Milltek exhaust buyer beware

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

So i've been having on going problems with my (now ex) S3's valved Milltek catback exhaust system, basically under load the let hand tailpipe valve would emit a loud squeak causing people to look and generally ruin the otherwise great sound of the car.

I purchased the exhaust system originally back in January 2015 from Awesome in manchester, the noise started about two weeks later so I contacted them. The car went in several times before they finally agreed there was a problem and agreed to replace the exhaust.. great I thought! Finally the problem would be cured.. how wrong I was.

The exact same problem started around 4 weeks later, I contacted Awesome who basically told me that until it got worse they couldn't do anything... So it got really bad and I insisted that they take a look at it.. they finally gave me an appointment where they decided that the system would need replacing yet again.

Here is where everything took a downward spiral. Awesome decided to put me in direct contact with Milltek 'to sort it out quickly', at this stage neither Awesome or Milltek were interested in taking the exhaust off my car to be replaced. Milltek refused to give me a date to go to their facility for their engineers to remove the exhaust, I waited nearly two weeks for this to happen.

My car was being sold so I ended up having to pay my own local garage to remove the system and then threaten Milltek with trading standards action if they didn't sort it out. I drove the system to their local where the man I have been dealing with refused to see me, so I left the system with their receptionist.

Neither Milltek or Awesome seem willing to do anything about this, and when ever i contact Milltek about a progress update they just tell me that they are trying to diagnose the fault (that awesome already agreed was there). They now tell me they are going to 'try lubricating the mechanism and assembly'.. what a joke.

Awesome have stopped replying to emails (I've cc'd them into emails to Milltek), so the next step will be pursuing them for a resolution.

I have little hope that I will get a replacement system or a refund at any time, so I thought it best to share my experience with both of these companies.

Here's a video of the car with the system fitted:

G-S3 · Sep 22, 2015

Doesn't sound good, hope its sorted soon!

I would get a FULL refund from Awesome and look at another system asap. If they refuse I'd be standing in their reception come Saturday am making a scene until it was sorted.

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

The car is sold now so a new exhaust isn't really much use, but i'd take it over nothing! It really is a joke.. I'm hoping that something comes of it, but to be honest it's starting to occur to me that I can kiss goodbye to nearly £1,300

jimbojet · Sep 22, 2015

Sounds like a little bird is living in your exhaust!!!

Get on the Martin Lewis website and look for sale of goods act.....there is loads of advice. Certainly is not fit for purpose or as described!

If all else fails take them to a small claims court who I'm sure would favor you!!!

Typical 'bury ones head in the sand' tactics!!!

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

Just realised I paid for it on the credit card, so that will be my next step I think

Nightmare1708 · Sep 22, 2015

I'm getting a non-valved system fitted on Saturday so hopefully I don't have the same problem.

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

Nightmare1708 said:
I'm getting a non-valved system fitted on Saturday so hopefully I don't have the same problem.

You'll be fine with that one

Nightmare1708 · Sep 22, 2015

If it's the valves I think someone on another forum had the same problem with the AWE exhaust and had to lubricant a specific part which sorted out the issue.

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

Nightmare1708 said:
If it's the valves I think someone on another forum had the same problem with the AWE exhaust and had to lubricant a specific part which sorted out the issue.

Yeah they suggested oiling it to me, but they had no answer when I asked what would happen when the oil dried out...

Anyway they've now agreed to send me a replacement system for delivery this week, it saves me the hastle of chasing it via small claims or charge back. I'll just sell it or put it on ebay and call it quits.

voorhees · Sep 22, 2015

That does not look good for Awesome passing the problem onto the supplier,they did not give you it trade price did they ? So they should have sorted the problem out.

Nightmare1708 · Sep 22, 2015

alijnclarke said:
Yeah they suggested oiling it to me, but they had no answer when I asked what would happen when the oil dried out...

Anyway they've now agreed to send me a replacement system for delivery this week, it saves me the hastle of chasing it via small claims or charge back. I'll just sell it or put it on ebay and call it quits.

Other than the squeak with valves how would you rate the exhaust sound? Is there any drone?

G-S3 · Sep 22, 2015

For me, it would have to be a complete refund.

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

halegavin said:
For me, it would have to be a complete refund.

Usually it would be with me, but i'm sick to death of fighting them with this. I'll just take my business elsewhere in future and count this as a lesson learnt.

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

Nightmare1708 said:
Other than the squeak with valves how would you rate the exhaust sound? Is there any drone?

The sound was great otherwise, i'm not sure what it would be like without the valves though to be honest as when the valves were open at high rpm it was quite loud (motorway sort of time), so i tended to have them closed for long distance. The up/down shifts were my favourite thing about the system.. immense noise.

alijnclarke · Sep 22, 2015

voorhees said:
That does not look good for Awesome passing the problem onto the supplier,they did not give you it trade price did they ? So they should have sorted the problem out.

Nope no trade price or anything like that. Yeah they tried to pass it over to Milltek and were not very pleasent to deal with, it got quite heated...

Rob2k68 · Sep 22, 2015

Sorry to hear you've been messed around. I'm thinking any type of lubricant will only be temporary due to the heat involved and there is some sort of underlying design issue.

Shame as I was considering a Milltek system might look at Scorpion now instead.

Fiddie · Sep 22, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
Sorry to hear you've been messed around. I'm thinking any type of lubricant will only be temporary due to the heat involved and there is some sort of underlying design issue.

Shame as I was considering a Milltek system might look at Scorpion now instead.

Me too!

I didnt expect that problems with a Milltek due to his renown. Maybe its time to look for other brands.

Steph67 · Sep 22, 2015

Can only comment on mine, but had it for 4 months now without any problems whatsoever. Disappointing that the place you bought it from didn't sort this out, referring you back to Milltek was a huge cop out. I've bought from Awesome before, but not sure I would again after reading this.

Saw a photo of your new Caymen, looks the business!! :hubbahubba:

Fiddie · Sep 22, 2015

Steph67 said:
Can only comment on mine, but had it for 4 months now without any problems whatsoever. Disappointing that the place you bought it from didn't sort this out, referring you back to Milltek was a huge cop out. I've bought from Awesome before, but not sure I would again after reading this.

Saw a photo of your new Caymen, looks the business!!

Yours its a valved system non res? I dont remember now.

Steph67 · Sep 22, 2015

Fiddie said:
Yours its a valved system non res? I dont remember now.

It's a valved half res, still liking how it sounds.

steeve · Sep 22, 2015

Nightmare1708 said:
I'm getting a non-valved system fitted on Saturday so hopefully I don't have the same problem.

Some one said you'll be fine with that one.

Well I think that Alanjclarke's problem just shows what appalling customer service you're likely to get from these two companies should you have any serious issues.

I'd run a mile..

]

Flibble · Sep 22, 2015

alijnclarke said:
Just realised I paid for it on the credit card, so that will be my next step I think

That was a good decision, consumer credit act says the CC company is jointly liable for the refund as well as Milltek. So just get them to refund you and have them pursue Milltek.

paulk · Sep 22, 2015

sad to hear this , Miltek isn't all that these days which is a real shame

Ill keep my eye on the scorpion but if this happened with out doubt id get better customer service

Wondering Soul · Sep 22, 2015

Not good at all! It's a shame because that's who I was thinking of using when it comes to it, been toying with them and Scorpion. Probably go the Scorpion route now!

Dandanfings · Sep 22, 2015

paulk said:
sad to hear this , Miltek isn't all that these days which is a real shame

Ill keep my eye on the scorpion but if this happened with out doubt id get better customer service

I agree, not been impressed with their recent products.
I have bought a non valved scorpion, will report back but im sure it will be fine.

veeeight · Sep 22, 2015

There had been a spate of reported weld crack problems too, with Milltek on various other forums of other makes, Audi included.

Not sure if this has been totally eliminated or not.

simonali · Sep 22, 2015

Millteks have been falling apart for years. I'd never have one.

2007...

http://www.astraownersnetwork.co.uk/forum.php#/forumsite/21034/topics/17508?page=1

voorhees · Sep 23, 2015

veeeight said:
There had been a spate of reported weld crack problems too, with Milltek on various other forums of other makes, Audi included.

I bought and had one fitted but noted the welds were not brilliant,they seemed very thick and not hot ( was a welder in a previous life ) but guessed they know what they are doing.

AwesomeAl · Sep 23, 2015

Hi guys,

Just spotted this thread this morning and figured as it was myself who had been dealing with the issue, I'd come up here and add a bit of an update.

To start with, just so you are all aware, The only point that I ‘stopped replying to e-mails’ was when Milltek took over dealing with the issue as I was under the impression they had the whole situation under control and were sorting it all out.

As we (Awesome) are not the manufacturer of the Exhaust – I personally felt it best that Ali dealt directly with Leigh at MilltekSport (whilst still copying me in on the e-mails so I could keep an eye on any progress). with MilltekSport also being much closer to Ali's location than ourselves too, to reduce the travelling Ali would need to do to get the situation resolved.
This would also save any games of ‘whispers’ and things getting mixed up or explained wrongly along the way since we had already replaced the rear previously for the exact same fault.

It also made more sense for the MilltekSport to be involved in any remediation work required as it would be in their own interest to find the cause of the issue so that any required amendments could be made to their design.

As any of you who know me, or have contacted me previously will know, I take my job very seriously and am usually very quick and reliable at replying to e-mails, including over 60-80 e-mails per week being answered whilst I am at home, either in the evenings, on weekends or in the mornings before work and I will always try my very best for customers.

After a few conversations with MilltekSport yesterday on behalf of Ali (as I didn't realise that Milltek hadn't finalised and resolved the issue), Milltek agreed that they would replace the faulty valve with a new one. At this point, Ali was not happy with the solution and wanted a brand new replacement. Again - I liaised with MilltekSport and we agreed that a brand new replacement silencer would be sorted out for Ali.

This replacement rear silencer will be landing with Ali on Thursday direct from MilltekSport.

In Milltek's defence, I would like to point out, that we have sold a reasonable number of these systems, as well as the Mk7 Golf 'R' systems which use the same rear silencer setup and valve setup and have not yet seen this on any other vehicle. Again - Only more reason for us to want Milltek to look over this specific vehicle in case of any anomalies that could be effecting the valves.

Hope this helps to explain and clear a few things up.
Regards, Al.
Sales Manager.
Awesome Ltd.

Garth_S3 · Sep 23, 2015

To be honest, I am still surprised people buy Milltek exhausts at all. They have had loads of issues over the last few years. Everyone I know that has had one (me included) has had problems with fitment, corrosion and sound. For the cost, there really is no point buying one.
I replaced the Milltek on my S4 with a custom built stainless one that cost half what the Milltek did and it was MUCH better quality. Sounds better, fits better, looks better and the quality of materials is higher too. I would always recommend a trusted custom builder rather than an over priced off the shelf item with known quality concerns.

Awsome as a supplier, I am not knocking at all. I bought some wheels from them a few years ago and had a great service

Milltek exhaust buyer beware

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