 I believe.

[Colt]

can't wait to get my dps installed

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by Angerman

can't wait to get my dps installed

It's pretty rad...enjoy the smoke though well at least if your car is like mine lol. OP those pipes look good, I hadn't seen good pictures of AA DPs before, they look quality.

[Colt]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

It's pretty rad...enjoy the smoke though well at least if your car is like mine lol.

That is probably the only reason I have been back and forth with it. Also the fact of what the noise level will be like....I have already been pulled over by a cop (on a ride along with some 12 year old) for excessive noise with the stock dps, N55 mids, and cp-e axleback (I told him it is the factory BMW performance exhaust lol, gave me a warning). Told me I'm now in the system for being pulled over for that specific thing. Called my uncle who's a detective in Montgomery County and he said that whole "in the system" thing is BS. So I'll just pull the same excuse again if it happens. I know I'm changing out the N55 mids for the berk when I get the money, but I will probably have the dps on before I can afford the berks...so I hope it isn't too droney and loud. I've had them sitting at my GFs house since Christmas and I'm kind of sick of waiting to install them

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by Angerman

That is probably the only reason I have been back and forth with it. Also the fact of what the noise level will be like....I have already been pulled over by a cop (on a ride along with some 12 year old) for excessive noise with the stock dps, N55 mids, and cp-e axleback (I told him it is the factory BMW performance exhaust lol, gave me a warning). Told me I'm now in the system for being pulled over for that specific thing. Called my uncle who's a detective in Montgomery County and he said that whole "in the system" thing is BS. So I'll just pull the same excuse again if it happens. I know I'm changing out the N55 mids for the berk when I get the money, but I will probably have the dps on before I can afford the berks...so I hope it isn't too droney and loud. I've had them sitting at my GFs house since Christmas and I'm kind of sick of waiting to install them

LOL Moco cops would pull someone over for having a loud car, ridiculous. As long as you have a muffler of some type the change in noise isn't enormous (imo), the tone certainly gets more boomy though. the resonators in the Berk mids do a nice job of keeping that to a minimum, I can't comment on how it'll sound with N55 mids though. Probably pretty sick tbh.

Sorry for OP I still like your DPs!

[Flash237]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

LOL Moco cops would pull someone over for having a loud car, ridiculous. As long as you have a muffler of some type the change in noise isn't enormous (imo), the tone certainly gets more boomy though. the resonators in the Berk mids do a nice job of keeping that to a minimum, I can't comment on how it'll sound with N55 mids though. Probably pretty sick tbh.

Sorry for OP I still like your DPs!

The only time the exhaust is a little too loud is on a coldstart and on the highway (there is some drone). The cold start is pretty damn loud but I like it. If you drive normal on the street with them they are not loud at all. Just sounds like you're creepin everywhere

[Colt]

Originally Posted by Flash237

The only time the exhaust is a little too loud is on a coldstart and on the highway (there is some drone). The cold start is pretty damn loud but I like it. If you drive normal on the street with them they are not loud at all. Just sounds like you're creepin everywhere

Thanks for the update on the catless....I'm gonna get mine installed next week (March 28/29th). Was just worried about it being too obnoxious. I seem to have bad luck with cops around here lol