Sports Exhaust- Black Bezels- Degradation

[feeltheburn]

While washing the car a few days ago, I spotted some chipping of the bezels on the sports exhaust. Had been about 2 weeks since I had washed it so it didn't take long for the chips to appear! I had Audi have a quick look at it today and while the guy said stone chips were "normal" he believed that the bezels would be replaced under warranty. He took a few pictures and I am awaiting a reply regarding what will actually be done about it - I made it clear that a paint job on them will not be acceptable.



A bit shocked that this has occurred over a 2 week period- less than 150 "gentle" miles travelled all be it on gritted roads. The bottom edge of inner rolled edge of the bezel is also showing signs of wear- only a matter of time until it extends to the outer edge! The rear bumper and diffuser are still immaculate not a single mark.

Anyone else with the black Bezels noticed any similar chipping?

[HYFR]

Warranty. Not good enough

[feeltheburn]

***Update***

Audi have agreed to replace the bezels

Hopefully the new ones will be more robust/improved design.

[qwick69]

I have noticed this on my car as well. Only 7000 miles on the clock.
I think this may be a common issue. I am going to see if I can get mine changed as well

[wildbore]

Perhaps it might be worth getting them to fit the non-Sports bezels - at least they look to be impervious to degrading.

I have ordered Sports Exhaust and am deeply unimpressed seeing this.

[Moonmonkey831]

funnily enough i've noticed the same on my RS4 black tipped sports exhaust as well a few weeks back - approx 6000 miles driven. Was going to give it a good clean first to see if it just needs some elbow grease, but on further inspection they look to be degrading somewhat

they almost look pitted, rather than chipped (if that makes sense!)

[Chesterfield]

Hmmm. Can't really see too well from the picture, but its concerning as I too have also ordered sports exhaust. It would seem that whatever paint/powder coating process these black tips have doesn't stand up to the heat.

[feeltheburn]

I don't think it has anything to do with heat- indeed the design looks like it establishes a venturi/vortex effect drawing air in from "behind" the bumper and diluting/cooling the fumes emitted from the rear. The exhaust pipes are not in direct contact with the bezel- creating an air gap which permits cooler air to be drawn in as the exhaust plumes are emitted [really cool to watch the exhaust plumes on the Top View camera on a cold morning ].

As I said this degradation only occurred over approx 150miles (gentle driving) coincident with gritters being out. The bezels have been fine for the first 3000 miles or so- I am super picky when it comes to finish and polished the bezels every time I washed the car so would have spotted a gradual change. I suspect the venturi/vortex effect also draws in grit from the rear wheels (salt on the roads etc) and as the entrained stream fanned out of the bezels it has chipped the coating.

I would have expected the bezels to be enamelled (steel) or anodised (alu) rather than painted/powder coated. I'll ask when it is in on Tuesday to have them replaced how the finish is applied. I fear that it will happen again before this winter is over. I was going to ask them to hold off until the spring to replace them, however I guess I'll be the guinea pig on this one and see if Audi have improved the design/durability.

[RSphantom]

Cleaned mine yesterday and I now also have the same issue. It is more on the bottom half of the bezel and on the offside one more. This has only just happened in the last two/three weeks as I cleaned it last on 20th December (I know too long!!!) had had no signs then. I agree that it must be down to the salt on the roads as I have never seen this before on this one and it never happened on the first one either (1st March to 5th September). There has been a lot of salt on the roads since 20th December and not much before then. I will mention it next time I'm in the dealers.

[qwick69]

Mine is going into dealer next week to have them replaced.
Here is a picture.
Same thing with me, never noticed it before despite regular cleaning. Only noticed it after it got very very dirty over last few weeks

[Chesterfield]

Certanly looks like a salt related issue then. Not good. Though I wonder how the replacements will last? will we even find out until next winter if we are fortunate enough not to have any more reason for gritters to be out (wishfull thinking).

[Bamf]

It is a bit worrying that the paint/finish can't cope with the issues that come with cold weather. It will be interesting to see how the replacement set perform.

[relax max]

Looked up at mine as i have driven a fair amount in snow/gritted road in France. Mine are black exhausts and seem unaltered. However noticed that the back end of the exhaust (ie the inside) has quite a bit of deposit of dirt/earth deep inside the exterior exhaust which i hadnt realized when I washed the car. So something to think about when washing the car!

[feeltheburn]

***Update***

New Bezels fitted this morning (full bumper cover off job ...didn't take them long though). While the car was on the ramps, the service manager showed me the accumulation of grit and small stones (+4mm) in the gap between the bezels and the bumper. They replaced them as a goodwill gesture as it was not a materials issue- we agreed that the design does nothing to prevent this from happening and it is likely they will degrade again. Great service from them so no point arguing things with my local dealer so I said that I would take the matter up further with Audi. A small issue but it will take the look off the car- maybe chrome bezels would be wiser but look too bling (imo).

That said, absolutely loving the car. Got VCDS from Ross-Tech as a Christmas present and have mades several small changes that have made the car feel even more tailored to me- the ability to select the default distance setting of ACC from setting 3 to setting 2 has actually made me glad that I specced ACC in the first place- one I had been regretting up till then!

[qwick69]

I had the car checked out today. Audis stance was that the damage had been caused by "outside influance" ie grit, salt, rain etc. I pointed out quite politely that I dont often drive my car inside my house where "outside" influences do not appear.
Audi would not budge. I obviously said how disapointed I was. Audi dealer agreed with me and could not find a fault in my argument, however, Audis policy was written down in black and white and therefore the work would not be carried out under warranty.I therefore had no choice but to take the car back.
30 mins later, Audi dealer phoned back and said they would do the work as a "goodwill gesture". That is pretty good customer service as the job is a few £100 quid. Can not fault the dealer in anyway whatsover, but not to impressed with Audi.
Does that mean that if the paint faded due to the sunlight, it would not be covered under warranty?
I was looking at getting an A8 4.2 Sport Exec in June, that has definately been shelved. I will be getting an S class merc instead. Pity,