[gta1216]

I picked up my car from from the body shop (Audi authorized) after getting rear ended earlier. I just noticed that the right tail pipe sticks out more than the left one. And the left tail pipe leans more to the left side rather centre of the cut out.

I heard that the tail pipe tip is actually a part of the muffler and not an add on.

Does anyone know if the right tail pipe is supposed to stick out more than the left? From what I remember of the original muffler, the left and right were flushed. What about the muffler being in the centre of the muffler cut out?

I left voicemail and email with the body shop, but they are always unresponsive. I asked the Audi dealership, but they don't know since it's a new model.

 

[rnlabas]

Both can be adjusted a little: while the tips ARE apart of the muffler, they can be adjusted and even removed/replaced. Have them do it ...
The outside tip should be slightly (2-3mm) further inwards as the panel curves in that direction...

 

[gta1216]

So both tips should be flushed or should one be slightly out? The right tip is approx 1/8" to 1/4" out.

What about the overall muffler leaning towards the corner instead of being centered?

I'm on my phone, so can't post pics now. Will try to post pics later.

 

[rnlabas]

1/8-1/4 in maybe okay- the pair centered in the opening is correct - as I said these can be adjusted ...
When you say right tip I think you mean the inside tip (closest to the inside of the center of the car when looking at it from behind),
which if yes, then it being slightly out is also correct ...

Imagine the tip protrusions following the curve of the rear bumper cover, which curves around on the outside back towards the front of the car
- then you can imagine what I mean.

See this :

 

[gta1216]

Yes, when I said right tip, I mean the inside tip. What is the purpose the one tip is more protruding than the other? Is the inside tip protruding more so it is extended past the bumper cover? It just looks so weird. Maybe I never paid close attention when it was the stock muffler, but I definitely noticed it now.

Would the dealership service dept be able to adjust the muffler so it's centered in the cut out?

 

[rnlabas]

The 'purpose' is to follow the bumper curve as my sketch shows above. If they were equal, THAT would look a bit weird as they would NOT follow the curve. If you don't like this, the tip can be adjusted in or out about a centimeter (half inch or so) and yes, as I said before, whoever installed it should be able to adjust the center spacing too.

 

[DampDuffer]

Different strokes.....you gotta love how we all see and appreciate things differently.

When we were deciding between either a Q3 or Q5 a year ago there were a number of factors that resulted in my wife's choice of the Q3....and one of them, believe it or not, was the side-by-side exhaust pipes.

When my wife exclaimed, "look, the designers actually made the pipes different lengths to fit the contour of the bumper," I knew another check mark was added to the Q3 ledger vs. the Q5.

(BTW, after borrowing both the Q3 and Q5 for hour long test drives, the Q3 was the clear winner....even if it hadn't been ahead on points before this knockout blow).