Buyer Beware: Replica e46 M3 Headers

Over the past few months there has been quite a bit of controversy in the industry and on the internet regarding some replicas of the Supersprint M3 e46 headers. We first saw some of these pieces at SEMA in 2003. Although most manufactures would view having their produced copied as quite a compliment! After all, no one tries to copy the worst performing product; they try to copy the best!

We recently purchased a set of these polished beauties from EBay. Once it arrived we quickly unpacked the box and began comparing the product. We recognized them as the same brand we saw at SEMA except they were not those same detailed beauties we saw at the show. Welds were T.I.G. welds but some joints had several weld passes to fill gaps, certainly not the same welder that worked on the SEMA show pieces. The biggest surprise came when we started to check dimensions.

Although the flanges were CNC cut the pieces were 2mm thicker than the Supersprint or factory pieces. This would require the installer to remove all the cylinder head studs and replace them with longer units. Unfortunately finding 7mm diameter studs is not so easy. Replacing all the studs on a 3-year-old car could present a major problem if you would break one in the removal process.

	Next we discovered that most of the flanges were not welded onto the primary tubes on the same plane. Two of the flanges on each set of headers had various mating surface angles. This would result in a severe exhaust leak, or possible primary tube fractures due to stress.
	When checking the primary tube cylinder head mating surface we also found variances of up to 5mm. This could have been the result of over heating during the weld process, or failing to properly securing the components into the weld jig prior to assembly.

Further Testing in Italy
Supersprint Italy is performing additional test on this system, which will includes material testing to verify if they are truly 304 stainless, and internal merge collector design. The merge collector is the area where all primary tubes converge. There are unique design features in this area that can make or break any performance increases.

Our Impression
If it's only the polished stainless your looking at, then these are your guys! If you want a set of headers that fit the car and work then Supersprint should be your choice. Seriously, Supersprint has been developing performance exhaust systems for over 50 years. Their reputation speaks for itself, high quality parts that deliver performance. Supersprint develops every component in house, using their in house MAHA all wheel dyno. Without a dedicated R&D department an in house dyno, a manufacturer cannot be developing their own products. How much are you really saving if you have to do the labor twice?

Warranty
We offer a very fair and realistic warranty that would protect you in most situations. Supersprint's is opposed to luring in customers with these long-term un-realistic warranties. We offer a true 3 year unlimited mileage warranty to the original purchaser of our product. Supersprint Warranty Details

Lifetime Warranty
This is my favorite! However before you accept it ask the company how long they have been in business. (Many businesses making this claim are already out of business and gone!)

Million Mile Warranty
Few people in a non-commercial passenger vehicle will ever drive 1,000.000 miles. At 20,000 miles per year you would have to drive your car for 50 years. P/S don't loose your receipt, or forget the brand of muffler you bought, you'll need that information to get your free replacement.

Corrosion Warranty
This is almost a given, 304 or 409 stainless will have very little corrosion issues.

Investigate Your Warranty Provider
Make sure the company making the offer, can stand up to there claim. A lifetime warranty offered by a 3rd tier importer working from his house has very little value. Supersprint has been doing business since 1955; the North American importer has been doing business since 1977.