FabSpeed: BUYER BEWARE

[sraj]

It's time to share my Fabspeed experience. Sorry for the long post, but if you are interested in learning from someone else’s mistakes, you might find it helpful.

Last Fall, I decided to look for an aftermarket exhaust for my M4. I had heard a few other systems, and was not terribly impressed by them. Fabspeed's website offered a catback unit for F80, 82, and 83 platforms, so I reached out to Bobby Ashton (performance specialist) for some sound clips with stock downpipes. He was not able to provide any, but Mike Spock (marketing manager) sent me the following private message:

"The M4 system is a class above as far as what we produce - and we do produce a lot of good exhausts - but the dedication that went into our system and how good it is shocked me when I came over here. BMW is a pet project for most of the guys here - while we cater to mostly exotics - BMW is a labor of love and less about making money and it shows. Our system is very intricate and takes more man hours than anything else we produce here - hell we barely make costs back on it - but we're proud to offer it."

Sounds compelling. I only wish I had consulted the Better Business Bureau of Washington, D.C./Eastern Pennsylvania then, rather than after my purchase. I would have saved myself a lot of heartache.

Anyway, I had a number of discussions with Mr. Ashton and Mr. Spock about my convertible version of the M4. I shared pictures of the car (with the top down), so they could see the color and help me choose the best tips. We had some back and forth on the price, during which time one of Fabspeed's vendors, Extreme Performance, ran a special and so I placed an order for the Fabspeed F80/82/83 exhaust from XPH.

The exhaust went into production and arrived at my house in about two weeks. On 9/23/16, I took the unopened cartons to my local BMW dealer, where my service advisor (who is an M enthusiast and M3 owner) was experienced with aftermarket modifications. I was disappointed when he called me that afternoon to tell me that the install was completed, but he did not think I would be happy with the results. He even asked me if Fabspeed was aware that the system was for a convertible. I assured him that they were, and they had marketed the product for all 3 platforms.

He shared photos and videos of the installed exhaust with Fabspeed. There was metal to metal contact on the underbody, resulting in a pronounced vibration through the floorboard. Also, there were gaps in the fittings between the exhaust sections, and the tips protruded several inches beyond the bumper (even after adjustments).

I took the car for a test drive, and in addition to the vibration, the sound was awful. Even at low speeds, the exhaust was incredibly loud, even with the valves closed, but not in a good way. The sound was coarse, thrashy, drony and raspy. Literally the only time the exhaust sounded good was at full throttle. How much of this was due to the fitment issues and how much was related to the exhaust design, I'm not sure, I just know it sounded terrible.

To Fabspeed's credit, they did not dispute that the exhaust did not fit. In fact, Fabspeed's Customer Service Advocate, Brian Jamison, sent me this email on 9/28/16:

"Good afternoon, The return label was sent by me today in order to get the system back since we now know that it will not fit in your car. Fabspeed was not aware of the structural changes made by BMW as it relates to the undercarriage of a convertible model." AFTER this incident, Fabspeed changed their website to reflect that the exhaust did not fit in the convertible.

Fabspeed did pay for the return shipping and refunded the original purchase price. However, by this point I was out over $600 for the Fabspeed installation and the re-installation of the stock exhaust, not to mention the time and hassle involved. Who should be responsible for the costs: the company who marketed and sold a product that was not designed for the stated purpose, or the customer who placed his trust in that company?

This is where the story gets even worse. Since I did nothing wrong other than place my trust in Fabspeed, I felt they needed to earn that trust back by stepping up and making me whole. However, over the next several weeks, my requests for compensation were deflected, ignored, put off, or denied.

Eventually, it was abundantly clear that Fabspeed was not going to do anything. I filed a complaint with my state's Attorney General's Consumer Protection Office, which was forwarded to Fabspeed. I could not believe the response from Fabspeed: since their website stated that the exhaust did not fit the convertible, I was responsible for the issue! The Fabspeed person who signed the response: Brian Jamison. Sound familiar? That's right, he is the one who sent me the email stating that Fabspeed did not know that the exhaust did not fit the convertible! Furthermore, I didn't even order it from Fabspeed, I ordered it from their vendor XPH. I have a copy of the XPH invoice stating that it was for the F80/82/83. Add in the fact that Bobby Ashton and Mike Spock were completely aware that I have a convertible before I ever placed the order.

To add insult to injury, in the response to the Consumer Protection Office complaint, Brian Jamison stated that upon return the exhaust had $280 in damages due to improper packaging. Mr. Jamison stated that Fabspeed had informed me of this, but as a courtesy had declined to charge me for it. I never received such a communication (this was the first I had heard of this). I checked with my dealer, who also never received such a communication, and insisted that the exhaust was placed back into the shipping cartons the same way it was received.

I am not sure whether Mr. Jamison's response to the complaint was due to dishonesty or forgetfulness, but I will add that the complaint included a full record of all of the communications listed above, with pictures and a link to the video, so you can draw your own conclusions.

So these are the lessons I have learned from this experience, as a first-time owner of a performance vehicle looking for an aftermarket exhaust:

1) Never buy an exhaust without hearing it first in person.
2) Don't believe everything you hear from a sales rep.
3) BBB is your friend. Numerous complaints have been filed against Fabspeed, eerily similar to my own. If I had know about these beforehand, I would never have dealt with them.
4) Never, ever trust Fabspeed again.

[M5Rlz]

I avoided them with the r8 and went with a local small guy in texas hopefully all fits up well when it gets here.

[quattr0]

This is unfortunate. They should at least split half of the installation cost w you IMHO. Thank you for sharing!

[sraj]

Originally Posted by quattr0

This is unfortunate. They should at least split half of the installation cost w you IMHO. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you. It was bad enough that Fabspeed never worked with me or made any offer of partial payment, but for them to resort to untruths to cover their mistake is appalling to me.

[platty]

AWE is your new friend. Had different versions for different cars - and loved each one.

[chmura]

Sorry for your troubles, they should of paid for some of your installation costs but I am not sure they are obligated to do that.

I think Fabspeed did what they needed to do. Pay for the return shipping and refund you the entire amount. I do not believe they are responsible to pay for installation costs. You could of went to a muffler shop and pay $100 max to have it installed vs BMW where it is $$$.

[FC4]

Dear FabSpeed: On behalf of all reasonable, experienced, knowledgeable members and enthusiasts on this forum, I sincerely apologize that you have to deal with people like "sraj." It's a shame that someone could attempt to tarnish your business with such ease on a public message board with zero repercussion.

Damn shame.

[sraj]

Originally Posted by FC4

Dear FabSpeed: On behalf of all reasonable, experienced, knowledgeable members and enthusiasts on this forum, I sincerely apologize that you have to deal with people like "sraj." It's a shame that someone could attempt to tarnish your business with such ease on a public message board with zero repercussion.

Damn shame.

Pray tell me, why should there be repercussion for telling the truth? I only stated facts. Heed them or don't heed them, your call, but I can back up everything I said. Also, if you think FabSpeed is the victim here, I think you have severe reading comprehension issues.

Listen, they flat-out lied to save a few dollars. If that is a company you want to do business with, be my guest. I am not tarnishing anyone's reputation, they are doing a beautiful job of that themselves.

[SanchoDivine]

I'm surprised you paid $600 for what should have been a complete bolt-on. Also surprised you would take it to the dealership which apparently some can't even get m-performance parts installed correctly. The company refund you in full for the purchase and shipping but they probably think you're trying to make some money off this. I don't think you should have to eat all that but that install price is silly.

There are now quite a few videos and regardless of any exhaust, they typically sound better in person than on the internet.

Sorry for your experience and good luck trying to get someone to pay you $600 for an exhaust install.

[sraj]

Originally Posted by chmura

Sorry for your troubles, they should of paid for some of your installation costs but I am not sure they are obligated to do that.

I think Fabspeed did what they needed to do. Pay for the return shipping and refund you the entire amount. I do not believe they are responsible to pay for installation costs. You could of went to a muffler shop and pay $100 max to have it installed vs BMW where it is $$$.

Their design failure cost me the installation costs. I did nothing wrong, other than trust a company that turned out to be incompetent. Why should I have to suffer any damages?

And there is no muffler shop where I live that would do two installation jobs for $100. Anyway, Fabspeed never even offered to share the costs with me.

[sraj]

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

I'm surprised you paid $600 for what should have been a complete bolt-on. Also surprised you would take it to the dealership which apparently some can't even get m-performance parts installed correctly. The company refund you in full for the purchase and shipping but they probably think you're trying to make some money off this. I don't think you should have to eat all that but that install price is silly.

There are now quite a few videos and regardless of any exhaust, they typically sound better in person than on the internet.

Sorry for your experience and good luck trying to get someone to pay you $600 for an exhaust install.

That's $600 for two install jobs. Not trying to make a penny, I sent them invoices from the dealer and that is all I requested. They didn't work with me at all, but they did lie about it to cover themselves.

I checked with several reputable installers beforehand, that is the price range I was being quoted.

[SanchoDivine]

Originally Posted by sraj

That's $600 for two install jobs. Not trying to make a penny, I sent them invoices from the dealer and that is all I requested. They didn't work with me at all, but they did lie about it to cover themselves.

I checked with several reputable installers beforehand, that is the price range I was being quoted.

That makes more sense and that sucks man. Hopefully you are taken care of in some way.

[synergy design]

Bottom line is that their site and employees misrepresented the product and the fitment was a disaster. They should cover or at least split the install costs and stick to Porsche and Ferrari products.

[humbertin0]

Originally Posted by FC4

Dear FabSpeed: On behalf of all reasonable, experienced, knowledgeable members and enthusiasts on this forum, I sincerely apologize that you have to deal with people like "sraj." It's a shame that someone could attempt to tarnish your business with such ease on a public message board with zero repercussion.

Damn shame.

Damn Shame?!?! It's a shame that you actually think Fabspeed is a victim here. He WASTED $600 to install a product that Fabspeed claimed was compatible with an F83 without actually testing it themselves. They are "tarnishing" themselves by not owning up to their mistakes.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by humbertin0

Damn Shame?!?! It's a shame that you actually think Fabspeed is a victim here. He WASTED $600 to install a product that Fabspeed claimed was compatible with an F83 without actually testing it themselves. They are "tarnishing" themselves by not owning up to their mistakes.

Originally Posted by humbertin0

Damn Shame?!?! It's a shame that you actually think Fabspeed is a victim here. He WASTED $600 to install a product that Fabspeed claimed was compatible with an F83 without actually testing it themselves. They are "tarnishing" themselves by not owning up to their mistakes.

Agreed. The OP should be paid his install costs.

[Arcades]

I'm sorry this happened.

However as far as I know or remembered, the F83 always had a different chassis under. Multiple exhausts like Akra, Eisenmann, AA etc. have said a few times they aren't sure about fitments on verts.

F83 Verts are rare, I won't blame FabSpeed but their actions after you have returned is slightly suspect. That being said though, I prefer exhaust companies I recongize and I know of. AWE, Akra, Eisenmann, AA shouldn't mess with you.

If you mentioned your M4 is a F83 Vert before hand, maybe this could have been avoided. If you did and FabSpeed said it wasn't an issue then they messed up. Either or trying to fight to get back installation fee is hard. If you have gone through a reputable aftermarket, you probably could have had an easier time.

[emack]

Either way.................wide birth from me.

[hdubf80]

I'm glad I didn't go with fabspeed and I will never in the future. It's all about the bottom line with these companies. Shame on you fabspeed.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Arcades

I'm sorry this happened.

However as far as I know or remembered, the F83 always had a different chassis under. Multiple exhausts like Akra, Eisenmann, AA etc. have said a few times they aren't sure about fitments on verts.

F83 Verts are rare, I won't blame FabSpeed but their actions after you have returned is slightly suspect. That being said though, I prefer exhaust companies I recongize and I know of. AWE, Akra, Eisenmann, AA shouldn't mess with you.

If you mentioned your M4 is a F83 Vert before hand, maybe this could have been avoided. If you did and FabSpeed said it wasn't an issue then they messed up. Either or trying to fight to get back installation fee is hard. If you have gone through a reputable aftermarket, you probably could have had an easier time.

I think the OP mentioned that he sent pics of his car with the top down to Fabspeed prior to purchase. I would think that would be sufficient for them to realize it was an F83.

[M4RAUDR]

Originally Posted by FC4

Dear FabSpeed: On behalf of all reasonable, experienced, knowledgeable members and enthusiasts on this forum, I sincerely apologize that you have to deal with people like "sraj." It's a shame that someone could attempt to tarnish your business with such ease on a public message board with zero repercussion.

Damn shame.

dude - you are wayyyyy off the mark here. OP documented his case with facts - these are things I'd want to know if considering them. I also don't see them in here defending themselves.





.

[chmura]

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

I'm surprised you paid $600 for what should have been a complete bolt-on. Also surprised you would take it to the dealership which apparently some can't even get m-performance parts installed correctly. The company refund you in full for the purchase and shipping but they probably think you're trying to make some money off this. I don't think you should have to eat all that but that install price is silly.

There are now quite a few videos and regardless of any exhaust, they typically sound better in person than on the internet.

Sorry for your experience and good luck trying to get someone to pay you $600 for an exhaust install.

That is why I do not think Fabspeed should pay for his install costs. Lots of people think on here that its a BMW and it needs special treatment and only the best can touch your car. Its a exhaust for christ sakes, very simple to install no one should be paying $600 for install/reinstall.

I'm no mechanic and I installed my own exhaust in less than 2 hours.

[bmwm3car]

Just happened to see this post, and I personally know of a friend with an M2 that had issues with FABspeed exhaust fitment issues and have been jerking him around. At least OP got his money back. Be warned of Fabspeed.