bkw

IMO, the service department is much more important than the sales floor. The sales floor should have some 'bling', but it's the service department that keeps customers happy.

Contact your local CSR and voice your concerns.

sampan2

My dealer called me back after investigating with Acura if the tips can be replaced and said no problem. He had me come in 2 days later gave me a loaner and replaced them no-charge. The service was very good and pleasant. For anyone in NJ this was done at Clinton Acura.

jkanon

Damn, I got to call me dealer to see if they are in yet, it has been over a week.

lindros2

Feedback after having them done - new ones (2006's) still leave some carbon residue (after a 550 mile round-trip). Not as bad as the old ones, though.

Randy

As far as the door lock "quirk" after the bullitens were done:
1-go to each window and roll the window down,hold the switch for 2-3 seconds after it is down all the way.
2-roll it up all the way and hold for 2-3 seconds after it's all the way up.
This re sets something in one of the "computers" after the bullitens were done. I forget exactly which computer and what it exactly re sets....i just learned it from one of my techs!! it has always fixed the problem..maybe i can elaborate a little more after i ask him again.
It's the same procedure when setting the "auto" feature on the windows.but you do it on all 4.

The thing about the exhuast tips being replaced...news to me!! I would have no problem doing this for anyone.

Dr. Colorado

took my 05 rl to have the brakepads checked b/c of high pitched noise with light pressure. they replaced the front pads that day at the local acura dealership here in honolulu and since then there's been no problem. i mentioned the exhaust tips and door handles. the service manager hadn't heard about the exhaust tip complaints, perhaps b/c of super low mileage most drivers accumulate here, less highway driving, or better climate, etc. anyways, i hadn't noticed any discoloration on the rear bumper (again lakeshore silver may not show as much as lighter paint) but they were very good about ordering and replacing the parts in less than 1 wks time. i also mentioned the door handle issue (sometimes doesn't unlock driver's side, always locks) which didn't bother me too much and they went ahead and replaced both driver and front passanger handles without any hassles at same time. btw, i like the aesthetics of the 06 exhaust tips much better, seems like the diameter stays smaller towards the exterior and then flares out (does this eject the exhaust farther away from the car?)

stingerbtry, i don't know what's up with your dealership. mine here has flat screen LCD, free honolulu star-bulletin paper, starbucks coffee and tea, and pastries. i get the same service manager everytime who calls me personally on my cell to confirm appts, as soon as car is done, etc. only problem is having to use a loaner rsx it's time to try a different dealership for you.

btw, for anybody interested in aspec rims and tires, contact curry acura in new york, i got mine for 2400 shipped out to hawaii and installed here at a local tire shop for 70 bones. very nice upgrade and better than dropping 3000 for dealership price. i turned in my stock rims and tires to salvation army and wrote off as a tax deduction.

jfprl

Got my new tips last week. So far, not overly impressed. Still some black soot on bottom of tip. Will keep an eye on it to see if it much better than original.

PixelHarmony

Does anyone know where I can purchase a set of these exhaust tips? They look pretty nice on the TSX.

Randy

Acura dealer would be a good start

AltecBX

You guys are probably using a low grade gas. People that use 87-91 tend to get suet in the tips of any car. Try using a higher grade and cleaning the tips after every car wash so it won't stain your tips.

Rich in NC

I have had mine in for about a month and haven't seen any black on the car body at all. I wonder if different parts of the country have a higher sulphur content in their fuel.

Karl_in_Chicago

LOL, if I've got suet in my exhaust tips I've got bigger problems than what grade of gas I'm burning.

Rich in NC

Karl,

Are you going to take your RL to Gingerman? That would really test the black stuff!

Karl_in_Chicago

You know I've sure thought about it . . . but then I wouldn't have the 'vette and that's just so much fun there. I'm just waiting for a warmup to slap on all the stuff I bought over the winter - T-1 sways, Z06 shocks and rear spring, DRM brake ducts, poly bushings, etc. Maybe if I can convince the wife to go we could take both cars and thrash them around . . . hmmmm. I would like to at least have one track session with the RL and G-man is a great one for a 2-ton family sedan with all that runoff.

Honestly, Rich, Michigan might be off-limits for a couple of years. They started a major Dan Ryan project last week and all 6 lanes of the express portion are closed, leaving only the 3 lanes each way of the locals. I fear Chicago is going to be even more of an interstate blackhole than it usually is - travelers through Chicago be warned! I think pretty soon it's going to take a good 2 hours to take 90/94 through Chicago (and all of the by-ways will be flooded with people trying alternate routes). Now that the Autobahn track is open in Aurora they are having a fair number of HPDE's there so that may have to suffice (it's real good but G-man is better).

sengland

Got the 06 exhaust tips installed on my white RL under warranty

Problem solved

lindros2

Do you say anything intelligent or fact-based?

As do many others with the bumper soot issue, I use 93 octane (or 95 when I get it in South Carolina). So a higher grade has ABSOLUTELY ZERO to do with it. And for the record, octane affects the knock sensors, and I can't see how that would cause more carbon on my rear bumper (unless you have some empirical data regarding lower octane fuel and carbon emissions).

Oh, and how's that RL purchase? Going with the 330i instead? Or maybe a plastic snap-on toy model?

bluemule

I'll have to disagree with that using low grade gas assessment...I only use 93 octane, premium gas, from Shell, Texaco, Exxon, Chevron, BP, to name a few off the top of my head...at any rate, only the majors and absolutely no offbrands, and I'm getting carbon on the exhaust tips and the back bumper.

I haven't decided to request new tips...waiting to see the new ones in person...have noticed that most like the new look...

I'm in the South, btw.

AltecBX

no I haven't bought any car yet. Still waiting to see how the '07 TL is going to look like. How's your RL? Did you pay back your mother for that loan.

feeenux

Got my new tips...no hassle, just had to ask.

Rich in NC

Well it's been just over a month with all kinds of driving and the bumpers don't show any black at all! This surprises me. I expected a reduction in deposits but not a totally clean bumper!

PixelHarmony

Anyone know how much the new tips go for?

acurafox

Maybe it's the "up the food chain" version of ethanol. :-)

Rich in NC

If I remember correctly it's around $400.00 list for the set. But free on a replacement.

snp

Anyone here from Seattle area got there tips replaced?

Thanks.

konst_ms

Acura of Lynnwood refused to do it under warranty and I decided it doesn't worth to pay for it.

bkw

Tell Acura of Lynnwood to check their service notes, not the TSB listings. If this doesnt work, call 800 382 2238 and tell them that youre quite concerned about your dealerships reluctance in addressing your concerns.

Trust me, Acura Client Services will call them ASAP and you should receive a call from your service department within 24 hours informing you that they will order or set up an appointment for you to replace your tips.

snp

Thanks for the info.

konst_ms

It didn't work. They said that they contacted their district manager and he refused to do it under warranty.

Just did that. No go. They said "it's characteristic of the vehicle and if you want to install the part from another year model - pay for it".

Is there any specific service note or anything concrete to defend my point?

Thanks!
Konstantin

Rich in NC

Another service writer too lazy to call the region. Tell him there is a customer out there somewhere and get off of his lazy ass and make a phone call!

gizmowizard

This is the Acura ServiceNews Febuary 2006 that addresses the 'soot problem' and tip replacement. It's on page 1, bottom left.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/B060200.PDF

bkw

Wow, are you serious?? I called them the minute my dealership told me 'no', and they were all over them like flies on shit.

Sorry man, hope this works out for you.

snp

Thanks for the info guys.
I'm getting them replaced this Saturday.
Konst_ms talk to Charles from Acura of Lynnwood.

konst_ms

Some time ago Judy from Honda Customer Relations (at 1-800-999-1009 ext. 220791) contacted me about the problems with my RL and asked me to call her directly in case any new problems with the vehicle arise, so I called her. She seems to understood the problem, wrote it down and told me somebody will contact me in a few business days. I'll keep you guys posted.

BTW it is interesting that the phone number of Honda Customer Relations (1-800-999-1009) is different than the phone number of Acura Client Services (1-800-382-2238). Does anybody know how these two relate to each other? If they are the same (one for Honda and one for Acura) then I'm confused why I was contacted by the first one.

snp

They told me that they have to see the car.
I'll let you know after Saturday.

konst_ms

This is actually not a good sign. They told me the same and when I finally brought the car in they looked at it and said that it cannot be done under warranty.

konst_ms

Ok, just got a call from the Acura of Lynnwood that "they got an authorization to replace the pipe tips under warranty". I scheduled appointment for Tuesday morning.

Thank you, bkw, for helping me be persistent enough. :-)
snp, use my case as a precedent on Saturday.

Hurray!

konst_ms

I was too fast to get all excited in my previous post.

Todd from Honda Customer Relations (at 1-800-999-1009 ext. 220728) called me in the morning and basically said that all that they can offer me is 50% off the exhaust tips replacement. Damn. This is not what service manager from Acura of Lynnwood told me yesterday.

How much would it be by the way? Does anybody know?

I'm kinda tired of it - have more interesting things to do in my life than quarrel with Acura. I'm gonna give it a few hours to calm down and then most probably call the dealership to cancel the appointment. To hell with it.

lindros2

That's crap - especially for something as trivial as exhaust tips. Reference the article and have the dealer go to bat for you. Make a loud scene WHILE AT the dealer if necessary. Irate customers are never good for business.

I never involved ACS since they're all a bunch of lazy, stupid puppets. One guy wanted to get into a debate over my Acura TL tires (the original Bridgestone Turanza EL-42's).

snp

They did NOT replace my tips.
I'm tire of this CRAP!
I just don't understand why some of us getting them replaced with out any question.
Is this regional issue?

Thanks.

feeenux

HEY any dealer reps reading this?!?! Do something, damn it!


I can't believe dealers are doing this...just imagine when something "major" happens and there is some question about whether or not it should be covered.

I'll never forget when a friend of mine took his Lexus in for service...they didn't have the part in stock, so they pulled a new car off the lot, took the part off (passenger side rear view mirror that he broke by hitting something) and fixed my friend's car right then and there. Now THAT is service...

Acura just doesn't seem to get it...yet. Keep complaining and work your way up the chain of command