Mishimoto F8x Charge Pipes Review

[DanMpower]

In my quest to find a perfect fitting set of charge pipes, I decided to order up a set of Mishimoto CPs after catching a video tour of their RD and manufacturing facility. Seeing how they seem to focus on fitment and performance really piqued my interest...

Ordered directly from their website during their pre-sale event going on, the package arrived in just a few days with free shipping.


Upon unboxing, you get two charge pipes, silicone couplers, clamps, stickers, and a license plate frame. Everything was packed extremely well, pipes were double wrapped in plastic and bubble wrap.


Connections, welds and hardware all seems of nice quality. The silicone hose and OE looking clamps look especially high quality.





After installing both charge pipes I'm happy to report the fitment is absolutely PERFECT. 10 out of 10. The flattened cast section on the front pipe is ingenious and makes all the difference, both pipes clear everything including the factory air box just like OEM. These guys aren't joking around when they claim they make stuff that fits like factory. The engine cover snapped back on again perfectly without contacting anything. I'm super impressed so far with the fitment.





Test drive, people say charge pipes don't make a difference and it most likely doesn't but my butt dyno feels like everything just seems more responsive. Most likely placebo but no leaks, no issues, and the car pulls like a beast. Best of all, no more worries about cracked charge pipes.

Negatives? My two charge pipes seem to have a different texture so it bugs me a bit since I'm a little OCD... Not a big deal though but hopefully they resolve this in later batches.


Conclusion, I've spent countless money on charge pipes, going on 5 sets now from different manufacturers from $200-$600, I even created a thread a while back about my attempt to find a decent fitting set of CPs for our cars to no avail. If you're looking for the absolutely best fitting, most OEM looking set, look no further. Save your time, money and headaches and get this set immediately if you're thinking about charge pipes. Installation took me just under 45 minutes because everything fit perfectly the first time without adjusting or fiddling. GREAT JOB MISHIMOTO, instead of taking the same route as everyone else when making a set of CPs for our cars, you guys actually took time, research and found a solution to the fitment issue. With this much attention to detail, you got me hooked and now I need some more of your other offerings..

[jpy1980]

Great review and looks awesome!

[materialdistractions]

Thanks for the review. This set might be the ones I go with too, once they get the finish inconsistency ironed out

[behindthen0thing]

need a place for meth injectors

[knightarmor]

Looks good, glad everything fits perfect. Are there O-rings that go on the turbo side of the pipes that you reuse?

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by knightarmor

Looks good, glad everything fits perfect. Are there O-rings that go on the turbo side of the pipes that you reuse?

Yes you need to reuse your stock o-rings, I always buy a new set from BMW everytime I swap out my CPs, might be overkill but they're cheap and it gives me peace of mind.

[Rantlers]

Just installed mine while I was doing my spark plugs. Did you have issues tightening the e-Torx bolt on the rear charge pipe? I couldn’t get the socket to fit over the bolt, ended up using a wrench (8mm?) and painstakingly turned until tight.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by Rantlers

Just installed mine while I was doing my spark plugs. Did you have issues tightening the e-Torx bolt on the rear charge pipe? I couldn’t get the socket to fit over the bolt, ended up using a wrench (8mm?) and painstakingly turned until tight.

Yes, I too had to use an 8mm wrench to tighten the bolt. It's like that on most aftermarket CPs I've tried when you use the factory bolt. The trick for me is to start turning them by hand, as you slide the CP down slowly continue finger tightening it. Once the pipe is flush, it should only need a couple turns with the 8mm to fully tighten it. Did yours have the mismatched texture finish as well on the pipes?

[MR RIZK]

Are both pipes cast? Maybe that's why it is different as cast normally has a dimple finish unless post finished.

Otherwise thanks for the review 👍

[knightarmor]

Originally Posted by DumbAS55

Yes you need to reuse your stock o-rings, I always buy a new set from BMW everytime I swap out my CPs, might be overkill but they're cheap and it gives me peace of mind.

I saw that they say to reuse in the instructions. I will also replace them when I get around to getting a set. Mishimoto if you are reading this, just include the OEM O-rings, they aren't that much!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thank you for the review

[nbennettksu]

Thanks for the review; I'm really impressed with their R&D. Excited to try their IC.

[jmciver]

OP, could you have used the original, stock hose clamps and/or couplers with these charge pipes? I am especially interested in keeping the original hose clamps since the stock hose clamps, vice the clamps that come with every aftermarket charge pipe set, are actually designed for this application and have better, more consistent clamping force. If the stock clamps don't fit, I would just purchase new, larger, OEM style clamps.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by MR RIZK

Are both pipes cast? Maybe that's why it is different as cast normally has a dimple finish unless post finished.

Otherwise thanks for the review 👍

The front CP has a "cast" center section but the two end pipes that are welded to it seem like the same material as the rear CP.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by jmciver

OP, could you have used the original, stock hose clamps and/or couplers with these charge pipes? I am especially interested in keeping the original hose clamps since the stock hose clamps, vice the clamps that come with every aftermarket charge pipe set, are actually designed for this application and have better, more consistent clamping force. If the stock clamps don't fit, I would just purchase new, larger, OEM style clamps.

Yes, you can use the stock clamps but the ones that come with the Mishimoto CPs are the Zebra style clamps very similar to OEM, most CP's either come with HD T-Bolt style (overkill and ugly IMHO) or the standard perforated clamps.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by DumbAS55

Yes, you can use the stock clamps but the ones that come with the Mishimoto CPs are the Zebra style clamps very similar to OEM, most CP's either come with HD T-Bolt style (overkill and ugly IMHO) or the standard perforated clamps.

Thanks! But actually, the stock Norma clamps, with the integrated "spring" in them, is specifically designed for boosted applications, like what is found on the S55, where the temperature and pressure changes from cold iron to normal operating temperature (and back again). If regular hose clamps, like the ones included in this kit, were all that is necessary (and they are cheaper), I think the BMW engineers would have used them. It would be great if Mishimoto included Norma clamps with their CP kit....

But I also agree with you that T-Bolt clamps are overkill (and ugly). Not to mention they are not designed to flex with temperature and pressure like the OEM Norma clamps and may eventually develop leaks over time.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Thanks! But actually, the stock Norma clamps, with the integrated "spring" in them, is specifically designed for boosted applications, like what is found on the S55, where the temperature and pressure changes from cold iron to normal operating temperature (and back again). If regular hose clamps, like the ones included in this kit, were all that is necessary (and they are cheaper), I think the BMW engineers would have used them. It would be great if Mishimoto included Norma clamps with their CP kit....

But I also agree with you that T-Bolt clamps are overkill (and ugly). Not to mention they are not designed to flex with temperature and pressure like the OEM Norma clamps and may eventually develop leaks over time.

Interesting... I never even noticed the "spring" part until I put them side by side.

Mishimoto clamp on left and OEM on right

[satinghostrider]

I have had issues with bad clamps and sub standard silicon hoses. I got fed up and swapped them to Samco hoses and Norma clamps and they are holding up very very well now. Something you guys can look into to bulletproof your solutions or at least have an option.

[MAddict]

Thanks for the review, and taking the time to provide all of those pictures!

Curious, do you think the pipes can be painted as they come from Mishimoto?

[rborane]

Will these fit with a Dinan carbon intake installed already? I know some charge pipes have issues clearing the Dinan air box...

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by MAddict

Thanks for the review, and taking the time to provide all of those pictures!

Curious, do you think the pipes can be painted as they come from Mishimoto?

I think so, I'm actually going to try and crinkle paint them eventually.

Originally Posted by rborane

Will these fit with a Dinan carbon intake installed already? I know some charge pipes have issues clearing the Dinan air box...

While I'm not running a Dinan intake, I'm almost 100 percent positive these will clear. I ran into the same issue with lots of other CPs not clearing the stock airbox, some worse than others, the only two CP's that have cleared the stock box I've tested is the SSR and these Mishimotos. To be extra safe, these Mishimotos have the most clearance, similar to stock because of the flatten cast section design.

[MAddict]

Originally Posted by DumbAS55

I think so, I'm actually going to try and crinkle paint them eventually.

Good deal, I'll be looking forward to your paint results! My goal is to get these CP's and paint match them the same color as my brake calipers.