Bad Baffle in MPE - options?

So I bought an MPE from a board member, it was supposed to be brand new. It sure did look brand new when I received it. Had it installed at the bmw dealer. At 2500 rpm you hear this strange metallic noise on acceleration. Went back to the dealer, they ensured everything was tight. But the mechanic showed me through the right pipe that some of the material was moving around a little. He said the baffle is "bad".

I was told that since I am not the original owner, the warranty doesn't transfer. While I'll try to go to BMWNA, its a long shot that anything will happen.

That does suck, since BMW sent a defective exhaust. It has 50 miles on it. There's nothing I can do to break it really.

Any options for getting this repaired? Kinda sucks.

Mr.Metak2you wrote

I hear this metallic rattle as well on rare occasions. Subscribed and will follow up myself.

Mine happens when accelerating at 2k to 2500 rpm. Its only for a second. Happens in 1 to 2 to 3 gears.

I have a video. Is there a way to post a video on this site? I couldn't figure it out...

Why did you tell them you're not the original owner? If the exhaust was 'new' and never installed they didn't need to know. You can always buy products online from other dealerships for cheaper.

If I was you I would go to another dealership and see what they have to say without telling them you bought it 'used'.

MojorisinM3 wrote

So I bought an MPE from a board member, it was supposed to be brand new. It sure did look brand new when I received it. Had it installed at the bmw dealer. At 2500 rpm you hear this strange metallic noise on acceleration. Went back to the dealer, they ensured everything was tight. But the mechanic showed me through the right pipe that some of the material was moving around a little. He said the baffle is "bad".

I was told that since I am not the original owner, the warranty doesn't transfer. While I'll try to go to BMWNA, its a long shot that anything will happen.

That does suck, since BMW sent a defective exhaust. It has 50 miles on it. There's nothing I can do to break it really.

Any options for getting this repaired? Kinda sucks.

Mr.Metak2you wrote

I hear this metallic rattle as well on rare occasions. Subscribed and will follow up myself.

The MPE is such a beautiful exhaust with the lasered ///M logo's on the the tips !
But damn about the(to thin)and weight saving Inconel ,this is nr. how much ?Saw at least 10/15 cases on here !
The problem is cracks with the MPE,outside but also inside the muffler due bad welds on the piping and this causes the annoying rattle sound !(vibrations)
And open the MPE and weld on Inconel....No thank you !
Saw a member on here he had 3 MPE replaced > # 41>http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15801784#post15801784
Anaway i wish both of you good luck especially with this expensive MPE exhaust !

If you can't get a warranty replacement, you _might_ be able to secure that baffle with a very careful application of metal epoxy, especially since you can see the baffle from the outside. Welding on that material might lead to cracks later on. There are high grade epoxies for exhaust systems that could hold up well, and given that this is a long way from the engine is a plus in terms of max temps. It would have to be cleaned out with a mild acid and rinsed/dried before attempting to use epoxy.

A flexible borescope video camera would be a useful tool to take a look inside that rattling muffler.

So it sounds like cutting and fixing is not an option?

MojorisinM3 wrote

So it sounds like cutting and fixing is not an option?

Yep,sadly like i said above it's no option !
And i'm glad that i not liked the exhaust sound of the MPE,done a test drive with MPE at Bornem///M Test-Drive center/Belgium.
For me personal it sounded to hollow,typical for Titanium and Inconel,so i did the Oem exhaust mod. by myself,and love every minute of it !
It was not easy to cut and weld inside the Oem stainless steel muffler , but worth seeing and hearing the result !
And cutting and welding on Inconel that thin.....i say wasted effort and total destruction after attempting to !

Original owner willing to assist? Ship it back to him and have him file the claim w/ BMW?

Pretty drastic, but I'd do it before throwing in the towel on a ~$3k muffler, or attempting some unproven fixes.

FormulaMMM wrote  

Original owner willing to assist? Ship it back to him and have him file the claim w/ BMW?

Pretty drastic, but I'd do it before throwing in the towel on a ~$3k muffler, or attempting some unproven fixes.

OP, atleast ask the original owner is he can get you the receipt/invoice and take it to the dealer close to you.

Hope you get this resolved. Something like this can happen to any one of us.

Thanks for the suggestions. The seller is going to try to get it replaced through BMW. I might just take it off, and send it back to him for him to deal with. I would have to eat $300 in costs, then just start my hunt again.

If I kept it, how much is it worth? I'm thinking $1500 is a fair price?

Why not just take the replacement?

Unless someone has experience and total confidence modifying/fixing/rebuilding this exhaust, I don't think $1500 will be appealing. And you'd be taking something like a $1400 hit doing that?

Seems like in every way you'd be ahead paying for the freight there (for defective) and back (for new), and ending up with a proper exhaust.

FormulaMMM wrote

Why not just take the replacement?

Unless someone has experience and total confidence modifying/fixing/rebuilding this exhaust, I don't think $1500 will be appealing. And you'd be taking something like a $1400 hit doing that?

Seems like in every way you'd be ahead paying for the freight there (for defective) and back (for new), and ending up with a proper exhaust.

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and have it sent back to him. I paid $2400 for it. I'm going to end up spending $3k, which sucks, because I could have had a brand new one from BMW sent to me for $3150. Now I'm out $500 (install/removal) and no exhaust. I sure hope that BMW will do something.

Ouch, very unfortunate man. Consider DIY on the 2nd install to save some $. Very straightforward if you have the tools and some ramps http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299777

MojorisinM3 wrote

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and have it sent back to him. I paid $2400 for it. I'm going to end up spending $3k, which sucks, because I could have had a brand new one from BMW sent to me for $3150. Now I'm out $500 (install/removal) and no exhaust. I sure hope that BMW will do something.

I noticed a little rattle on mine during cold starts. One of my tips has a slightly loose inner tip, the perforated part. I found it by tapping on the tips, I isolated the rattle to one of the tips and sure enough the inner perforated piece is loose from the riveted outer tip. It's not a biggie, once the exhaust warms up it's a non issue due to expansion. I'm still gonna try a little JB Weld bead action and see how that works.

FormulaMMM wrote

Consider DIY on the 2nd install to save some $.

Cosigned.