Cracked MPE repair & v1-v2 conversion

[Oreo Cat]

sorry for the many posts to explain this and lack of pictures. I struggle to upload them/use the site.

I bought a cheap cracked MPE and had it repaired and converted to v2. only difference between v1 & v2 is the 2 supports welded through the mufflers.
Took it to Quality Heliarc in Reno NV cost was about $450

[Oreo Cat]

exhaust did not come with connecting pipes. cut the OEM pipes off from the original muffler at the welds. No pipe should be left on the OEM muffler as all of it is needed to properly seal against the MPE. Used a grinder to clean up all the burs. they fit perfectly inside the MPE muffler once burs are grinder down.

[Oreo Cat]

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2025227

this is a link to the original muffler I bought. I plan on cleaning up the ugly non inconel welds soon with a wire wheel and then some high temp paint just on the welds to keep them from rusting again but not have any paint show from looking at the back.

[Oreo Cat]

a5m

[a5m]

Thanks to Oreo Cat I did the same thing and picked up a cracked V1 and had it converted to V2 by having tubes welded in each half. You basically drill through and through both sides top to bottom at the raised points in the centers. Nothing in-between there that gets compromised or affected. That's literally what BMW did for the 'V2', at least for that part of the muffler.

The guy I took it too used 5/8" Inconel tubes but SS can be used as well. Cracks were welded with Inconel, which is the proper way to do it. The metal is paper thin so need someone who knows what they're doing.

Turned out great and can't even see the repairs with it installed. Not a lot of miles on it so far, about 1500, but all still good. The sound of this exhaust is intoxicating and I don't plan to change it. The different tones that come out of it as you go through the rev range are insane. No drone and dead quiet when cruising, especially on the highway. What else do you want.

[ZCPM3]

Originally Posted by a5m

Thanks to Oreo Cat I did the same thing and picked up a cracked V1 and had it converted to V2 by having tubes welded in each half. You basically drill through and through both sides top to bottom at the raised points in the centers. Nothing in-between there that gets compromised or affected. That's literally what BMW did for the 'V2', at least for that part of the muffler.

The guy I took it too used 5/8" Inconel tubes but SS can be used as well. Cracks were welded with Inconel, which is the proper way to do it. The metal is paper thin so need someone who knows what they're doing.

Turned out great and can't even see the repairs with it installed. Not a lot of miles on it so far, about 1500, but all still good. The sound of this exhaust is intoxicating and I don't plan to change it. The different tones that come out of it as you go through the rev range are insane. No drone and dead quiet when cruising, especially on the highway. What else do you want.

Do you have pictures of the tubes? What shop did you take it to? I am local to Chicago as well.

[a5m]

Originally Posted by ZCPM3

Do you have pictures of the tubes? What shop did you take it to? I am local to Chicago as well.

It's Bob at Coating Specialty in Chicago Heights on the border of Indiana.

No pics of the tubes. His other welder buddy provided them. Trust the guy so just dropped it off and let him do his thing.

[PNWVERT]

Need to sell my cracked V1 since I switch to Vorsteiner Ti. Bought the car with it rewelded but cracked again. Like mentioned walls are paper thin.

[pathall1]

Anybody have any longer-term experience with a welded and reinforced V1? There's a cracked V1 for sale near me and am considering picking it up, but curious about the longevity of these repairs. Also open to recommendations on somebody that can weld Inconel in NJ....

[a5m]

PNWVERT Was it converted to V2 i.e. tubes welded?

pathall1 I don't see why a V2 converted wouldn't last since that's essentially what BMW did to remedy the cracking issue. Haven't ran mine long enough to be considered "long-term" but it's held up great so far, no issues.

[pathall1]

Originally Posted by a5m

PNWVERT Was it converted to V2 i.e. tubes welded?

pathall1 I don't see why a V2 converted wouldn't last since that's essentially what BMW did to remedy the cracking issue. Haven't ran mine long enough to be considered "long-term" but it's held up great so far, no issues.

To clarify - those supports welded through the dimples are hollow right? You can see through them from one side of the muffler to the other?

Also, how much did you pay for the cracked V1 if you don't mind me asking? I have one for sale for $1,000 locally to me (has very very minor cracks) and am trying to decide if I should pull the trigger or if it's overpriced.

[a5m]

Originally Posted by pathall1

To clarify - those supports welded through the dimples are hollow right? You can see through them from one side of the muffler to the other?

Correct. Not sure it matters though, but the ones used for mine were hollow inconel.

[pathall1]

Originally Posted by a5m

Correct. Not sure it matters though, but the ones used for mine were hollow inconel.

Thanks! And how much was your cracked V1 if you don’t mind me asking? I have one for sale local to me for $1,000 with very very minor cracks (probably may not even need to be repaired to be honest), but trying to get a gauge for if that’s a reasonable price.

[a5m]

Originally Posted by pathall1

Thanks! And how much was your cracked V1 if you don’t mind me asking? I have one for sale local to me for $1,000 with very very minor cracks (probably may not even need to be repaired to be honest), but trying to get a gauge for if that’s a reasonable price.

The guy had it listed for close to $2k. I eventually bought it for $650. But it had several cracks, and the Inconel is thin so takes more time/effort/skill to weld it properly.

I'd say $1k isn't a great deal but not bad either. Depends on how much the repair is costing you too. I'd try to haggle down though. Use the fact it'll get worse and the cost of repair to bargain.

[pathall1]

Originally Posted by a5m

The guy had it listed for close to $2k. I eventually bought it for $650. But it had several cracks, and the Inconel is thin so takes more time/effort/skill to weld it properly.

I'd say $1k isn't a great deal but not bad either. Depends on how much the repair is costing you too. I'd try to haggle down though. Use the fact it'll get worse and the cost of repair to bargain.

Yeah, that's about what I thought as well. I have a quote for a repair at $375 which I don't think is too bad. I'm trying to get it for $850 but it seems like the guy won't budge. Who knows, might have a few garage sodas and pull the trigger or keep waiting for him to drop the price. We'll see...

[a5m]

Originally Posted by pathall1

Yeah, that's about what I thought as well. I have a quote for a repair at $375 which I don't think is too bad. I'm trying to get it for $850 but it seems like the guy won't budge. Who knows, might have a few garage sodas and pull the trigger or keep waiting for him to drop the price. We'll see...

Is this for an E92/93? I posted a link in the Classified section to an eBay ad for one for $1600 but it's in Brownsburg Indiana, but the seller is willing to ship. Maybe negotiating a deal there would be the better option?

$375 isn't bad. I paid $265 for mine. All the best either way.

[Oreo Cat]

Originally Posted by pathall1

Thanks! And how much was your cracked V1 if you don’t mind me asking? I have one for sale local to me for $1,000 with very very minor cracks (probably may not even need to be repaired to be honest), but trying to get a gauge for if that’s a reasonable price.

I paid $150 shipped for a cracked MPE

[pathall1]

Originally Posted by Oreo Cat

I paid $150 shipped for a cracked MPE

$150 shipped!? Holy smokes. If that’s the going rate for these things I’m certainly not gonna pull the trigger. Appreciate the heads up.

[LatifE90]

Originally Posted by Oreo Cat

I paid $150 shipped for a cracked MPE

It’s looking good too!