BMW M4 Exhaust Flap Mystery: Control Failure & Error Code

Hey there! Actually had the same issue on my 2019 BMW M2 Competition last month. The exhaust flap actuator failed completely on my car, causing similar symptoms, loud cold starts and no response to controls. Got the error code from my OBD scanner too. Took it to the garage where they confirmed the actuator motor had seized up. The mechanic showed me the corroded connections and damaged wiring. They had to replace the entire actuator assembly. It wasn't a major mechanical issue, but definitely needed fixing to prevent further exhaust system damage. The repair wasn't too complicated, took them about 2 hours. Been working perfectly since then, with normal exhaust volume and full control over the flaps again. Based on your description, sounds exactly like what I experienced. Would definitely get it checked soon, as leaving it could lead to more problems down the line. Best of luck!

Hey! Really appreciate your detailed response! Yeah, sounds exactly like what's happening with mine. I'm feeling a bit better knowing it's a known issue and not something more serious. Just out of curiosity, do you remember roughly how much the repair set you back? And has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or did you notice any other quirks pop up? Thanks again for sharing your experience! Cheers

Hey again! Happy to help with an update! Yeah, the repair ended up costing me 190 € for the exhaust flap fix. The mechanic replaced the actuator and sorted out the wiring issues. Since then, it's been running absolutely perfect, no more crazy loud cold starts or unresponsive controls. The exhaust note is back to exactly how it should be, and I've got full control over the flaps again. Really glad I got it sorted when I did. The whole system's working like a charm now, and I haven't had any other issues pop up since the repair. It's actually been a huge relief, as I was worried it might've been something more serious at first. If you're experiencing the same symptoms, I'd definitely recommend getting it checked out. The fix was straightforward and totally worth it to get everything working properly again. Let me know if you need any other info! Take care!

Hey! Thanks for all the help! Just wanted to update you, I actually got it sorted yesterday. Took your advice and had it checked out. You were spot on, it was the actuator that needed replacing. My repair came in at about the same cost as yours. Funny thing is, the mechanic I found was super thorough. He actually showed me the old corroded parts and explained everything. Such a relief to find someone trustworthy after my last bad experience! The car's running like a dream now, no more embarrassing loud starts in the morning and the exhaust control is working perfectly again. Really grateful for your advice. It helped me take action instead of putting it off. Amazing how something relatively simple could make such a difference to the car's performance! Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction! Cheers