Sports Exhaust - black tips - degradation

[Moonmonkey831]

Hi,

Originally saw this in the RS6 forum, but similar thing I've noticed when I was cleaning the car the other day on my RS4 black sports exhaust - anyone else got this on their RS4?

Car was new in April 2014 and has done 6k miles - have asked dealer to take a look as a warranty claim when its in there in a few weeks time to apply the safety recall software update for the airbag

Cheers!

[carsarecool]

I swapped my black tips with Smudge after circa. 7k miles and they looked new compared to yours. Do you clean them with anything specific?

[Moonmonkey831]

no nothing specific - just normal meguirs car wash and a sponge

thought it might be paint at first or something like that - but you run your finger over it and it feels pitted like the metal underneath is now exposed?

suggestion on the RS6 forum is that is might be road salt/grit?

[Gledsy]

I also have this problem on mine, as said already I noticed this on the rs6 forum I have only done 2100 in 4 months, and they are worse than yours I only jet wash and sponge mine no harsh chemicals to remove tar or brakes dust as everything is glass coated

[carsarecool]

FYI - you can't remove them easily without taking the exhaust or bumper off so re-painting is an issue.

Warranty. If they say it's wear and tear then they should have designed them better as salt is everywhere which can only be the common denominator?? Not fit for purpose.

[Moonmonkey831]

thanks mate

I guess ideally I want them replaced rather than re-painted.

I guess if there is an underlying problem with the design and materials - then I might be having the same problem in a years time?

I would imagine German winters are even harsher and therefore the abundance of salt over there is even more common? Unless they keep the good exhausts for the locals

[Outtlaw]

Funny thing, I also after reading about the exhaust on the RS6 when out to the garage to have a look at mine on the RS4,
yep same as, only done 2,000miles in 3months and starting to pit, but not as bad as yours.
This also happened on the B7 but not as bad or as noticeable.

[rspj]

Could you get carbon fibre ones more likely look better I think. or take off and do a carbon dip not sure if last from heat.

[Gledsy]

The tips are black anodised and not painted if they had been painted and started pitting it will all peel off as water and dirt would get under neath the paints where it had been chipped or pitted I.e if you have ever had a bad paint job or laquer has peeled off your car

They either need replacing or re-anodising at the dealers cost, replacing is probably easier and they will most likely send them off to warranty and they will strip back and re-anodise

[Vodkaking77]

Does anyone know if dealers can fit a sport exhaust on a car?

[kmpowell]

Does anyone know if dealers can fit a sport exhaust on a car?

If you buy it from them, I'm sure they would. But it won't be cheap.

I'm sure I read in here that one of the tuners (Revolution?) had some they we're looking to sell for £300. Perhaps worth a call.

[Macdaddy]

Did we have a definite decision that these will be replaced?

Mine are now the same with 4k miles on the clock.

[Moonmonkey831]

Due to go in next Tuesday for the airbag update - so will see what the dealer says then

[Simon82]

Mine are the same as that with only 2k on the clock so I'm interested to hear how you progress with this.

[Moonmonkey831]

Bit of an update - went in today for its Air bag software update and the dealer have agreed to change the degraded exhaust tips under warranty and agree that its not wear and tear - didn't even need to convince them.

They need to order the parts (they had the exhaust tips in, but not some brackets (which are on backorder), so will get done in a couple of weeks

Good result.

PS. They also had the Nogaro Edition RS4 in - lovely colour, but can't get my head around the blue seats. The also had a Sepang RS6 in the showroom - very nice, but £90k!