Author Topic: No more downpipes (Read 18365 times)

935racer · « **on:** June 12, 2007, 08:37:37 pm »

Sorry guys, but as of yesterday we will not be making anymore stock mk1-4 downpipes. With rising steel costs, and the our quality control we cannot afford to make these anymore, the cost we need to charge is likely out of the average vw diesel enthusiasts price range from what we gather as we here complaints about the current pricing. We will continue to build manifolds, port heads etc, and we may also get back into servicing the vw's soon. Its a shame with over 200 mk1-3downpipes made in the last 2 years but we are getting sick of eating oatmeal 3 meals a day

Kudagra · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2007, 09:47:31 pm »

Quote from: "935racer"

Sorry guys, but as of yesterday we will not be making anymore stock mk1-4 downpipes. With rising steel costs, and the our quality control we cannot afford to make these anymore, the cost we need to charge is likely out of the average vw diesel enthusiasts price range from what we gather as we here complaints about the current pricing. We will continue to build manifolds, port heads etc, and we may also get back into servicing the vw's soon. Its a shame with over 200 mk1-3downpipes made in the last 2 years but we are getting sick of eating oatmeal 3 meals a day

Are you still making CAMs?

...ps...check your PMs

jtanguay · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2007, 10:31:30 pm »

that is a shame... can you give a rough estimate of what it would cost now??? surely you still have the equipment to fabricate... i mean... how much do other companies charge for their special downpipes that are mass produced, and do not have your stringent quality control standards??

i wouldn't mind paying for quality craftsmanship :wink:

i'm definitely going to need a really good downpipe for the exhaust manifold i'm buying from you in the future :wink: maybe 3" all the way back?

subsonic · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2007, 11:05:25 pm »

What about your exhaust manifold?
Got any old stock left on th DP's?

935racer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2007, 11:44:17 pm »

We aren't going out of business by any means guys, we are just expanding. Manifolds, head porting, custom downpipes as well as ones to mate our manifolds etc will still be done. I in particular more than the other guys just grew sick of getting complaints about the price on these things, especially because we were just making them for cheap (virtually free on our end). It would cost at least $320CAD for us to continue making them, not a penny less. We do have all the jigs and equipment to make these still. Compared to some of the stuff on the market its still not too outrageous, we just installed a 034 motorsport turbo kit on a audi S6, the downpipe was $600USD, the welds were complete ***, and the downpipe did not fit! Not even close, you couldn't even bolt it on, total piece of crap.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2007, 12:08:03 am »

Sniff sniff.:cry:

How many people would you need to hear from to have a "going out of the downpipe business... get your final order in now" event ??!!

Vince

red64chevelle · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2007, 08:52:39 am »

Quote from: Vincent Waldon

Sniff sniff.:cry:

How many people would you need to hear from to have a "going out of the downpipe business... get your final order in now" event ??!!

Vince

Yeah, I was totally going to buy one after I was done with the suspension/brakes on my mk1.

This sucks.

jtanguay · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2007, 08:54:56 am »

i think $320 is extremely reasonable. why would people complain about the pricing??? that's lame... damn penny pinchers!

subsonic · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2007, 09:59:22 am »

Is there an economics scale here that can be improved? I do not know if you buy you pipe in bulk or enough for individual orders. Would it be better for you to do runs of these pipes when you receive enough orders to make it a better deal for you. Say, DP's will be made when the orders build up to 5 or 10 so you can order in bulk.

This forum has a very wide and diverse membership. All of us have our own certain connections and contacts. I am getting at the neighbors helping neighbors sort of thing. Perhaps if you let us know what type of materials you need, members can look around and see if we can find a cheaper source for you. There is always someone who has stock they want to get rid of or move. Just a thought.

lord_verminaard · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2007, 10:14:28 am »

Would you guys sell flanges and other hardware if we need to make our own? It's hard to find these items sometimes. The pipe is easy to get but the other items can be difficult. Did you make your own flanges too?

Brendan

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2007, 01:08:53 pm »

i really want one of these over the techtonics crap haha, i guess this teaches everyone what happens when you sit on your hands.

commuter boy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2007, 11:17:21 pm »

I'd keep your jigs handy. Once a year figure out your price to build a batch of downpipes and make a reasonable profit for your work.

Take pre-orders, make a batch with a couple extra, and put things away for another year.

If not enough interest, wait six months and try again.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2007, 09:32:47 am »

Crap. I was going to buy one with a cam when I rebuild my engine in the next few months

okron1k · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2007, 02:17:28 am »

dude don't stop with the downpipes.. i was just looking on your site right now about to purchase one.. possibly two.

but the suggestion a post or two above me about doing it once a year with preorders will do as well.. but i need a pipe.

to be honest.. you should still have it on your site with an updated price.. even if it is more expensive.. just make them on demand.. or have one or two sitting and when you sell one make another in spare time. i dunno how you do it. but also i've been wishing you had a full mandrel bent exhaust as well.

my girlfriends parents live in abbotsford and if i ever go there i'd like to come visit. she says its pretty close. i'm a truck driver and i can get runs out there. i wish i could come in one of my cars.

here's a pic of my latest car. i bought it as you see it in the pic so no mods by myself.. got it a couple of weeks ago.

jtanguay · « **Reply #14 on:** June 17, 2007, 12:47:22 pm »

holy you bought that car??? is that the same one i've seen over at the tex??? it has air ride right??? damn!!!

how much $$$