MPE muffler can splitting on sides?

Ultimate Driving Giraffe · 10-06-2016, 03:00 PM

In general, titanium is notoriously tricky to weld (though this varies by the actual alloy used) and is susceptible to air contamination during welding. Improper welding temperatures and failure to shield with argon gas can cause the weld to be brittle -- and crack!

I lived through the pre-carbon fiber titanium cycling days and remember horror stories about the cheap Chinese and Russian titanium frames catastrophically failing at the welds due to poor prep and technique.

Desborough · 10-06-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultimate Driving Giraffe

In general, titanium is notoriously tricky to weld (though this varies by the actual alloy used) and is susceptible to air contamination during welding. Improper welding temperatures and failure to shield with argon gas can cause the weld to be brittle -- and crack!

I lived through the pre-carbon fiber titanium cycling days and remember horror stories about the cheap Chinese and Russian titanium frames catastrophically failing at the welds due to poor prep and technique.

Doesn't sound easy. I don't have a contact for this honestly. I think I'm going to try and contact someone from BMW locally in my region like Charlie from McKenna suggested.

CanAutM3 · 10-06-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N54MPower

The muffler is titanium, the pipes are stainless steel.

Just to be clear, the entire rear section including the all pipes WELDED to the rear muffler are made of titanium.

It is the mid section that is CLAMPED between the rear section and the secondary cats that is made of stainless steel.

Damage Inc · 10-19-2016, 10:29 PM

This is a helpful thread. Sorry to hear about the crack.

So in regards to buying MPE second hand.

If you buy an MPE second hand, and you have the original receipt then will BMW warranty it? Even if you were not the original owner?

If this is true, then you will want an MPE with a receipt of warranty!

Desborough · 10-20-2016, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

This is a helpful thread. Sorry to hear about the crack.

So in regards to buying MPE second hand.

If you buy an MPE second hand, and you have the original receipt then will BMW warranty it? Even if you were not the original owner?

If this is true, then you will want an MPE with a receipt of warranty!

That is the response I got from my local dealership here in CLE Classic BMW. They said they would warranty it with proof of purchase from BMW directly originally. I can't provide that and dealership it was installed in cannot confirm installation records. I don't think they even looked through their records. They made multiple calls out to San Diego BMW dealership where MPE was installed on the car new before they ever responded. I don't think they even looked it up as they were always busy whenever we contacted them to verify installation. Honestly I'm fairly sure they just blew it off and said no they have no records so we would stop calling to inquire about it. It took weeks to get a response back from them. I know they never even attempted to look up. They didn't want to be bothered with it is my feeling

Stevens21234 · 10-20-2016, 11:43 AM

This seems like it's an issue with the manufacturing process or part itself as others have stated. My question is what happens if the same cracks develop on the replaced part? And is it just going to occur again and again? As an engineer, it seems like this could be fatigue fracture due to thermal stresses.

x.shell · 10-20-2016, 10:41 PM

This is clearly not an isolated incident. I hope this thread makes it to the front page and ultimately a recall from BMW.

shockin330i · 10-23-2016, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raf46

Just noticed splitting on my MPE. Car is a 2015 bought MPE right after delivery. Talked to dealer it's under warranty

Happened to mine too. BMW refused to warranty it, said I had backed into something. I told them, look at the tips, does it look like they have been hit? There would be marks if I had backed into anything.... So pissed.

dr.mba · 10-23-2016, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shockin330i

Happened to mine too. BMW refused to warranty it, said I had backed into something. I told them, look at the tips, does it look like they have been hit? There would be marks if I had backed into anything.... So pissed.

SHIT... This is bad news! I ordered mine with the MPE to be installed at the port!

M

NorCal f80 · 10-23-2016, 12:35 PM

If anyone wants to sell their cracked MPE I'll buy. $1k with tips. Lets talk. hahahaa.

shockin330i · 10-23-2016, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0-100 ninja real quick

If anyone wants to sell their cracked MPE I'll buy. $1k with tips. Lets talk. hahahaa.

Traded the car in with exhaust and all two months ago...

CanAutM3 · 10-23-2016, 03:25 PM

It could also very well be an indication of a design issue, where there could be a stress concentration at the weld location.

Desborough · 10-24-2016, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximumpsi

If anyone is local we can repair any damaged systems. They can also be shipped to us but it is obviously an additional expense.

-Mike

Where are you located?

Anthony4579 · 10-30-2016, 04:42 PM

I have unfortunately found the same problem on my car. Taking it in tomorrow morning, at 23 months since it was purchased and installed at the dealership I bought the car at.

ECSTuning · 10-31-2016, 11:38 AM

John I need to just come up with a reason for you to bring her back in so we can have Pete (the tech/fabricator we had on your car while she was in) patch it up for you. Speaking of... you have PM

-James

horsepower_and_hounds · 11-02-2016, 10:16 AM

After a brief inspection no cracks were found as of yesterday. Exhaust is at least 1.5 years old. The sides of the can are quite thin and i think that adds to the odd resonance/vibrating sound it makes

Desborough · 11-06-2016, 06:39 PM

Here it is

F80 ZCP · 11-08-2016, 06:10 PM

I am very interested to hear more about the cracking issue. I am in the market for the same exhaust. No one has posted anything in the forum about cracking issue or at least I have not encountered any post concerning this issue.

hatepotholez · 11-08-2016, 06:46 PM

Isn't it difficult to get the welds warrantied without proper BMW paperwork?

apexit · 11-08-2016, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatepotholez

Isn't it difficult to get the welds warrantied without proper BMW paperwork?

I would imagine it would depend on your dealer relationship.

Desborough · 11-10-2016, 06:52 AM

Another

f80er · 11-10-2016, 07:59 AM

Desboroughs and Anthony4579s pics look nearly identical. Has BMW said anything about this being a known issue?

10-06-2016, 03:00 PM	#45
Ultimate Driving Giraffe Private 73 Rep 83 Posts Drives: F80 Alpine White M3 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: The 808 iTrader: (0)	In general, titanium is notoriously tricky to weld (though this varies by the actual alloy used) and is susceptible to air contamination during welding. Improper welding temperatures and failure to shield with argon gas can cause the weld to be brittle -- and crack! I lived through the pre-carbon fiber titanium cycling days and remember horror stories about the cheap Chinese and Russian titanium frames catastrophically failing at the welds due to poor prep and technique.
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10-19-2016, 10:29 PM	#48
Damage Inc Lieutenant Colonel 789 Rep 1,925 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville iTrader: (1)	This is a helpful thread. Sorry to hear about the crack. So in regards to buying MPE second hand. If you buy an MPE second hand, and you have the original receipt then will BMW warranty it? Even if you were not the original owner? If this is true, then you will want an MPE with a receipt of warranty! __________________ Current: 17 OG M2 / R8 Performance Past Performance Cars: 01 M3, 05 M3, 06 M5, 08 M6, 08 M3, 11 M3, 13 M3, 15 M3, 911 C4S, 911 GTS, 17 M2,R8 V8, R8 RWS
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10-20-2016, 11:43 AM	#50
Stevens21234 Lieutenant 114 Rep 524 Posts Drives: F80 + 991.1 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	This seems like it's an issue with the manufacturing process or part itself as others have stated. My question is what happens if the same cracks develop on the replaced part? And is it just going to occur again and again? As an engineer, it seems like this could be fatigue fracture due to thermal stresses.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2016, 10:41 PM	#51
x.shell ▆ ✚✚ ▆▆▆▆▆▆ 6579 Rep 5,304 Posts Drives: ▋ ▉▉ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: ▆▆▆ ▆▆▆ ▆ iTrader: (3)	This is clearly not an isolated incident. I hope this thread makes it to the front page and ultimately a recall from BMW.
	Appreciate 1 nathanm4682.00 Quote

10-23-2016, 12:35 PM	#54
NorCal f80 Lieutenant Colonel 346 Rep 1,656 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (0)	If anyone wants to sell their cracked MPE I'll buy. $1k with tips. Lets talk. hahahaa.
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10-23-2016, 03:25 PM	#56
CanAutM3 General 21115 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	It could also very well be an indication of a design issue, where there could be a stress concentration at the weld location. __________________ Porsche 911 turbo 2021 992 GT Silver Previous cars: M4cs 2019 F82 Limerock Grey / M4 2015 F82 Silverstone / M3 2008 E92 Silverstone / M3 2002 E46 Carbon Black Last edited by CanAutM3; 10-23-2016 at 03:40 PM..
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10-30-2016, 04:42 PM	#58
Anthony4579 New Member 13 Rep 25 Posts Drives: Audi S5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I have unfortunately found the same problem on my car. Taking it in tomorrow morning, at 23 months since it was purchased and installed at the dealership I bought the car at. Attached Images
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10-31-2016, 11:38 AM	#59
ECSTuning New Lifetime Replacement Policy 811 Rep 11,738 Posts Drives: Independent Tuning Specialists Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (18)	John I need to just come up with a reason for you to bring her back in so we can have Pete (the tech/fabricator we had on your car while she was in) patch it up for you. Speaking of... you have PM -James
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11-02-2016, 10:16 AM	#60
horsepower_and_hounds Brigadier General 1836 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	After a brief inspection no cracks were found as of yesterday. Exhaust is at least 1.5 years old. The sides of the can are quite thin and i think that adds to the odd resonance/vibrating sound it makes
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11-06-2016, 06:39 PM	#61
Desborough Major 522 Rep 1,056 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Dinan Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CLE iTrader: (3)	Here it is Attached Images __________________ 2008 SGM Dinan 335i vert 2015 White Diamond GMC Yukon Denali XL
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11-08-2016, 06:10 PM	#62
F80 ZCP First Lieutenant 105 Rep 311 Posts Drives: Farm Truck Join Date: May 2016 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I am very interested to hear more about the cracking issue. I am in the market for the same exhaust. No one has posted anything in the forum about cracking issue or at least I have not encountered any post concerning this issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-08-2016, 06:46 PM	#63
hatepotholez Major 293 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NYC, NY iTrader: (1)	Isn't it difficult to get the welds warrantied without proper BMW paperwork?
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11-10-2016, 06:52 AM	#65
Desborough Major 522 Rep 1,056 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Dinan Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CLE iTrader: (3)	Another Attached Images __________________ 2008 SGM Dinan 335i vert 2015 White Diamond GMC Yukon Denali XL
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11-10-2016, 07:59 AM	#66
f80er Banned 2056 Rep 1,984 Posts Drives: An M3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: DMV iTrader: (1)	Desboroughs and Anthony4579s pics look nearly identical. Has BMW said anything about this being a known issue?
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