Competition Exhaust Situation and Remedy

[radiofrequency]

My 2011 is, admittedly, a garage queen, so imagine my dismay when I noticed that one of the Competition Exhaust Tips had paint peeling from the inner flange. I am aware that this is a warrantable issue, however did not feel like going through that process. Moreover, the exhaust has mellowed to the point where the sound is just terrific. During a search on the boards, I found a post from board member Denk on how to strip the paint from the inner flanges, and how to polish them to accomplish a totally different look to the exhaust. I did so this past weekend, and I am pleased with the results. As it turns out, the flange in question is a separate piece welded into the tail end of the tip, so it's easy to strip and polish without impacting the part directly behind it. IMHO, this is the way that this exhaust should have been sold, it looks great, and adds just the right amount of cosmetic appeal to the tips. But then again, I am OCD and biased, so let's hear your opinions.

[Stainless 45]

Looks better.

[///M3THOD]

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

My 2011 is, admittedly, a garage queen, so imagine my dismay when I noticed that one of the Competition Exhaust Tips had paint peeling from the inner flange. I am aware that this is a warrantable issue, however did not feel like going through that process. Moreover, the exhaust has mellowed to the point where the sound is just terrific. During a search on the boards, I found a post from board member Denk on how to strip the paint from the inner flanges, and how to polish them to accomplish a totally different look to the exhaust. I did so this past weekend, and I am pleased with the results. As it turns out, the flange in question is a separate piece welded into the tail end of the tip, so it's easy to strip and polish without impacting the part directly behind it. IMHO, this is the way that this exhaust should have been sold, it looks great, and adds just the right amount of cosmetic appeal to the tips. But then again, I am OCD and biased, so let's hear your opinions.

It definitely looks better and very clean.. but I have never cared for the stepped inner double wall tips of the MPE.

To me it looks too... contrived. It reminds me of all Hondas of recent years.. maybe its just the recessed step up in the tip.

I guess I just prefer a single wall.

[exmowner]

^^^^buzz kill

OP nice mod !

[RD1M3]

I like the look!! May have to consider doing that on mine.
With your OCD, don't the visible cans hanging down bug you?

[///M3THOD]

Originally Posted by exmowner

^^^^buzz kill

OP nice mod !

Just being honest, its his car, who cares what I think.

I think Waterworld is Kevin Costners defining performance.

[yoelev]

what is a competition exhaust? you mean the MPE?

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by RD1M3

With your OCD, don't the visible cans hanging down bug you?

Or the bright red hangers? I think you should finish up the rear end and paint those hangers and ceramic coat the cans

[superflywheel]

Nicely done OP & thanks for motivating me to do this on mine. The MPE tips are by far the weakest attribute of the exhaust - this helps give them some definition.

[M3ZCP6MT]

[meez]

Originally Posted by ///M3THOD

Just being honest, its his car, who cares what I think.

I think Waterworld is Kevin Costners defining performance.

[radiofrequency]

Sorry, yes it is an MPE, apologies for the confusion! Yes the cans hanging down there bother me, so now there is one more thing to do........ceramic coating here we come!

[OC3]

Looks great. I'm coming over, you can do mine.

[SilentAttack]

Looks great. Is that the M performance exhaust?

[radiofrequency]

Yes it is the M Performance Exhaust, my neighbor was over just now, he has a Porsche GT3, but likes the sound of my car better......

[Denk]

Excellent job, that looks great! They're not as stealthy now, very unique looking. With time the shine will soften...just a little. In a couple of years they should look like this without any further polishing. I'm glad you're happy with the result, nice little mod.

[FogCityM3]

On my MPE I just don't worry about cleaning the carbon build up inside of the tips, just let it blacken, which is an easy "solution" but doesn't look as distinctive as yours..nice job!

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

Sorry, yes it is an MPE, apologies for the confusion! Yes the cans hanging down there bother me, so now there is one more thing to do........ceramic coating here we come!

I polished my cans using a wire brush drill attachment, followed by wet sanding, then some metal polish. Came out great. I had originally painted it with some ceramic based hi-temp paint, but during the heat curing process, I noted some bubbling of the paint. Didn't want to deal with potential issues after the exhaust was on the car so I stripped it, and went with the finished brushed metal look. Very happy with the results.



And FWIW, I think the car looks like it is missing something without the cans hanging down. They just need to be be properly finished. For what BMW charges for this piece, they should have done a better job from the factory.

[radiofrequency]

Thanks for the responses guys, Lar Thal, yours looks like an MPE, did the metal (Inconel) resist polishing? And Denk, I am so anal I will keep polishing mine, it beats seeing my psychiatrist @ $350 per hour - best therapy I ever had - thanks for steering me in this direction!

[mofbb]

nice looking!!!!!

[Denk]

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

Thanks for the responses guys, Lar Thal, yours looks like an MPE, did the metal (Inconel) resist polishing? And Denk, I am so anal I will keep polishing mine, it beats seeing my psychiatrist @ $350 per hour - best therapy I ever had - thanks for steering me in this direction!

You're most welcome, just passing it on. There was a guy that removed the paint due to peeling issues before I even installed my MPE a couple of years ago and had shared his results here. I had a bubble forming on my black paint and just followed his footsteps. The bonus was that I liked the look better with the paint removed. I love it when that happens!