Flex Pipe

[CJMC]

Hi all - I have a 2005 Sportback, TFSI Quattro model...

It has had its MOT and the mechanic mentioned that the flex pipe is on the way out and would need replacing at some point. Starting to leak exhaust gases, however not an MOT failure.

I spoke to a couple of garages and they are quoting nearly £2k to do it! the part alone is £1500 from Audi apparently... as its a 15 year old car, its prob only worth 2.5k - 3k so not up for spending that on part of a pipe.

Has anyone had the same issue?

Thanks in advance.

 

[NHN]

Well you could try to use exhaust sealant, but depends on the leak & the flexing amount if it's effective or not.

Assuming it's including the cat, which would explain the cost, but fitting wise makes sense given its a quattro.

 

[CJMC]

Thanks for the response, appreciated... OUCH, i could try sealant thanks for the heads up. Yes the price is including the cat, do you think its worth putting an aftermarket on it? a quiet one ideally as its the wifes car... so surprised how much it is, annoying as the rest of the car is in top condition.

 

[NHN]

Ebay.

Removing cat maybe not wise given mot & fines now.

 

[CJMC]

Very good point - will hunt around on ebay, was expecting this to be a fairly straight forward job... thanks for your help, appreciated...

 

[prt57]

The trouble with an aftermarket exhaust is that many are designed with extra power in mind and need software to keep warning lights off the dash board.
You need to look out for a standard downpipe on EBay etc as they are sold for very little money when people upgrade to performance exhausts.
There is also the TFSI tuning Facebook page and they have a for sale/ wanted section. A front wheel drive car is not suitable as the downpipe has to clear the prop shaft in your car.
If there is a custom exhaust specialist in your area they may be prepared to weld a new flexi in for you at a price.

 

[CJMC]

An aftermarket would be worst case scenario, its the family car so dont want it to be loud... Cool, i will check those pages out and see what I can come up with, from memory mechanic was saying from the turbo to the cat basically but an utter b@stard to fit so a fair few hours fitting which makes sense being quattro i guess.

A custom specialist - didnt think of that, good idea... i will do some searching! if this was an RS6 i would expect that kind of price but not on this one!

 

[danrst171]

I thought the only difference for the quattro was to undo the driveshaft to make enough room to remove the downpipe?

 

[CJMC]

I just spoke to a mechanic and he mentioned that he would have to take the whole sub off

 

[abmat]

Just pray that all the bolts behave and undo nicely.

2.0 downpipes shouldn’t be hard to find, or any good exhaust shop can weld an new one in. Lost of labour on a Quattro though.

 

[prt57]

Is be talking to a VAG specialist rather than your mechanic who will be more familiar with what is involved. I recently did a TT with no problems. On axle stands as well.
It was fwd but with the Quattro you undo the prop and push it to the side.

 

[abmat]

Not always. My vag specialist said they had to move the sub frame to do mine recently. Think it gives better access.

 

[CJMC]

Yeah exactly that, its the prop shaft that is the git to get around so they take the subframe off to make it a lot easier... they are easier on the FWD apparently. The Audi specialist quoted £1400 just for the part from Audi... I spoke to a custom exhaust specialist last night who said that he has done them before and can build them however wont take the exhaust off and do that part which is fair enough.. (only has a small place)...

But yeah you are all right, its the labour thats the kicker... i dont mind spending a few hundred on it, but for £2k its just not worth it! thanks for all the help, much appreciated - great forum, got some decent ideas...

 

[abmat]

Where about a are you?

 

[CJMC]

based down in Thame, Oxfordshire... done some research and Powerflow are based up the road so was going to give them a buzz

 

[abmat]

From bitter experience getting the joint replaced won’t be the issue. It’s getting someone to take it off that is.

 

[CJMC]

exactly that @abmat .... its definitely all the work involved... will get it sorted and keep the old girl for another 12 months...

 

[Charlie23]

I think they are having your pants down abit mate. I have done many exhausts, down pipes etc on my S3's and its not a hard job at all. The hardest part is getting the old exhaust/cat past the prop shaft.

Someone that know what they are doing can easily have it done in 2 hours, find a 2nd hand exhaust or get it taken off and get a new flexi fitted by any custom exhaust place.

Or by a Down pipe £100 as the car should have 2x cats on it and just use the down pipe part as it will still pass emissions and 95% of the time no engine man light also.

 

[CJMC]

@Charlie23 dont live near Thame do you? .... the plan is to get one made if i cant find one, then just need to find a garage to take it off and fit it for me who like you say are not going to pull my pants down! lots of good points to take onboard though

 

[roberto.]

Do you know what flexi section is actually leaking? On the S3 there is a small silencer after the cat that also has a flexi section on one side for unknown reasons. It may be that section that has a leak.

 

[CJMC]

its 2 right on the pic above... so closer to the downpipe... ie right at the front of the car, its only small at the moment but slowly getting worse

 

[abmat]

https://www.reefexhausts.co.uk/. -Banbury area

https://ponyroadautospecialists.co.uk/- vag specialist in Oxford.

 

[samuelh_888]

VRT on the Slough Trading Estate are VAG specialists too.

for what it’s worth, I sold my old complete stock S3 system for £90 which is easier that several hundred.

 

[CJMC]

oh any excuse to hit up Bicester heritage is always welcome! i actually need to go to Bicester next week so thats a great shout - thanks for sending across.... s3 system for £90 is a bargain! its on my list to do today to get sorted.... again thanks for the help, you guys absolutely rock!