Stahl - going out of business sale
- Thread starter rsporsche
- Start date
originally they wanted $5k for all of the bmw jigs + samples. no idea what they could be purchased for now. it just seems to me that the headers for the coupe and the 2002 iterations should not be lost.
that being said, i know nothing about this type of fabrication
that being said, i know nothing about this type of fabrication
Rights to the name?
If we bought the jigs would we be allowed to put the stahl badge on them?
Also, maybe meaningful to ask Judy how many labor hours and machinery are required to fabricate the E9 or the 2002 headers. That'll give you a feel for whether we could build further sets at a financially viable price or not. I assume the material and labor add up to significantly less than why we paid on the group buy.
If we bought the jigs would we be allowed to put the stahl badge on them?
Also, maybe meaningful to ask Judy how many labor hours and machinery are required to fabricate the E9 or the 2002 headers. That'll give you a feel for whether we could build further sets at a financially viable price or not. I assume the material and labor add up to significantly less than why we paid on the group buy.
i have sent Judy an email asking. will let you know what i hear. don't think you could put a stahl badge on it unless you bought the rights to the name, but you could put "stahl design".
This does seem like a nice idea. I am signed up for a machinist mailing list (out of general interest, not skill!) That might be sort of vehicle to recruit a talented metal worker with time available for a side project.
Just a thought...
With regard to naming - and after just reading the thread on steering wheels- should probably seek agreement for labeling as "Stahl design” or "Stahl (authorized continuation)" or some such.
Paul
Just a thought...
With regard to naming - and after just reading the thread on steering wheels- should probably seek agreement for labeling as "Stahl design” or "Stahl (authorized continuation)" or some such.
Paul
Good or bad news travels fast....if this is a viable business idea, one would think anyone from a fabricator to a specialty supplier to a privateer would jump at the opportunity....
That doesn't mean diehard enthusiasts cannot have a crack at it to keep the flame going.
I personally like supersprint, but I have yet to see a header set for an e9....
Just my .02 cents
MF
That doesn't mean diehard enthusiasts cannot have a crack at it to keep the flame going.
I personally like supersprint, but I have yet to see a header set for an e9....
Just my .02 cents
MF
jmackro
Well-Known Member
If Stahl had been financially viable, they would have sold the business - not liquidated it. And if they weren't able to make money, even when offering a broad product line that encompassed parts for multiple marques, I am not optimistic that a BMW-only operation could be profitable.
I hate to sound like a mean, old capitalist (though that's what I am), but the market for aftermarket auto components has to be declining. The younger generation have their noses glued to their smartphones, emissions standards do not encourage non-factory parts, and US manufacturing is being regulated to death.
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Mike Goble
Well-Known Member
It must fit on the engine and also clear the chassis. What fits on an engine in one chassis may not fit on the same engine in another chassis.
I agree with Jay but with that said why couldn't a current manufacturer pick up this line? I'm not a engineer so it could be the jigs are just not worth that much with modern CAD systems and probably a bending machine that will do what the CAD tells it to do.
Just saying.............
Depends on the business model
I agree that a business with full time employees, bricks & mortar infrastructure and all the costs of keeping a full fledged business going ... it's obviously not viable. But as a '"flash" or pop-up business that caters to a nitch market (acquires labor and materials for small pre-paid runs) maybe it's viable
I agree that a business with full time employees, bricks & mortar infrastructure and all the costs of keeping a full fledged business going ... it's obviously not viable. But as a '"flash" or pop-up business that caters to a nitch market (acquires labor and materials for small pre-paid runs) maybe it's viable
i would imagine that they will be sold now for less than the original 5k asking price (that was from before they closed). Judy does say that they have a few inquiries on the BMW jigs. the most popular are the various headers for the early m30 cars, the 2002 and the 325i.
to answer Ohmess's question regarding what is different among m30 cars, its primarily the configuration of the exhaust beyond the header ... which changes the ends of the header to mate with the exhaust. (one pipe or two)
the primary labor is pulling the material, mandrel bending the pieces and welding. Judy says it takes about 6.5 hours. the materials (including the BMW mounting pieces) adds up to around $200. so depending on your labor / overhead cost, it should less than $400 to make. that being said, a full time market??? i don't think so. i agree with John - small batch production is all you could hope for.
to answer Ohmess's question regarding what is different among m30 cars, its primarily the configuration of the exhaust beyond the header ... which changes the ends of the header to mate with the exhaust. (one pipe or two)
the primary labor is pulling the material, mandrel bending the pieces and welding. Judy says it takes about 6.5 hours. the materials (including the BMW mounting pieces) adds up to around $200. so depending on your labor / overhead cost, it should less than $400 to make. that being said, a full time market??? i don't think so. i agree with John - small batch production is all you could hope for.
Was there any mention of BMW pieces available at the parking lot sale? I'm within striking distance (2h) and may go over there tomorrow morning.
no mention of that on what i received. being that 8 of us had a group buy at the end of last year - all were special ordered, it is doubtful that there is any e9 stuff. no idea about other models.
Installation
I guess I could post this in "what did you do to your coupe today" but at least this detail belongs here. The long awaited engine is completed. Part of the project was Stahl headers. In reading the invoice I learned that VSR had a challenge making the headers mate with the stock exhaust system.
Attempt to install center exhaust and rear muffler. Header down pipes too long by 4" and required cutting to properly fit to center exhaust
Mario installed some very nice looking heat shields from a 6 series. Picture to follow.
I guess I could post this in "what did you do to your coupe today" but at least this detail belongs here. The long awaited engine is completed. Part of the project was Stahl headers. In reading the invoice I learned that VSR had a challenge making the headers mate with the stock exhaust system.
Attempt to install center exhaust and rear muffler. Header down pipes too long by 4" and required cutting to properly fit to center exhaust
Mario installed some very nice looking heat shields from a 6 series. Picture to follow.
Does that mean you still have the center resonator?