OE Euro headers vs copies - worth it?

[bigjae46]

Not that this is news or anything, but the fact that nearly everyone just turns a blind eye and gives Apex a pass is hilarious to me.

Originally Apex just made boring looking wheels but in different specs - I love the 17x10s. Most bought them for track wheels since they were light and relatively cheap. But ever since they started down the forged path they have made wheels that are strikingly similar to other wheels. Although they are still light...they aren't throw aways like the original ARC8s. I guess they have to make more money.

[Nate047]

didn't they call out Titan 7 for essentially lying about having certifications, and had to retract all of it because the community/industry pretty much just loudly yelled, "wow that was unprofessional take it back!"?

Not exactly, basically what happened was Apex called out Titan7/BimmerWorld (made in the same factories with the same methods) for not having TÜV or VIA/JWL certification or something along those lines. Thing is though, the wheels did meet the criteria for said certification, but since Titan and BW at the time we’re only selling in North America, they didn’t see the need to pay for the somewhat expensive testing and certification process(es) which makes sense. Apex leaned heavily on this technicality with their initial launch of the forged wheel lineup, which made them look petty. Also BW is one of the biggest retailers for Apex, so they really just said fuck you to a business partner for no reason. I dunno. Take it how you will but I prefer to not do business with companies who conduct themselves like that if I can avoid it, which I can.

[Arith2]

China can copy tubing sizes, bends, and merges, and therefore can usually produce a header that does in fact make decent power... because they're just copying someone else's R&D.

The part where they fall short is material quality, and welds. If your header's welds pop after a year, did you really save any money?

China can't copy this.

I don't think this is valid as I'm sure there are many Chinese individuals with welding talent. They are very capable. That's the header after 4 years and 25k miles. They're in great shape. Yes these a great bang for your buck. It took me an hour to get them off when I switched to SS V1s. Megan Headers also sound much better. I've really debated whether to sell my SS headers just for the sound.

[Maxhouse97]

Wow this thread went in a different direction

Can anyone pass the part numbers of the LCI exhaust manifolds?

[Epoustouflant]

This whole Russia thing? Thats the Russian government...not Slon. So I don't see the heartburn over buying from an individual citizen who's trying to put food on the table and make a living. Yes, I'm sure some of the money gets paid as taxes but is that a huge deal? And that's the beauty of being a 'Murican! Freedom! We can choose to boycott Russia....we can choose not to.

Slon sells 1:1 replicas of BMW parts with BMW logos, SKUs and original country of origin. There's also a very well known individual on M3 forums that created a US incorporation to funnel money into Russia via Armenia, along with buying US supplies - all the while calling other individuals (including me!) for lacking morals and acting out of self interest.

I told Obioban this wasn't my fight - so I'll leave it at that and I won't add anything to this post. You guys be the judge on the morals of it.

[Obioban]

Slon sells 1:1 replicas of BMW parts with BMW logos, SKUs and original country of origin.

At least in the case of the cabin air filter housing (don't know about the CSL trunk above, as I've never examined an OE CSL trunk for this), the BMW PN/logo is there because they made the mold using a factory part-- and the BMW info is molded into the plastic there, so it transfers.

Slon isn't trying to pass stuff off as stock that isn't-- at every step of the way, they're marketed as aftermarket parts. To me, that is fine.

If I were to pick an issue, it would actually be the word "Italy" there-- not the BMW info.

[Epoustouflant]

At least in the case of the cabin air filter housing (don't know about the CSL trunk above, as I've never examined an OE CSL trunk for this), the BMW PN/logo is there because they made the mold using a factory part-- and the BMW info is molded into the plastic there, so it transfers.

All the SKU, logos and country of origins are original markings by BMW across all parts. He makes no distinction.

As an example, the replica tie bar on the F8x indicates made in Poland on IND's website.

Slon isn't trying to pass stuff off as stock that isn't-- at every step of the way, they're marketed as aftermarket parts. To me, that is fine.
1ZYA57968829085701
If I were to pick an issue, it would actually be the word "Italy" there-- not the BMW info.

I won't judge to his intentions here.

I do have to correct the perception that his carbon work is top of the line. Mikhail created his own oven to cure vacuum infused parts at +/- 85 C instead of 200C required for pre-preg carbon in an autoclave.

It is not as strong, nor as light as pre-preg carbon.

[bigjae46]

Slon sells 1:1 replicas of BMW parts with BMW logos, SKUs and original country of origin. There's also a very well known individual on M3 forums that created a US incorporation to funnel money into Russia via Armenia, along with buying US supplies - all the while calling other individuals (including me!) for lacking morals and acting out of self interest.

I told Obioban this wasn't my fight - so I'll leave it at that and I won't add anything to this post. You guys be the judge on the morals of it.

At least you know they used an OEM part for a mold! I'm not a lawyer but the fact that the part is made from a different material differentiates it...not sure if that meets the legal definition.

[usdmej]

Slon sells 1:1 replicas

You guys be the judge on the morals of it.

this group buy vendor, after he couldn't run anymore group buys for Slon, went and found a mfg to copy Slon's products, and then went on a tirade about how if Slon's products were so great they shoulda patented them to begin with, is now trying to to bring Slon down to his level by insinuating that they make replica parts?


morals . . . .

[Epoustouflant]

I wish blocking you would stop you from seeing my post. Alas, you're kicking a hornet's nest with pure ignorance, and once more I need to stay true to the facts in this post-truth world!

this group buy vendor, after he couldn't run anymore group buys for Slon

I stopped working with Slon because he couldn't deliver on time and dropped the ball on a 50x BBK group buy back in 2021 by delivering 2x. He did not have a sustainable way to handle payments due to being in Russia, having a PayPal account restricted to 7,000 US in daily transactions.

It became fishy when one of the BBK customers had received a PayPal invoice from an account in somebody'e else name. After pressing him on alternate solutions, including opening his own US LLC using Atlas, he left me out to dry over money owed, and then went silent.

He did do something else with somebody else though, more below.

went and found a mfg to copy Slon's products

There are 4x brands making replica covers of Slons.

Interestingly, a Chinese version "blew up" an engine as it unclipped. It was sold by another fishy individual that has since gone AWOL with 100,000$ in customer deposits and account payables. He was a fan favourite over on M3post.

Here's another US made version I reviewed and opted to not offer.

then went on a tirade about how if Slon's products were so great they shoulda patented them to begin with, is now trying to to bring Slon down to his level by insinuating that they make replica parts?

There's no insinuation - it is exactly what it is. It just isn't my fight.

morals . . . .

On the topic of morals, a moderator of NAM3 (P.S.: it isn't @obioban) incorporated a US LLC around January 2023 in Slon's name to funnel money and parts to Russia. He had been the guy sending invoices for him via his own personal PayPal account for years.

Mikhail had suggested I do the same back when we collaborated, I declined.

Interestingly enough, said moderator also expressed his dislike of my "self-interest" as the "lowest level of human dignity", insinuating I dealt in Chinese parts (I don't!) all the while mascarad'ing as just another M3 owner who "loves" Slon's parts.

I can only be blamed to have morals really. You can definitely blame me for not aligning morals with your personal interests.

Humans are weird.

[oceansize]

On the topic of morals, a moderator of NAM3 (P.S.: it isn't @obioban) incorporated a US LLC around January 2023 in Slon's name to funnel money and parts to Russia. He had been the guy sending invoices for him via his own personal PayPal account for years.

Mikhail had suggested I do the same back when we collaborated, I declined.

Interestingly enough, said moderator also expressed his dislike of my "self-interest" as the "lowest level of human dignity", insinuating I dealt in Chinese parts (I don't!) all the while mascarad'ing as just another M3 owner who "loves" Slon's parts.

Nice....

[usdmej]

I wish blocking you would stop you from seeing my post.
.

whatever fantasy you've got boiling on in your head, you should genuinely get some help for

[ugaexploder]

eh...how 'bout them Braves?

[Chas3n]

opcorn:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Epoustouflant]

whatever fantasy you've got boiling on in your head, you should genuinely get some help for

Ask for proof on any facts I have brought up, and I will provide evidence without doxxing said moderator.