Sports Exhaust- Black Bezels- Degradation

[BFT - John]

Mine gone too. 9500 miles in 4 months but only 5500 miles on the black tips as Audi fitted retrofitted exhaust tips. Still got the chrome ones interestingly.

Absolutely knackered they are. Car is cleaned twice a week.

Also has developed a fault on the drivers seat leather with a major crease across the leg extension due to material fault. This shall be fun.

[tiger78]

Mine are exactly the same - car is 3 months old with 5k on the clock. Going in for software update soon so will let the dealer know.

[Mcma1]

Just back from dealer, awaiting the decision from Audi but dealer happy it's a valid claim. First one here in NI to be back in for it.

[Chesterfield]

Just an off the wall idea, but is it worth collating all the registrations, purchase dates and ages of the vehicles involved with this and sending a letter to Audi on behalf of all affected? This seems to be ridiculously common, and needs resolving at manufacturer level.

[relax max]

have had a closer look at the exhaust so no sign of spots on the tips despite having driven on gritted road extensively for a week) however i noticed that the inside (ie the part looks like a metallic grille) is getting spotty/dirty. Has anyone figured out if they have the same problem and how to clean the inside?

[Moonmonkey831]

Bit of an update - my MY14 RS4 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 stock, but not some brackets (which are on backorder), so will get done in a couple of weeks

[Mcma1]

Mine are being replaced with no issues next week. Also whilst in they are fitting the front carbon grille and lower splitter.... For £90. Well pleased. Thanks to Littledevil for supplying the parts, top class and great prices!

[Ajabe]

Can't believe the state of the bezels after only 8,000 miles. Going in for 1st service next week - anyone have any pushback that this is a warranty issue so far? Thanks

[Moonmonkey831]

Wow they are really bad. My RS4 ones are getting replaced under warranty tomorrow

[HF25]

Hi,

Noticed my exhaust tips degrading exactly like this after the short bout of cold weather (and salt on roads), and remembered reading this thread a while back.

Mine is a 2015 FL model with only 5000 miles.

Visited my local dealer who have agreed to replace under warranty, just wondered if those who have had them replaced have had any reoccurrence or are the replacement tips harder wearing?

I'm mainly a lurker picking up tips, and it's thanks to the forum for this otherwise I may have not either noticed or realised it was replaceable under warranty...

Cheers.

[MikeFish]

I think this will be an ongoing issue. Would a set of carbon tips be immune to this issue?

[RS6chris!]

Do the Chrome tips do same?

I actually prefer the chrome tips as they look bigger I think?

[HF25]

From reading this thread and the similar one and looking at the pictures it would appear to be the black sports exhaust tips that have the issue.

I had an RS4 with chrome tips for 5 years which had no issues whatsoever.

Would be interesting to hear from anyone that had the black tips replaced under warranty last year if the problem has reoccurred this winter... If they have degraded the same I may well ask them to put chrome ones on as don't want to be messing around like this every year, and can't see Audi continually replacing them. You would like to think they'd improve the finish and quality of the black tips given the issue is clearly widespread...

Cheers

[MartayMcFly]

So salt and grit is chipping the coating and the increased salt covering the roads then intensifies the corrosion reaction on the now exposed metal? Bottom line seems like the coating they use is not fit for purpose, and if Audi are then refusing to repair or replace these faulty parts I understand why people will be walking away from the brand. I've not checked my exhaust, but when it was last cleaned 2-3 weeks ago I didn't notice anything.

[Paulm]

that's poor, looks like Audi just sprayed them with a rattle can. Could of done a better job at home for £2