[madmedman]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I have sent them an email regarding a different request, they have not responded yet. I normally get a response from them same day.

They must be running behind because of the black Friday sale.

Thanks Mike.

I actually got a reply just last night and they have said they will cover the cost of any fabrication needed to have this fit. I think it's a really nice gesture. I have another appointment with a very well known exhaust fabricator next Thursday and hopefully it should be sorted. 👍

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by madmedman

Thanks Mike.

I actually got a reply just last night and they have said they will cover the cost of any fabrication needed to have this fit. I think it's a really nice gesture. I have another appointment with a very well known exhaust fabricator next Thursday and hopefully it should be sorted. 👍

That's awesome to hear, we started offering their products not too long ago and so far it's been great.

Im a big fan of how they communicate with customers and dealers. Top-notch and honest service.

[Pantagathus]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

That's awesome to hear, we started offering their products not too long ago and so far it's been great.

Im a big fan of how they communicate with customers and dealers. Top-notch and honest service.

I have exactly the same issue as OP (on a US car). We both ordered the exact same time, so clearly there was an issue with at least a couple that were produced at that time, and Valvetronic's response has been pretty lacking. Basically send it back (at my cost) or lump it.

Was super excited to order from them, but after a months long wait followed by this I can't see myself buying anything from them again

[madmedman]

So, finally, after over a month of trying, the valvetronic midpipe is on my car. I had to take it to a proper exhaust specialist (Deutsch Tech near London), recommended by R44 performance. Sorry have to commend them. In the end, they did not need to do any fabrication and only needed to weld the sensor connections for the opfs/gpfs. Unfortunately, they had to space out the brace because of clearance issues (known issue i guess).

The neurotic that i am, since i did not get to see the installation in person, I have to get the car on a lift to see that everything is in place. I will need to do this to get my sleep back. I am absolutely certain that i dont need to and every has been done very professionally.

In terms of the sound, with the oem valve open and shut method, i really cant tell a difference, maybe a 10% increase in volume? But the tone is definitely better. I guess the best sounds are for the spectators to hear rather than us on the driving seat! Especially in winter that is.

But, I have a VSC controller and when you open the valves properly, this thing starts to explode the higher up in the rev range you go. I almost had a panic attack close to the red line. It has a deep growl to it that the stock exhaust was badly missing.

So all is well that ends well.

[Sbm007]

Originally Posted by madmedman

So, finally, after over a month of trying, the valvetronic midpipe is on my car. I had to take it to a proper exhaust specialist (Deutsch Tech near London), recommended by R44 performance. Sorry have to commend them. In the end, they did not need to do any fabrication and only needed to weld the sensor connections for the opfs/gpfs. Unfortunately, they had to space out the brace because of clearance issues (known issue i guess).

The neurotic that i am, since i did not get to see the installation in person, I have to get the car on a lift to see that everything is in place. I will need to do this to get my sleep back. I am absolutely certain that i dont need to and every has been done very professionally.

In terms of the sound, with the oem valve open and shut method, i really cant tell a difference, maybe a 10% increase in volume? But the tone is definitely better. I guess the best sounds are for the spectators to hear rather than us on the driving seat! Especially in winter that is.

But, I have a VSC controller and when you open the valves properly, this thing starts to explode the higher up in the rev range you go. I almost had a panic attack close to the red line. It has a deep growl to it that the stock exhaust was badly missing.

So all is well that ends well.

Glad to hear you got everything resolved in the end!

[M3anLantern]

Originally Posted by madmedman

So, finally, after over a month of trying, the valvetronic midpipe is on my car. I had to take it to a proper exhaust specialist (Deutsch Tech near London), recommended by R44 performance. Sorry have to commend them. In the end, they did not need to do any fabrication and only needed to weld the sensor connections for the opfs/gpfs. Unfortunately, they had to space out the brace because of clearance issues (known issue i guess).

The neurotic that i am, since i did not get to see the installation in person, I have to get the car on a lift to see that everything is in place. I will need to do this to get my sleep back. I am absolutely certain that i dont need to and every has been done very professionally.

In terms of the sound, with the oem valve open and shut method, i really cant tell a difference, maybe a 10% increase in volume? But the tone is definitely better. I guess the best sounds are for the spectators to hear rather than us on the driving seat! Especially in winter that is.

But, I have a VSC controller and when you open the valves properly, this thing starts to explode the higher up in the rev range you go. I almost had a panic attack close to the red line. It has a deep growl to it that the stock exhaust was badly missing.

So all is well that ends well.

Glad to hear it was all resolved! So the previous issue you noticed with it not fitting right just wasn't an issue when DT fitted? Want to get the same mid pipe for mine when it arrives but hopefully don't want the issues you've had

Also, did you order direct from Valvetronic in the US and consequently pay customs for import? Do you mind saying how much that was?

TIA

[madmedman]

Originally Posted by dk1894

Glad to hear it was all resolved! So the previous issue you noticed with it not fitting right just wasn't an issue when DT fitted? Want to get the same mid pipe for mine when it arrives but hopefully don't want the issues you've had

Also, did you order direct from Valvetronic in the US and consequently pay customs for import? Do you mind saying how much that was?

TIA

Hey.

So not entirely sure what DT did with the fitment. They said they just slapped it on and it fit, but the brace needed some spacing. The only issue was that the sensor hoses are like 7 cm on both sides and weren't long enough to attach to the pipe. I had to buy a couple of Mercedes dpf hoses along with some shielding tape. I wasn't there when it was fitted but they told me I should be able to swap it easily myself, if i needed. I believe them as they are very reputable. But my obsessive urge is forcing me to put the car on the lift and look underneath. I might do this weekend and will hopefully have a video.

I ordered from X-ph.com in the US. But I think valvetronic dispatches it and honours support. I did pay customs though. It was sent via UPS expedited and they sent me a link to the customs payment.

Originally Posted by Sbm007

Glad to hear you got everything resolved in the end!

Thanks. All sorted in the end

[M3anLantern]

[QUOTE=madmedman;28355107]

Originally Posted by dk1894

Glad to hear it was all resolved! So the previous issue you noticed with it not fitting right just wasn't an issue when DT fitted? Want to get the same mid pipe for mine when it arrives but hopefully don't want the issues you've had

Also, did you order direct from Valvetronic in the US and consequently pay customs for import? Do you mind saying how much that was?

TIA

Hey.

So not entirely sure what DT did with the fitment. They said they just slapped it on and it fit, but the brace needed some spacing. The only issue was that the sensor hoses are like 7 cm on both sides and weren't long enough to attach to the pipe. I had to buy a couple of Mercedes dpf hoses along with some shielding tape. I wasn't there when it was fitted but they told me I should be able to swap it easily myself, if i needed. I believe them as they are very reputable. But my obsessive urge is forcing me to put the car on the lift and look underneath. I might do this weekend and will hopefully have a video.

I ordered from X-ph.com in the US. But I think valvetronic dispatches it and honours support. I did pay customs though. It was sent via UPS expedited and they sent me a link to the customs payment.

Cheers - thanks for all that info. How much was the customs charge if you don't mind saying (PM if you prefer)? I'm wanting to order the same but I find it near impossible to correctly establish the import cost and have been stung ordering bits as a result of this.

[madmedman]

Just a quick video of the midpipe installed and Deutsch Tech's great handiwork. The welds are great quality and as you all can see, no fabrications were needed apart from weld points for the sensors. The brace needed to be spaced as you can see.

I can rest easy now.

A few days ago, after the midpipe was installed, I checked for errors on ISTA+. To my surprise, there was an error related to the opf. Something along the lines of "particulate filter not working at full capacity" or something and also a critical error with filter number 2. Both the errors came on when the car was stationary and after an hour journey. But there was no error on the dash or limp mode. I just found it in ISTA. So not sure what it was all about. Sometimes ignore is bliss. Going to push the car really hard this weekend and will see what happens. Hope the opf delete cables are still working.

The exhaust tone is 100 times better. Its still too quiet with the oem valve system. Hence the valve controller is mandatory. But lets see how it will work with a proper axle back. Damn remus is delayed again.

[M3anLantern]

Originally Posted by madmedman

Just a quick video of the midpipe installed and Deutsch Tech's great handiwork. The welds are great quality and as you all can see, no fabrications were needed apart from weld points for the sensors. The brace needed to be spaced as you can see.

I can rest easy now.

A few days ago, after the midpipe was installed, I checked for errors on ISTA+. To my surprise, there was an error related to the opf. Something along the lines of "particulate filter not working at full capacity" or something and also a critical error with filter number 2. Both the errors came on when the car was stationary and after an hour journey. But there was no error on the dash or limp mode. I just found it in ISTA. So not sure what it was all about. Sometimes ignore is bliss. Going to push the car really hard this weekend and will see what happens. Hope the opf delete cables are still working.

The exhaust tone is 100 times better. Its still too quiet with the oem valve system. Hence the valve controller is mandatory. But lets see how it will work with a proper axle back. Damn remus is delayed again.

Thanks for that mate really helpful! Sounds like a result getting it all sorted in the end but curious the the error that's being flagged up I'm ISTA is? Wonder if it's something to do the with the placement or position of the sensor inlets on this pipe.

Are you saying it's too quiet even with valves fully open? Also do you use the valve controller with their 3rd party fob or is there a way to control it from the cars controls?

[madmedman]

Originally Posted by dk1894

Thanks for that mate really helpful! Sounds like a result getting it all sorted in the end but curious the the error that's being flagged up I'm ISTA is? Wonder if it's something to do the with the placement or position of the sensor inlets on this pipe.

Are you saying it's too quiet even with valves fully open? Also do you use the valve controller with their 3rd party fob or is there a way to control it from the cars controls?

Hey. Not sure why that error popped up. I connected the laptop just to see if there were any opf related errors and to my disappointment there were. But since then, checking every day, there have been no errors at all. Frankly, I am not losing my sleep over it. There was no limp mode which is great. The midpipe fitment seemed great, except for the spacers for the brace. No leaks at all. I removed and reattached the hoses to make sure but everything was connected well. It seems the position of the sensor connections would have been difficult to change. Moving one to the other side of the pipe would mean an extra long hose and not sure how that would affect the sensor or the delete cables.

Regarding the way it sounds, the volume with valves open via valve controller is ideal. Using the BMW method, at lower revs, it's a bit quiet for my taste. It's not as lively. Hence my need to buy a Remus axleback. Would be interesting to see how all three combined will sound.

I am still using the fob with the vsc. I did consider the LEIB can bus module but I am not comfortable splicing into the wiring. Any other ideas? I want to get rid of the fob from my cupholder.

[Pantagathus]

I took my valvetronic mid pipe to an exhaust shop today and they concurred with the previous shop - the flange connection for the one down pipe is at fractionally the wrong angle. Not by a lot, just a couple of degrees, but enough so that it is impossible to connect as is with no leaking.

They're unmodified downpipes, so hard to tell if it's an issue with the mid pipe or just how the down pipes were installed originally, but given everything else is OEM and unmodified there's no reason to think it is the downpipes. The shop is having to cut the mid pipe to adjust the angle. Not a huge deal for them, but it's pretty frustrating that I've taken it to two shops who have both said the same thing, but valvetronic has essentially called bullshit and told me to pound sand

[crioulus]

Originally Posted by madmedman

Small update.

Put my car on the lift today. Really easy to get the stock mid pipe off. The previous muffler shop had already cut the stock exhaust. It was asymmetrical though. Took just a few minutes with an impact gun.

Took the front end of the valvetronic midpipe. As soon as I connected the mid pipe with downpipes, the gear box was in the way. The side extension for the bolt was not aligned. See first video.

Both the downpipes would not sit flush with the midpipe. Tried to screw them tight, rotating between the screw so they are evenly tightened. There was a point beyond which, the bolts would start to slide no matter how hard I tried. Got the car down and started it. Clear leak from both connections. See second video.

I couldn't get the midpipe to be straight and aligned as in some other videos. You can hear the exhaust leak.

Sorry the videos are not oriented properly.

The fact that the bolts are almost completely tightened gives me confidence that all hope is not lost.

For my European friends who are thinking of installing this or other US spec mid pipes, check the pictures below for the bung/connection you would need welded into your midpipe so you can connect the opf sensors. The external thread size is M14X1.5.

I guess I am just unlucky my midpipe has fitment issues.

Hi, i have had a custom midpipe made for my G80, i was wondering where you got your OPF bungs from and where did you have them welded to the midpipe as the pipes seem fairly rigid and difficult to fit to a single midpipe.

Cheers, Damo

[madmedman]

Originally Posted by crioulus

Hi, i have had a custom midpipe made for my G80, i was wondering where you got your OPF bungs from and where did you have them welded to the midpipe as the pipes seem fairly rigid and difficult to fit to a single midpipe.

Cheers, Damo

Hello,

I got the bungs from Autodoc.co.uk

item number: 92102061

These are quite expensive for what they are. They are shipped from Germany and can take up to ten days.

I had them welded by an exhaust fabricator, Deutsch Tech. I am sure your closest exhaust shop will be able to do this.

Just another thing to make sure is that the sensor connections are long enough to reach the pipe. The stock ones are only 7cm and I had to change them for longer dpf hoses. Check my "after" video above.

Is it a single midpipe you have?

[BMdoubleUTIFUL]

Any more people having fitment issues from oem downpipes to the midpipe? I've tried everything to get it to fit aside from taking it to a shop. You would think a full system from one company that advertises that it bolts up to oem downpipes, would be a quick off and on project

[barryc365]

Originally Posted by madmedman

Just a quick video of the midpipe installed and Deutsch Tech's great handiwork. The welds are great quality and as you all can see, no fabrications were needed apart from weld points for the sensors. The brace needed to be spaced as you can see.

I can rest easy now.

A few days ago, after the midpipe was installed, I checked for errors on ISTA+. To my surprise, there was an error related to the opf. Something along the lines of "particulate filter not working at full capacity" or something and also a critical error with filter number 2. Both the errors came on when the car was stationary and after an hour journey. But there was no error on the dash or limp mode. I just found it in ISTA. So not sure what it was all about. Sometimes ignore is bliss. Going to push the car really hard this weekend and will see what happens. Hope the opf delete cables are still working.

The exhaust tone is 100 times better. Its still too quiet with the oem valve system. Hence the valve controller is mandatory. But lets see how it will work with a proper axle back. Damn remus is delayed again.

Interesting, do you think the valve controller really makes a big difference??. I had one and didn't bother fitting it and just fit the Valvetronic mid pipe itself. Figured it'd be nicer to just continue using the OEM controller / sport + etc

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BMdoubleUTIFUL

Any more people having fitment issues from oem downpipes to the midpipe? I've tried everything to get it to fit aside from taking it to a shop. You would think a full system from one company that advertises that it bolts up to oem downpipes, would be a quick off and on project

I recommend reaching out to Valvetronic directly with pictures of the install. Their support is top notch

[madmedman]

Originally Posted by BMdoubleUTIFUL

Any more people having fitment issues from oem downpipes to the midpipe? I've tried everything to get it to fit aside from taking it to a shop. You would think a full system from one company that advertises that it bolts up to oem downpipes, would be a quick off and on project

Hey.
Did you try and fit only the bit that attaches to the downpipes? I tried that myself with the help of a friends and it was a no go. Local exhaust shop also didn’t have any luck, but they just checked once and said “doesn’t fit”.
When I called valvetronics, they suggested assembling both parts of the mid pipe and (iirc) attached to the axle back and then lift up and install. Maybe you want to try that? I didn’t get to do that as a proper exhaust shop was able to just slap it on in half an hour.

My view is that the midpipe is built in such a way that there is very narrow margin of error. You need to attach it in a particular way for it to sit flush.

[madmedman]

Originally Posted by barryc365

Interesting, do you think the valve controller really makes a big difference??. I had one and didn't bother fitting it and just fit the Valvetronic mid pipe itself. Figured it'd be nicer to just continue using the OEM controller / sport + etc

I think the valve controller really makes it come alive. With the valves fully open, it sounds much louder and deeper. It’s like a mute getting their voice back. I know the controller only allows for maximum sound and not necessarily more sound, if I am explaining it properly. But even spirited driving at the redline with oem button doesn’t make it sound half as loud.
I would have just wired the valves open full time if it were not to keep my neighbours happy. It is about 70% louder when valves fully open I really love the warm start.

Of subject but is there any way to open the valves with the controller before starting the engine?

[BMdoubleUTIFUL]

Originally Posted by madmedman

Hey.
Did you try and fit only the bit that attaches to the downpipes? I tried that myself with the help of a friends and it was a no go. Local exhaust shop also didn't have any luck, but they just checked once and said "doesn't fit".
When I called valvetronics, they suggested assembling both parts of the mid pipe and (iirc) attached to the axle back and then lift up and install. Maybe you want to try that? I didn't get to do that as a proper exhaust shop was able to just slap it on in half an hour.

My view is that the midpipe is built in such a way that there is very narrow margin of error. You need to attach it in a particular way for it to sit flush.

They recommended that I try and install while the car is on a lift so I'm making phone calls to see if I can find a friend to give it a shot. I'll attempt it with the first half of the midpipe and the full midpipe. I just can't imagine it fitting based on how "off" everything was fitting while I was under the car when it was jacked up

[Pantagathus]

Originally Posted by BMdoubleUTIFUL

They recommended that I try and install while the car is on a lift so I'm making phone calls to see if I can find a friend to give it a shot. I'll attempt it with the first half of the midpipe and the full midpipe. I just can't imagine it fitting based on how "off" everything was fitting while I was under the car when it was jacked up

I took it to a body shop place that was installing some carbon bits for me and it was a no-go, angle of the downpipe adjustments were wrong, and they spent an hour + trying to get it to work and couldn't. They work on a ton of high end cars and aren't cowboys, but don't do welding and so couldn't fit it.

Took it to a dedicated exhaust shop that deals with performance exhausts and they agreed that the angle of the weld on the downpipe fittings was wrong. They had to cut it and re-weld at the right angle and then install. Once they did that it was fine, but they needed to make that adjustment.

I reached out to Valvetronic with pictures and the opinion from both shops and they told me to pound sand, didn't offer to reimburse any of the additional cost etc.

I love the exhaust sound, but zero chance I buy another Valvetronic product, and couldn't recommend it to anyone. They made zero effort to correct or even admit that there was any defect, and the number of people who have the same issue clearly shows this wasn't some one-off.

[BMdoubleUTIFUL]

I plan on getting it on a lift and taking dozens of pictures and video showing that any manipulation still puts it way off from fitting and functioning. If they pay for the modification then fantastic or if they want to send me another one, even better