Racinghero Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 I know there's an element of having to recoup R&D costs as well as making a profit, but at the end of the day it's just a tuned metal pipe.  How can that be worth north of 2K!  I want one and can afford one, but I don't like feeling ripped off so will end up leaving my stock exhaust in place.  I'm sure that if prices dropped to something more reasonable (50% less is a good starting point), sales would go through the roof, as would profits.  Your thoughts?  I'm sure there are many of you out there who will respond and put me in my place. Asa55 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemar Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 You get what you pay for I know you think it's only abit of metal but it's the research and development your paying for and plus the welding is a beautiful piece of art I haven't got a aftermarket exhaust yet saving for a wedding but all my old cars did camelsac2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racinghero Posted August 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 Yes, as I said R&D accounts for some of the reason for the sky high price, but these are welded up in bulk by a (probably underpaid) welder. Â And as for it being art...yes I agree they look nice, but I prefer my art somewhere it can be seen....not collecting dirt and grime unerneath my wagon R. Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemar Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 100% agree 2 grand is stupid money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdfr Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 This is actually a good subject  , being an engineer this is something I come across daily at work , costs v benefits . If you are talking about large companies like miltek and scorpion when looking at the exhaust systems , there is probably £400 of material ,(cat back system) labour wise probably slightly more maybe £250. most bends will be CNC formed and the welds probably the same. R and D for these guys is less than minimal there cost will be actually getting a car (probably a loan) measuring up , they will be using programs to work out bend radius vs exhaust gas flows.  BCS being a smaller company will have more costs involved , but offset by cheaper overheads. and I am sure their workmanship will actually be a lot better than the larger players in the field.   Most tuning parts companies wow people with extra BHP , how it sounds , how it will make your car faster more desirable , and I'm sure they do, but this is where the marketing takes over and persuades you to part with your cash. It's supply and demand same with everything these days.  Would I guy an exhaust ? No I can think of better things to spend £2k on that would enhance my driving pleasure.   Lemar, Msportman, Racinghero and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadragon Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 Maybe, but each to their own. The money I spent on my replacement exhaust transformed the sound of the car, no regrets at all and the extremely positive comments my gf and I get make it worthwhile. I pretty much have a grin every time I drive it. People hear the car now and keep asking me to take them for a spin.  Would rather have spent that than on a sound system or alloys or bodykit parts etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 Stock exhaust will happily flow up to 500bhp from CAT back  So yes £2k is excessive for some fancy exhaust tips and more drone. I do like the pops and crackles though. Hence why I did just the DP and sports CAT. robdfr and Jon R306 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raffe Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Secondhand is the key, let someone else take the big bill and then you buy at a reduced secondhand value which it will still be worth you eventually change the car and move it on. Â Done this on a few cars and had an aftermarket exhaust for virtually no cost. James42, Marty77 and robdfr 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msportman Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Raffe said: Secondhand is the key, let someone else take the big bill and then you buy at a reduced secondhand value which it will still be worth you eventually change the car and move it on.  Done this on a few cars and had an aftermarket exhaust for virtually no cost. Yeap good idea.....you don't get many exhausts come up second hand. Ok if you're prepared to wait though. I like the idea of a system that operates the valves with the mode button but is as quiet as stock for motorway and family duties but real bark in race mode. I don't want a drone or big increase in noise whilst in normal or comfort modes.  Any advice on that would be great.  I went in a car with full BCS but it there was a noticeable 4 pot drone under normal driving conditions. Anyone got the VWR system. I don't want to pay anywhere near 2k for the CAT back system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raffe Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Indeed you need to be patient and put the money aside so its available when the opportunity arises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon R306 Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 9 hours ago, Msportman said: Stock exhaust will happily flow up to 500bhp from CAT back  So yes £2k is excessive for some fancy exhaust tips and more drone. I do like the pops and crackles though. Hence why I did just the DP and sports CAT. This....and a BCS res delete non drone is as far as I'll go on the mk7.5.. quite impressed with the standard exhaust.  I'll save the 2k towards another 100bhp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunky1199 Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 (edited) Whether or not you can justify spending £x on an exhaust is a personal thing.  However, I recently found myself watching a youtube video of a tour around the Akrapovic R&D and Production Facility (you have to ignore the drone produced by Shmee 150 !).  Surely anyone interested in cars cannot fail to be impressed by what is involved ?  Either way, as the death nell of internal combustion looms over the horizon, we should all appreciate that these companies keep pushing boundaries to squeeze the last bit of exitement before it's lights out, even if we cannot afford it !  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGgyXIMBVnE  Edited August 30, 2017 by Chunky1199 Link added arthouse 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larbel Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 I'm in manufacturing and involved with R&D myself, to be honest, with CAD and 3D printing nowadays, typical R&D lead time and overheads are cut in at least half... And there's certainly nothing artistic about what's out there for 7R/S3 exhaust besides maybe the upcoming APR and Akrapovic IMO... I honestly failed to see any design or premium value at majority of them and that's why I have no desire whatsoever for an exhaust.  I don't mind spending 1.5K on Euro 6 cat downpipe, at least I know I'm getting the power and certificate that I paid for, but 2k exhaust? No thanks... You might as well going to custom one and possibly get better quality. Racinghero 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stobsie Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 On 8/29/2017 at 19:22, Lemar said: 100% agree 2 grand is stupid money Yes 2K is a lot of money but I've paid nearly that in the past on a bike system which is far smaller in comparison so I say it's a bargain.😂 Lemar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raffe Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 On 8/30/2017 at 15:13, Chunky1199 said: Whether or not you can justify spending £x on an exhaust is a personal thing.  However, I recently found myself watching a youtube video of a tour around the Akrapovic R&D and Production Facility (you have to ignore the drone produced by Shmee 150 !).  Surely anyone interested in cars cannot fail to be impressed by what is involved ?  Either way, as the death nell of internal combustion looms over the horizon, we should all appreciate that these companies keep pushing boundaries to squeeze the last bit of exitement before it's lights out, even if we cannot afford it !  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGgyXIMBVnE  Really enjoyed that, very professional outfit with obviously huge amounts of R&D - you can see where the price tag comes from in part along with a rock solid brand image.  Still couldn't bring myself to spend that much on an exhaust for a Golf, maybe for a Supercar.... Mainframe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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