Radiant Exhaust… I think not!!
The following is my personal experience as a customer of Radiant Exhaust On Old Geelong Rd. (Very Long Post)
It all began about 2.5 years ago. I went in to have the last resonator on my EA’s exhaust system removed, and replaced with a 2.5” pipe from the last muffler, over the diff etc.
I was promptly served, and the exhaust section was replaced, fantastic service, besides the apprentice’s overalls catching on fire twice from the wielding sparks… quite amusing I might add.
On my way home, I noticed that the exhaust was rubbing. When I got home I had a quick look, and it was quite clear that the exhaust was sitting too far back, causing it to rub onto the car body.
I returned the next day to have the problem fixed. It took a while for me to convince them that it was rubbing, and when they finally decided to put it on the hoist, they saw where the fault was.
While they were fixing the exhaust, I received a few smart ass comments about other aspects of my car.. not very good service IMO. Anyhow, the exhaust was fixed and I was off.
The next time I was under my car I noticed that the U bolts on the connection had been wielded in position, as well as the joint, which was meant to remain removable, it looked like no accident.
About a month ago, I decided to get a sports exhaust system fitted. After shopping around, I found that these guys were the cheapest by far. I was reluctant to return there for the exhaust, however, a few days prior to this, a friend of mine had some exhaust work done by these guys and said that there were no problems.
I decided that I would ring up and speak to the guys. I explained my previous experience to the guy on the phone. He was real helpful and said that they have had a few complaints about this in the past, and it was the result of an employee having somewhat of a bad attitude, and whose employment was soon to be terminated. I was told to “Bring her in, and I’ll look after ya”… Sweet!! It was a 2.5” Redback Mandrel Bent system.
After the installation of the new exhaust, and the modifications to fit the existing extractors + Cat I was pleased with the service, and left there pretty happy.
The next day at work I noticed that the car was not unable to get over a speed bump without scraping. A quick measure under the car showed that the exhaust was the lowest point of the car by quite a bit, and there was only 80mm clearance to the ground. The previous exhaust past road worthy with ease. A few hours later, the car developed a large exhaust leak from the Extractor flange(Gasket was about 6 weeks old)… I was not impressed.
Back to the exhaust place on the Monday morning. As soon as I mentioned that the exhaust was sitting too low I was told to simply put higher springs in it. I obviously kicked up a stink about it and managed to get it back onto the hoist so that they could do there job properly.
I was willing to pay for the replacement extractor gasket as it was not installed by them.. fair enough. After debating the issue of the exhaust height, which was clearly sitting way too low, they agreed to raise it. I was also then asked to leave the workshop, and wait in the customer wait in room because of OH&S reasons, which is fair enough, but it didn’t seem too much of a concern a few days before when I was helping them putting the exhaust on. Exhaust was raised, and once again I left the workshop in a shower of smart ass comments. The exhaust passed road worthy.
The next time I was under the car giving it a service I noticed that both bolts on the flange after the Cat were wielded in position, along with the nuts. I decided not to bother with them as the entire exhaust system was now covered by a 2 year warranty, and I would not have to undo the bolts myself if something needed fixing.
Yesterday while driving the car, it developed another exhaust leak, from the flange after the Cat. Back to the exhaust place!
As soon as I arrived, I waited in the garage to be served. After being ignored for about 10 minutes, I approached the workers who were under a hoist and told them about the leak. They remembered who I was, “That guy that came in about the exhaust height”. I was told to bring the car back in an hour.
When I arrived, I was directed to drive the car onto the hoist, so I did.
The gasket was replaced, and not one of the guys spoke a word to me the whole time. Oh, and he had a hell of a time trying to get the wielded bolts loose. When the car was ready, the guy yelled “Done”, and simply walked off, leaving the bonnet open etc. I closed the bonnet, drove it off the hoist and went home.
The reason I have written down every detail about what I have experienced is so that anyone thinking to go to this place should hear about what at least one customer has to say about them. Rather then Boldly saying “They are a bunch of hopeless idiots, who are assholes once you hand over the money” I have given you the chance to make up your own mind about it.
I still have 22months left on the warranty of my exhaust, I wonder how many times I’m going to have to go back in that time.
I am happy with the actual exhaust system components/performance, however, I don’t see why I had to get so many hassles to get it like this.
The following is my personal experience as a customer of Radiant Exhaust On Old Geelong Rd. (Very Long Post)
It all began about 2.5 years ago. I went in to have the last resonator on my EA’s exhaust system removed, and replaced with a 2.5” pipe from the last muffler, over the diff etc.
I was promptly served, and the exhaust section was replaced, fantastic service, besides the apprentice’s overalls catching on fire twice from the wielding sparks… quite amusing I might add.
On my way home, I noticed that the exhaust was rubbing. When I got home I had a quick look, and it was quite clear that the exhaust was sitting too far back, causing it to rub onto the car body.
I returned the next day to have the problem fixed. It took a while for me to convince them that it was rubbing, and when they finally decided to put it on the hoist, they saw where the fault was.
While they were fixing the exhaust, I received a few smart ass comments about other aspects of my car.. not very good service IMO. Anyhow, the exhaust was fixed and I was off.
The next time I was under my car I noticed that the U bolts on the connection had been wielded in position, as well as the joint, which was meant to remain removable, it looked like no accident.
About a month ago, I decided to get a sports exhaust system fitted. After shopping around, I found that these guys were the cheapest by far. I was reluctant to return there for the exhaust, however, a few days prior to this, a friend of mine had some exhaust work done by these guys and said that there were no problems.
I decided that I would ring up and speak to the guys. I explained my previous experience to the guy on the phone. He was real helpful and said that they have had a few complaints about this in the past, and it was the result of an employee having somewhat of a bad attitude, and whose employment was soon to be terminated. I was told to “Bring her in, and I’ll look after ya”… Sweet!! It was a 2.5” Redback Mandrel Bent system.
After the installation of the new exhaust, and the modifications to fit the existing extractors + Cat I was pleased with the service, and left there pretty happy.
The next day at work I noticed that the car was not unable to get over a speed bump without scraping. A quick measure under the car showed that the exhaust was the lowest point of the car by quite a bit, and there was only 80mm clearance to the ground. The previous exhaust past road worthy with ease. A few hours later, the car developed a large exhaust leak from the Extractor flange(Gasket was about 6 weeks old)… I was not impressed.
Back to the exhaust place on the Monday morning. As soon as I mentioned that the exhaust was sitting too low I was told to simply put higher springs in it. I obviously kicked up a stink about it and managed to get it back onto the hoist so that they could do there job properly.
I was willing to pay for the replacement extractor gasket as it was not installed by them.. fair enough. After debating the issue of the exhaust height, which was clearly sitting way too low, they agreed to raise it. I was also then asked to leave the workshop, and wait in the customer wait in room because of OH&S reasons, which is fair enough, but it didn’t seem too much of a concern a few days before when I was helping them putting the exhaust on. Exhaust was raised, and once again I left the workshop in a shower of smart ass comments. The exhaust passed road worthy.
The next time I was under the car giving it a service I noticed that both bolts on the flange after the Cat were wielded in position, along with the nuts. I decided not to bother with them as the entire exhaust system was now covered by a 2 year warranty, and I would not have to undo the bolts myself if something needed fixing.
Yesterday while driving the car, it developed another exhaust leak, from the flange after the Cat. Back to the exhaust place!
As soon as I arrived, I waited in the garage to be served. After being ignored for about 10 minutes, I approached the workers who were under a hoist and told them about the leak. They remembered who I was, “That guy that came in about the exhaust height”. I was told to bring the car back in an hour.
When I arrived, I was directed to drive the car onto the hoist, so I did.
The gasket was replaced, and not one of the guys spoke a word to me the whole time. Oh, and he had a hell of a time trying to get the wielded bolts loose. When the car was ready, the guy yelled “Done”, and simply walked off, leaving the bonnet open etc. I closed the bonnet, drove it off the hoist and went home.
The reason I have written down every detail about what I have experienced is so that anyone thinking to go to this place should hear about what at least one customer has to say about them. Rather then Boldly saying “They are a bunch of hopeless idiots, who are assholes once you hand over the money” I have given you the chance to make up your own mind about it.
I still have 22months left on the warranty of my exhaust, I wonder how many times I’m going to have to go back in that time.
I am happy with the actual exhaust system components/performance, however, I don’t see why I had to get so many hassles to get it like this.