Eisenmann exhaust for Carrera 3.2

[UK Carrera]

Nine weeks to the day after placing my order my Eisenmann exhaust was delivered to me today. It had sustained shipping damage (due I believe to inadequate packaging) but that's not the worst part.

Any welders on here care to comment on what they see?

[Jp-oh]

I weld, but am not a welder and I don't work with stainless. But I dunno, those don't look like 3000.00 Euro welds.

[UK Carrera]

Originally Posted by Jp-oh

I weld, but am not a welder and I don't work with stainless. But I dunno, those don't look like 3000.00 Euro welds.

My thoughts exactly. Eisenmann declares 'first class workmanship' on their website.

I have one heat exchanger that has a neat allowance for clearance and one that looks as though it has been randomly beaten with a hammer:

[Roswell]

I would be more than a little upset.

[RarlyL8]

Just an observation but the man made dents look to me like these exchangers may have been returned and the dents were made by whoever bought them and tried unsuccessfully to get them mounted up. I've seen similar dents on SSI's.

[mepstein]

I would get my money back or if they are unwilling, call my credit card company.

Most of the high end exhausts make you say WOW! - in a good way, when you open the package.


I've had a lot of exhaust come through with some dings on the unsupported round ends but a large wood dowel will get it back to round. The exhaust you pictured has way bigger issues.

[SkunkWorks]

That's worse than eBay OBX Made in China quality...

[Iciclehead]

Dents look the same as my Eisenmann set, but the quality of the welds are definitely sub-par

Dennis

[UK Carrera]

Originally Posted by mepstein

I would get my money back or if they are unwilling, call my credit card company.

Most of the high end exhausts make you say WOW! - in a good way, when you open the package.


I've had a lot of exhaust come through with some dings on the unsupported round ends but a large wood dowel will get it back to round. The exhaust you pictured has way bigger issues.

Thanks.

How would you categorise the issues?

[Sebscst]

As a welder the welds were done by mig not tig. To get a quality weld on stainless Steel it should be tig welded. Those mig welds are for high production parts not a high end exhaust system. Also the welds look contaminated and will probably start to oxidize. In general they’re ****ty.

[Jonny042]

I've welded MIG on stainless. It works, and it's done all the time. It's not as pretty as the "stack of dimes' welds you'll see on instagram..... In fact, it's tricky to get a nice looking weld on stainless with MIG, but I wouldn't worry that they are going to fall apart or corrode. I hate to think what those HE's would cost if they were TIG welded. Likely double what you paid.

Here is a pic (zoomed in) of the F model HE's from the Eisenmann webiste:



Clearly not that far off what you received. My advice is, put the system on the car and enjoy it for what it's supposed to be, an exhaust system, not modern art. By all accounts you are going to be happy with the sound and performance and a few less than perfect (but functional) welds aren't going to matter.

In a few months it's going to be discolored and corroded and look "rusty" anyway. I can take a picture of a well used set of SSI's later and you'll see what I mean.

Not to say they couldn't be better, prettier, and presented a little more neatly, and I totally understand what you mean, and why you are questioning them. But enjoy them for what they are.

PS - no skin in the game, but I do have a set of HE's and a muffler on order. (EDIT - hopefully they don't take 9 weeks, but they are currently the only option for big-bore factory type heat exchangers)

[shoooo32]

For $3k I'd want them polished like a mirror and shipped in a velvet bag like a bottle of Crown Royal.

My $300 used steelies sprayed with $8 worth of Ace BBQ paint are looking better and better

[mepstein]

Ben/MB911 sent me a set of his custom 914-6 heat exchangers. When I pulled them out of the box, everyone at the shop agreed this guy knows how to weld. Not pretty like a stamped part but "no excuses" on every weld bead.

The first two pics on post #3 look like someone used tin snips to clearance the side. Terrible.
I bet these were a return that had a lot of "custom" work done to them. Most of the spot welded and preformed parts look nice.

[mb911]

Completely unimpressed with the welds the OP posted. That is NOT a case of high end welding..

Mark thanks for the props on my heat exchangers..

[UK Carrera]

Eisenmann response to my concerns on welding quality and the dents:

'Regarding the dents in the main body, these are the same as in all these units, they are made with a dedicated shaped press and then treated with acid as anti-rust measure.
From the images you have sent Germany have stated there are no apparent defects with the welding nor the construction of the units as a whole, as you will see from the below photos of other such units.
The purpose of the welding on these units is for function and structural integrity not aesthetics, especially as the items are almost invisible from the engine bay once installed, so Eisenman could not issue a new set simply on the subjective issue of the welds’ appearance; these items are sold for their function, not appearances, respectfully.

I would also respectfully mention neither we nor Germany have had any complaints on these units in all the many years they have been sold.'

[Sebscst]

They’re correct there is nothing “wrong” with those welds. However they are more suited for a muffler you buy at advanced auto parts not a 3000€ unit.

[UK Carrera]

Originally Posted by Sebscst

They’re correct there is nothing “wrong” with those welds. However they are more suited for a muffler you buy at advanced auto parts not a 3000€ unit.

I agree completely but my argument has fallen on deaf ears.

They are simply not interested.

[Geronimo '74]

Give them a lifetime worth of bad mouth to mouth advertising.
Let them know that you will advice anyone you know to not buy their stuff due to poor craftsmanship and terrible after sale service.
Maybe they will turn around, maybe not. Some sellers actually care about their reputation.

I bought a ducktail once that did not fit at all, needed so much work that I had to pay more to get it straight than the initial cost. It was advertised as needing very little fitting...
I got finger when I contacted the seller again.

Since then I warned at least 4 potential new customers to go elsewhere.
Made me feel warm inside every time.
Yes, I can hold a grudge.

[mb911]

Ok so then why are the parts electro polished if appearance is not a goal? Function over form is the claim well that truely is the goal with my 914-6 heat exchangers.. Hmm maybe I should make some 911 heat exchangers like this..

Rarlyl8 want to collaborate on them?

[Peter M]

Originally Posted by mb911

..Hmm maybe I should make some 911 heat exchangers like this..

Yes please!

They don't have to look exactly like SSI's but as long as they had 1 5/8" primaries, the heat exchangers intakes matched the standard Carrera 3.2 air distribution tube and the header exhaust outlets had the generic 2 bolt flanges at the generic Porsche spacing between them so you have a wide range of readily available existing mufflers to choose from, I think you would be on a winner.



3.2 owners form a orderly queue here please.