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Back box of Panda is almost rotted through, looking at the forums Fiat have asked their exhaust supplier to up their quality. Simple system cat is built into manifold. From there back almost a straight pipe to rear axle simple bend then small silencer at back. Not complicated. Fiat want £284 plus fitting, aftermarket system £143, in the end going to a local company specialising in custom made stainless system, for £190. Fiat must be at it, and the aftermarket not much better.
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Has the back box actually blown or does it just look corroded, especially at the seams?
I ask because these boxes look corroded after only a few months but despite this do not fail. OK, eventually they will fail but I don't know when. When I sold my Panda it was 3.5 years old and the box had not blown.
Does that stainless system include the flexible joint at the front of the system? Seems a good price to me.
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Depends what quality of stainless steel they are using and if the insides are stainless some of them only last as long as a good mild steel product,you can normally reckon on a manufacturers model lasting at least 5 years you could fit one youself in 30 mins with a set of ramps and save even more money.
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Exhaust systems corrode fastest at the location where the metal temperature is in a critical range. Perhaps your driving style/habits produces temperatures in this critical range at the back box?
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On short journeys the rear of the exhaust can stay fairly cool,so condensation forms and causes corrosion.Sometimes only the back box needs to be made from stainless to combat this.
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Don't forget that aftermarket or pattern parts rarely silence as good as genuine spares.
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Don't forget that aftermarket or pattern parts rarely silence as good as genuine spares.
And they rarely fit as well either. That's because, as with all pattern parts, the manufacturers don't have access to the drawings to which the OEM manufacturers work.
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Hi folks, thanks for your thoughts, exhaust not blowing yet but a big soft rusty pitted scab underneath the box, it's not got long to go before she blows. It's just poor quality original exhaust, the car is used for my commute which is a 10 mile journey on open roads so not suffering from short run syndrome. I'm now an older geezer and drive the car normally (it gets me 50mpg back and forth)The company has a very good reputation and uses 16 guage 304 marine stainless steel, for their systems. the company is RMS engineering in Prestwick Ayrshire, and they have pics on their site of their work. When I phoned the engineer sounded like he knew his business so I'm happy to go their and support a dying industry in the UK where family run places, relying on good work and reputation make quality components. I am just amazed at the rip off prices for a mild steel system on a small everyday car with a simple exhaust system. I have no connection with the engineering company and will update the quality of the job at finish.
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When I bought a Micra for my daughter four years ago I told her it'd soon need a new backbox by the looks of it. It started de-laminating soon after.
It just passed it's MOT!
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And as per the other posts, you must tell your insurance company of the non standard stainless, Bosal etc. etc. exhausts. Like we all do of course.
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Although it appears a good idea, and a good price... stainless steel is funny stuff - quite rigid.
From personal experience of a Volvo stainless exhaust (their own make and fitting) fitted to a 240 years ago, it spoilt the car.
The current motoring phrase is "noise vibration and harshness". The exhaust introduced them all, despite rehanging and numerous garage visits.
Maybe the world has moved on a bit in the last 25 years or so, and your experience will be better. I hope so.
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Had it fitted now, I'm no engineering expert, but looks a good job, as young people say "my Panda has been pimped". No vibration etc on way home, there is a flexy joint thing which I imagine stops that. Lifetime warranty, slight pleasing burble from the exhaust. Phoned the insurance, quote from phone woman, "does it make it sound like an airplane", couldn't reply for laughing but after regaining composure, managed to tell her it didn't. No insurance loading for modification, and logged for future. Recommed the company pleasingly elder technicians obviously time served and know their trade, and still cheaper than FIAT. Nice blokes who've ran old british bikes in the 50's and 60's, busy place as well, with locals getting their RS2000's and Quattro's fettled.
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Well done, you've found a good deal there.
Flexy joint is actually there to stop engine movement destroying the exhaust and its mountings.
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I serviced my daughter's Panda 1.1 Active yesterday, 3 years old and 32,000 miles.
Exhaust back box looks a mess and I was able to pull off big chunks of rusted metal. However it is not leaking and I'm sure it will pass the MOT.
It will be interesting to see how much longer this exhaust system lasts.
Interesting to compare with my Panda 4x4 with petrol engine which I sold at a similar age and mileage. This has a completely different exhaust system where the back box sits transversely, right at the back of the car. Although showing a little surface corrosion, this back box was in much better condition.
The 4x4 was cleaned frequently, including pressure washing of the underside, the Active never gets cleaned.
The Active has only ever done long distance journeys whereas the 4x4 has done its fair share of very short trips.
Maybe cleaning and painting the exhaust system is worthwhile.
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I Have A 55 Reg Punto That I Have Only Had For 4 Months. The Exhaust Started Blowing About A Week Ago And Compltely Fell Off Today. Is This Common In Fiats?? Does Anyone Know How Much Roughly It Would Cost For A Stainless Steel Exhaust And How Much It Would Cost To Fit??
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