exhaust life span

how long does a std Alfa exhaust last?
Had my Mot the other week and one advice I had was 'exhaust rear box rusty, no holes'.

As my car is just over 3yrs old, how long has it got?

The 147 has a very visible rear box which can (and usually does) start to look rusty very quickly.

A good clean up and high temp paint will probably sort it out.

My 156 2.5's exhaust all needed replacing at around 3.5 years/75k miles. I thought the 156GTA one was an aftermarket jobbie as standard and was expecting it to last longer, if it's the same on the 147 then I guess I'm wrong! Standard Alfa exhausts don't seem to last that long...

I think its very dependant on the type of journeys you do. A lot of shorter journeys and not getting up to temperature, means less of the moisture is driven out. Mostly long journeys should elongate life span.

mines mainly long journeys of 45mins +
But as david says, its very visible and looks quite naff, so a change may be due sooner than intended.

I hope I keep lucky, I have never had to replace any exhaust on any car so far, with over 25 years of driving. So hope Alfa dont let me down!! (Well one exception was the old ASTRA GTE, was hit in the rear so I got a new rear exhaust out of them). I have kept some cars quite a while!

At 15 months/26,600 klms the rear box on my GTA has external surface corrosion but no holes.

When it does start to blow I intend to fit a Remus rear box..... Primarily because there is a local Remus agent and I've seen the quality of their products.

71112 miles on this exhaust back box(replaced manifold and cat though), it only a bit rusty on the back box and everywhere else but no holes in it yet...had to fix hanger/bracket with jubilee clips twice though


when it comes to replacing it, probs will replace it with an aftermarket 1

6 years and 125,000 miles on my 2.4 JTD exhaust so far. One of the hangers fell off but everything else seems ok. I think the oily smoke must help with internal preservation. I had a Golf Tdi which left me with its original exhaust after 150,000 miles.

3-5 years is typical depending on use for OE. Standard replacement mild steel stuff about 2 years, possibly less with short runs and partial only replacement.

Originally Posted by Andy G

'exhaust rear box rusty, no holes'.

The 147 GTA rear box is weird - its actually double skinned beleive it or not! it looks bad, but if you prod the rusty crud, youll find that underneath it is a untouched galvanised steel. I only found thisout after taking mine off when I fitted the stainless csc rear box and having a look - I might see if I can take a pic of the old one to show you.

my old M3 was like that, took 5yrs before that needed renewing.
I think I'm going to go AD SS exhaust, but how does yours sound?

Andy....

The AD system is a relabelled Raggazon system......

Sounds like...... http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...e-147-gta.html

Purchased from..... http://www.gazzella.cc/cart.php?targ...egory_id=4 56

Originally Posted by Andy G

my old M3 was like that, took 5yrs before that needed renewing.
I think I'm going to go AD SS exhaust, but how does yours sound?

I remember asking this question on this forum when I had my 156 as I was surprised by how long the exhaust was lasting. I ended up trading the car in this summer at 5.5 years old and 88000 miles, on the original exhaust with no touching-up done and no real sign of the exhaust needing replacement. I did mostly motorway miles which no doubt contributed to its relative longevity.

hmmm interesting PAJ, mine is mostly (well all in fact) motorway mileage at the moment.

Thanks Foxie, when I'm home I'll have a listen

Originally Posted by Andy G

my old M3 was like that, took 5yrs before that needed renewing.
I think I'm going to go AD SS exhaust, but how does yours sound?

It sounds good! The main reason I went with it rather than the ragga/AD one is that everyones got that..... plus I think the silencer on the csc is smaller physically. Ill try and get some pics and sounds up over t' weekend. Ive only got the backbox though... very very easy to put on, seems to be very well made, all the mountings lined perfectly and even the locating 'blob' on the centre pipe lined up.

I got it from EB spares

Yes please oldschool...I`ll be interested as to what it looks like from the back end as that is the only thing about the 147 that lets it down is the worriable rusty bulky back box.Cheers Bodgit