Anyone ever heard of Sebring?

[AL GReeNeRy]

http://www.sebringexhaust.com/php/index.php?cmd=cmdFrontendProducts&iProductModel=27225

a speed shop near my house sells this exhaust.  its quite expensive but looks very well made.  with all sorts of different tips to choose from and the best part is, it should fit right in the muffler hangers and is the clamp type connector on the inlet pipe.  i believe they go for about $400.

[cecotto]

I think Sebring produces both Hartge and Schnitzer's exhaust systems.

But everything at a cost.  

Theres also other brands in good quality at a cheaper price though...

[318idol]

There is no bigger waste of money than an aftermarket CAT-back exhaust system.  You pick up mininmal hp for making your car infinitely less liveable.  All aftermarket exhausts are a scam.  They're selling a "sound" not real HP gain.  The only way to make a true performance system is start with headers and go all the way back.   Remember, internal combustion engines are basically big air pumps.  To just change the "back end" doesn't do much.  It will make the car louder, though.  That you'll notice.

Think about it.  Of the total time you spend in the driver's seat -- commuting, driving to beach, track day, etc. -- how much of that time is spent taking advantage of the extra 3 hp you get with that $400 exhaust system?  Ah, not much.  Now imagine the remainder of that time -- the other 99 percent -- listening to an obnoxious roar, telling yourself how cool your 318 is as you push your earplugs deeper into your ears, your date saying to herself, "nice guy, annoying car..."   Yes, BMW engine sound cool -- at the racetrack.

Not worth it.

Gary

[D. Clay]

The OEM muffler is heavy. An after market cat-back is 10-20 pounds lighter. That's probably the bigger performance gain.

[tim_s]

I have a sebring exhaust. cost a lot but worth every penny. I've had it for must be almost 5 years and 50k miles now and its still in excellent condition. no performance gain, but a nice noise gain.

[AL GReeNeRy]

i never asked if it was worth it.  im not even after any HP gains.  i already have a dynomax muffler and catco high flow cat.  i just wanted to know whos used it or heard of it.  when i look at exhaust pieces, i always consider the sound of it first, then the price and the power gains are the furthest thing from my mind (unless i have a turbo or some shit).  with my current setup, it is loud but a little RICEY for me, especially with our 4 banger engine.  i want that exotic BMW sound...

please dont turn this forum into r3v or even e30tech by bashing someone about their interest in a product and by going off on different tangents about questions that were never asked.  thanks.

tim, does the sebring clamp in place perfectly? what kind of cat are you running, and how does your whole system sound compared to stock or any other mufflers you have heard?

[tim_s]

The sebring is an excellent fit, as good as a factory system. I'd say its definitely one of the best aftermarket systems out there. If I have the car in the air tomorrow (I'm fitting LPG atm) I'll take a pic for you. The sound of the exhaust has changed a little over the years. When I first installed it it was a little quieter than now, but the sound is still very much on the quiet side compared to other systems I've heard, its certainly a bit sportier than the standard exhaust though. I do a lot of motorway miles (at circa 80-90mph) and its not too noisy at all - many exhaust systems resonate really badly at that speed/rpm. The downside is that it doesn't sound as sporty as some exhausts, but that's a tradeoff I'm prepared to accept - I need an exhaust that I can live with on a car I use daily; if the car were a track or weekend toy only, I'd go for something a bit wilder.

[keithk]

I bought my Sebring from these folks.
2002 Haus (http://www.2002haus.com) for $119 plus shipping. I had my local muffler shop install it. Definately lighter than stock and much lower tone. When you put your foot into it, its more British sounding than rice.

[AL GReeNeRy]

your first post and you come through with some good info.  welcome to m42club.  you got any pics of your exhaust installed?

[bmwman91]

Al I have heard of Sebring is good things regarding construction quality.

Agreed on the "waste of $ if expecting performance" line of thought.  I just wanted something made of stainless steel, and near stock-quiet.  Supersprint fit the bill.  6 years and no signs of dying!  I am sure Sebring is of similar quality, and I doubt it sounds obnoxious.  Quick, someone make a Sebring recording and post it.

[keithk]

your first post and you come through with some good info.  welcome to m42club.  you got any pics of your exhaust installed?

Al,

This is how it looks installed and finished in the car. I used a Magnaflow stainless tip and moved it out a bit past the bumper since the stock muffler was originally at an angle to the bumper.

On the Sebring itself, I believe this is the 2.25" muffler if memory serves me right. It hooks right up to the stock exhaust without a problem.



I'll get some sound going later this week for everyone to hear.