V8 Exhaust Not Fitting Correctly

[Tephy]

If this is in the wrong section, could a mod please move it.

HELP. I have purchased new header pipes for my P5b as the steel ones were rusted and blowing through several holes. I brought a set of stainless ones ( thinking fit and forget) from Wadhams and then when they arrived trotted off to a well known P5 specialist to have them fitted. They didn't fit! After over 4hrs of struggling and some stripped threads on the manifold studs We gave up, and the headers to be removed to solve the stud problem. I contacted Wadhams only to be told that I had the last pair of the batch, that had been sold in the UK and worldwide with no complaints. Has anyone else had a problem? If so how did you solve it? Roughly with the parts and labour (the pipes will need to be heated and bent), the cost is going to be just under £1000 which surely is never right.

Any help would be gratefully received, thanks

[Brendan69]

Deffo NOT the answer you want to hear is it buddy. Regardless of weather were part of a end batch and or no other reports of issues with them does not excuse a correct and helpful response. These are the times we are now in where some outfits out there simply don't care (ADMIN EDIT, NO SWEARING PLEASE) these days and or some folk cannot be bothered to help. Its a shame really is all I can say on the matter but there are still a lot of folk out there living in the dark ages and need to enter this century and move with the times and the needs instead of not embracing change.

I would recommend you make contact with Bell exhaust systems ltd who are based near Cricklade Cirencester who have the original templates for the P5/P5B exhaust system and they can also make you up a custom built system too in their own fitting/mock up bay. Their number is 01793 751719 and they are on the Chelworth industrial estate. I was there the other week and their set up is amazing.

Later this year I plan to get them to build me a complete new SS system from the headers back in polished SS. It wont be cheap but at least it will never ever need doing ever again.

I hope you get it sorted.

[Welsh Warlock]

Not an unusual response from Wadhams.

Distance selling regs apply.

Contract law applies.

Ask for a return and refund.

[Warwick]

It would be easy down here. You just send or take it back for a refund. Not as described. Not fit for purpose. End of story. If they object, explain the consumer law to them. If they still object, bring it to the attention of the relevant authority, or better still your consumer association. The seller then suddenly has a change of heart.

[Eric R]

An experience from a friend who correctly order a complete exhaust. It wouldn't and as the supplier was closed for vacation for a long time, the fitter (erm) made it fit!
On the supplier's return it was clearly stated that it should not have been interfered with which was a breach of the guarantee.
Caveat emptor.

[Brendan69]

I recently had the exact same useless and unhelpful reply too Eric regarding the rear number plate/reversing light unit which DOES NOT FIT the glass. Bloody shambles it is. 

[Colin McA]

Had an issue with the Y section years ago, I suggested a local fitter could tweak cost around an hours labour.

sent back for a refund as would have been out my own pocket and null any warranty.Of all the items sold without issue I got a duff set.

Unless you reckon that it would be easy to fix and want to tweak them I would send back and save yourself grief.

There are companies that sell V8 parts and custom exhaust suppliers.

[Tephy]

Further to my exhaust not fitting, I thought some of you might like to hear what has happened.

I now have my car back and running, but the pipes needed extensive re-bending to get them to fit and due to the flanges being so thick the exhaust manifolds had to be removed and longer studs fitted.

The supplier only asked if I could return the pipes after I supplied photographs showing how bad they were against the original.
I was at a loss to know when you buy something does it become yours. I bought the pipes and paid in full, I was told they had sold loads without complaint and that was it, they were not interested, then I was informed that I was never given permission to bend them, I was under the illusion that having paid if full they were mine, how wrong can you be!

Bite the bullet and forget the money and bin the pipes, then buy from elsewhere seems to be the general consensus of opinion and I feel that was right, but I use my P5b every day ( lucky I know but I don't do many miles a year ) so needed a quick solution.

I already use David Green for second-hand parts ( again lucky as he only lives a short distance away ) but will be picking people's brains on here for suppliers of new quality parts as and when required.

A big thank you to johnwp5bcoupe for letting me bend your ear, as usual, a guru of knowledge and advice.

Thanks to all who replied.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Glad you got it sorted

With no help from JRW!!!

[Eric R]

On the invoices I receive its usually states that the goods remain in the ownership of the Seller until paid for in full. However then follows the Sale of Goods Act such as goods must be as advertised and fit for purpose etc etc but that is a claim from the Buyer against the Seller. There are quite a lot of other actions such as Distant Selling when ordered for example on line.
Apart from that there is such a thing as good business manners.
Every time we order goods on line we are required to tick a box stating that we have read and abide by the Sellers T&Cs. I wonder how any of us do so!