RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community

Hi all,


So I have the black exhaust trims and on them the lower part of the ovals have lost the black surface coating. Maybe over zealous cleaning by previous owner or just two years in they are wearing off. Haven't checked the price with Audi but I expect around £100 per side based on the part number google search. Anybody have any luck with removing them and blasting, stove enameling, etc etc? None on Ebay both in the UK or Germany it would seem.

Adam

Hi Adam,
There is a history of these sports tips degrading on the 4 and 6, Audi on the most part did a good will swap on new cars, mine got done at about 3000 miles, they originally blamed it on salt on the roads and overzealous cleaning with the wrong cleaners. When I pointed out it had only been washed 3 times (by them) and it never gets cold enough at the bottom of Cornwall to grit the roads they still held to their guns - hence good will rather than admission of design fault. My second pair stayed perfect until a year later when I drove down from prestwick to Helston in torrential rain. When I set off they were as new, when I arrived they were almost stripped bare - my thoughts were that 9 hours at 70-80mph on wet roads and water being forced out through the tips was the equivalent of holding a pressure washer at point blank range for the same time! I've just accepted they aren't great now and even if you did choose to pay for new ones (it's a bumper off job to replace I think) you might find yourself back where you started in a few weeks time, especially when winter is around the corner!

Hi,

Yes at 17k I may be onto a losing streak trying to get something from Audi. Sadly it looks like a bumper off job to replace/refurb otherwise I would just get them blasted and stove enamelled.

Mine are still good as new, on 25k now

Well it looks like I wont get very far with Audi. I have a last chance with goodwill but Audi themselves have Technical product Information sheet 2021630/6 that states warranty or goodwill will not be paid for the tips.

So, I actually still like the idea of taking them off and getting them blasted and stove enameled as it would appear this will be longer lasting going forward anyway.

Has anybody had any luck getting the tips off without removing the bumper. I know (from the parts catalog) that they are held on by screws an clips so should be easy to unscrew but I am presuming the clearance over actual exhaust and bumper is the issue.

Anyone?

I've been under mine a couple of times with the Cap being fitted and fiddled with. I also swapped my trim with a former forum member (long boring story) and it's pretty much a case of removing the exhaust if I recall. Easier than taking off the bumper, but the tips are held in place with some hex screws that are hard to get too, plus the mounts don't clear the rear bumper holes meaning they need to come out with under the car.

Does that make sense? Not 100% certain on this, but still 95% sure.
Where abouts are you based? I know of a few people in the SE that may be able to assist in removal.

asked audi Solihull to change them this morning point blank refused to change them, email sent to MD of Audi UK, lets see what happens

I've found a post on the specific dealers Facebook page yields almost instant results from head office!

Tell me more what do I need to put ??

On my second set and they went the same way.

Dealer now claim Audi Uk dont have a fix and I've given up arguing for now.

Mines a 2013 car 20K on the clock and no issues with the tips so far
I think your option of taking them off and getting them recoated would probably be the best option if you get no joy from Audi I would be hesitant buying a new set and swapping them as these would probably go the same way

Mooney3019 wrote:asked audi Solihull to change them this morning point blank refused to change them, email sent to MD of Audi UK, lets see what happens

Keep us informed please.

Just been told by the Audi dealer where my car is in for a service,
that Audi would not change the exhaust trim/tips under warranty, something to do with them being an external part!!
Offered a 50/50 goodwill on them and that works out at £250.

Now, do I really want to spend another £250 on another set for them to look pitted after 3000 miles?

What do you guys think?

im in the same boat, 50/50 goodwill, I suppose keep them bloody clean and take them back subject to the 2 year warranty should they mess up again

Actually works out at £125 after the goodwill
but then have to add the fitting which is a bumper off job.