Sunbeam Section 3: first Impression’s, Thoughts and opinions

[simplem3]

Based on Sunbeam’s recent Instagram updates, they appear to be selling a significant volume of their Section 3 exhaust. However, I’ve only come across a single YouTube video and very few comments from U.S. owners who have first-hand experience with it.

I’m opening this up for anyone who does own one to share their thoughts, impressions, and any relevant feedback, especially regarding sound, fitment, and overall quality, as well as their experience with the purchasing, production, and delivery process.

[E46_AL]

from videos looks like it sounds phenomenal! also a bunch of guys on instagram have reviewed it. it would be under their highlights on sunbeam you can see everyone tagging them with their sunbeam section 3

[Keith_MN]

Saving someone the googling:

https://sunbeam8store.com/en-us/products/e46m3-racing-section3

I shouldn't have watched the fly-by clip.

[simplem3]

from videos looks like it sounds phenomenal! also a bunch of guys on instagram have reviewed it. it would be under their highlights on sunbeam you can see everyone tagging them with their sunbeam section 3

That’s all good. My goal is to bring comments and feedback to the forum.

[Slideways]

"Insanely loud" are two words this owner used to describe it. You definitely would not pass sound at a few racetracks.

[bavarian3]

Looks like the video Slideways posted is a euro header + euro section 1 setup, and the sound comes across like a muffler delete basically. It seems the section 1 with the resonators are way more important.

I'm interested in the section 1, but I don't want to use stock headers.

[shibui]

From Sunbeam themselves: "This product has a very strong personality, so it might be for a specific type of driver and environment". Love Sunbeam but I'm old. Loud droney exhausts are just not my thing anymore. From the outside clips I've heard it does sound pretty good at WOT though. Not sure if it truly "sounds like a GT3" like I hear a lot of E46 M3 guys claiming.

[TexaZ3]

Not cheap either, lol

[simplem3]

Not cheap either, lol

Crazy how expensive it is, which is exactly why I wanted to get a discussion going. Is it worth is the question. Maybe to some; and not others depending on needs and expectations.

Sunbeam said $4500 for section 1 & 3 + 15% tariff shipped to the U.S. 😆

And to think I used to think Supersprint was wicked expensive.

[amiao]

"Insanely loud" are two words this owner used to describe it. You definitely would not pass sound at a few racetracks.

this is me and my video. The section 3 needs to be paired with their section 1 if you want to enjoy that iconic sound. With Catalytic converters in either your headers or section 1 you will experience incredible amounts of drone.

For the moment I’ve taken the sunbeam muffler off until I order their section 1 and weld in some resonators to the section 2.

One thing I will say is the customer service you receive from the owner Ken is 5 stars. As this comes from Japan you will have to pay tariffs and the package can be held in customs for a delayed amount of time.

TLDR: the muffler alone without the supporting section 1 & 2 will likely not produce the perfect sound for you. It’s an incredibly loud exhaust, but with refinement it can sound amazing.

[simplem3]

My take is that these are a no-go for anyone running a Euro setup, but I’m open to hearing other opinions.

Resonators are the key to keeping these from being obnoxiously loud, and unfortunately for me, I live in a state with emissions requirements. I’m not interested in swapping parts in and out just to pass emissions.

What still blows my mind is the number of people who are supposedly buying these, yet we only have one member here saying they actually own one. Is this just a marketing ploy from Sunbeam?

There has to be more members out there that own one…?

[amiao]

My take is that these are a no-go for anyone running a Euro setup, but I’m open to hearing other opinions.

Resonators are the key to keeping these from being obnoxiously loud, and unfortunately for me, I live in a state with emissions requirements. I’m not interested in swapping parts in and out just to pass emissions.

What still blows my mind is the number of people who are supposedly buying these, yet we only have one member here saying they actually own one. Is this just a marketing ploy from Sunbeam?

There has to be more members out there that own one…?

I know of at least 3 other people in California that own one. They likely aren't as active on the forum, but I have seen quite a few owners who have them on instagram. I don't doubt how many they're selling, they only open pre-orders for a few weeks before closing them off to complete orders.

And Euro headers (I have CSL's) aren't so much the issue. It's having Catalytic converters at any point in the exhaust system, the low end drone with cats under 3k rpm makes my ears vibrate... Not something I want to experience pulling away from every light. If you watch the video the moment I pull out of my garage a cop was literally right behind me tailing me for a few minutes before pulling away. I've discussed with a number of Sunbeam exhaust owners as well as the owner of Sunbeam (Ken) about what the best path would be. It's likely going to be their section 1 and 1-2 resonators in the section 2. I'm looking at the Vibrant Ultra-Quiet resonators. Will get 2 if necessary to quiet down the volume for street driving.

[x Spades x]

They arent selling significant units Bud, lol. You really think that Facebook community is dropping that kind of money of a sec 3? One of us will... them? Not a shot. They bring up Valvetronic option 3 times a week, 😆. There would be Karbonius airboxes all over the place if they were like that.

[bmw m3 s50]

"Insanely loud" are two words this owner used to describe it. You definitely would not pass sound at a few racetracks.

Kind of sounds terrible.

I understand that the section 3 requires the section 1 to sound better but I have also heard videos with both the section 1 & 3 installed and it still did not sound great.

[x Spades x]

I know of at least 3 other people in California that own one. They likely aren't as active on the forum, but I have seen quite a few owners who have them on instagram. I don't doubt how many they're selling, they only open pre-orders for a few weeks before closing them off to complete orders.

And Euro headers (I have CSL's) aren't so much the issue. It's having Catalytic converters at any point in the exhaust system, the low end drone with cats under 3k rpm makes my ears vibrate... Not something I want to experience pulling away from every light. If you watch the video the moment I pull out of my garage a cop was literally right behind me tailing me for a few minutes before pulling away. I've discussed with a number of Sunbeam exhaust owners as well as the owner of Sunbeam (Ken) about what the best path would be. It's likely going to be their section 1 and 1-2 resonators in the section 2. I'm looking at the Vibrant Ultra-Quiet resonators. Will get 2 if necessary to quiet down the volume for street driving.

this is the first im hearing the cats cause drone. I have the SSV1 system and my cats bring the overall rasp and drone down. I guess im a bit confused now...