[D-Ros]

I've been on a small hunt for an exhaust system for my Optima (remember that recent thread I made that no one could view? Lol). From the exhaust systems I've listened to on YouTube, I liked the cp-e cat back the most. Unfortunately, this exhaust is only available for the older gen Optimas. So, I emailed cp-e and asked if they had any plans to make one for the 2016+ models. After they discovered I was within 45 minutes of their shop, they asked if I was willing to donate my car for 1-2 weeks for R&D. The installation would be free and the parts would be "heavily discounted."

I'm considering giving them my car for this project but my fiance recently gave her car away so we've relying on my Optima to get around. So, until she gets a new car (she wants the Stinger!), I'm using this time to consider this risky decision of giving them my car. I was curious if anyone has done this with their Optima or any car they've owned. What do they typically to the car during the R&D process (dyno tests, etc.)? If something goes wrong, can I hold them responsible for any damages done? Will my car be safe (lol)? It sure would be great to add another exhaust system option for my 4th gen people.

 

[K5 Optima Store]

CP-E is a great company, and I would absolutely trust them with my own personal car any day.

Considering that they make one of the best exhausts on the market, it would be awesome if they started developing exhausts for the newer models.

Please let us know if you decide to pull the trigger on this!!

 

[Jacques]

I'd let them give it a shot. Since you've only got one car between the both of you, can the cp-e guys offer you at least a rental?

 

[D-Ros]

I'd let them give it a shot.

Since you've only got one car between the both of you, can the cp-e guys offer you at least a rental?

I told them my situation about having only one car and they didn't really jump at the opportunity of offering a rental haha. All they said was if my situation changes then they could take a look at my car to start their R&D. I'm assuming they won't offer me a rental but I'm in the middle of going back and forth about them letting them know I'm serious about it and try and slip in a request for a rental.

 

[K5 Optima Store]

I'd let them give it a shot. Since you've only got one car between the both of you, can the cp-e guys offer you at least a rental?

I told them my situation about having only one car and they didn't really jump at the opportunity of offering a rental haha. All they said was if my situation changes then they could take a look at my car to start their R&D. I'm assuming they won't offer me a rental but I'm in the middle of going back and forth about them letting them know I'm serious about it and try and slip in a request for a rental.

Highly doubt they would pay for a rental, most companies would not offer that as you are getting heavily discounted on the parts, and a free install as well.

 

[kamauxx]

Just get a small econobox for a couple of weeks. Shouldn't be more than $15-20 a day.

(I rented a POS 2013 Nissan Versa in May for $13 a day.)

 

[Marcodid]

I would be a little worried with leaving my car with somebody I don?t even know. I mean granted it?s a shop and they deal with plenty of vehicles on a daily basis no doubt, however there would still be that thought every night when I go to look out my window onto my driveway and realize it isn?t there. I?d be like a mother without her child all frantic.

The only positive to this is that you?ll be getting the first ever CPE exhaust on a 2016 out there and your car and kindness will be the reason for all 16+ owners having different performance exhaust options. I myself have the kinetic cat back with a maintec HFC. The two combined with eachother is the perfect mix. I?m intrueged to see what the CPE might be able to offer our vehicles. Definitely a tough decision to make as it is your car. If it was a lease I would hands down have no problem with giving them the car. Hope it works out for you. Let us know what you end up doing.

 

[WS6_Keith]

I work for a company that regularly "borrows" customer vehicles for R&D purposes. We always store the customer vehicles inside, in a locked location with security cameras and of course, have insurance should something get stolen. When in our possession, anything that we might do to a customer's vehicle would be our responsibility (scratches, damage, etc), although that's very rare for us. Our techs are very meticulous about covering as much of the vehicle as possible so as not to cause these types of issues. Any manufacturer that does this kind of work is likely familiar with the process.

If you can be without your car for the time period they mentioned, it's likely a good deal for both of you. If you were planning to do exhaust anyway, think of what the retail price of the system + install would cost you, then subtract out a rental car for the next 2 weeks and what they want to sell you the finished exhaust for. If you're still positive in the end, it's a good deal for you.

 

[D-Ros]

I thought I'd give a small update and let everyone know that I ended up giving cp-e my car for R&D work while I was away on my honeymoon. I got my car back yesterday but without the final product . They've developed a prototype cat-back exhaust which they ran a few tests (unfortunately, no dyno test). They mentioned they weren't able to finish the fixture in time so they had to put the factory exhaust back on. They don't anticipate to finish the fixture and do the free installation of the final product until the end of January because holiday sales and orders take precedence during this time of the year.

I'll post another update once they install the final product and maybe include a video of it. They mentioned the sound of this exhaust is not as loud as their other cat-back system for the previous generation of the Optima. No drone. Has a low deep growl. I wish they could have at least provided me some sound clips. Oh well. Thanks everyone for all the input!

 

[woodyth]

Following, the x could use some tone

 

[K5 Optima Store]

I thought I'd give a small update and let everyone know that I ended up giving cp-e my car for R&D work while I was away on my honeymoon. I got my car back yesterday but without the final product . They've developed a prototype cat-back exhaust which they ran a few tests (unfortunately, no dyno test). They mentioned they weren't able to finish the fixture in time so they had to put the factory exhaust back on. They don't anticipate to finish the fixture and do the free installation of the final product until the end of January because holiday sales and orders take precedence during this time of the year.

I'll post another update once they install the final product and maybe include a video of it. They mentioned the sound of this exhaust is not as loud as their other cat-back system for the previous generation of the Optima. No drone. Has a low deep growl. I wish they could have at least provided me some sound clips. Oh well. Thanks everyone for all the input!

Awesome, glad to hear it!!

 

[Jacques]

I'll post another update once they install the final product and maybe include a video of it. They mentioned the sound of this exhaust is not as loud as their other cat-back system for the previous generation of the Optima. No drone. Has a low deep growl. I wish they could have at least provided me some sound clips. Oh well.

I'm surprised they couldn't at least provided a sound clip or video of the prototype. Saying that it has a low deep growl is just "vaporware". Yes, I know that's usually referred to with software or electronic devices/hardware, but couldn't think of an equivalent to something that talked about but not seen. In any case, I'm still interested in seeing how this turns out!

 

[D-Ros]

I'm surprised they couldn't at least provided a sound clip or video of the prototype. Saying that it has a low deep growl is just "vaporware". Yes, I know that's usually referred to with software or electronic devices/hardware, but couldn't think of an equivalent to something that talked about but not seen. In any case, I'm still interested in seeing how this turns out!

Yeah, come to think of it...they were a little sloppy on their end. They had my car for over two weeks (I was gone 17 days and they held my car through week of Thanksgiving up till this last Monday when I picked it up). I contacted them asking if they had any audio clips and they replied today stating their media guy was out-of-town but they plan on doing some audio/video recordings when they install the final product. I guess submitting my car to them was just bad timing since it was around Thanksgiving. Sucks only having one car while I'm waiting for the [insert drum roll] Kia Stinger to be released (this thing is taking forever).

 

[Jacques]

^^^I've seen a base Stinger review recently. Much of the standard features in the GT carries down to the base, which in turn makes a compelling value if you're considering upgrading without breaking the bank. Not only could it be a interesting option than getting a latest model Optima SXL, it could even be a better option than the top-of-the-line Accord, Camry, or even the upcoming turboed Mazda 6.

 

[D-Ros]

My wife wants to go all out and get the GT2 and...


I have no complaints.


But I definitely agree with the base being a better option than the Accord, Camry and the Mazda 6.

 

[Jacques]

^^^I wish my wife is OK with me going all out to get a GT. New MDX first for her before I would even consider it.

 

[audio1der]

The exhaust for the '15 is only different by about 6". You can order it and have your shop shorten the length. I did this with my MF setup. Cost about $75 extra and the rest of the fitment is great, no concerns.

 

[K5 Optima Store]

The exhaust for the '15 is only different by about 6". You can order it and have your shop shorten the length. I did this with my MF setup. Cost about $75 extra and the rest of the fitment is great, no concerns.

The 2011-2015 models all share the same exhaust for the 2.0T models.

 

[D-Ros]

The exhaust for the '15 is only different by about 6". You can order it and have your shop shorten the length. I did this with my MF setup. Cost about $75 extra and the rest of the fitment is great, no concerns.

Well, I'll be damned lol.




There were a lot of delays but I finally got the cat-back installed yesterday. I wasn't in any rush since my wife ended up getting her car. Unfortunately, it wasn't a Stinger. We couldn't wait for the GT models to roll out to our local dealerships and she needed a car ASAP. Ended up getting an S4.


As for the exhaust, I love it so far. Similar to their model for the 3rd generation (obviously), the sound was exactly what I was looking for. A low deep note that packs a good punch. Haven't noticed any drone but maybe it will change once the exhaust breaks in.


If anyone is interested in hearing it, let me know and I can try to post videos for you guys. MSRP for this is $1099 I believe which is pretty **** pricey and I think about the same as the previous model on K5 Optima store?


Thanks everyone!

 

[kennyz]

Just out of curiousity, what kind of a deal did they wind up giving you? With what they put you through, having to go back and all, they really should have done it for the bubble.