Lots of decent exhaust companies around nowadays...
CKS Performance
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managed to get sec cat, resonator delete and rear silencers from EMP (st albans) for the price of the cks quad rear boxes. cks basically said they only sell the exhaust system with the e63 style tips..meaning i would need the rear diffuser aswell! emp did all the work while i waited for under half the price incorporating my original exhaust tips.
ChrisA
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2013
- Messages
- 1,935
- Location
- East Riding/Germany/Denmark
- Car
- CL 63 Biturbo 2014 - S63L 2010 - CLS Weistec MSL Monster (RIP)
EMP were the fabricators of my exhaust system via Paul and Andy (Eurocharged UK)
If you're from the South EMP, the Midlands Torque-flow(MSL) or the North Tony Banks in Leeds
If you're from the South EMP, the Midlands Torque-flow(MSL) or the North Tony Banks in Leeds
Caveat Emptor !
In response to your predicaments with CKS performance, by this time last 2 years, I had the worst customer experience with Chet, the MD of the company. Infact, to cut a whole story short, I bought some LED bulbs for my CLS foglamps. During the intervention, the technician who had them fitted put resistors and failed to secure the resistors away in a safe place to avoid contact with the underneath plastic tray. After a while, the resistors overheated and melted the lower plastic tray. In strict legal term, the technician who negligently performed the job and his subsequent breach of duty made CKS performance vicariously liable. I did not ask for monetary compensation but all I needed was 'Specific Performance' that is for them to fix the plastic tray by replacing it with a genuine Mercedes part.
I mean let's face it, the outcome of this negligence would have cost a colossal damage beyond repair to my car if I did not notice the problem in time. I sent an email to their customer service department to explain the issue and I did include pictures of the damaged tray to this effect as irrefutable proof. They adamantly refused to reply to my series of mails and I had no option than to call them. They asked me to bring the car in. When I did, they wanted to take a clear short cut easy approach to remedy the problem. Mr. Chet suggested soldering the damaged tray or buy an after market tray. I declined the two offers. Mr. Chet, instead of accepting liability, was trying to argue with me or make me feel that he was doing me a favour by accepting to fix the damaged tray.
What really baffles me is, despite the breach of duty of care, no apologies offered. Mr. Chet, was making me understand that he was under no obligation to fix the melted tray. Arguments ensued and the problem exacerbated and finally because I stood my ground safe in the knowledge of my legal rights, they complied and had a plastic tray from Mercedes ordered. The inconvenience was that I had to return the car to them the next day to have the damaged part replaced. Of course, the cost of round trip from my place of abode to Watford was at my expense. This was such a simple problem that they could have dealt with easily without cause for alarm considering the expensive nature of their over priced products. I left feeling disgruntled at the way I'd been treated. As a result of this rather unfortunate incidence, I decided to steer clear and have nothing to do with CKS performance again.
Maybe, people are giving them the leeway or latitude to get away with their idiosycrasies which in the commercial world is unacceptable. I believe that if people threaten legal action, it may open the floodgates to more damages claims against the company. Anyone who after reading this and decides to go along and trade with them should have 'Caveat Emptor' notion in the back of their mind. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. This is the picture of the melted lower tray.
In response to your predicaments with CKS performance, by this time last 2 years, I had the worst customer experience with Chet, the MD of the company. Infact, to cut a whole story short, I bought some LED bulbs for my CLS foglamps. During the intervention, the technician who had them fitted put resistors and failed to secure the resistors away in a safe place to avoid contact with the underneath plastic tray. After a while, the resistors overheated and melted the lower plastic tray. In strict legal term, the technician who negligently performed the job and his subsequent breach of duty made CKS performance vicariously liable. I did not ask for monetary compensation but all I needed was 'Specific Performance' that is for them to fix the plastic tray by replacing it with a genuine Mercedes part.
I mean let's face it, the outcome of this negligence would have cost a colossal damage beyond repair to my car if I did not notice the problem in time. I sent an email to their customer service department to explain the issue and I did include pictures of the damaged tray to this effect as irrefutable proof. They adamantly refused to reply to my series of mails and I had no option than to call them. They asked me to bring the car in. When I did, they wanted to take a clear short cut easy approach to remedy the problem. Mr. Chet suggested soldering the damaged tray or buy an after market tray. I declined the two offers. Mr. Chet, instead of accepting liability, was trying to argue with me or make me feel that he was doing me a favour by accepting to fix the damaged tray.
What really baffles me is, despite the breach of duty of care, no apologies offered. Mr. Chet, was making me understand that he was under no obligation to fix the melted tray. Arguments ensued and the problem exacerbated and finally because I stood my ground safe in the knowledge of my legal rights, they complied and had a plastic tray from Mercedes ordered. The inconvenience was that I had to return the car to them the next day to have the damaged part replaced. Of course, the cost of round trip from my place of abode to Watford was at my expense. This was such a simple problem that they could have dealt with easily without cause for alarm considering the expensive nature of their over priced products. I left feeling disgruntled at the way I'd been treated. As a result of this rather unfortunate incidence, I decided to steer clear and have nothing to do with CKS performance again.
Maybe, people are giving them the leeway or latitude to get away with their idiosycrasies which in the commercial world is unacceptable. I believe that if people threaten legal action, it may open the floodgates to more damages claims against the company. Anyone who after reading this and decides to go along and trade with them should have 'Caveat Emptor' notion in the back of their mind. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. This is the picture of the melted lower tray.
I have just copied a post from a US forum of another disgruntled customer. This is in relation to CKS unprofessional customer service.
"I read this thread a week ago and went ahead and ordered a C200 CGI exhaust on March 25 from CKS through their online system, using my US$ balance with Paypal. An automated order confirmation was received by email from CKS and all seemed well.
I then emailed them with a couple of questions regarding the exhaust as wel as the downpipe they offer. Chet then made some negative comments about the pigyback I have on my car.
C = Chet
V = me
C - Overfuelling issues, misfires, engine management light reappearing. You would need to contact them as we do not produce the boxes.
V - I have not had any problems with the unit, which has user selectable levels.
Can we get back to my initial questions?
C - I cannot speak for the Piggy back unit installed and what gains it provides.
I can only state what we offer; Sport catalyst/ down pipe – 15bhp typical.
Our Sport exhaust offers approx. 6 to 8bhp gain.
V - Thanks for the estimates.
Just wondering when I may receive the exhaust. Please advise.
C - It will be dispatched today and the tracking information will be emailed to you automatically.
That was March 27. Then on March 28,
V - No shipping advice so far but please do try to ship before the weekend.
Cheers.
C - We were ready to ship your order. However, Paypal have advised us your address is unconfirmed.
You will need to have your address confirmed and payment verified by Paypal. Alternatively payment can be made into our bank account.
V - I have used this address over the last 3 years for goods worth tens of thousands of dollars. Anyway you were aware of the status when the payment was first received. Why the last minute problem?
If you are unable to ship the goods to me, please cancel the order and refund the money today through PayPal.
C - Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about this. Paypal contacted us this morning.
If you are unable to make the changes or alter payment method we will refund your order accordingly.
V - I double checked your website and did not find any mention of requiring a confirmed address.
It is Friday evening here and I would not be able to get that address confirmed or wire you funds until next week even if I wanted to.
So the best way would be for you to send me the refund via Paypal today and we'll take it from there.
C - Our website does not mention this as it is down to Paypal who are one method of payment we accept. We have to abide by their rules for security.
Your payment will be refunded later this afternoon by our Accounts department.
V - I am a long time and frequent user of PayPal both for buying and selling and I know that they recommend but do not require the use of a confirmed address.
Of course some sellers do stipulate that they require a confirmed address for security, but it is usually communicated in advance.
It is a shame as I was looking forward to installing the exhaust next week.
Perhaps next week we could work out a better payment arrangement, after I get a chance to clear my head this weekend.
Cheers.
C - Payment via Bank transfer is preferred.
V - It would be helpful to know your bank transfer details.
C - Please note payment will need to be made in GBP (£) to our bank for the total of £1034.50.
V - I prefer to stick with the US$ amount I paid with PayPal, if that is OK with you. I have US$ funds but no sterling.
C - Our bank will only accept GBP (£) as it is only designed to operate in this currency. However, your bank should be able to transfer currencies.
V - OK I will ask my bank to exchange the US$1,656.32 into sterling and send that to your account, or I could send the US$ and your bank can exchange that to sterling for you.
Originally you would have paid PayPal's fee on the US$ I sent, and now I have to pay my bank a wire fee so I would say it's a fair deal for you.
Let me know and I will pay Monday morning.
C - Banks charge fees, there is nothing we can do about that.
The total of £1034.50 GBP will be required to complete the transaction exactly as per the price shown on our website.
This whole issue is to do with Paypal originally and nothing to do with us.
V - You do offer payment in currencies other than sterling on your website, don't you?
I took the option to pay in US$ and it was accepted.
And now I cannot pay in US$?
If you want to be unreasonable you have just lost a customer but that is your choice.
C - We accept multiple currencies for payments that are approved. Perhaps you should contact Paypal.
I am not sure what the issue is here; we are trying to assist you as best possible.
I am sorry but I cannot help you any more with regard to this.
V - The problem here is I find it hard to believe that PayPal decided not to approve my payment 3 days after they debited my balance with them and handed the funds to you. Paypal does not disapprove a payment due to an unconfirmed address, the recipient does.
I also do not enjoy being treated like a suspected internet cheat.
Enough said. I will buy my exhaust elsewhere.
Then I went online and placed a new order using my AMEX, which went smoothly.
An automated email confirmation was sent by CKS
The next day I received this:
C - I had advised you we will only accept payment for this order via Bank transfer so I am unsure as to why you have purchased using a credit card.
We have to ensure security in maintained for both our customers and ourselves.
We have just spoken to the credit card company and they require 2 additional items from you before we are permitted to send your order:
1 – Proof of address via a bill, etc with your name, address, etc all shown. This can be e-mailed to us.
2 - They have requested you provide the 2 digit authorisation code for your purchase of this order. This can be obtained from your bank/ credit card issuer (American Express).
I am trying to help you but please note I do not wish to extend this matter with receiving unnecessary comments or insults.
I had advised you we will only accept payment for this order via Bank transfer so I am unsure as to why you have purchased using a credit card.
We have to ensure security in maintained for both our customers and ourselves.
We have just spoken to the credit card company and they require 2 additional items from you before we are permitted to send your order:
1 – Proof of address via a bill, etc with your name, address, etc all shown. This can be e-mailed to us.
2 - They have requested you provide the 2 digit authorisation code for your purchase of this order. This can be obtained from your bank/ credit card issuer (American Express).
I am trying to help you but please note I do not wish to extend this matter with receiving unnecessary comments or insults.
V - Did my purchase with a valid credit card contradict any terms of use of your e-commerce setup?
You are a business and it is not good practice to prejudice some customers by moving the goal post. Your earlier emails only stated you preferred bank transfer. You did insist on payment in sterling when you readily accept US$ from others, as I demonstrated with the new order.
If you can produce a written request from your bank for the two additional items that you require, I most certainly will be willing and able to comply. This can of course be emailed to me.
May I remind you that as a consumer I also have my rights under UK and international law.
I am trying to make a bona fide purchase online and do not wish to extend this matter with receiving unnecessary requests".
"I read this thread a week ago and went ahead and ordered a C200 CGI exhaust on March 25 from CKS through their online system, using my US$ balance with Paypal. An automated order confirmation was received by email from CKS and all seemed well.
I then emailed them with a couple of questions regarding the exhaust as wel as the downpipe they offer. Chet then made some negative comments about the pigyback I have on my car.
C = Chet
V = me
C - Overfuelling issues, misfires, engine management light reappearing. You would need to contact them as we do not produce the boxes.
V - I have not had any problems with the unit, which has user selectable levels.
Can we get back to my initial questions?
C - I cannot speak for the Piggy back unit installed and what gains it provides.
I can only state what we offer; Sport catalyst/ down pipe – 15bhp typical.
Our Sport exhaust offers approx. 6 to 8bhp gain.
V - Thanks for the estimates.
Just wondering when I may receive the exhaust. Please advise.
C - It will be dispatched today and the tracking information will be emailed to you automatically.
That was March 27. Then on March 28,
V - No shipping advice so far but please do try to ship before the weekend.
Cheers.
C - We were ready to ship your order. However, Paypal have advised us your address is unconfirmed.
You will need to have your address confirmed and payment verified by Paypal. Alternatively payment can be made into our bank account.
V - I have used this address over the last 3 years for goods worth tens of thousands of dollars. Anyway you were aware of the status when the payment was first received. Why the last minute problem?
If you are unable to ship the goods to me, please cancel the order and refund the money today through PayPal.
C - Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about this. Paypal contacted us this morning.
If you are unable to make the changes or alter payment method we will refund your order accordingly.
V - I double checked your website and did not find any mention of requiring a confirmed address.
It is Friday evening here and I would not be able to get that address confirmed or wire you funds until next week even if I wanted to.
So the best way would be for you to send me the refund via Paypal today and we'll take it from there.
C - Our website does not mention this as it is down to Paypal who are one method of payment we accept. We have to abide by their rules for security.
Your payment will be refunded later this afternoon by our Accounts department.
V - I am a long time and frequent user of PayPal both for buying and selling and I know that they recommend but do not require the use of a confirmed address.
Of course some sellers do stipulate that they require a confirmed address for security, but it is usually communicated in advance.
It is a shame as I was looking forward to installing the exhaust next week.
Perhaps next week we could work out a better payment arrangement, after I get a chance to clear my head this weekend.
Cheers.
C - Payment via Bank transfer is preferred.
V - It would be helpful to know your bank transfer details.
C - Please note payment will need to be made in GBP (£) to our bank for the total of £1034.50.
V - I prefer to stick with the US$ amount I paid with PayPal, if that is OK with you. I have US$ funds but no sterling.
C - Our bank will only accept GBP (£) as it is only designed to operate in this currency. However, your bank should be able to transfer currencies.
V - OK I will ask my bank to exchange the US$1,656.32 into sterling and send that to your account, or I could send the US$ and your bank can exchange that to sterling for you.
Originally you would have paid PayPal's fee on the US$ I sent, and now I have to pay my bank a wire fee so I would say it's a fair deal for you.
Let me know and I will pay Monday morning.
C - Banks charge fees, there is nothing we can do about that.
The total of £1034.50 GBP will be required to complete the transaction exactly as per the price shown on our website.
This whole issue is to do with Paypal originally and nothing to do with us.
V - You do offer payment in currencies other than sterling on your website, don't you?
I took the option to pay in US$ and it was accepted.
And now I cannot pay in US$?
If you want to be unreasonable you have just lost a customer but that is your choice.
C - We accept multiple currencies for payments that are approved. Perhaps you should contact Paypal.
I am not sure what the issue is here; we are trying to assist you as best possible.
I am sorry but I cannot help you any more with regard to this.
V - The problem here is I find it hard to believe that PayPal decided not to approve my payment 3 days after they debited my balance with them and handed the funds to you. Paypal does not disapprove a payment due to an unconfirmed address, the recipient does.
I also do not enjoy being treated like a suspected internet cheat.
Enough said. I will buy my exhaust elsewhere.
Then I went online and placed a new order using my AMEX, which went smoothly.
An automated email confirmation was sent by CKS
The next day I received this:
C - I had advised you we will only accept payment for this order via Bank transfer so I am unsure as to why you have purchased using a credit card.
We have to ensure security in maintained for both our customers and ourselves.
We have just spoken to the credit card company and they require 2 additional items from you before we are permitted to send your order:
1 – Proof of address via a bill, etc with your name, address, etc all shown. This can be e-mailed to us.
2 - They have requested you provide the 2 digit authorisation code for your purchase of this order. This can be obtained from your bank/ credit card issuer (American Express).
I am trying to help you but please note I do not wish to extend this matter with receiving unnecessary comments or insults.
I had advised you we will only accept payment for this order via Bank transfer so I am unsure as to why you have purchased using a credit card.
We have to ensure security in maintained for both our customers and ourselves.
We have just spoken to the credit card company and they require 2 additional items from you before we are permitted to send your order:
1 – Proof of address via a bill, etc with your name, address, etc all shown. This can be e-mailed to us.
2 - They have requested you provide the 2 digit authorisation code for your purchase of this order. This can be obtained from your bank/ credit card issuer (American Express).
I am trying to help you but please note I do not wish to extend this matter with receiving unnecessary comments or insults.
V - Did my purchase with a valid credit card contradict any terms of use of your e-commerce setup?
You are a business and it is not good practice to prejudice some customers by moving the goal post. Your earlier emails only stated you preferred bank transfer. You did insist on payment in sterling when you readily accept US$ from others, as I demonstrated with the new order.
If you can produce a written request from your bank for the two additional items that you require, I most certainly will be willing and able to comply. This can of course be emailed to me.
May I remind you that as a consumer I also have my rights under UK and international law.
I am trying to make a bona fide purchase online and do not wish to extend this matter with receiving unnecessary requests".
Brando Acosta
New Member
i just got my lowering springs fitted with them and I got a noise coming from the front suspension 
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2013
- Messages
- 7,540
- Car
- AUDI S8 V10, S210 E320 CDI (R.I.P.)
i just got my lowering springs fitted with them and I got a noise coming from the front suspension
Good luck getting that sorted
Pathewolf
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2016
- Messages
- 237
- Location
- Surrey
- Car
- CLK350 W209 AMG Spec: Previous E55 W210, CLK55 Quad Exhausts, Remap & De-limit
They did my quad exhausts and re-map on my CLK55, the work was fine and I had no problems whatsoever!
However, after arriving for my appointment I went into the office and was told that the gentleman on the phone would see me. I stood by a chair in front of his desk, he looked at me and carried on talking, I couldn't sit down because the chair was full of papers so I stood around waiting!
Five minutes later I am still waiting, even the older gentleman next him kept looking over as if to say you have a customer waiting at least move the papers for me to sit! I then wandered off and looked at the display products. Eventually he got off the phone but I got the sense that he did not approve of me and he was trying to show me how unimportant I was!
Simply the worst customer service ever, he gave me a "Friday" discount of £200-£300 which cooled my temper somewhat but their original price could have been inflated anyway! I vowed then to never to use them for anything, I joined this Forum afterwards and only then discovered their poor reputation
However, after arriving for my appointment I went into the office and was told that the gentleman on the phone would see me. I stood by a chair in front of his desk, he looked at me and carried on talking, I couldn't sit down because the chair was full of papers so I stood around waiting!
Five minutes later I am still waiting, even the older gentleman next him kept looking over as if to say you have a customer waiting at least move the papers for me to sit! I then wandered off and looked at the display products. Eventually he got off the phone but I got the sense that he did not approve of me and he was trying to show me how unimportant I was!
Simply the worst customer service ever, he gave me a "Friday" discount of £200-£300 which cooled my temper somewhat but their original price could have been inflated anyway! I vowed then to never to use them for anything, I joined this Forum afterwards and only then discovered their poor reputation
Brando Acosta
New Member
bob6600 I hope they fix it, @Pathewolf I had exactly the same experience, I can't say anything too bad yet cos I'm waiting to see if the noise goes away, or better say the knocking
Brando Acosta
New Member
I hope they fix it
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 20,152
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
i just got my lowering springs fitted with them and I got a noise coming from the front suspension
Just for your own safety, check the wheel bolts are securely tightened up.
It wouldn't be the first time its been forgotten.
Good luck getting a resolution from CKS if there is a problem. Let us know how you get on.
Brando Acosta
New Member
I have to go bck on Wednesday morning, so far so good.
Pathewolf
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2016
- Messages
- 237
- Location
- Surrey
- Car
- CLK350 W209 AMG Spec: Previous E55 W210, CLK55 Quad Exhausts, Remap & De-limit
Hope it gets sorted.
Also, if you paid by debit/credit card you can make a complaint via your provider within 90 days (check this). If CKS do not provide a satisfactory response contact your provider and they can take action but you must make a record of any CKS response and keep reciepts obviously.
Brando Acosta
New Member
Well this is my review, yes there is things I don't like about CKS performance but I have decided not to mention them in this or any review because maybe the things I don't like are more of my personal taste and as a human being I need to understand that we are all different and we all do things in a different way, the important thing for me when it comes to CkS performance is how they deal with my requirements, my job what's done very quickly, the lowering kit was order right in front of me and the car was the ready the day after, when I pick the car up I was told that it was a noise coming from the front suspension, I took the car home any way but the noise persisted so I took the car back, when they check the car again CKS performance realise that one of the springs was faulty so a replacement Kit was order straight away and fitted the day after with no arguments, and now my car rides beautifully
So my conclusion is that the job was done properly and quickly and when a problem appeared they didn't hide it and waited for me to find it like so many order garages do, but when I took the car back they put it right straight away, I love that, and by the way let's be clear, a faulty spring it is not CkS performance fault, it is the manufacturer's fault... I will definitely go back to CkS performance for more upgrades as soon as I can possibly do it.
So my conclusion is that the job was done properly and quickly and when a problem appeared they didn't hide it and waited for me to find it like so many order garages do, but when I took the car back they put it right straight away, I love that, and by the way let's be clear, a faulty spring it is not CkS performance fault, it is the manufacturer's fault... I will definitely go back to CkS performance for more upgrades as soon as I can possibly do it.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 20,152
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
^ So you had no problem with the front suspension making a noise until CKS fitted a lowering kit?
When you took the car back, CKS sold you another suspension strut (a pair I hope) and the noise disappeared? That was convenient.
Don't you think it more than a coincidence that until the lowering kit was fitted you had no problem?
When you took the car back, CKS sold you another suspension strut (a pair I hope) and the noise disappeared? That was convenient.
Don't you think it more than a coincidence that until the lowering kit was fitted you had no problem?
Brando Acosta
New Member
I think you didn't understand what I said, I am sorry if I didn't explain things properly, all I was doing was lowering the car with springs, the lowering kit was faulty so they replace it with a new one, I was only charged for 1 lowering kit not 2 lowering kits, I went into the workshop and I saw the problem myself, the front springs were missing a plastic bit, I am sorry I cannot tell you that they did a **** job, in my case it wasn't like that.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 20,152
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
OK I understand now. It read to me like you had problem with a suspension strut/shock absorber that occurred after the lowering kit was fitted. My bad.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2013
- Messages
- 7,540
- Car
- AUDI S8 V10, S210 E320 CDI (R.I.P.)
It is good to hear a positive story about CKS, it's a shame you are in the minority.
The only thing that doesn't tie up is firstly you say that the noise was pointed out to you but you decided to take it anyway (incase it went away?) but then on returning to CKS they point out a plastic part was missing? Maybe it was a spacer I don't know, but if there was a part missing they should have either not fitted the kit or ordered it straight away imo.
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