What's the difference between MPE V1 and V2?

[Flying Ace]

I am starting to see people refer to V1 and V2 versions for the MPE. I must have missed the memo, what's the major difference?

Anyway to tell the difference in photos?

[Helmsman]

First version cracked up didnt it Ace?

[srmast1]

V2 seems to be more mechanically sound. It is not known to develop cracks as easily as the V1. Actually, I've never heard of a V2 cracking, but that's not to say that it couldn't ever happen.

[Flying Ace]

Where would it crack?

[srmast1]

I believe on or around the mufflers. The titanium can crack due to a somewhat rare-ish manufacturing defect. It's hard to find accurate info on this for some reason though. I'm sure if you scour these forums with appropriate key - word searches however, you will find the answers you seek.

[Leonardo629]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...4&postcount=79

[GVIFlyer]

MPE version 1 used the austenitic nickel-chromium-based superalloy Inconel. While Inconel is light and strong, it's use in aviation is now limited because it is brittle and cracks easily.

[cenix]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=897377

This thread is pretty complete with all the info you need.

[UPSROD]

The link above showing the type 2 muffler with the holes...it is tubing going all of the way through the muffler to re-enforce it. My belief is that at some time in 2013 and into 2014 the Inconel composition changed and became more brittle OR the supplier of the Inconel somehow made it a little thinner or a new supplier was sourced. It seems that the earlier MPE's didn't crack...all of the Lime Rock editions came with this exhaust and I have not heard of any of them having problems. They were made in August through October of 2012. Just my opinion.

[UPSROD]

Well, now the link above the link above!

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by UPSROD

The link above showing the type 2 muffler with the holes...it is tubing going all of the way through the muffler to re-enforce it. My belief is that at some time in 2013 and into 2014 the Inconel composition changed and became more brittle OR the supplier of the Inconel somehow made it a little thinner or a new supplier was sourced. It seems that the earlier MPE's didn't crack...all of the Lime Rock editions came with this exhaust and I have not heard of any of them having problems. They were made in August through October of 2012. Just my opinion.

Yeah, supposedly the V1 are more prone to cracking.

However both mine and my cousin's MPE V1 exhausts are very old, around the time BMW initially launched them. Both mufflers have over 20k miles on them and no issues to report.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

I am starting to see people refer to V1 and V2 versions for the MPE. I must have missed the memo, what's the major difference?

Anyway to tell the difference in photos?

MPE 1 => The cracks are for free .
MPE 2 => No cracks .

The difference in photos ...?
Of course !
The MPE 2 has a 2 holes in the middle of the cannisters ...
A picture of the holes ?
Of course..

Pic # 1 => shows a crack on the MPE 1
Pic # 2 => shows the 2 holes in the cannister to avoid cracks on the MPE 2 (in the box)

Advice : Guys buy only the MPE 2 !

[Denk]

Something that I discovered on both my V1 and V2 was an occasional slight rattle during cold starts. There was a little gap between the inner and outer tip. I fixed it by working a little JB Weld in the gaps. This was the only issue I had with both version MPE's. I'm still in love with this exhaust, it's stood the test of time and I've tried a few others.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

MPE 1 => The cracks are for free .
MPE 2 => No cracks .

The difference in photos ...?
Of course !
The MPE 2 has a 2 holes in the middle of the cannisters ...
A picture of the holes ?
Of course..

Pic # 1 => shows a crack on the MPE 1
Pic # 2 => shows the 2 holes in the cannister to avoid cracks on the MPE 2 (in the box)

Advice : Guys buy only the MPE 2 !

At the risk of stating the obvious, why not just drill your own holes?

[UPSROD]

Originally Posted by dparm

At the risk of stating the obvious, why not just drill your own holes?

The is more involved then just holes. If you are going to drill holes in the mufflers you can just leave the cracks open to let the exhaust fumes out.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by dparm

At the risk of stating the obvious, why not just drill your own holes?

I see your logical point . But to make sure if this is possible I think it's better to take a look inside the MPE 2 first , and compaire it with the MPE 1 before drilling the holes .
I think this was never done before (to cut it open) because Inconel is actually not cheap .
The function of the holes has to do with pressure escape , and I heard that the MPE 2 sounds a little deeper than MPE 1 , and probably it's also different inside the cannister of the MPE 2 .

The only pic that I have from inside the MPE is this...

[UPSROD]

How can I explain this any better...there are NO HOLES in the mufflers! There is TUBING welded THROUGH both mufflers (tubing is hollow) therefore the holes. The tubing re-enforces the mufflers preventing repeated expansion and contraction causing the cans to crack in some cases!

[Denk]

Originally Posted by UPSROD

How can I explain this any better...there are NO HOLES in the mufflers! There is TUBING welded THROUGH both mufflers (tubing is hollow) therefore the holes. The tubing re-enforces the mufflers preventing repeated expansion and contraction causing the cans to crack in some cases!

Bravo, thanks for sharing that! I haven't noticed any difference in tone or volume between the 2 versions. It's a structural thing which I'm glad they addressed.

[Richbot]

My V1 has more than 65,000 miles and no cracks. Installed July 2011

[cme]

My V1 MPE had a bad drone at 3k rpm from Day 1. Nothing I could do about it. It eventually cracked after 18k miles and was also rattling. My dealer was able to replace to brand new V2 MPE under warranty. The V2 MPE sounds way better than the original, has no drone issues and had much better looking polished tips.
Chet

[dparm]

Originally Posted by UPSROD

How can I explain this any better...there are NO HOLES in the mufflers! There is TUBING welded THROUGH both mufflers (tubing is hollow) therefore the holes. The tubing re-enforces the mufflers preventing repeated expansion and contraction causing the cans to crack in some cases!

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I was a bit surprised that BMW would just drill a hole like that, as it would drastically change the sound of the exhaust, among other things.

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by cme

My V1 MPE had a bad drone at 3k rpm from Day 1. Nothing I could do about it. It eventually cracked after 18k miles and was also rattling. My dealer was able to replace to brand new V2 MPE under warranty. The V2 MPE sounds way better than the original, has no drone issues and had much better looking polished tips.
Chet

Talk about inconsistent-- my MPE V1 has never droned or rattled at any RPM, and has the identical tips and sound to a V2-equipped car I compared it with. ??? Apparently, some quality control issues were present on this expensive piece. Maybe a bad lot or lots?