A not so successful Berk Exhaust install...
 

Today I took my car and new Berk exhaust to a local shop, specialized in Nissan Z's, to have the exhaust installed. All went fine, until the mechanic wanted to install the last part, the passenger side resonator pipe/mid pipe. Trying to mount this part, he found out it did not fit.. It was the wrong pipe, it was another driver’s side one instead of a passenger side one. So I received 2 driver side resonator pipes instead of a driver side and a passenger side one.

Unfortunately we only found out about the incorrect parts when the install was almost complete. So as a result I ended up with my stock exhaust back on the car and a bill for 1 hour labor... (I know, I could have done the install myself, not that difficult, but I don't have the right space for this kind of work right now)

Of course it’s clear that I received two the same pipes when you unwrap them and put them side by side, as in the picture below. But unfortunately I decided to be “smart” and leave all parts securely wrapped up in he bubble wrap as I received them from Berk earlier this week. Just to make sure I would not scratch up the parts or my cars interior during my drive to the shop. And even during the install, the mechanic kept the bubble wrap on, again to make sure nothing got scratched up.

To everyone else that still needs to install their exhaust: unwrap it all and make sure that all the right parts are there…

Well, I hope Berk will help me out and send me the right resonator pipe asap. I was really looking forward to waking up the neighbors tomorrow morning with some nice, soothing V6 sounds…

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...0&d=1268524109

Attachment 10260

That sucks bro! Hopefully they can send it out ASAP. Possibly express shipping for your troubles.

And a check for 1 hour labor :icon14:

Yes! Forgot about that.

Much like other companies, they most likely won't be able to reimburse you for the labor costs. However, it would be great customer service if they were able to.

Sorry to hear this, hope they can get you the part quickly.

:facepalm:

The labor costs are as simple as a $90 dispute against the original credit card charge or a buyer dispute within Paypal.

However, hopefully Berk will own up to their blunder and do the right thing with overnighting the correct part and reimbursing the $90 labor. If not, they will lose a lot of potential buyers once this story-line plays out.

holy crap! imma going downstairs right now..I mean, somebody must have the other two pipes (and I didn't unwrap mine) :icon14:

Well I'm ok (whew)

here's a pic of the two midpipes in question, easy to see how they can be mixed up by a crackhead in the shipping dept.

Note the flanges, they point in opposite directions


http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1268529076

aww, WTF berk

and I still want one!

exactly why I posted this, good you checked. But now, who does have my right hand side resonator pipe??? :icon14:

:iagree:

Heres a funny story, me and Zsteve attempted unsuccessfully to install the ERZ HFC's :)

Funny story, just got my replacement bolts and no matter how hard i try this will never line up

http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...ooking-fwd.jpg

but at least my tips look straight :ughdance:

http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...k-straight.jpg

even the x-pipe is f*cked

http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...is-aligned.jpg

i dub this install as EPIC FAIL

damn that sucks!

Mistakes happen... and unfortunatly it wasn't caught until the absolute worst time. Berk really needs to get their quality control / shipping in order if they want to continue being a trusted brand. Any update on a resolution?

Not that I need a reason but it reminds me why I stuck with F. I =)

I'm SO glad i went with FI too. Attention to details and these little issues are what will keep me away from Berk and go to FI again when I buy my exhaust soon (i sold the FI for personal reasons).

I have a feeling Berk's shipping manager is going to be flipping burgers by Monday. It's too bad because this is a beautiful exhaust, can't wait for Monday morning install.

Why would you dispute the labor charge? It's not the shop's fault... and they do need to be paid for the time spent.

That said, I'm glad I went FI! Sucks that Berk is having so many fitment issues... I agree with Steve... someone's going to lose their head over this.

No no no, you dispute $90 (wasted labor charge) of the payment made to Berk.

Oh, gotcha. I didn't know you could dispute something like that...

You can dispute anything you like, its more of a matter of will it be ruled in your favor. Pretty sure a labor charge dispute would be hard to pull off in a dispute. I'm sure the bank/creditor would tell you it would need to be resolved between you and the manufacturer since labor charges had nothing to do with the exhaust purchase.

DAMN! Have you contacted Berk?

That's what I'm thinking. If it's something directly related to the transaction (i.e. wrong part, no delivery, etc) then you could dispute the charge. But if you had a botched install I don't think you can dispute over something like that. Like you said, it's something that you'll have to work out with the seller.

Even if the parts are damaged, I think because they were delivered, you're credit card company will want you to try to work it out with the seller before you file a dispute...

My box has been home since Tuesday and I haven't even seen it yet. I just got back from Tokyo and Im in San Fran right Now. You guys are starting to worry me. Hopefully I have all the correct parts, nothings missing, and nothings bent. Ahhhhh!

:shakes head: Man, the virtual lynch-mob is already forming and Berk has not even had a chance to respond here publicly, and more so (and a much better way) privately to the those who are encountering issues. Sometimes forums are a good thing—sometimes not.

^ :werd:

My install is tomorrow morning. Anxious! :eekdance:

Hope it goes well. The Berks definitely sound great, so it's unfortunate to see these fitment problems.

Well it's not like it is only one issue. Did you see this album yet?

Nissan 370Z Forum - g96818's Album: Failed Berks CBE Install!

Since Berk is a vendor here, I would like to hear their side—good or bad. There are so few 370Z aftermarket vendors that I really want to give Berk a chance at explaining what has happened.

Does the Xpipe look bent here? This is from g96818's album

http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...0-dsc01441.jpg

:iagree:

Yup it sucks for them that this is happening when they are closed for the weekend.

I just emailed them yesterday about purchasing this exhaust, not sure anymore.Prolly go with FI now

Can't go wrong there. Hope no one jumps on me for this, but I think FI is one of the only, if not the only, exhaust builders that doesn't outsource production. They do everything in house and to order, so there are NEVER any fitment/quality issues.

heh, I just watched your youtube video to check out the FI :tup:

I wish I could go out and get some external clips... I really love it, perfect sound and the 18" CBE is just loud enough for a daily driver, IMO. I had ZCarMan drive it for me a few weeks ago so I could listen and it's amazing.

Even after reading all this I still want some berk exhaust. They sound so bad @ss. Unless someone posts some detrimental Dyno's I will still want them. Wish I didn't have so much debt to pay off right now.

I've never seen the complete exhaust, but I think you're ok Steve. It would take some significant damage to bend that X-pipe, and you'd certainly see a ding or scratches. The way the right-side resonator bends back outwards makes me think it looks 'by design'.