Rusty Exhaust Tips (Black optic)

[DYF]

Hi, first off I'm a new member on here having just got my RS4 earlier in the year.

My car has the black optic pack option and the exhaust tips have started to rust. They are gradually getting worse and are now starting to show some spots on the inside as well. Luckily I have known the car from new and I believe Audi has previously 'refinished' the tips about 2-3 years ago. Has anyone else with the black tips experienced similar corrosion? I'd be interested to hear what Audi's response was; when I showed it at my dealer they suggested that it was a body Shop job. I'm not that keen on refinishing (again) as I can see that in 2 years time I will be back in the same position. Mechanically I believe the tips are welded to the back boxes, so I'd have to have the exhaust back section removed from the car to take it to the bodyshop!

I have considered replacing with OEM standard finish ones; does anybody know the approximate cost of these relative to a valved Miltek system? Also, are there any members in the South Wales area with a Miltek fitted?

Thanks.

[yorkie]

Mine are Black and also rusty but I've seen worse Chrome ones. No way Audi will do anything about it now though.

[bluenosewrx]

Milltek is the way ahead and they come with black tips if you want them, also AK DK done his Milltek himself and basically sanded them down a bit and sprayed them with Hammerite black spray paint, so i guess you could do the same with the OEM ones.

Good luck.

Mac

[54Kab]

Hmmm, Daytona Grey Avant with Black Optics . . yummy, me likey. -Any pics ?

[Jules]

Another option if you dont want to go Milltek or similar is to just have some new tailpipes.

You will be suprised how many stainless steel companys there are out there,they could replicate exactly what you have
or change if you chose.
It will certainly be quite a bit less than £200

I use a place in macclesfield called JP Exahusts,there work is fantastic

[Porky]

My Miltek is cracked...both boxes, just so you know!

[Jules]

My Miltek is cracked...both boxes, just so you know!

If you purchased it new,i'm sure they will replace it under warranty

[Reflect Russ]

or you could having them dipped and coated....not sure how much it would be though....I will be offering a similar service as this seems to be a common problem on Audi....but you could even try it yourself....http://www.plastidip.co.uk/ not only that it dries matt as well....

[wellzieRS4]

I sprayed mine on my milly they looked ok just wet flat them with p600 and scotch brite to give them a good key

[DYF]

Thanks all!

Interesting to hear that the chrome ones can be worse! I think I'll go see how much the bodyshop wants for the job. As it's my daily driver I can't really afford the time to have a go myself at the moment.

I must say, that's a professional finish on the exhaust tips wellzieRS4! If the bodyshop wants silly money then I might have a go myself over the summer (will be a good excuse to get my 205 GTI back on the road as a daily drive for a while!)

Thanks.

[DrGold]

I had this - Stansted Audi replaced complete back boxes as good will.

Have both an RS4 + S3 through them and have built a good reationship with them - the "refurb" option was not recommended.

Cheers

[P_G]

I'm sure it wasn't as it is not something they can do for you.