Sports Exhaust - black tips - degradation

[Graeme4130]

Finally got my tips replaced but not without a large fight with Glasgow Audi. Due to issues previously with the "service" provided by them they said they would order in and replace the tips as a "good will" gesture . Booked car in to have them fitted and also to have first service done at the same time. Got the call that car was ready and so went to collect it.
Service man ran through what was done on the service with no mention of exhaust tips and presented me with the bill and so I asked how it went with the exhaust tips?... "What about them?" Was the initial response, (bear in mind this was main reason for car being booked in). I said they were supposed to be changed to which the response was " eh? Nah, we don't change them we are just supposed to clean them" needless to say he may as well have taken a dump in my kettle at this point! I politely but angrily lost the plot at this point and got the manager involved and after 20 mins of explaining the situation and providing evidence of e mails etc they agreed they would change them this time but never again. I had to leave the car with them for another day for them to be changed but they did offer to drop it off at least.
I questioned why they would not change them should it happen again and they inferred it was down to incorrect maintenance and cleaning ( I'm a keen detailer by the way and have knowledge of materials and coatings through my work)
So rather than argue with them I called them on it and asked them for the specific cleaning and maintenance instructions for the tips.....surprise surprise there aren't any. In the end they said they have been instructed by Audi uk to use a special cleaning fluid on them instead of replacing them and so I asked them to supply me with this magical fluid and promised to use that to clean the tips in future. They reluctantly agreed and upon handing over the bottle ( it's basically a traffic film/fallout remover which is a lot harsher than anything I would use on them). I then asked what I am supposed to do should it happen again now that I am following the approved Audi regime of care and just got a worried look as a response....
The customer service is nothing short of disgusting but in the end got the trims changed as originally agreed, £20 off my service and the "approved" cleaning fluid.....I'll see how they fair this winter.....

Welcome to Audi

Unfortunately, it would seem this is very true

Think yourself lucky the dealer staff didn't use your car for a couple of days to do the shopping in

[Golich]

I too finally got my exhaust tips replaced. Like Simon 82 I had numerous discussions with Audi customer services. They "empower" the dealerships to handle such issues, i.e. the dealership decides how much they value your custom. Mine were replaced under "good will" i.e. at the dealership's expense. Audi wouldn't pay a penny.

Over the years I've seen a few similar examples. I can see my dealership (Aberdeen Audi) are as much a customer as I am and they get fleeced too! That's not to say you should feel sorry for them, it explains the variability in service.

I'm thinking of selling mine:
One owner, March 2015, 11K miles, Sepang blue, matt aluminium styling pack, 20" V-spoke titanium look, privacy glass, Bucket seats (heated), piano black interior, sports package (e.g sports diff, dynamic ride control, exhaust, dynamic steering) adaptive cruise, active lane assist, parking system e,g rear camera and adjusting mirrors, folding mirrors. 5 year extended warranty, remainder of 3 year tyre, service, maintenance package, it will have 4 new tyres, new front pads just fitted (to prevent squealing - there was loads of pad left so disks are hardly worn due to 44 mile roundtrip dual carriageway mileage) New exhaust tips FINNALY just fitted! All sensible offers accepted!

[chandler99]

Does anyone know the part number for these exhaust tips.. I've got the same issue and Audi flat out refuse to replace and are currently trying to get me to have a whole new bumper which i mental..

[Surrey Sam]

That's ridiculous, I believe the Sports Exhaust finishers are 8K0253823A (left) & 8K0253824A (right).

[chandler99]

Cheers Sam... much appreciated

[Acprc]

I got the magic cleaner from my dealer. Has done nothing and wasn't going to as the black coating was already coming off. If it wasn't for the fact the bumper or exhaust needs to come off I would of removed mine and got them powder coated already. It's a job for the future but as the car is a daily it's difficult to get the time. If I ever see a used set I will snap them up to get them done ready.

[noidea]

I had my tips replaced as a goodwill gesture no argument what so ever.
Whilst it was in I asked them to look at the sunroof and the blind as the sunroof rattles and the blind sometimes opens about 8" after closing. Also could they do the sat nav map update as the latest maps have just been released.
They did the tips but cracked the bumper when removing it, apparently the RS bumpers are thinner to save weight?
They rang and told me about the damage no issues I am waiting for the call to fit a new bumper.
My only reservation is that the colour match must be spot on as the car is silver and it can be a pain to match.
There was no charge for the map updates but the sunroof still rattles!

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[nf2029]

I picked up a 14 plate RS4 a couple of weeks ago, never noticed it originally but now have seen the tips on my sports exhaust have exactly the same markings on them. I got the car through Fontain with a years warranty but doubt I would be able to claim them on that. Are there any aftermarket tips available which may not mark?

[kmpowell]

I picked up a 14 plate RS4 a couple of weeks ago, never noticed it originally but now have seen the tips on my sports exhaust have exactly the same markings on them. I got the car through Fontain with a years warranty but doubt I would be able to claim them on that. Are there any aftermarket tips available which may not mark?

The problem with all this isn't the tips as such (they are just the actual problem), they can be powder coated, replaced etc, it's the faff you have to go through to get them off/out/replaced, the entire bumper has to be removed and is a big job. So yes you can go aftermarket and/or get them replaced/coated, but in order to do something which should take 30mins actually takes a long time.

[RS4B8LYF]

Try this method?
https://youtu.be/FmNolu_ZUpk


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[Ian_C]

Lmao

[moonigan]

The exact same issue exists with the black tips on the Porsche Macan GTS. It would appear the issue is related to petrol as diesel owners who have them don't get the problem.

[RIV]

I find this strange as when I sold RIV... at 34k tips looked
Fine still, and believe me I drove that car hard.
What about spraying it in situ with the bumper masked up? At the end of the day you can't really see much more than the exhaust tips from memory.

[Brooner]

im the same 13 plate 26k on the clock and no issues at all with my exhaust tips and i use autosmart PH neutral alloy cleaner on them when i was the car

[chandler99]

I got the magic cleaner from my dealer. Has done nothing and wasn't going to as the black coating was already coming off. If it wasn't for the fact the bumper or exhaust needs to come off I would of removed mine and got them powder coated already. It's a job for the future but as the car is a daily it's difficult to get the time. If I ever see a used set I will snap them up to get them done ready.

I've got a used set just taken off mine if you're interested