[TonyB]

Hope you guys don't mind... but I just sent OutMotoring an email with a link to this thread... Good luck!

[Out Motoring]

Hmmm, Aaron from OutMotoring.com here. I was just following the thread and got an email regarding the group buy from TonyB.

Here's my thoughts on the subject. Group buys are a double edge sword. Often it's great to get a bunch of product out on the market and make everyone happy by lowering the price a little. The down side is that there is frequently not enough product to go around, and ultimately a couple get shafted and the organizer get slammed (I.E. Madness Intakes, Swaybars and misc. other stuff here and there)

That being said, I would still be interested in helping some people if the product was guaranteed to really exist and is sitting in a wharehouse tagged as sold and a limit has been set to match the quantity. It's fairly tricky to do, especially the exhausts which are so heavy and expensive to ship/stock that they are often drop shipped (direct from the manufacturer or distributor)

In regards to the Quicksilver Exhausts, they're all imported from England and Madness has been the only one to buy from, Stratmosphere has since jumped on the band wagon and started getting the exhausts and QC headers and sold them way below the current market price (insanely high still) A new development in the market is that Miltek (imported) is coming out with a new system with various tips, and it's likely that they're made by a VERY similar manufacturer as the QC stuff (check out the headers) It sounds like it could be a good system, but who knows. I would much rather sell a product that is manufactured stateside-further helping the supply chain issue by taking out 6 weeks of shipping/customs and all that, especially when supply numbers are not guaranteed.

Still more stuff is new to the market (I.E. UUC, Miltek and Alta) I have been doing a lot of business with Alta lately and am confident that they make great products and can get what they say they will get. They have taken the MINI tuning world by storm with a slew of great products. The UUC exhaust may not ever be ready and who knows how they are at repeating the process once they get a few out on the market.

Magnaflow is easy to get and supply is good, that would be a good potential, but I think the Alta is more exclusive to MINI and has a great product.

http://outmotoring.com/alta_sportone...s_exhaust.html

So, my vote is to go with the Alta. There's no guarantee that the Quicksilver exhaust will be available 'tomorrow' or 'next week' for that matter. The UUC-vaporware??. The Magnaflow-does'nt sound like it's what everyone wants. The Borla-nice option, forgot to mention that one earlier.


Anyways, thanks for listening to me think outloud, I hope we can figure something out.

[TonyB]

Actually that Alta one looks very appealing!

It seems to be like the QS exhasut in that it utilizes the passenger side hanger only for one muffler and it is stainless. I really like the 2.5" tubing!!! Isn't the QS exhaust 2.25? Do you have a weight figure AAron? I guess a bit more than the QS because of the larger diameter plumbing...

As far as matching a header to this 2.5, what are the currrent choices of 2.5" headers?

Quote: Originally Posted by Out Motoring

Hmmm, Aaron from OutMotoring.com here. I was just following the thread and got an email regarding the group buy from TonyB.

Here's my thoughts on the subject. Group buys are a double edge sword. Often it's great to get a bunch of product out on the market and make everyone happy by lowering the price a little. The down side is that there is frequently not enough product to go around, and ultimately a couple get shafted and the organizer get slammed (I.E. Madness Intakes, Swaybars and misc. other stuff here and there)

That being said, I would still be interested in helping some people if the product was guaranteed to really exist and is sitting in a wharehouse tagged as sold and a limit has been set to match the quantity. It's fairly tricky to do, especially the exhausts which are so heavy and expensive to ship/stock that they are often drop shipped (direct from the manufacturer or distributor)

In regards to the Quicksilver Exhausts, they're all imported from England and Madness has been the only one to buy from, Stratmosphere has since jumped on the band wagon and started getting the exhausts and QC headers and sold them way below the current market price (insanely high still) A new development in the market is that Miltek (imported) is coming out with a new system with various tips, and it's likely that they're made by a VERY similar manufacturer as the QC stuff (check out the headers) It sounds like it could be a good system, but who knows. I would much rather sell a product that is manufactured stateside-further helping the supply chain issue by taking out 6 weeks of shipping/customs and all that, especially when supply numbers are not guaranteed.

Still more stuff is new to the market (I.E. UUC, Miltek and Alta) I have been doing a lot of business with Alta lately and am confident that they make great products and can get what they say they will get. They have taken the MINI tuning world by storm with a slew of great products. The UUC exhaust may not ever be ready and who knows how they are at repeating the process once they get a few out on the market.

Magnaflow is easy to get and supply is good, that would be a good potential, but I think the Alta is more exclusive to MINI and has a great product.

http://outmotoring.com/alta_sportone...s_exhaust.html

So, my vote is to go with the Alta. There's no guarantee that the Quicksilver exhaust will be available 'tomorrow' or 'next week' for that matter. The UUC-vaporware??. The Magnaflow-does'nt sound like it's what everyone wants. The Borla-nice option, forgot to mention that one earlier.


Anyways, thanks for listening to me think outloud, I hope we can figure something out.

[Out Motoring]

I will look into the weight and tubing diameter deal, give me a day or so to get in touch with them. It's not like me to add products to our website until I have actaually seen the product or heard that the product is real and is shipping, but I saw this post and added it, which was also done in conjuntion with there recent revamping of the Alta website. They now only sell wholesale, which means more traffic to our site, so I decided to add more of their product, namely the exhaust and rear bar.

I fully trust Alta and have high hopes for the system that they've created. I may even put one on my own car!!

[jmoser]

This is Jenni in Sacramento--

Aaron, I'm trying to follow this...are you saying that there may not be enough Quicksilver systems available at one time to ship to a group?
Or that you have a difficult time dealing with the manufacturer, and Alta is easier?

Yes, I actually was interested in the QS more than Borla, and Magnaflow...
I liked several features of the QS system (lightweight, I liked the sound), but i'd certainly consider a system that was similiar with similar quality for a price break...
I'll be looking forward to hearing the details about it--a demo of the sound would be nice too!

And, I'm starting to think about CA air quality controls...
I haven't looked into it yet, but I'm wondering if I can make these exhaust alterations and still pass smog certification?

thanks again...

[TonyB]

Hi Jeni, I'm also in CA. That is the beauty of a catback system - it is behind the catalytic converter. I catback system will not (so I've been taught) alter the contents of the exhaust. You can impact performance, sound, weight and appearance.

Aaron, please do share what you find-out. Thanks!

[jmoser]

Thanks Tony--that helps. Is your "used" QS system spoken for?
How did your alta pulley installation go--did you DIY or have it done? I'm pretty handy, and have done some engine stuff, but I don't know much on the theory end...have to follow good directions!
Lifting a motor to install sounds above my ability....and I've heard that the the ?Minimania? pulley system was pretty expensive to install....(not sure about that, but one personreported a financial nightmare with it it).

Know this is another thread...I'm new to this forum & posting stuff and somebody give me a nudge if I'm breaking some kinda rule or etiquette, but I appreciate your responsiveness :> (haven't figured out how to get smileys in here yet)

Whats the difference between the cold air intake filter upgrades and the "Intake system" upgrades?
My MCS dogs from a standstill with the AC on (gotta have it in >100 temps here) and I'm trying to improve that...

I'm thinking thethinking Alta Cold Air/box/ Filter but don't get what the additional stuff does on some of the "Intake" kits...looks kinda the same, but with more tubes?

Can you enlighten me? Jenni

[TonyB]

Hey, welcome aboard Jenni!!!

I'm hoping some of the MINI2 brethren can address some of those questions as I'm running a bit late to the beach on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. If not, I'll try to chime in later...

I will say that my QS has a few folks lined-up, so it appears to have a home when I finish the new system, which I have not begun yet. I will keep you in mind, if those others can't wait a couple or so months...

And with re to the pulley, I organized a Bay Area pulley install party about two months ago where Randy installed this for about 20 of us. I can't imagine a better spent 400 bucks!

Gotta go...

[Out Motoring]

This is Jenni in Sacramento and everyone else:

Well, there may enough, but the supply is very difficult and time consuming to replenish (shipping/import/customs etc.) and Madness controls it for the most part. They (George) have stated that they won't do any more GB's, and since they control the supply....they control the price. I would think that they would not budge on their wholesale price which is honesly very close to past group buy rates.

All in all, I think the QC GB may not happen, otherwise Madness or Randy would have jumped on it already. They're just worn out on GB's.

I suggested Alta exhaust because I like the sense of professionalism about the products they sell. They are by far the most 'with-it' tuner in the MINI world as far as product development, presentation and having a complete package for the MINI. H-sport has suspension nailed, but Alta has a more 'complete' approach if you will. I support that totally. Since the exhaust is a new product for them, I would assume that they would be willing to do a special price on a few systems to get the it recognized in the market. I will see what they can do for 5 systems.

I may just get one sent to me so I can test it out on project "Out Motoring". Besides, my wife has been complaining that the MINI is not LOUD ENOUGH! We used to a Corrado G60 with everything done to it and it sounded mean-she loved it! A nice loud car kind of makes up for me being such a loser!

[mfc]

Here is a response I got from MINI-madness:


"Sorry for the delayed response, we were out all last week on a much needed vacation. In regards to the Quicksilver bulk purchase, yes this is possible. Your cost for 5 systems would be $650 per system, 10 systems would run $549 less shipping of course. Please let us know if you would like more detail.

Thank you for inquiring"

[TonyB]

Good job Marcus! That is a very sweet deal, esp if you can get 10 people. I'd start a new thread with that $549 price in the title

[mfc]

I'm not quite sure how that works, I'm somewhat new at this stuff. If anybody wants to start that (counting me in of course) please feel free to do so.

[Out Motoring]

Looks like all is well with the QC group buy...

I spoke with Alta regarding their exhaust. It weighs in at 34 lbs, has a single muffler and in-line resonator and dual polished tips. Systems are due to ship in a week.

The will NOT do a group buy on any of their products, so count them out for a discount in that regards. I respect their decision, there certainly is merit in keeping the prices from drifting too far.

Anway, hope everyone enjoys the QC systems!

[jmoser]

Great News! I count 8 people have expressed interest in this so far. I'm willing to help organize if someone knows how to proceed. Thanks Tony B and Out Motoring for all your help.

Roger, are you familiar with group buys? there must be some lessons someone has already learned about putting these together!
Looking forward to getting a great deal on a great system...Jenni

[TonyB]

Sounds like you need 2 more. You might want to cross post over on MCO. Given that supply is bound to be a problem with these, you might want to put a definite limit at 10. Beyond that, have folks as back-ups in case someone bails....

You say 8 people already, but to make sure, get more definite confirmations by collecting PMs. You might want to collect real names in those PMs. Once you have 10 by that means, call Madness, provide those names and ask when you can have those folks begin calling to place their orders...

Hopefully that will help a little.

[jxlxr]

Quote: Originally Posted by mfc

Here is a response I got from MINI-madness:


"Sorry for the delayed response, we were out all last week on a much needed vacation. In regards to the Quicksilver bulk purchase, yes this is possible. Your cost for 5 systems would be $650 per system, 10 systems would run $549 less shipping of course. Please let us know if you would like more detail.

Thank you for inquiring"

This does not sound as much as a GB as it is a bulk purchase meaning a single person would have to purchase all 10 at once. This would eliminte the logistics of the GB for Mini-Madness. I wonder if the ship to addresses would have to be the same or else you would have to pay double shipping. Not to mention the fact that a designee would have to handle it all, collecting them and sending them out again.

[JC380]

I was in a GB QS from Mini Madness awhile ago. Here's how we did it!

1) Roger was the contact person with Geroge @ Madness.
2) Roger gather all the buyers informations (name and address), then pass on to Geroge, then to his sales @ Madness.
3) Then every single buyers will have to contact the sales @ Madness via phonecall or email for payment.
4) Madness will ship out the QS individually once the payment has been made.

I'm very happy with the GB process. Very easy. Roger did a hell of a good job!!!

Good Luck with the GB!

[Sharkey]

Hi Guys,

$549 for the QS cat.-back system? Count me in! Roger, I just sent you a PM. Nice work!

Sharkey

[jxlxr]

Quote: Originally Posted by mfc

Here is a response I got from MINI-madness:


"Sorry for the delayed response, we were out all last week on a much needed vacation. In regards to the Quicksilver bulk purchase, yes this is possible. Your cost for 5 systems would be $650 per system, 10 systems would run $549 less shipping of course. Please let us know if you would like more detail.

Thank you for inquiring"

I think someone is going to need to contact MM and get further details. This says bulk purchase which would require such. It does not say group purchase.

If so someone would need to collect money from 10 people and coordinate receiving them and sending them out. That could be a pain.

[Rob * UUC Motorwerks]

Quote: Originally Posted by Out Motoring

The UUC-vaporware??.

Not vaporware at all... in fact, we've been shipping full production production MCS exhausts since last week.

Frighteningly enough, our first production batch is just about completely gone (last few shipping tomorrow).

We are completing another large production run in about a week or so, and are ramping up more production for anticipated demand.

Details and new pics:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/mini

- Rob Levinson