Exhaust. OEM?

[slappywhite]

Hi

My exhaust has started to blow a bit. It's quite loud on start up but calms down after it warms up but definitely needs replacing. Sounds like it's just one of the back boxes.

I think I want to stay OEM, it's a bit quiet but I don't fancy any drone at motorway speeds.
I'm not mad keen on going to BMW but equally not keen on somewhere like Kwik Fit.

Any suggestions?

cheers

 

[Ducklakeview]

OEM is stainless, and only available from BMW at EYE WATERING prices. Are you sure it's not just the clamps joining the back boxes to the system? Common failure as the clamps and bolts are NOT stainless, so rust away. Replacement clamps are less than £30 in stainless on Ebay..

Mike

 

[slappywhite]

So if it's stainless it won't have rotted? I went over a speed bump the other day and it definitely sounded like it went loose, very loud, then self corrected over the next speed bump. I can't look at it easily, it lives on the street , no access to a pit or a ramp.

 

[mr wilks]

OEM is stainless, and only available from BMW at EYE WATERING prices. Are you sure it's not just the clamps joining the back boxes to the system? Common failure as the clamps and bolts are NOT stainless, so rust away. Replacement clamps are less than £30 in stainless on Ebay..

Mike

Even more common is the corrosion of the internal "trumpet" flange where the clamp bolts the backbox to centre pipe , if that's gone the boxes are pretty much goosed

 

[mr wilks]

So if it's stainless it won't have rotted? I went over a speed bump the other day and it definitely sounded like it went loose, very loud, then self corrected over the next speed bump. I can't look at it easily, it lives on the street , no access to a pit or a ramp.

If you get it looked at & its worse case scenario i have a set of OEM boxes going

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=92992

 

[2dogs]

This happen to me the clamp just rushed away it's an easy fix took me 30 mins or so
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90165

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

OEM is stainless, and only available from BMW at EYE WATERING prices. Are you sure it's not just the clamps joining the back boxes to the system? Common failure as the clamps and bolts are NOT stainless, so rust away. Replacement clamps are less than £30 in stainless on Ebay..

Mike

Even more common is the corrosion of the internal "trumpet" flange where the clamp bolts the backbox to centre pipe , if that's gone the boxes are pretty much goosed

If these flanges are corroded you can just get a welder to build them up again. When I got my bypass pipes put on and the back boxes needed to be removed the clamps had to be cut off and the trumpets needed a few runs of weld and then shaping to make good.

 

[mr wilks]

OEM is stainless, and only available from BMW at EYE WATERING prices. Are you sure it's not just the clamps joining the back boxes to the system? Common failure as the clamps and bolts are NOT stainless, so rust away. Replacement clamps are less than £30 in stainless on Ebay..

Mike

Even more common is the corrosion of the internal "trumpet" flange where the clamp bolts the backbox to centre pipe , if that's gone the boxes are pretty much goosed

If these flanges are corroded you can just get a welder to build them up again. When I got my bypass pipes put on and the back boxes needed to be removed the clamps had to be cut off and the trumpets needed a few runs of weld and then shaping to make good.

I guess with the right skills anything can be refabricated , my last boxes i sold to a guy with badly corroded trumpets which even after attention continued to blow , if you have good chap on hand who won't have your pants down its always worth a try fixing first

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

Even more common is the corrosion of the internal "trumpet" flange where the clamp bolts the backbox to centre pipe , if that's gone the boxes are pretty much goosed

If these flanges are corroded you can just get a welder to build them up again. When I got my bypass pipes put on and the back boxes needed to be removed the clamps had to be cut off and the trumpets needed a few runs of weld and then shaping to make good.

I guess with the right skills anything can be refabricated , my last boxes i sold to a guy with badly corroded trumpets which even after attention continued to blow , if you have good chap on hand who won't have your pants down its always worth a try fixing first

It's true that the guy who did mine makes exhausts for all kinds of cars from scratch.

His welding is unreal and all his work is with stainless.

 

[slappywhite]

So if it's stainless it won't have rotted? I went over a speed bump the other day and it definitely sounded like it went loose, very loud, then self corrected over the next speed bump. I can't look at it easily, it lives on the street , no access to a pit or a ramp.

If you get it looked at & its worse case scenario i have a set of OEM boxes going

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=92992

I hope I don't need them but thanks for the offer, I may have to take you up on that.
I'll get it looked at before anything falls off

 

[dgm]

Be prepared for the fluted ends of the x-pipe to be potentially cracked as well. I had to replace the back boxes and x-pipe when mine went.

 

[slappywhite]

OK, I had it on a ramp, finally, there's a ring just ahead of the back boxes, holds two sections of pipe together, rotted away on both sides, leaving the sections hanging apart. The garage said they could do it but when I went back they said they couldn't get the part as it was BMW only. Does this look like the right part?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Gasket-Ring-Asbestos-Free-E36-E46-M3-3-Series-18101405737/191726987434?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D43782%26meid%3Df5ed560d11cf4144a734a7447cdaf51b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D181651380278
hard to find a diagram anywhere and I still don't want to go to BMW to be told I need a whole system.
Any help much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Ducklakeview]

Are you sure it's not the clamps that have gone, with you saying "both sides?" Replacements are available on Ebay.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-M3-Z3M-Z4M-Exhaust-Flange-Repair-Kit-4-Flanges-stainless-steel-/381512112257?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AZ4&epid=1454114589&hash=item58d3e4d881:g:XxIAAOSwHxVW69F2

Which part is it on RealOEM?

Mike

 

[Fishy Dave]

How about using something like this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M3-Z4M-STAINLESS-STEEL-EXHAUST-FLANGE-REPAIR-KIT-X-4/172286020882?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D43782%26meid%3D3afc6e26b4ad4dc7ae932e3a5f1ecf1f%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D122543975872

 

[Ducklakeview]

THIS I6 kit comes with bothe the replacement clamps AND the rings.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-M3-Z4M-Exhaust-Flange-Repair-Kit-Rusted-Corroded-Broken-4-Flanges/151812448213?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D43782%26meid%3D022e0595ee6041f1b0e7aeda9a5aa485%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D172286020882

Mike

 

[slappywhite]

Ah, ok, I thought I might need the clamps too. Thanks for the diagram, I've ordered clamps and rings now.
Thanks for the help

 

[Fishy Dave]

THIS I6 kit comes with bothe the replacement clamps AND the rings.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-M3-Z4M-Exhaust-Flange-Repair-Kit-Rusted-Corroded-Broken-4-Flanges/151812448213?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D43782%26meid%3D022e0595ee6041f1b0e7aeda9a5aa485%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D172286020882

Mike

 

[Bmwlondon]

Long time lurker, but need some advice now re exhaust..

Have Z4MC, perfectly maintained, only BMW dealer, 90K miles, no modifications. After paying £3400 for Inspection 2 and new discs in May, the driver side Exhaust muffler now fell off.... BMW quoted me £2900 to replace both pipes and both boxes, which I agreed to. However, they now came back that they not have the left side muffler till September..! I checked various OEM part providers and earliest someone in Germany says is "mid-August".

I can only replace the driver side now and replace the left side in September, but the dealer reckons there is a risk when replacing the right side that it might affect the connection of the left-side box, and this might break soon too..

I always wanted to keep my Z4MC as original as poss, but wonder if there is another option? Is there any way to get hold of AC Schnitzer exhaust (they seem discontinued, not sure anyone knows how to source one?)? Given I planned to pay £3K for oem I guess if possible then it would not be much different.

Thanks!

 

[mmm-five]

After paying £3400 for Inspection 2 and new discs in May...

That seems overpriced - even at BMW main dealer rates/prices.

Insp2 is less than £1200, discs all round are less than £1000, so there's a £1200 excess somewhere.

Get yourself to a specialist and you'll save a fortune (even using genuine parts), and probably get a better service from a more experienced & motivated technician.

 

[AndyBeech]

Long time lurker, but need some advice now re exhaust..

Have Z4MC, perfectly maintained, only BMW dealer, 90K miles, no modifications. After paying £3400 for Inspection 2 and new discs in May, the driver side Exhaust muffler now fell off.... BMW quoted me £2900 to replace both pipes and both boxes, which I agreed to. However, they now came back that they not have the left side muffler till September..! I checked various OEM part providers and earliest someone in Germany says is "mid-August".

I can only replace the driver side now and replace the left side in September, but the dealer reckons there is a risk when replacing the right side that it might affect the connection of the left-side box, and this might break soon too..

I always wanted to keep my Z4MC as original as poss, but wonder if there is another option? Is there any way to get hold of AC Schnitzer exhaust (they seem discontinued, not sure anyone knows how to source one?)? Given I planned to pay £3K for oem I guess if possible then it would not be much different.

Thanks!

As mmm-five has said, go to a decent indy, getting you're pants royally pulled down by BMW cost wise. At 90k miles you're getting diminishing returns (likely none existent now) anyway persisting with a FBMWSH.

I doubt you'll get a new Schnitzer exhaust now, limited run for the car at the time I would imagine. Ebay you're best bet but I wouldn't hold your breath, pretty rare I imagine, and a premium and a half no doubt.

I'd take it to a decent indy exhaust place, google is you're friend, and go from there.