Why are Megan exhausts so hated

edub370 · 04-26-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinturbonet

Lol if I knew how to give 'rep', I would have given you rep for handling that with a mature attitude.

Hehe thanks. its the little scales on the bottom left of my post. below rep power.

gaveup · 04-26-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edub370

Damn right its a knockoff. im not paying someone for the r&d. i buy smart

idc if people get the megan exhaust. im just saying, the sound it produces tends to be what a lot of people would call "unpleasant". if u love it, then rock it. like u said obviously idc for how much stuff costs. just playing devils advocate here

I could never fault anyone for that. Hell, if my invidia wasn't purchased used, I would have gotten the CNT or topspeed in a heartbeat

twinturbonet · 04-26-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edub370

Hehe thanks. its the little scales on the bottom left of my post. below rep power.

Done.

MacLean · 04-26-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaveup

You realize at the heart of it all, exhaust is just bent pipes welded together with resonators/mufflers right? The majority of which is done overseas in China or India.

See, this right here is the reason vendors get away with charging stupid amounts of money for their products. People have this preconceived notion that the only way to get a quality product is to spend more money. It's pretty sad, but if megan were to charge, say, $1500 for their product more people would buy them and claim how awesome they are. All because they paid XXXX amount of dollars for a "quality" product. I had a megan exhaust on my WRX and not ONCE did it "crap out" on me. Furthermore, I am not even certain how an exhaust can "crap out" on someone. A weld can break on almost any exhaust, doesn't matter the price. However if you do have a weld on a flange break, you have to pay a whole $30 or less to have it rewelded.

Let's be honest with each other and face it, there is a "Z tax" most vendors put on our cars products because they know they can. Do this, go price out a full exhaust for a mustang and then for a Z. Why exactly is the Z's a considerable amount more? Because stupid people are willing to pay more because they think their car "deserves it".

I've known quite a few people that have run their own exhaust shops on the internet and made custom CBE's for SRT4, 350Z, WRX's etc, and I can tell you this; Once the jig is made and sent overseas the production costs on an exhaust is laughable. The fact people are willing to pay 10x (+even more) just makes me laugh even more.

Really.......you don't say........ I never really knew that it was just bent pipes welded together & done overseas in China & India. I'm glad you told me that b/c I probably wouldn't have figured it out. EPIC FAIL.....duh.

Well let's face it that the reason why vendors probably charge more for products on a Z vs a Mustang is b/c the Z is an import. Imports cars cost more to buy than domestic cars & the same goes for repairs....HELLO. Buying anything for an import will cost more than a domestic here state side pretty much.

In the end it is solely up to you as an individual on what you want to buy. A lot of the reasoning for paying that extra money is b/c the company wasn't chicken sh*t about their R&D. Maybe that company started off catering to high-end vehicles & then worked its way down to other more common vehicles. As the saying goes you have to pay to play & nothing is free, or will just be given to you.

edub370 · 04-26-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgmg21

Well let's face it that the reason why vendors probably charge more for products on a Z vs a Mustang is b/c the Z is an import. Imports cars cost more to buy than domestic cars & the same goes for repairs....HELLO. Buying anything for an import will cost more than a domestic here state side pretty much.

Actually that would because there are fewers z's on the road then lets say mustangs, sti's, or hondas. therefore, the profit margins would have to be higher on the z's to offset the similar r&d costs that they would have on a mustang/wrx/etc... when u sell only 100 exhausts, u gotta make more money on each system. with mustangs u would sell 10,000 exhausts, so u could charge much less and make more. simple economics.

MacLean · 04-26-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edub370

Actually that would because there are fewers z's on the road then lets say mustangs, sti's, or hondas. therefore, the profit margins would have to be higher on the z's to offset the similar r&d costs that they would have on a mustang/wrx/etc... when u sell only 100 exhausts, u gotta make more money on each system. with mustangs u would sell 10,000 exhausts, so u could charge much less and make more. simple economics.

True.....so very true.

Like where your heads at & it makes complete sense. An entry level Z is also a lot more expensive than the entry level cars that you mentioned up above.

edub370 · 04-26-2012, 04:16 PM

check xsad's wtb thread to see why not to buy megan... ironic that that popped up today lol

speedfreek · 04-26-2012, 04:45 PM

Wait a F'n minute here!!!! You are telling me that Tony does not bend the pipes and weld them together with mufflers and resonators here in the US of A??!!!?! Son of A B!@#$ So you are saying he imports them from China or India pre-bent and just charges a mark-up?!?! This is too much....but please go on about how Megan exhausts are of great quality and sound.

MaDMaXX · 04-27-2012, 12:15 AM

Haha, yeah, not everything is made overseas

There is a lot of R&D in a good system, you can use basic techniques and generic stuff for a reasonable exhaust sometimes, but if you want something tuned on the specific model of car and in the case of the Z, something that has the crap tuned out of it, it'll cost ya.

Mustangs? yeah, they've used the same engines for a bazillion years, essentially (i know they've updated them) but they're also large displacement V8's and the engine makes the noise no matter what.

I'm not saying i agree with the current prices, but just look at the price of metal increase in the last 5+ years, it's sky-rocketed for the good stuff.
I could buy a really good system for not far off two thirds the price they are these days

SS_Firehawk · 04-27-2012, 09:54 AM

A lot of the cost's on these "elite" brands are due to R&D. If there are less than 10,000 Z's being purchased per year, there will be fewer looking to get an exhaust (or any other after market part.) There are a lot of Mustangs, Challangers, Camaro's, Vettes, Civic's, etc out there that can justify a lower price to increase volume sales.

The only elements you can judge objectively are fit, finish, welds, and engineering. Judging subjectively (our own opinions) are sound, aesthetics, and installation. If anyone is basing their arguments on the latter, reevaluate and re-present the argument. Ebay exhausts have a bad stigma, but like it was mentioned before... they are just pipes shaped and welded. We aren't risking much investment in trying an inexpensive brand. And if we happen to like it, even better.

To hate on other forum members because you have brand X, and you have brand Y is downright ignorant and distasteful.

Edit: this was more so in responses to the messages prior to page four, just trying to make sure there is no confusion

roplusbee · 04-27-2012, 03:22 PM

My only experience w/ Megan is with a turbo manifold for a CA18DET. Some people had issues with them cracking due to the weight of a top mount turbo and/or poor welds, but I had no real issues. The gasket was a joke, but that was easily remedied by going to the dealer and getting the NISSAN one. It would have been nice to have a support bracket on it, but I just had an exhaust shop weld one one for me. Was their manifold anything special............no. It was just like the others out there for the most part. Full-Race had the mother of all manifolds, but you were going to pay for it as well.

gaveup · 04-30-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedfreek

Wait a F'n minute here!!!! You are telling me that Tony does not bend the pipes and weld them together with mufflers and resonators here in the US of A??!!!?! Son of A B!@#$ So you are saying he imports them from China or India pre-bent and just charges a mark-up?!?! This is too much....but please go on about how Megan exhausts are of great quality and sound.

Whatever it takes to justify your purchase in your head, go for it. If you really think an exhaust is truly worth the price FI charges, then you made a good purchase (To yourself, of course). But let me ask you this, have you ever taken a car to a respectable exhaust shop and gotten a quote on a custom exhaust? It's not far off from some of the more expensive exhausts you see for sale on here.

I think a lot of people put far too much stock in what R&D for an exhaust REALLY is. I want to know what exactly people think is done when creating an exhaust? Why do most people treat this as if it is rocket science?

edub370 · 04-30-2012, 05:24 PM

initial fabbing, fitment, material selection. fine tuning the exhaust to eliminate any possible alignment or fitment issues so it can be easily replicated without any future problems. sourcing companies to provide clamps, resonaters (baring that one has not already been designed bythe company), and gaskets. building a jig. sending all the systems off to get plated/coated with either chrome, cermaic, or whatever else they decide. not rocket science, but very time involved. remember, time is money.

THEN u can start cranking them out at a relatively low cost.

and for all the people that compare megan to cnt or topspeed, think about it this way. top speed, cnt, and other companies that replicate existing exhaust can charge such a low price because they skip all those steps and can just go straight to making a jig and cranking them out. whereas megan has a completely unique design than anything else on the market to them, yet can still price things at the same price point as these other companies that are replicating higher end systems. kinda makes u wonder where the money is coming out of to cut costs (more than likely material choice and QC). not saying this is all correct... just a little food for thought

hell maybe they are just that nice..

MaDMaXX · 04-30-2012, 08:11 PM

Um, actually, Megan made their name in copying other designs.

edub370 · 04-30-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaDMaXX

Um, actually, Megan made their name in copying other designs.

yea? who?

04-26-2012, 04:16 PM	#52 (permalink)
edub370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,458 Drives: 09 370z S/T 6MT Rep Power: 20	check xsad's wtb thread to see why not to buy megan... ironic that that popped up today lol __________________ 09 370Z ST 6MT//Injen CAI//Greddy CBE//TP//TSW's//Swifts//Stillen lip//Whiteline sways 326whp/268tq

04-27-2012, 09:54 AM	#55 (permalink)
SS_Firehawk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,142 Drives: 13' Magma Red Nismo Rep Power: 7335	A lot of the cost's on these "elite" brands are due to R&D. If there are less than 10,000 Z's being purchased per year, there will be fewer looking to get an exhaust (or any other after market part.) There are a lot of Mustangs, Challangers, Camaro's, Vettes, Civic's, etc out there that can justify a lower price to increase volume sales. The only elements you can judge objectively are fit, finish, welds, and engineering. Judging subjectively (our own opinions) are sound, aesthetics, and installation. If anyone is basing their arguments on the latter, reevaluate and re-present the argument. Ebay exhausts have a bad stigma, but like it was mentioned before... they are just pipes shaped and welded. We aren't risking much investment in trying an inexpensive brand. And if we happen to like it, even better. To hate on other forum members because you have brand X, and you have brand Y is downright ignorant and distasteful. Edit: this was more so in responses to the messages prior to page four, just trying to make sure there is no confusion __________________ Old Car:GTM TSC'd 550whp / 410lbft tq @ 11.88PSI New Car: Under Construction Last edited by SS_Firehawk; 04-27-2012 at 11:09 AM.

04-27-2012, 03:22 PM	#56 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 22	My only experience w/ Megan is with a turbo manifold for a CA18DET. Some people had issues with them cracking due to the weight of a top mount turbo and/or poor welds, but I had no real issues. The gasket was a joke, but that was easily remedied by going to the dealer and getting the NISSAN one. It would have been nice to have a support bracket on it, but I just had an exhaust shop weld one one for me. Was their manifold anything special............no. It was just like the others out there for the most part. Full-Race had the mother of all manifolds, but you were going to pay for it as well. __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

04-30-2012, 05:24 PM	#58 (permalink)
edub370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,458 Drives: 09 370z S/T 6MT Rep Power: 20	initial fabbing, fitment, material selection. fine tuning the exhaust to eliminate any possible alignment or fitment issues so it can be easily replicated without any future problems. sourcing companies to provide clamps, resonaters (baring that one has not already been designed bythe company), and gaskets. building a jig. sending all the systems off to get plated/coated with either chrome, cermaic, or whatever else they decide. not rocket science, but very time involved. remember, time is money. THEN u can start cranking them out at a relatively low cost. and for all the people that compare megan to cnt or topspeed, think about it this way. top speed, cnt, and other companies that replicate existing exhaust can charge such a low price because they skip all those steps and can just go straight to making a jig and cranking them out. whereas megan has a completely unique design than anything else on the market to them, yet can still price things at the same price point as these other companies that are replicating higher end systems. kinda makes u wonder where the money is coming out of to cut costs (more than likely material choice and QC). not saying this is all correct... just a little food for thought hell maybe they are just that nice.. __________________ 09 370Z ST 6MT//Injen CAI//Greddy CBE//TP//TSW's//Swifts//Stillen lip//Whiteline sways 326whp/268tq Last edited by edub370; 04-30-2012 at 05:31 PM.

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04-26-2012, 04:45 PM	#53 (permalink)
speedfreek A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Huntsville,AL Posts: 1,724 Drives: '12 370Z PW 6sp Rep Power: 18	Wait a F'n minute here!!!! You are telling me that Tony does not bend the pipes and weld them together with mufflers and resonators here in the US of A??!!!?! Son of A B!@#$ So you are saying he imports them from China or India pre-bent and just charges a mark-up?!?! This is too much....but please go on about how Megan exhausts are of great quality and sound.

04-27-2012, 12:15 AM	#54 (permalink)
MaDMaXX Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oregon from England Posts: 292 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 13	Haha, yeah, not everything is made overseas There is a lot of R&D in a good system, you can use basic techniques and generic stuff for a reasonable exhaust sometimes, but if you want something tuned on the specific model of car and in the case of the Z, something that has the crap tuned out of it, it'll cost ya. Mustangs? yeah, they've used the same engines for a bazillion years, essentially (i know they've updated them) but they're also large displacement V8's and the engine makes the noise no matter what. I'm not saying i agree with the current prices, but just look at the price of metal increase in the last 5+ years, it's sky-rocketed for the good stuff. I could buy a really good system for not far off two thirds the price they are these days

04-30-2012, 08:11 PM	#59 (permalink)
MaDMaXX Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oregon from England Posts: 292 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 13	Um, actually, Megan made their name in copying other designs.