Technical New Exhaust! - only 4 years old?!

[hollypop]

Hello, so I’ve had my 08 plate fiat 500 for 5 weeks now.

The exhaust has all of a sudden gone really loud (sounds like a boy racer/angry wasp) so I took it to a friend who owns a garage and he got it up on the ramp for me.

I genuinely thought it would be a case of push the exhaust back in place and secure it; however my friend was very shocked that it was only a 4 year old car as it is so rusty underneath.

It’s the flexi pipe bit that is blowing and one of the clamps holding it on and the back has basically disintegrated. So there is just rust holding itself together.

Now basically my 2 options are to get a garage to take out the flexi pipe and weld a new one in and a new bracket near the back or just to buy a new exhaust from the flexi to the back box. (its also dealer part only... )

I’m a bit annoyed about buying a new car to then 5 weeks later have to spend £300 on it, but I don’t think I have much choice.

My question is however, should a 4 year old car really need to be having the exhaust replaced? I’ve had 10+ year old cars in the past with the original exhaust.

Anyone else had a similar problem?

 

[ahmett]

Hello, so I’ve had my 08 plate fiat 500 for 5 weeks now.

The exhaust has all of a sudden gone really loud (sounds like a boy racer/angry wasp) so I took it to a friend who owns a garage and he got it up on the ramp for me.

I genuinely thought it would be a case of push the exhaust back in place and secure it; however my friend was very shocked that it was only a 4 year old car as it is so rusty underneath.

It’s the flexi pipe bit that is blowing and one of the clamps holding it on and the back has basically disintegrated. So there is just rust holding itself together.

Now basically my 2 options are to get a garage to take out the flexi pipe and weld a new one in and a new bracket near the back or just to buy a new exhaust from the flexi to the back box. (its also dealer part only... )

I’m a bit annoyed about buying a new car to then 5 weeks later have to spend £300 on it, but I don’t think I have much choice.

My question is however, should a 4 year old car really need to be having the exhaust replaced? I’ve had 10+ year old cars in the past with the original exhaust.

Anyone else had a similar problem?

Sorry to hear that but i am afraid not entirely uncommon. Basically the stock box is not so good and rust prone. I will let the techs on the forum give you more info as i feel unqualified to talk about exhausts = )

 

[RobinPJ]

He is right. Plenty of failures at 12/18 months younger than yours.

If you go for a whole new system you might want to consider a hand made stainless steel one - may cost a tiny bit more but should look good, last forever and sound a bit fruity.

Others who have taken this route will comment shortly from experience, I'm sure.

 

[Ulpian]

It can depend on how the car's used.

If it's done mostly short runs then the exhaust may have seldom got properly hot and regularly had condensates in it. Also, if it is petrol it will rust more quickly than Diesel.

I had a small Daihatsu once and two exhausts rusted, and were replaced, under the three year warranty I got rid of it.

My Doblo Diesel is currently being serviced - I doubt it will pass - and two sections of pipe have been replaced during the past ten years, with only the back box and pipe being original: 90,000 miles.

I have friends with cars ten years old (petrol) running on original exhausts, but they do regular long journeys and never ever use their cars for short city journeys.

So, I reckon it's down to short journeys. No comfort, but I'd be inclined to see what Fiat wants to charge, and then google up 'cheap exhausts'; you can save a lot of money. That's what I did

 

[RobinPJ]

I wonder what fiat would want for a replacement of the original one? Top Gear in my home town of St Albans (who are supposed to be pretty good) will sell you a made-to-measure stanless steel system for £299 plus VAT.

 

[hollypop]

Thanks for the responses guys,

I drive 50 motorway miles a day in it, not sure how the previous owner used it though.

I rang fiat and that section of exchaust is £158 + vat which isn't too bad to be honest (especially compared to all the german cars ive had in the past); then i'll get it fitted elsewhere.

im guess im just annoyed that im having to spend money on it when ive only just got it!


I cant see me keeping it very long to be honest. So spending money on a stainless on a car that im not planning on keeping plus then the hassle of paying extra car insurance for a 'modified' car... is it really worth it?

 

[deeyup]

Would most insurers consider that a modification?
I know mine would, but they are a bunch of useless codpiece faces!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Would most insurers consider that a modification?

Depends if it meets or exceeds OEM spec.

 

[loveshandbags]

I wonder what fiat would want for a replacement of the original one? Top Gear in my home town of St Albans (who are supposed to be pretty good) will sell you a made-to-measure stanless steel system for £299 plus VAT.

Picture of it posted here.

...I rang fiat and that section of exchaust is £158 + vat which isn't too bad to be honest (especially compared to all the german cars ive had in the past); then i'll get it fitted elsewhere.
...
I cant see me keeping it very long to be honest. So spending money on a stainless on a car that im not planning on keeping plus then the hassle of paying extra car insurance for a 'modified' car... is it really worth it?

Had a quick look on shop4parts and didn't see any exhausts listed but came across this supplier. No idea what they're like but they're cheaper than OEM.

http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/Fiat_500_Exhaust%20Back%20Box.aspx
Click on exhaust link pipes

If you are unsure about keeping your 500 what does fastfit charge for the part or can they supply one ?

Also in relation to modified parts & insurance premiums it was mentioned on the FF that if you get a letter from the 'Exhaust supplier' that there's no performance increase it shouldn't increase your premium. Replacing mild steel with a longer lasting stainless steel is hardly a modification.

 

[YouKnowWho]

Just been told mine has disintegrated - like yours @ 4 years old.

I do about 50 miles per day mainly fast A-Roads

 

[Numptey]

I am on my second full exhaust as mine always goes at the flexi bit on my Cento, badly made and the water runs to that bit, also many short journeys so this may be true. I eventually changed it at a small local place for a full exhaust in sections so I just replace the rusted bit and not the whole thing like i had to before. Worth doing though, makes so much difference

 

[cainy1989]

Same happend on my bravo, got the whole center section replaced inc flexi joint and an engine mount for £130, i did call fiat and they quoted £185 for the part, im sure its not dealer only, the panda uses the same exhaust right?

 

[RobinPJ]

The other day, while I was polishing my tip I contorted my body so I could have a good look at my back box (ooh err) and was pleased to see it looked good as new to my ignorant eye. (Car is 2 1/4 years old.)

 

[dave]

4 years is about right for a mild steel exhaust, any longer is lucky

 

[Numptey]

Im still worried about him polishiing his tip in public and all them carry on films have mushed his brain lol

 

[loveshandbags]

...lol

I think you've posted in the wrong section - it's the spamalot section you're looking for.:idea:

 

[306maxi]

I think you've posted in the wrong section - it's the spamalot section you're looking for.:idea:

Michael? I don't see a problem with that post?

 

[loveshandbags]

Maybe I can't see Numptey's sense of humour. I've only seen one or two of his posts on the 500 section so I haven't got used to them. That said if you had posted it I would imagine that PJ would be sharpening his pencil.

 

[RobinPJ]

Maybe I can't see Numptey's sense of humour. I've only seen one or two of his posts on the 500 section so I haven't got used to them. That said if you had posted it I would imagine that PJ would be sharpening his pencil.

Is that a euphamism too???

 

[loveshandbags]

Is that a euphamism too???

Mine was a euphemism - not too sure about the other one.