GregMB

I've lusted after a set of those intake tubes since my early days of E55 ownership....

Like most people here, I like everything but the price. I'm sure you hear that all the time.

I would like to suggest you seriously consider taking a page from the EuroTeck playbook. Last year, ACG did a "Group Buy" on the EuroTeck carbonfiber diffusers and decklid spoilers.... a lot of MBWorld members jumped all over the chance to pick up a quality product at a substantial discount. IIRC there were more than 30 orders collected, many were for multiple Euroteck products. EuroTeck moved a LOT of product, and MBWorld members got a great deal.... it was a win/win situation.

It also proved to me that there is still a lot of pent-up demand for quality products for the E55.... but the manufacturers in many cases have not adjusted prices to reflect the steep depreciation of these cars, or the more "frugal" demographic currently driving them.

Carbonio would be amazed at how many sets of these tubes could be sold, if they were priced more aggressively... the E55 market demand is still strong, but just not at the prices that these parts once commanded when the E55 was brand-new. I'd personally put my name on the top of the GB list if you decided to accept the challenge.... and I'll bet a lot of other guys here would too.


-G

SheriffDep

does anyone make these for the e63?

G_Money

+9001

Would also love some long tube headers that aren't 1/4th the cost of the car!

SheriffDep

Frugal demographic, how about Reasonable Demographic. I know wealthy people who are frugal, but that gave the impression of since the cars can be bought for 10-15k now, the people buying them are cheap. 1k (making that up) for a set of plastic tubes and covers, now that is just plain nuts. Its more of a Cosmetic thing. Yes I know they smooth the flow, and are larger than stock (yes stock is restrictive), but in the end two round PVC pipes could do the same. Thats a stretch but its the point.

I believe in you have to pay to play, but after getting a E63 I know now that I will bend over any time I want to do ANYTHING to the car. Yes its a 100k car like all the others, and I expect to pay out the rear for keeping up with maintenance on a 100k car, and that is worth it to me. A lot of people can afford the car, but can they really afford it???? That happens. Ok off track

Tubes, I would love a set just to neaten up the engine area. Not modding myself, but cosmetically would love it. At this time, aftermarket CF dipping is NOT up to par for a clean real look, so that is not a good option. The real ones are nice, but how can a CF real Rear Diffuser sell for 400 or so, but a relatively easy small front engine cover from some cost 1k. Doesn't make sense. Get the prices down and you WILL sell a bunch. Still anything more than 1-200 for tubes and I am out.

Its a great idea for group buy, hopefully prices can be set as reasonable.

GregMB

That's basically my point also.....

The original owner of the E55 who paid $100,000+ for the car will spend $390 for a set of CF scoops.... but the guy who just picked up a 10-year old E55 for <$20,000 will not.

Same goes for headers.... though honestly, I'm more annoyed to see mild-steel headers priced in excess of $1000 than I am when a set of gorgeous TIG-welded 304 stainless ones are priced at $2500.... I can appreciate the craftsmanship and skill (and labor) required to TIG up a set of headers like that and am comfortable paying the expert who knows how to do it.....

In that realm (high-end TIG'ed headers) prices are always at a premium, whether its on a Corvette, Porsche or whatever. When a vendor replaces the OEM stainless collectors with an inferior and less durable material, they should be embarrassed to charge exorbitant prices for it.


-G

Carbonio

Great to see you have been watching the product. In following it you may realize that rather than create a group buy we gave the intake tubes a massive price reduction from $590 to a new price of $390. This price reduction was possible because we have sold enough units to re-coup our tooling investment and we chose to take a decent margin cut recognizing that the price of the cars is coming down.

Yes the price cut does not carry the buzz and feeling of exclusivity associated with getting in on a 'group buy' but it does offer a substantial savings to everyone in the E55 community.

SheriffDep

This was my thinking, and figured this is what you meant. Just wanted to clarify. Thanks for dropping the price on the tubes, 390 for just tubes is still too rich for my blood. Hood is not opened enough to justify that. Even the TTM scoops for less than 2 bills was a stretch.

ArmoE55

Do these provide any sort of performance gain at all? Or is this strictly 'eye candy' under the hood?

Carbonio

The engine cover is eye candy but the inlet tubes have shown real world gains over the stock inlet pipes. They have proven to be very popular among basic tuners all the way up to those who take their E55 up to big gains from significant mods. The original tubes not only heat soak badly but also are very restrictive. The carbon tubes solve both of these issues and look good to boot.

ArmoE55

If I were to set up a group buy for your intake tubes, would your company consider it if I gathered up, say, 10-15 board members?

jaedee

I would buy the tubes for $390, if they were for my 63.

Carbonio

It really depends on what kind of discount is expected. We just LOWERED the price $200 (almost 35%) so there is not a lot of room left to go without paying people to take them away.

novae500

Can't beat that price at all.

MAN55LE

I would consider it only for a reasonable price!

SheriffDep

Several times this has been mentioned, but

DO these work on a E63????? If so then that would open up more members doing a group buy

Group Buy = Guaranteed sales even at a lower profit margin, has to = a higher total profit to Carbonio. Rather then only 2-3 being sold higher. Makes sense to me.

BagMan

They make tubes for the e63. Just go to their site.

SheriffDep

I did look before writing that, and it wasn't supposed to be that darn big. I wanted to get someones attention, but not scream it.

They only showed a 1200 engine cover and larger boxes, no tubes.

HeissRod

I thought they looked cheaper than the last time I looked at them....

Carbonio

I'm not sure exactly what you mean, what would consider a reasonable price?

Like I said above we recently dropped the price of our air inlet tubes from $590 to $390, which is a price drop of $200.00

I would like to add that our air tubes are quite easy to install and can be done without the need of special tools or a lift. This is an item that can easily be installed in your driveway.

Carbonio

I would like to add that we have plenty of AMG 55 Tubes in stock and typically ship within 24 hours.

typhoon43

I know the carbinos are intake tubes, but what about the original intent of this thread? I thought someone was looking into stamping their own, and I know it's almost purely cosmetic, but I'd actually like to get a set of scoops like the TTM/Fab Tech's. Is that person still looking into this?

Worth the wait

I've heard their products yellow fairly quickly.
Any feedback from those CUSTOMERS running them for a year it two?

AMGPilot

If anyone wants a set of Fab-Tech "Beast Tubes" I have a used set that are black ceramic coated for sale.

From Fab-Tech

I'll sell them shipped for $150