Unbranded exhaust on eBay - anyone have experience of them

[ThatGuyThere 54]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STAINLESS-STEEL-2-5-CAT-BACK-SPORT-EXHAUST-SYSTEM-FOR-TOYOTA-GT86-SUBARU-BRZ/120963804838?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D9c44d4abe95b423e81860e56463e3ce8%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D120963804838

It looks like a q300 replica, which used to be branded Direnza, but now is unbranded.

Has anyone bought one of these? Is it likely to fit correctly - I don't want it looking uneven from the rear, not sure how adjustable such a thing would be.

I'm trying to decide between this, at £330, vs the one from Tuning Developments at £600 - I much prefer the tips on this cheaper one to be honest, but I've emailed TD about alternative tips.

I want something fairly quiet, considering I have a supercharger and no cats.

Many thanks.

[Ade 517]

@knightryder

[Kodename47 446]

£300!?! I paid ~1/3 of that and TBH I wouldn't pay any more. Sounds fine, it's a quiet exhaust like the authentic Q300. I sold on a 2nd that I bought and the fitment was a little different between them. Mine protrudes a little more on one side than the other when hot, barely noticeable when cold. It did take a little work to get it to hang straight but then the same can be said about any exhaust to some extent, as is the way the systems go together.

This is the generic Chinese made exhausts, one of mine came unbranded in a Japspeed box, the 2nd came in an unbranded box with Direnza logos on the tips. Both were identical apart from that. Both were exactly the same on the auction so it seems pot luck with what you actually get.

It's also not 2.5" but it is larger diameter than OEM.

[ThatGuyThere 54]

20 minutes ago, knightryder said:

£300!?! I paid ~1/3 of that and TBH I wouldn't pay any more.

Thanks for your reply. With regards to this comment - is that because it's just not a very good exhaust? I'm clueless about all this. I'm struggling to justify spending £1k on the genuine Q300 but I don't want anything shit.

[Tareim 343]

I've also went for one of those and only paid around £110 for it, it barely makes any difference to overall volume if you just replace the stock catback but gets louder once you do other mods such as decat

[Kodename47 446]

59 minutes ago, Adamd said:

Thanks for your reply. With regards to this comment - is that because it's just not a very good exhaust? I'm clueless about all this. I'm struggling to justify spending £1k on the genuine Q300 but I don't want anything shit.

I'll admit that it does seem that quality is a little variable as in the fit isn't consistent and may need some work. Hence that I'd be happy to risk ~£100/150 for one but not £300+. At least if it needs a little work then it's not already cost you a bomb. TBH if you're spending that much you might be able to pick up a decent 2nd hand system.

I know that all sounds like I'm being pessimistic but I actually like mine. Having read about this on forums here and in the States I made an informed decision that I would buy if I could get it cheap and set my budget to ~£120 IIRC. At the time there were a fair few on auctions that started at 99p, I bid on a couple as a few went for more than I was willing to pay and then I ended up with 2. However I can't see any of the auctions at the moment but they do pop up from time to time.

[ThatGuyThere 54]

Many thanks.

Seems the only 2nd hand ones I'm seeing are overpriced then. On the one hand this exhaust is ruining the car for me, on the other I know as soon as I buy something, a 2nd hand Q300 will appear! 

[ThatGuyThere 54]

Found the same exhaust for nearly £100 less:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fit-12-15-FRS-FT86-BRZ-Resonated-Dual-Exit-Catback-Exhaust-4-5-In-Rolled-Tip-/161484333707?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Same car, right?!

[Cerastes 204]

I'm looking for the same. £330 isn't bad? cheaper than the £900+ for the Invidia one. 

[ThatGuyThere 54]

48 minutes ago, Cerastes said:

I'm looking for the same. £330 isn't bad? cheaper than the £900+ for the Invidia one. 

See above, even cheaper!

It seems a good price to me. I do like the titanium tips of the Q300, but I like having £700 even more! Still can't decide though.

[Kodename47 446]

1 hour ago, Adamd said:

Found the same exhaust for nearly £100 less:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fit-12-15-FRS-FT86-BRZ-Resonated-Dual-Exit-Catback-Exhaust-4-5-In-Rolled-Tip-/161484333707?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Same car, right?!

Same one.

[nerdstrike 186]

Hmm - the knock off exhaust copies I've seen for other cars have often lacked in quality control and long term resilience. Think uneven exhaust tips, baffles coming loose and rattling, excessive rusting and so on. Doesn't hit everyone but more often than I like to see. They can also sounded like a bag of nails, but that's what a lot of people like...

[Cerastes 204]

You may be right. I guess I can always try the garage that fitted a custom exhaust to my Suzuki (although that was quieter than what I wanted). 

I will see how mine sounds after my UEL manifold has been fitted. If it is still quiet then I may have to get a catback. 

[Deacon 1357]

1 hour ago, nerdstrike said:

Hmm - the knock off exhaust copies I've seen for other cars have often lacked in quality control and long term resilience. Think uneven exhaust tips, baffles coming loose and rattling, excessive rusting and so on. Doesn't hit everyone but more often than I like to see. They can also sounded like a bag of nails, but that's what a lot of people like...

Sounds like a Miltek 😱

[Kodename47 446]

2 hours ago, Deacon said:

Sounds like a Miltek 😱

I was going to say that mine has lasted longer than the average Miltek. I could replace it 5 times before I paid the same as one too....

[nerdstrike 186]

I did think of them... clearly price does not guarantee quality, but on the other hand, suspicious cheapness usually indicates that corners have been cut.

[ThatGuyThere 54]

12 hours ago, knightryder said:

I was going to say that mine has lasted longer than the average Miltek. I could replace it 5 times before I paid the same as one too....

This is why it's a toss up between £250 and £1000 - the ones in the middle don't seem worth it!

[Lowe 191]

They do a front pipe section as well by the look of it...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fit-For-2013-2016-Subaru-BRZ-Scion-FRS-GT86-Downpipe-Down-Pipe-Stainless-Steel-/161565849167

 

[Kodename47 446]

2 hours ago, Lowe said:

They do a front pipe section as well by the look of it...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fit-For-2013-2016-Subaru-BRZ-Scion-FRS-GT86-Downpipe-Down-Pipe-Stainless-Steel-/161565849167

 

I would avoid a cheap overpipe! You don't know who they copied and whether it's RHD compatible. The OP on RHD is very snug so I would go for a reputable tried and tested solution. The Cobra one is good value. As for FP, then that seems like it could be used.