MOT advisory was slight exhaust leak. It's the Flex on the LH Downpipe that needs replacing. Any idea what to expect with this as far as getting it fixed. Please don't tell me it's the old story of £20 part but engine needs to come out?! Any help, much appreciated.

 

Hello @bmw5series ,
As far as the flex joint, a good muffler shop should be able to replace the flex joint on the vehicle, if the shop wants to remove the downpipe for repair, then as long as your 05 has the same setup mine has, you would just disconnect the downpipe from the catalytic converter at the joint (3 nuts), if your 05 has the one piece catalytic converter downpipe as shown in the last picture, then the job becomes a little more difficult, but can be done with the engine in place.

I had 4 flex joints replaced on the vehicle in my A8L W12, BUT, the shop somehow burnt out my alternator during the arc welding, so if you weld on the vehicle, I would disconnect both batteries, and be sure that the person doing the welding uses proper grounding.

Johnny

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Thanks Johnny. I'm going to find a second hand item and ask my local specialist to fit it. He says bit fiddly but do able and deffo not engine out jobbie. !