Audi A4 B6 1.8T BEX (190) Downpipe OEM part number

[Paul_A4_UK]

Hi all. After 111k my flex joint has finally given up on me. I'm not after more performance, the stg1 remap does me, I'd just like to have the pipe changed for an OEM standard pipe. I'm struggling to find an OEM part number for a UK A4 B6 1.8T BEX 190hp. Is it the case that it uses the same downpipe as the lower powered 1.8T engined A4s?

To add I have a 6 speed, manual box.

Cheers

[Seriousless]

Quattro?

Sent from my SM-N975F using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Paul_A4_UK]

Sadly not, FWD.

[Paul_A4_UK]

After much digging I think the OEM part number begins 8E0253301

After this there are two letters. It is these two letters that I'm unsure about. It's a complete minefield. I should state I also have a catalytic converter, which it appears has an effect on the last two letters.

Damn confusing.....

[Paul_A4_UK]

I think I may have found the answer, if the site I am on can be trusted.

8E0253301 EC

This is noted as being for FWD 6-speed manual gearbox.

If anyone else, who is in the know, could confirm that'd be great.

Cheers

[walky_talky20]

I think I may have found the answer, if the site I am on can be trusted.

8E0253301 EC

This is noted as being for FWD 6-speed manual gearbox.

If anyone else, who is in the know, could confirm that'd be great.

Cheers

I concur. BEX, Front Wheel Drive, with 6-speed Manual calls for that part number ending "EC".

That said, that pipe is going to be quite expensive. A more typical repair that I would recommend would be a replacement Vibrant "Turbo-Flex". A skilled exhaust shop can cut out the old flex and weld an new one in right on the car, without removing any of the exhaust system at all.

You don't want to skimp on the flex. What works fine on a Camry will not work here. You need one that is fully stainless and has a smooth Inner Diameter that is specifically rated for a turbo application. The Turbo + Cat applies higher heat to the flex and will burn out the cheaper stuff very quickly. Optionally, you will also want to use stainless welding wire, so the weld doesn't rust out early before the OEM stainless pipe. The Vibrant "TURBO FLEX" product (Specifically Vibrant Part# 60704, 2.25" diameter x 4" length, or 60706 for 6" length) is the only good quality, readily available option I have found. Obviously, this is my USA experience where garbage quality everything is easy to get, but good quality is hard to come by. I assume in Europe everything is way better.

[Paul_A4_UK]

Thanks Walky Talky. That's another solution to bear in mind. The garage I use said the flex they can get they couldn't weld in however it's a garage not an exhaust specialist. Certainly something else I'll consider. I'm unsure who made the OEM exhaust for Audi. I'll look up flexes and see what I can get here in the UK. Then I'd need to find somewhere I trust that wouldn't fluff the welding up.

[walky_talky20]

I will say it isn't the easiest welding job. You have to be decent at it. But I'd say, in my area, welding in the flex is *BY FAR* easier than trying to unbolt and remove the downpipe. Those bolts are not moving.

Edit: Ooh, I found a video of my friend welding in a Vibrant #60704 (2.25" ID x 4" length) on a B5 1.8T. This shows that it's a tight area to work in, but doable:



I think I'd recommend the 6" length (perhaps this was hard to get or is a more recently available part number? not sure), because with the 4" I have usually used it is necessary to extend the total length to match the length of the removed factory flex: