Thanks! I laid $550 for the Tanabe, $455 for the HFC and $100 for the install. I could've easily bought a full exhaust system such as FI or Ark, but I like to be different. I'm very happy with my setup. Good chance I'll swap out the resonators for something smaller, but I'm not too worried about that.

 

Yup, I got a sweet deal on those Berks. Picked up some Z1 metal header gaskets and I'll be doing the install soon. Excited!

 

I think the Tanabe is pretty overpriced at $550, but i'm very happy with mine at the $300 that i paid.

I have to say, the build quality on it is very good and fitment was spot on.

 

I had found a better deal in the classifieds but it was too late for me to cancel my order on Amazon. Nothing like purchasing a brand new item though.

 

true ^ new is always better.

Mine had under 1000 miles on it so i was happy

 

What's going on everyone? Glad to see all the regulars are still contributing here to the sedan chat thread. i've just been trolling lol I got my new carbon fiber element steering wheel late last year and forgot to post it up and show it off. I did the install myself thanks to the diy's I found on the forum. Hope you like and if you don't, I really don't care.

 

That's a lot of cf!

 

Yea you can say I have a little carbon fiber fetish

 

Oh yea and I also picked up a custom 12" sub box matted to a 12" Memphis Audio sub woofer and an MTX Thunder 1000.1 amp. Ridiculous bass.

 

Jeez I've been away for so long I forgot what I've added to the G. Here I did the TWB aluminum under tray.

 

I think the Tanabe axle-back is priced exactly right. Slightly better sounding than stock, DIY install for just about anyone, and killer looks in both the cans and the tips. It's something that I seriously considered 4 years ago, after buying the car. Instead, I went with custom welding on new tips, putting the entire CBE on the long term mod list. But I still think the Tanabe Medallion axle-back is a solid choice.

Sounds good, Z. A deeper note would be nice, but it definitely sounds better than stock.

 

Any 6MT owners here have an opinion on the rear gear-oil swap?

My car is a 2011, with 29K miles on it, and the original differential gear-oil. I have two quarts of Red Line 75W90 ready to go, but intended to use them with a 4.083 gear upgrade that I've since moved to next year. (sad) Do you think I should go ahead and swap the oil this Spring anyway, in keeping with the recommended 30K interval? Or can I wait another year and another 5k miles? Or is it the time elapsed that's really the determining factor, like brake fluid? The gear oil was $33 shipped from Amazon, and I figure my mechanic would want $50, because I'm not going to DIY the fluid swap.

So should I put it off, or do it this year anyway?

 

At least now with the Berk's HFC, I can actually tell that I have something done to my exhaust without having to floor it. The Tanabe was very subtle until WOT, but with the HFC, there's a noticeable increase in volume. I honestly expected more rasp with the Berks seeing that they're not resonated like the FI, I'm very happy with my purchase.

 

I've purchased numerous tires from tirerack for a number of different vehicles. Went through the process of having a local shop mount/balance, etc.

Considering the total price after mounting/balancing/tpms rebuild (~$800 OTD after rebate stock 18" sizes), it just makes more sense for me to get them locally from discount tire. Prices are very competitive + they have free tire repair/rebalance/rotation for the life of the tire. A wheel on a different car suffered from rim bead leaks. They'd remove, clean, reseal, balance it on an annual bases at no charge.

If there's ever an issue, I can talk to someone face to face to resolve.

Thinking back, I think what soured my relationship with tirerack was the manner in which a issue was handled some years back. Bought a set of winter wheels/tires. According to tirerack, the specific wheels purchased were a proper fit for the vehicle/trim in question. Test fitment upon receipt revealed the front wheels did not clear the brake calipers. Tirerack wanted me to take pictures. I complied. I had enough when they asked to take measurements. It's not my job to do R&D. Had to escalate to a supervisor to approve the return. Unless absolutely sure of fitment, certain things are better purchased locally.

 

The wheel looks great. Tony and company do real quality work. I like the HVAC/Radio **** swap too. Much better than the OEM black ones with the CF. Speaking of which, judging by the way the CF is laid, it looks like CFE did you washi trim upgrade too.

Sean