Seriously, $2400 for a cat back exhaust?
#31
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: dallas, tx
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: e60
get it for the price
or dont
:l
...dont see y u felt the need to bitch about it
its a want not a need
take 2 steps back and to the left towards another exhaust system
or dont
:l
...dont see y u felt the need to bitch about it
its a want not a need
take 2 steps back and to the left towards another exhaust system
#32
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: So. Cal (SFV)
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
OP, might want to start another thread asking for 535 members with RPI exhausts to posts their experiences....this thread has gone a bit OT
#33
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 5,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#34
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 4,410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#36
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: OC
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Current: '08 535i
Recent BMW:
'95 M3 (swapped)
Engine-
Swapped '95 S50 with '99 S52 3.2L bored/stroked to 3.3L, kept OBD1
JE Pistons (9.0:1 compression ratio)
Pauter connecting rods
Schrick Camshafts
Vortech V2 w/ custom bypass valve
RMS Aftercooler
Head modifications Ported and Polished, large valve springs and retainers,
Valves Yes, but don't know name
Valve springs Yes, but don't know name
Retainers Yes, but don't know name
Electromotive TEC III stand alone engine management, tuned by Vic Sias of Sias Tuning
S50 Intake manifold
Dinan Throttle Body
42lb Fuel injectors
Custom RMS air intake
RMS Header
Custom header-back exhaust
Quad exit rolled tips, polished exhaust
High flow catalytic converter
NGK Spark plugs
B&M short shift kit
Centerforce Dual Friction clutch
Odyssey PC 680 Lightweight Battery
Exterior-
House of Kolor Moondust Silver
Custom 1.5" flares molded into body
Trim painted and molded into fender flares
Dresmann body kit from Germany (front bumper, sideskirts, rear bumper)
Kerscher 3 piece CF spoiler - imported from Germany
CF side mirrors
DTM Authaus CF vented hood
Lighting-
Gourmet Garage HID's
Umnitza Angel Eyes
OEM Euro tails
Clear corners
Interior-
Seats Sparco Torino
Alcantara door panel inserts silver
Brand new OEM ///M3 floor mats
Carbon Fiber interior trim pieces
Autometer Pro-Comp Boost Gauge
Autometer Pro-Comp AFR Gauge
New silver/black ///M3 shift knob
Custom trunk floor with amps mounted in bottom
OMP Racing black suede steering wheel
Valentine One hardwire kit/windshield mount
Car Audio-
Eclipse Head Unit (w/ sub control)
Two Diamond Audio Amplifiers
Diamond Audio mids, highs in car
Two 15" Diamond Audio free air Subs in trunk
Street Wires wiring
Wheels/Tires, Brakes
Front wheels 19x8.5 BBS CH wrapped in 245/35/19 Yokahama AVS
Rear wheels 19x9.5 BBS CH wrapped in 275/30/19 Yokohama AVS
Stainless Steel brake lines
New PBR Metal Master pads in front (less than 500mi)
HP Racing 15" Rotor
HP Racing 8 Piston Caliper
Suspension components-
Front springs/coilovers (brand) H&R Coilovers (adjustable)
Bilstein front dampers
Rear springs/coilovers (brand) H&R Cupkit (adjustable)
Bilstein rear dampers
Total lowering (inches) (front) 1-3"
Front RD Adjustable Sway bar
Rear RD Adjustable Sway bar
Sparco Front strut brace (adjustable)
Energy Bushings
NuFormz Chassis reinforcements (custom)
Powerflex (brand new less than 1K miles)
Thanks for the replies. Read em all and there are valid points. Appreciate the feedback.
So, I suppose economies of scale don't apply to RPI because volume isn't there?
My guesstimate is that break even on RPI's R&D likely came after they sold the first 20-30 of these, max.
If you found out the hard costs on the RPI system were $500-700, would you still feel the same way? Anyone worth their salt knows that raw materials on this setup don't warrant this price tag. However, RPI has a right to charge whatever the F$%# they want....er, whatever the consumer will pay.
Just for clarification, I'm not cheap. And I'm the biggest advocate of capitalism you'll find (I'm a business owner myself). Yet, my question stems from the sticker shock I experienced when I saw the price. Opportunity cost would likely push me to another performance part before sending a check to RPI....at this point.
So, I suppose economies of scale don't apply to RPI because volume isn't there?
My guesstimate is that break even on RPI's R&D likely came after they sold the first 20-30 of these, max.
If you found out the hard costs on the RPI system were $500-700, would you still feel the same way? Anyone worth their salt knows that raw materials on this setup don't warrant this price tag. However, RPI has a right to charge whatever the F$%# they want....er, whatever the consumer will pay.
Just for clarification, I'm not cheap. And I'm the biggest advocate of capitalism you'll find (I'm a business owner myself). Yet, my question stems from the sticker shock I experienced when I saw the price. Opportunity cost would likely push me to another performance part before sending a check to RPI....at this point.
#37
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 5,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the replies. Read em all and there are valid points. Appreciate the feedback.
So, I suppose economies of scale don't apply to RPI because volume isn't there?
My guesstimate is that break even on RPI's R&D likely came after they sold the first 20-30 of these, max.
If you found out the hard costs on the RPI system were $500-700, would you still feel the same way? Anyone worth their salt knows that raw materials on this setup don't warrant this price tag. However, RPI has a right to charge whatever the F$%# they want....er, whatever the consumer will pay.
Just for clarification, I'm not cheap. And I'm the biggest advocate of capitalism you'll find (I'm a business owner myself). Yet, my question stems from the sticker shock I experienced when I saw the price. Opportunity cost would likely push me to another performance part before sending a check to RPI....at this point.
So, I suppose economies of scale don't apply to RPI because volume isn't there?
My guesstimate is that break even on RPI's R&D likely came after they sold the first 20-30 of these, max.
If you found out the hard costs on the RPI system were $500-700, would you still feel the same way? Anyone worth their salt knows that raw materials on this setup don't warrant this price tag. However, RPI has a right to charge whatever the F$%# they want....er, whatever the consumer will pay.
Just for clarification, I'm not cheap. And I'm the biggest advocate of capitalism you'll find (I'm a business owner myself). Yet, my question stems from the sticker shock I experienced when I saw the price. Opportunity cost would likely push me to another performance part before sending a check to RPI....at this point.
Sorry but unless you have done manufacturing then you really dont have any understanding of the cost of it. People think companies get a return of their initial investment relatively early on and that is hardly the case.
Raw materials have gone up considerably in the last 10 years, almost 1000% in some fields.
On some of my fathers products, we had to sell nearly 1000 pieces before we would get any money back, in a niche market, that is highly tight wadded.
t-304 and other metals that comprise this system is not cheap by any means, factor in the molding process to make the shapes clear the underneath of the car, now factor in the other gear used to produce it with performance gains
You are talking about hundreds of pieces that they have to scrap before they find the correct version. All at a loss mind you.
What I will state is that the price is in fact MSRP, and nobody likes to pay that, especially me. I think only suckers pay full MSRP on anything.
So give RPI a jingle or talk to a vendor who sells RPI and see what kind of a discount they might be able to give you if you are genuinely interested in this exhaust.
#38
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 5,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.meps.co.uk/Stainless%20Prices.htm
t-304 prices
all 304, hot coil, plate etc are all above $2500 per metric ton
how much t-304 do they use in each exhaust? in each production exhaust? in each prototype exhaust?
that is a huge amount of money just for the material, not even including the bending, welding and shaping process which requires other expensive equipment.
t-304 prices
all 304, hot coil, plate etc are all above $2500 per metric ton
how much t-304 do they use in each exhaust? in each production exhaust? in each prototype exhaust?
that is a huge amount of money just for the material, not even including the bending, welding and shaping process which requires other expensive equipment.
#39
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 5,781
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
My Ride: BMW E60
Model Year: 2016
Maybe Big E can chime in, but if I recall correctly, while I was there at RPI, I heard that each of their exhaust system is hand-made.
Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Someone correct me if I am wrong.