Ok guys n gals, my first full written review.
Disclaimer:- I paid the full price for this exhaust system of £1075 and have the receipt to prove it!, (**EDIT as a certain few people were questioning this I added my receipt to the pictures below
), there are no financial incentives/gifts or otherwise for me to write this review and I am in no way affiliated to BCS nor sell or manufacture any parts for cars, it was written solely for the purposes that others may be as happy with their own system as I am with mine. Now thats cleared up let's get on with my 1st review:-
Why did I choose BCS over its main competitors? (Milltek, APR RSC, Scorpion, Blueflame, Jetex etc)?.I chose to buy the BCS 3" Powervalve TBE after considering many things (Quality/Price/Availability/Service/Options available/Sound/Looks/and Individuality), I also read on lots of forums that the Milltek exhausts suffer "Cracking" issues (Cracks appearing mainly on Downpipes but others report cracks in other places, so this put me off a little!), Milltek replaced the majority (If not all?) under warranty but I did not want the hassle!.
As someone who generally tries to swerve away from the mass market products and support smaller companies I had lots of decisions to make before selecting an exhaust company to go with as the first of my planned mods (after all its a large slice of money to spend on a car!).
Price wise it costs less than both the APR RSC (£1300) and the Milltek systems (£1120-1260) which were the other systems I considered.
The service I received was excellent, I felt like a part of it, and was provided with coffee regularly (The 2 toilet stops on the way home will attest to that!
), I was also allowed to ask any questions and was allowed to take all the pics I wanted to and watch it being fitted and ask questions along the way, great so far!.
There are several options available, they do 3 different types for the TFSI or TSI cars, the first is the "Sports" system which I would compare with a Milltek Non resonated system, the second called "Prestige" with larger silencers for those who want nice and quiet all the time and compares well to the resonated Milltek Apparently being very similar to both the std system and milltek resonated in noise levels, the third option is the "Epic/Powervalve" system.
After considering all the above options and also considering that most folks on here seem to have Milltek TBE with a few APR and Blueflame systems dotted around and as I usually prefer something different to the masses it was an easy choice and the fact that the system fitted to my car is
the very FIRST TBE 'Powervalve' system fitted really is the icing on the cake, I was told that my 'Powervalve' system was only finished 16hrs before I turned up for fitting
finding out that did make me feel involved in something new which was great, I wish them the best of luck with it.
Sourcing:-Available from BCS currently in St. Helens (They are moving to larger premises soon) Nige is a member on here "nige bcs"
Fitting:-With removal of the Old system and running the feed for the 'Powervalve' (Taken from the turbo via a "T" piece and run down the car under the undertray) and fitting of the new system including me taking pics here and there and asking questions was approx 2.5 to 3hrs, being the first one lots of pictures were taken by me and the BCS guys so fitting may be less time for others
Other versions/options available;-Milltek Non-Res and Milltek Res, APR RSC, Blueflame, Scorpion, Jetex etc.
Plus Points:-Price (£100 cheaper than Milltek), Quality (Quality of Welding is awesome!), Service, 3 different options to choose from (something for everyone!) and that NO ONE else does a valved system (Which BSC have named 'Powervalve' and own the copyright to!), they are serious about making the best products and also putting customers needs first along with bringing new tech to the market.
Minus Points.Apart from the trek from Norfolk to St Helens, no complaints
SummaryWhile the system was being fitted I was asking questions (and drinking coffee) and found out that they have spent nearly a year developing this new valved system, they told me that some car manufacturers use Valves to control sound and db limits but via a vacuum operated system, whereas BCS have developed theirs to use Turbo pressure to operate the valve.
When the exhaust was laid out on the floor for me to see, it was immediately apparent to me that it was very shiny (Magpie time!) and the guy who did the welding was clearly
VERY good gifted with a welder, One of my mates is a welder and he was the first person to see it after I had got home and when he looked under the car it was the first thing he commented on, saying that the welding was excellent (i was chuffed!), I actually got to meet the guy who did the welding (Paul) who was a top chap as it was he who was fitting the exhaust rather than Dave who was going to be doing it, but due to a mountain biking accident (which involved plates and titanium screws, ouch
) he could only watch as it was done, hope you heal soon Dave!.
From personal experience (having now covered 4000+ miles since fitting) the system is nice and quiet when pootling around, no louder I would say than the std system (altho a slightly deeper tone), where it differs vastly is when the car hits around 3000rpm you hear the exhaust note start to change as the valve starts to open then by approx 4000rpm its sounding very nice and fruity indeed
, this is done via a section of 3" straight through when the valve is open (you can see it in the pictures below), the valve is opened using "Boost" pressure from the turbo, It also has a lovely "Whump" on the DSG gear changes and from high revs backing off gives some lovely over-run burble
Added benefits are the valve being closed when the car is "Off Boost" it helps to keep low down torque but when valve is open "On Boost" it helps to allow max power possible, best of both worlds IMO.
Anyone considering a new System (Cat Back or Turbo Back) should consider the BCS 'Powervalve' system, cannot recommend the guys highly enough.
Pictures for you:-
Sorry but the down Pipe with 200 cell cat was fitted before I got my camera out!
The all important Valve which does the magic, when the valve is closed at low rpm the gasses are forced through the smaller front pipe through the silncer, when the valve opens it allows the gasses to escape through the 3" straight through pipe
, some will call it witchcraft, others will call it engineering
Most of the system shown.
close up of the valve fitted
Rear section
Tailpipes underneath
Close up of the 80mm Rolled in trims.
How others see it
My Reciept
(Cheaper than Milltek
)
