Cracked Header: Before and After
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
Full disclosure, I don't know where Kleemann gets their steel from. That said, a LOT of steel comes from overseas these days guys... just the way it is - global economy and everything. Prior to hooleyboy's comment alluding to otherwise, I'd never heard that a type of steel (i.e. 304) made here is stronger than the same grade (i.e. still 304) made overseas - AFAIK, they both meet the same grade and specification, right?
To the earlier comment about them being 321... could be, but I doubt it - I have it on pretty good authority that they're 304 throughout.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 2
2006 E55 AMG
M113 (i.e. E55, C55, CLS55, etc.) 304 stainless-steel headers and cat-delete downpipes, for $1,495 is damn reasonable IMHO, but maybe that's just me.
Full disclosure, I don't know where Kleemann gets their steel from. That said, a LOT of steel comes from overseas these days guys... just the way it is - global economy and everything. Prior to hooleyboy's comment alluding to otherwise, I'd never heard that a type of steel (i.e. 304) made here is stronger than the same grade (i.e. still 304) made overseas - AFAIK, they both meet the same grade and specification, right?
To the earlier comment about them being 321... could be, but I doubt it - I have it on pretty good authority that they're 304 throughout.
Full disclosure, I don't know where Kleemann gets their steel from. That said, a LOT of steel comes from overseas these days guys... just the way it is - global economy and everything. Prior to hooleyboy's comment alluding to otherwise, I'd never heard that a type of steel (i.e. 304) made here is stronger than the same grade (i.e. still 304) made overseas - AFAIK, they both meet the same grade and specification, right?
To the earlier comment about them being 321... could be, but I doubt it - I have it on pretty good authority that they're 304 throughout.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 12
From: West
2005 E55 Wagon
In all honesty, I do not remember if my Kleeman headers were stainless steel or not. However, I just checked their site and the site says its stainless steel. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had them coated. Oh well, live and learn.
As for the warranty, yeh it would have been nice if they offered something. However, I knew about the 1 year warranty before I got it. I also knew from postings on this site from others with cracked Kleemen headers that my could also crack at the same place in the future. That is why when it happened, I immediately suspected that header and at that location.
I also did not mean to cause all this commotion. I just wanted to post so that others will know that if it can be easily repaired via weld, that the cost to be under $400.00 and it can be done at your local shop (instead of sending back to Kleeman for welding and extending the downtime).
Yes, I would buy Kleeman again, but this time have the headers heat coated.
As for the warranty, yeh it would have been nice if they offered something. However, I knew about the 1 year warranty before I got it. I also knew from postings on this site from others with cracked Kleemen headers that my could also crack at the same place in the future. That is why when it happened, I immediately suspected that header and at that location.
I also did not mean to cause all this commotion. I just wanted to post so that others will know that if it can be easily repaired via weld, that the cost to be under $400.00 and it can be done at your local shop (instead of sending back to Kleeman for welding and extending the downtime).
Yes, I would buy Kleeman again, but this time have the headers heat coated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 2
2006 E55 AMG
In all honesty, I do not remember if my Kleeman headers were stainless steel or not. However, I just checked their site and the site says its stainless steel. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had them coated. Oh well, live and learn.
As for the warranty, yeh it would have been nice if they offered something. However, I knew about the 1 year warranty before I got it. I also knew from postings on this site from others with cracked Kleemen headers that my could also crack at the same place in the future. That is why when it happened, I immediately suspected that header and at that location.
I also did not mean to cause all this commotion. I just wanted to post so that others will know that if it can be easily repaired via weld, that the cost to be under $400.00 and it can be done at your local shop (instead of sending back to Kleeman for welding and extending the downtime).
Yes, I would buy Kleeman again, but this time have the headers heat coated.
As for the warranty, yeh it would have been nice if they offered something. However, I knew about the 1 year warranty before I got it. I also knew from postings on this site from others with cracked Kleemen headers that my could also crack at the same place in the future. That is why when it happened, I immediately suspected that header and at that location.
I also did not mean to cause all this commotion. I just wanted to post so that others will know that if it can be easily repaired via weld, that the cost to be under $400.00 and it can be done at your local shop (instead of sending back to Kleeman for welding and extending the downtime).
Yes, I would buy Kleeman again, but this time have the headers heat coated.
.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,276
Likes: 28
From: Bay Area
2015 E63S, 2018 E63S
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 2
2006 E55 AMG
Not quite a 100% sure if I'm going down this road, things change on a daily basis with me ..... 
. For now my car is running the best it has for a while now and I'm scared to mix it up. It feels very similar to the VR600 but with a little more power. We'll see, but either way I have a set on order because I'm already committed. There has been other options presented to me but not fully sure yet which route I'm going. Time will tell but for now I'm just enjoying her.
Busy on July 3rd? Hit me up if you're available.
..... . For now my car is running the best it has for a while now and I'm scared to mix it up. It feels very similar to the VR600 but with a little more power. We'll see, but either way I have a set on order because I'm already committed. There has been other options presented to me but not fully sure yet which route I'm going. Time will tell but for now I'm just enjoying her.Busy on July 3rd? Hit me up if you're available.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 17
From: Southern California
E55 w/ goods, Z32 Project underway
$400 for removing,repairing, and installing the header is not a bad price on the outset. The welding really should not cost more than $50-$75.00 if you had walked in with it in hand. The labor to R&R is what kills you.
The headers on my other car cracked as well, but I just welded it myself. Cost me nothing above the time spend for the R&R. Never cracked again after that.
The headers on my other car cracked as well, but I just welded it myself. Cost me nothing above the time spend for the R&R. Never cracked again after that.
