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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics N55 (M235i) Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Tuning M Performance muffler clamp vs welding?

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      10-15-2014, 05:47 PM   #1
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M Performance muffler clamp vs welding?

Bought an M Performance muffler from a member here but need to purchase the clamp separately and to my surprise, the clamp is $80 - $110! Unless I'm looking at the wrong clamp? I have part number #18307560815 that I found here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...35&hg=18&fg=95

How much would it cost to take it to a muffler shop and just have them weld on a flange and just connect to the stock exhaust, can't imagine it would cost any more than the clamp itself and it would also preserve the stock muffler. Anyone have experience with doing it this way?
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      10-15-2014, 05:53 PM   #2
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Hmm, so I just called a muffler shop and the guy was actually quite knowledgable when it came to BMW stuff...he said that I don't need a new clamp and that you're supposed to just reuse the flange/clamp that's already on there? Does that sound right?

I thought I had read on here that people cutoff their stock muffler for some reason?
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      10-15-2014, 05:59 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HX_Guy
Hmm, so I just called a muffler shop and the guy was actually quite knowledgable when it came to BMW stuff...he said that I don't need a new clamp and that you're supposed to just reuse the flange/clamp that's already on there? Does that sound right?

I thought I had read on here that people cutoff their stock muffler for some reason?
Any muffler shop will have clamps...thats their speciality
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      10-15-2014, 06:11 PM   #4
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Does the install on the M235i basically follow the same procedure as this: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=768703

I'm confused about this clamp thing...the muffler shop guy said you reuse the stock clamp, and in the parts catalog, the stock muffler shows a clamp and same overall shape/length to the stock muffler as the M Performance muffler...

Stock


M Performance
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      10-15-2014, 06:39 PM   #5
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Looked under the car and there is no flange or clamp or anything, looks like the pipe goes from the muffler straight back for a long while.

Muffler shop said it would cost between $80 - $100 to put a flange on the new muffler and the mid-pipe then I could bolt it on like that, so about the same cost as the BMW clamp.
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      10-15-2014, 07:20 PM   #6
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Ideal price is $60-$120

Exhaust shops will have clamps to fit, dont need oem
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      10-15-2014, 08:07 PM   #7
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The factory exhaust is welded in th back as one piece...that is why you have to cut it off. You need a clamp
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      10-15-2014, 08:16 PM   #8
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Yes indeed, the stock pipe has to be cut off. Look back at my original posts about the exhaust system being one complete piece from the downpipe connector. No axleback or midpipe separation on the stock system.

Welding is fairly simple and cheap to do by any muffler shop. They don't have to specialize in BMW cars. Should be cheaper than having a new BMW clamp fitted.
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      10-17-2014, 12:14 PM   #9
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What is your guys' thought on straight welding the M Performance muffler directly to the exhaust pipe instead of installing a flange on both the exhaust pipe and the muffler?

Advantages of straight weld would be no chance of leaks and smoother, seemless transition whereas the advantage of flanges would be it would be easy to remove later (though I guess you could always cut it off later too) but could disrupt the flow a little (doubt it makes any difference at all though).

Same with the BMW Clamp, I figure doing it through a muffler shop via welding is a better way to go right?
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      10-17-2014, 12:42 PM   #10
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Just get it welded for clean, leak free connection. You can always cut it out again should you want/need to sell the muffler.
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      10-17-2014, 02:59 PM   #11
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Bad weld can cause leaks and even a good weld is not forever...clamp is good as long as the clamp in good shape

You make the call
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      10-17-2014, 03:37 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ska///235i View Post
Bad weld can cause leaks and even a good weld is not forever...clamp is good as long as the clamp in good shape

You make the call
That was the same explanation that the exhaust shop technician told me when I asked him "why don't you just weld it?"
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