David (MO63WLR) has sent me his pictures, and I think they are quite telling. With his kind permission I will share them here and compare them with the ones taken to my own car.
LEFT SIDE HEADER Where things look EQUAL, and CORRECT in both cars
MO63WLR
XF14AEF
RIGHT SIDE HEADER Where things look UNEQUAL, and INCORRECT in my car
MO63WLR
XF14AEF
Also ... and interestingly, David noticed something on his car's right header, took a picture and sent it to me. I suspect we're faced with a "welding torch" solution to my problem (top end technolgical engineering stuff!), but until I see pictures from other cars I really can't be sure. Check this out.
MO63WLR
XF14AEF
Once more I ask other M3W owners that regularly post here to check their own cars and if possible to take "direct comparison" pictures so we can know a bit more. Thanks!
Mario my exhausts centre line on both sides fall below the outer edge of the indicators. The indicator centre line is 190mm outboard of the top suspension mounting centre. Are the bottom damper mountings the same distance from the bottom suspension mount? On mine its 230mm centre to centre. My exhausts are without the weld near the head as yours. Mine was built July 2013. The exhausts don't seem to made to consistent dimensions or their mountings. I have had no problem with L/H side but R/H has had 2 sets of bobbins even though dealer did best to adjust the alignment. One set failed & I replaced 2nd before failure
Thank you all for the valuable info I guess a pattern is emerging, and what that means is that indeed my R/H side header is defective. Before I jump to conclusions (and if more share their pics and measurements it would be great), I must now understand if my problem is because the header is shorter in the section between the engine head and the "bend" (to go backwards), or if because its shape is bent down.
The mechanic thinks the header is shorter in that first section, he says he measured distance to floor from both sides' headers and that it is the same (so he says the right side isn't bent down). But he didn't register his measurements so I don't know. Monday I'0m taking the car back to the shop and we will measure and register, with the car perfectly leveled, all distances possible.
Although I can't take a photo of my car right now (it's in having a Centa upgrade, new rear drive sprocket and belt, and cambelt - hopefully all under warranty with the necessary upgrade spending...), I too have interference between the pipe and the shock on the LHS or passenger side in the UK.
I run the adjustable Spax shocks and once again it's the bottom spring platform adjuster that hits the pipe under full compression. I'm reluctant to wind the suspension up any higher to gain more clearance, as the front body-floor -to- ground height is already at 15cm, which is higher than ideal. I am sure my LH pipe is the wrong shape and I've tried to re-align it in the exhaust port when I mount up the header, but little helps. I really don't think the manufacture of all the parts is very consistent.....!
My car is June 2013 and I DO NOT have the welded header design.
I'd be interested to see how the standard exhausts compare to the Brooklands exhausts in terms of distance from the body to the rear of the flexi joint.
I guess a pattern is emerging, and what that means is that indeed my R/H side header is defective. Before I jump to conclusions (and if more share their pics and measurements it would be great), I must now understand if my problem is because the header is shorter in the section between the engine head and the "bend" (to go backwards), or if because its shape is bent down.
