[MR.]

Today I was with the M2 project lead of BMW M and he explained to me the reason for the ugly exhaust bulge hanging under the back of the car.

The reason is crash safety of the rear end of the car. The main reason it is hanging so low is that when you have a rear impact from someone else driving into the back of you, the exhaust slides downwards and not upwards plus inwards.

This was the official reason to hang the rear muffler so low, while we all know there is a lot of space above the rear muffler. They could have put it higher into the bodywork, but crash safety stopped them from doing it.

Clear answer if I say so myself...

MR

[Mdkcrf250r]

Uhh what? I don’t believe that for a second.

[VisualEcho]

There has been that many deaths associated with the car from a rear impact?
The requirements changed from MY18 to MY19?
They couldn't have spent 6¢ painting it black?
They still sell the M Performance exhaust which doesn't hang quite as low?
They couldn't have fabbed something up in 6 seconds to put in front of the exhaust to protect the gas tank?

I mean, really?

[MR.]

It's also why most cars have the exhaust hidden behind fake exhaust ports now as well. Low speed rear end collisions.

Everything you suggests cost additional money and effort, while they have to cut cost levels and not make the car more expensive.

Painting mufflers is not something I have seen a car marker do. I wonder how reliable that is on the long run.

M Performance still hangs quite low in comparison to other systems and is only homologated in the US. Doesn't cover the whole world, a stock exhaust should...

MR

[MrOhnoez]

I was the guy that commented on your post on FB, During the 992 911 training that's the reason they gave us about why they have "false" exhaust holes, to prevent overly expensive repairs in low speed rear end collisions, it gives an area for the bumper to be pushed in without hitting the exhaust.

[pz619]

Also commented on FB. I’ll post something similar here, but I’m not buying that for a minute. I’m not contesting this is what you were told (and thank you for sharing), but I don’t get the sense that person is being totally forthcoming. The actual exhaust cans from the S55 M2 vs the F80/F82 is identical. If there is a difference, I can’t see it. I’ve removed both mine on the F87 and also one on a F82. There is no doubt is my mind that they just re-used the F80/F82 competition “can” because of cost. Someone can prove me wrong, but I’m halfway tempted to grab my exhaust can and drag it over to my buddies house to compare next time I see him. It’s just less noticeable on the F80/F82 because there is more bodywork. Also, the F82 doesn’t have that large cavity that is present on the M2. I’m assuming this is because the “floor” of the trunk is lower.

Furthermore, if this was the case, then other 2 series would have a similar design. Hell, we’d even see it on other BMWs. To me, this was simply cutting cost where they could. Not criticizing BMW here, because I still think the M2C represents tremendous value, but this crash story that was told to you doesn’t make sense to me.

[warrenw]

But that doesn't make sense because the OG M2's exhaust didn't hang low, yet it's the same rear end.

[Mdkcrf250r]

100% parts recycling and thus cost savings. Just like the real reason the M2 got the s55. Because they had a ton of stock on them and not enough of the n55.

[izzyM2]

I thought it was because of aerodynamics underneath, that's why it has slots.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by pz619

Also commented on FB. I'll post something similar here, but I'm not buying that for a minute. I'm not contesting this is what you were told (and thank you for sharing), but I don't get the sense that person is being totally forthcoming. The actual exhaust cans from the S55 M2 vs the F80/F82 is identical. If there is a difference, I can't see it. I've removed both mine on the F87 and also one on a F82. There is no doubt is my mind that they just re-used the F80/F82 competition "can" because of cost. Someone can prove me wrong, but I'm halfway tempted to grab my exhaust can and drag it over to my buddies house to compare next time I see him. It's just less noticeable on the F80/F82 because there is more bodywork. Also, the F82 doesn't have that large cavity that is present on the M2. I'm assuming this is because the "floor" of the trunk is lower.

Furthermore, if this was the case, then other 2 series would have a similar design. Hell, we'd even see it on other BMWs. To me, this was simply cutting cost where they could. Not criticizing BMW here, because I still think the M2C represents tremendous value, but this crash story that was told to you doesn't make sense to me.

Yes going to quote myself. Going amend this statement but I'll leave it up. The exhaust cans are actually different, so I’m wrong. Picture of the exhaust on the kitchen floor is mine. The other is ripped off google. General shape is the same but the can extends further out where the tips are on the F82 version. Also, there is a bit more material towards the rear, where the M2 is squared off. The design is very similar, but the actual muffler is shaped differently. With that said, still not sure why it's so low. Still not buying into the crash part because we'd see it on the M235i/M240i/228i/230i etc.

[SeanWRT]

Originally Posted by MrOhnoez

I was the guy that commented on your post on FB, During the 992 911 training that's the reason they gave us about why they have "false" exhaust holes, to prevent overly expensive repairs in low speed rear end collisions, it gives an area for the bumper to be pushed in without hitting the exhaust.

This is the correct answer. It's very much rather a cost consideration than the safety.

[MR.]

Originally Posted by MrOhnoez

I was the guy that commented on your post on FB, During the 992 911 training that's the reason they gave us about why they have "false" exhaust holes, to prevent overly expensive repairs in low speed rear end collisions, it gives an area for the bumper to be pushed in without hitting the exhaust.

Originally Posted by Mdkcrf250r

100% parts recycling and thus cost savings. Just like the real reason the M2 got the s55. Because they had a ton of stock on them and not enough of the n55.

N55 was not emission homologated anymore. They homologated the S55 for the M4C and M2C that was cheaper than doing S55 and N55 for both.

MR

[Kleinacus]

This is one of those scenarios where I don't care why because the logic was flawed regardless. Cost, safety, an overstock on cow udders... Don't care. In a world where things that should be standard are sometimes options (split fold rear seats) and waivers are required for safety liability (cup 2 on m2 CS), give me my udder-less option and a safety waiver please.

[Mdkcrf250r]

Originally Posted by MR.

N55 was not emission homologated anymore. They homologated the S55 for the M4C and M2C that was cheaper than doing S55 and N55 for both.

MR

So they homologated an engine used in 2 models instead of homologating an engine used in 12 models?

[ONLYA6]

Originally Posted by Mdkcrf250r

So they homologated an engine used in 2 models instead of homologating an engine used in 12 models?

N55 isn't used anymore. OGM2 was the last, not worth it for 1 car.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by Kleinacus

This is one of those scenarios where I don't care why because the logic was flawed regardless. Cost, safety, an overstock on cow udders... Don't care. In a world where things that should be standard are sometimes options (split fold rear seats) and waivers are required for safety liability (cup 2 on m2 CS), give me my udder-less option and a safety waiver please.

Amen.

But honestly, for me, if I were going to get an M2C I'd have an exhaust waiting before the car ever got here. No way I'd have that shit hanging down from my car.

[Kleinacus]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

Amen.

But honestly, for me, if I were going to get an M2C I'd have an exhaust waiting before the car ever got here. No way I'd have that shit hanging down from my car.

I'll give you one guess what my first mod was. Haha.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by MR.

Painting mufflers is not something I have seen a car marker do. I wonder how reliable that is on the long run.



MR

Yes, can you imagine the warranty nightmare on that? I think it would have to be powder-coated for long-term durability, and that would be cost-prohibitive...

[David.m]

Originally Posted by pz619

Yes going to quote myself. Going amend this statement but I'll leave it up. The exhaust cans are actually different, so I’m wrong. Picture of the exhaust on the kitchen floor is mine. The other is ripped off google. General shape is the same but the can extends further out where the tips are on the F82 version. Also, there is a bit more material towards the rear, where the M2 is squared off. The design is very similar, but the actual muffler is shaped differently. With that said, still not sure why it's so low. Still not buying into the crash part because we'd see it on the M235i/M240i/228i/230i etc.

I imagine though those older F80 mufflers are pre-OPF, it's possible the current M4 muffler is more like/even identical to the M2C. It is know whether the mufflers with/without filters are different externally?

BMW aren't going to officially say it was cost saving but reality they were forced to put the S55 into this model early. Add to that the alloy/carbon front braces and it's likely profit per car dropped compared to the OG N55. The bean counters would have said NO to spending $$ to develop/approve a whole new muffler/exhaust for the M2C for what is less than half the normal life cycle of a model.

[MR.]

Originally Posted by David.m

I imagine though those older F80 mufflers are pre-OPF, it's possible the current M4 muffler is more like/even identical to the M2C. It is know whether the mufflers with/without filters are different externally?

BMW aren't going to officially say it was cost saving but reality they were forced to put the S55 into this model early. Add to that the alloy/carbon front braces and it's likely profit per car dropped compared to the OG N55. The bean counters would have said NO to spending $$ to develop/approve a whole new muffler/exhaust for the M2C for what is less than half the normal life cycle of a model.

Nailed it! Always keep this reasoning in the back of your mind when you see a car being released.

MR

[FollowMyLine]

I'm currently in the market for a car and the M2C is high on the list. This exhaust had me looking at aftermarket exhaust IMMEDIATELY. I can't see this being the official reason, the exhaust will crumble in a rear-end collision.

[CTSean]

Originally Posted by Mdkcrf250r

So they homologated an engine used in 2 models instead of homologating an engine used in 12 models?

Everything else that was using the N55 had already moved to the B58