Berk Exhaust (...2 months later)

oneintheory · 06-18-2009, 12:18 AM

So, it's been a bit over 2 months since I bought the Berk exhaust...

since then, I've developed a few trouble spots...

the coating (AKA glorified Rust-O-Leum) has worn off a bit.

Any one of these spots could cause some seriously shit sounds in a few months.
Just a few pictures to give people considering this exhaust a heads up about what to expect. I believe Berk is working on changing to a different kind of coating, but I'm not sure.

frimmelnojerz · 06-18-2009, 12:27 AM

damn...thats bad news.

zamm3k · 06-18-2009, 08:58 AM

uh oh

creepy coupe · 06-18-2009, 09:10 AM

Looks like stone chips have turned bad, is the coating anymore than heat resitant paint?

Alext · 06-18-2009, 09:27 AM

If it is stainless steel it should not rust that fast or to that degree (or even not at all)...looks like they used mild steel under that awful paint?

My135 · 06-18-2009, 09:27 AM

It looks rusty too. If the tube was made with high quality stainless steel, they should not paint it or they should put jet hot coating instead of painting.

creepy coupe · 06-18-2009, 10:04 AM

It's never stainless, but do they sell it a "made from stainless"

Sorry but the weldings not too clever IMO

scorcherjf · 06-18-2009, 11:14 AM

Yea... that sucks. Definitely not stainless steel. Any response from Berk?

MrRoboto · 06-18-2009, 11:28 AM

shawshank772 · 06-18-2009, 11:53 AM

Wow that could be a nightmare for people up north with all the salt they throw on roads.

ad78 · 06-18-2009, 12:34 PM

you get what you pay for... this is sad

My135 · 06-18-2009, 01:07 PM

Is mild steel the same as 409 stainless steel?

I ordered the base versio of aFe exhaust (to save some money) which is made of 409 SS tube and 304 SS tips. They told me the 409 SS will change to a redish color over time just like BMW's stock exhaust pipes. I hope it is not the same rusty color I saw here.

BSM 135i · 06-18-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My135

Is mild steel the same as 409 stainless steel?

I ordered the base versio of aFe exhaust (to save some money) which is made of 409 SS tube and 304 SS tips. They told me the 409 SS will change to a redish color over time just like BMW's stock exhaust pipes. I hope it is not the same rusty color I saw here.

the rusty color you see here IS rust. wow this is NO BUENO!

BerkTechnology · 06-18-2009, 01:52 PM

You guys are looking at one of the early production units. It's one of the first 20 that rolled off the line. The exhausts we have coming in August are 100% 304 stainless. The early production units are made with 304 stainless steel flanges, 304 stainless steel tips, and ceramic coated 1018 low carbon steel (mild steel). The newer exhausts will no longer come standard as coated as there is no need to protect the metal.

You guys are covered under our warranty for virtually anything for 1 year. Rest assured that we will be there to support you guys down the road.

Dave · 06-18-2009, 01:54 PM

bad news bears 8 (

BimmerLearner · 06-18-2009, 02:32 PM

Not until august? so the old style is the one being currently shipped? thanks.

MadMan77 · 06-18-2009, 03:53 PM

Wow, that is horrible. $600 for mild-steel pipes?

I think I made a safe decision buying the Maddad axle-back.

BerkTechnology · 06-18-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerLearner

Not until august? so the old style is the one being currently shipped? thanks.

Correct, current style is being shipped now.

scorcherjf · 06-18-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

You guys are covered under our warranty for virtually anything for 1 year. Rest assured that we will be there to support you guys down the road.

So come August will you replace someone's rusted up original piece with the new one?

Upgrade+ · 06-18-2009, 09:36 PM

Oh, glad I held off on this one. As long as Berk backs up people with issues, then this should turn out ok.

MrRoboto · 06-18-2009, 11:45 PM

Is their a price increase for the full stainless one?

airs · 06-19-2009, 12:39 AM

Wow, wtf. This doesn't look good for Berk. Hope they are planning on replacing a bunch of exhausts..

06-18-2009, 12:18 AM	#1
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner 152 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (0)	Berk Exhaust (...2 months later) So, it's been a bit over 2 months since I bought the Berk exhaust... since then, I've developed a few trouble spots... the coating (AKA glorified Rust-O-Leum) has worn off a bit. Any one of these spots could cause some seriously shit sounds in a few months. Just a few pictures to give people considering this exhaust a heads up about what to expect. I believe Berk is working on changing to a different kind of coating, but I'm not sure.
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06-18-2009, 12:27 AM	#2
frimmelnojerz Captain 23 Rep 692 Posts Drives: Montego blue 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bayonne, NJ iTrader: (0)	damn...thats bad news. __________________ 08' 135 in much need of some TLC. But after that... Watch out. AA/Berk/ER/UR/CP-e/Snow/ESS
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06-18-2009, 08:58 AM	#3
zamm3k Bla! 82 Rep 909 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (4)	uh oh __________________ ......................::.........................
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06-18-2009, 09:10 AM	#4
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Looks like stone chips have turned bad, is the coating anymore than heat resitant paint?
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06-18-2009, 09:27 AM	#5
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	If it is stainless steel it should not rust that fast or to that degree (or even not at all)...looks like they used mild steel under that awful paint?
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06-18-2009, 09:27 AM	#6
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	It looks rusty too. If the tube was made with high quality stainless steel, they should not paint it or they should put jet hot coating instead of painting. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-18-2009, 10:04 AM	#7
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	It's never stainless, but do they sell it a "made from stainless" Sorry but the weldings not too clever IMO
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06-18-2009, 11:14 AM	#8
scorcherjf Captain 29 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Yea... that sucks. Definitely not stainless steel. Any response from Berk? __________________
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06-18-2009, 11:28 AM	#9
MrRoboto Brigadier General 1846 Rep 4,836 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)
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06-18-2009, 11:53 AM	#10
shawshank772 Major 120 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 08 135i and 16 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1)	Wow that could be a nightmare for people up north with all the salt they throw on roads.
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06-18-2009, 12:34 PM	#11
ad78 Yr1OfD1 107 Rep 900 Posts Drives: 2015 F34 M Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	you get what you pay for... this is sad
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06-18-2009, 01:07 PM	#12
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Is mild steel the same as 409 stainless steel? I ordered the base versio of aFe exhaust (to save some money) which is made of 409 SS tube and 304 SS tips. They told me the 409 SS will change to a redish color over time just like BMW's stock exhaust pipes. I hope it is not the same rusty color I saw here. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-18-2009, 01:52 PM	#14
BerkTechnology Lieutenant Colonel 223 Rep 1,565 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	You guys are looking at one of the early production units. It's one of the first 20 that rolled off the line. The exhausts we have coming in August are 100% 304 stainless. The early production units are made with 304 stainless steel flanges, 304 stainless steel tips, and ceramic coated 1018 low carbon steel (mild steel). The newer exhausts will no longer come standard as coated as there is no need to protect the metal. You guys are covered under our warranty for virtually anything for 1 year. Rest assured that we will be there to support you guys down the road.
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06-18-2009, 01:54 PM	#15
Dave formerly izzo/comeback 287 Rep 3,382 Posts Drives: 2016 RC 350 F Sport Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 135i [6.80]	bad news bears 8 ( __________________ BMW CCA # 418268
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06-18-2009, 02:32 PM	#16
BimmerLearner My car is less than a week old and on its 3rd tank 12 Rep 379 Posts Drives: Tiag 135 Vert Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE iTrader: (0)	Not until august? so the old style is the one being currently shipped? thanks.
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06-18-2009, 03:53 PM	#17
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	Wow, that is horrible. $600 for mild-steel pipes? I think I made a safe decision buying the Maddad axle-back. __________________
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06-18-2009, 09:36 PM	#20
Upgrade+ Good life 130 Rep 1,937 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 AW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (8)	Oh, glad I held off on this one. As long as Berk backs up people with issues, then this should turn out ok. __________________ Current: 08 E90 M3 Alpine White Former: 11 135i Msport Space Gray -Former: 07 335i Titanium Silver E92- Former: 08 135i Alpine White E82- Past: 06 Subaru STI WRB- Past: 04 Audi S4 Imola yellow- Past:97 Honda prelude Ice blue
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06-18-2009, 11:45 PM	#21
MrRoboto Brigadier General 1846 Rep 4,836 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Is their a price increase for the full stainless one?
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06-19-2009, 12:39 AM	#22
airs Private First Class 15 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2009 Space Gray 135i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Wow, wtf. This doesn't look good for Berk. Hope they are planning on replacing a bunch of exhausts.. __________________ Forge FMIC \| Apex ARC-8 w/ Michelin PSS \| 261 powder coated w/ Conti DWS \| BMW Perf Spoiler \| Tint \| Black Kidneys
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