2023 Mach 1 Damaged in Transit

[McSkillet]

Greetings! As the title reads, my 2023 Mach 1 was damaged in transit to me. When the carrier loaded the car onto the trailer, the incline was steep and the rear valance and exhaust tips were gouged the F up. Not really visible from up top, but it's there and it is a costly mistake. I'm positive that they were hoping that I'd miss this in my inspection.
Long story short -I've had the car about a month now- the carrier has ghosted me and the dealership on resolving the matter. So, the dealership is stepping up (as they should since they hired the carrier) and taking care of the matter.
Since the exhaust tips aren't a part, the entire exhaust from the resonator back has to be replaced. Ouch$!!! This is why the carrier has ghosted us.

So, I've been presented with 2 options by the dealership. 1) Replace with OE exhaust, but due to the odd & large size they supposedly have a high rate of being damaged in transit, which puts me back to square 1 for who knows how long since the part is already on back order. Or, 2) pick a cat-back system with active exhaust that has a higher chance of arriving undamaged due to smaller sections/boxes. However, in my limited research on AM active exhaust for the Mach 1, I've seen a couple of posts where the active exhaust has failed prematurely. I admit that I didn't research what the warranty was on those particular aftermarket brands, but if I were to go with OE, I should have the factory warranty + the extended warranty to cover this problem should/when it happen(s).

The dealership didn't say that I was limited to the cost of the OE when selecting AM, but even if they did I'd only be out of pocket a small amount.

My first reaction is to go with the OE setup for warranty purposes, however I wanted to get feedback from you all on whether I should take advantage of the aftermarket cat back setup, and which one. I prefer the sound of the double-H pipe and the Borla SwitchFire, which have a deeper note vs raspy.

Your positive input is greatly appreciated.

PS
Interestingly, the carrier also had another mischievous purple Mustang, GT500, to deliver next.

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[Jimmy Dean]

another Mobile Mach! that's 4 so far that I know of. (I know it says BR, but I am in Mobile, live downtown, looking over the bay atm from my aptm)

 

[MAGS1]

How about the Ford Performance valence and muffler kit that is sold for GT’s to upgrade to? As far as I know they’re the same parts as the Mach 1 OEM parts, just with a Ford Performance part number instead of a Ford part number? Not sure if those are on back order as well?

 

[22MAVXLT]

Can't help much with the exhaust, but does he/they have the straps wrapped around the wheels/tires? If you have damage, I guarantee the GT500 does too! This carrier has probably left the country so he isn't harassed.

 

[Traffic22]

I’d hold out for OE. It’s obviously your choice, and if you’re going after market anyway, then why not now.

But if it were me, because I have no plans to modify my exhaust, I’d hold out for OE. Also, on a car like the Mach, if you ever sell, it’s generally easier if it’s all OE.

 

[Johnnystang2018]

Two of the most amazing mustangs out, in my fav color too. The GT500 definitely has damage it was the first on. I wish people cared they suck. I love the mufflers that are on stock sound way better then the one on the GT, Nice tone and has a burble tone when I let go of the gas in 3/2 gear. If you have a strict neighborhood or live in apartment. don't go aftermarket. I had problems with Corsa extreme catback and double H pipe on my 22GT being to loud on a cold start, sounded like lightning hit a tree in the morning. I do miss it though it was perfect. I would go with headers tho, I like the stock on the MACH.

 

[Racer57]

You said " Not really visible from up top". Have Dealership Owner/Shop Manager have in writing and signed by them(just in case) that they owe you replacement exhaust components at no cost to you. Then I'd go ahead and drive it. Sounds like most people won't even notice it. Enjoy the car and wait on the OEM parts. Lot less hassle in the long run than other options.

 

[black22gt]

That really sucks! Given the circumstances, I would hold out for OE and drive it as is for a while if it doesn't bother you. I only have a GT, but with Active Exhaust, stock, but I really like the way it sounds. It just needs a H, HH, or a Switchfire for just a bit more aggression.

I have a few thoughts on aftermarket I'd like to share, just my own opinion here. From what I've heard of the louder coyotes round my way, and the videos of aftermarket axlebacks, i think they are a bit too much, and don't sound as good to me. Not sure how to put it, but i think they need some amount of dampening, and replacing the factory Active Exhaust with aftermarket ones usually remove some dampening and it just doesnt sound as good to me. Kinda ugly sounding, while i tend to prefer a meaner, aggressive tone, the coyote just has too much bite from the factory to turn up too loud.

I like power/thrash metal as my favorite niche of metal music, and an analogy I would use based on my own metal music preferences would be: Going aftermarket AE would be like changing your band's sound from something like Power/Thrash Metal to like Grindcore type stuff. Loud, brutal sounding metal, vs powerful, well composed fast heavy metal. Sure all play loud heavy stuff, but I would get much more pleasure from my preferred style, I like clean powerful vocals in addition to the more aggressive sounding vocals. But, you may be more into Grindcore for your Exhaust sound needs than I would be, to which i would say go Aftermarket, get the loudest, best sounding system you can find! You will be the one jamming to your car, so if that notion does suit you at all, you may as well do it on ford's dime, which hopefully is ultimately the carrier's dime!

If you need a warranty in that situation, tell them that is the car ford provided you with and you're okay if they just replace it factory as that is what would have been on there had there not been an incident outside of any of the parties' involved control. They will likely fight it, give you crap for it (and they will), but in my experience if you give people a rational out, they may try to take it as this makes them look bad if word gets out, but good if they cough it up. (And words would get out if it were bad, if it were me!) Tons of risk here obviously, and you'd have to be the type of person to do this kind of thing, as well as really really want the exhaust and warranty to work but sometimes things can surprise you. Especially if you put just the right tone in your voice. Just need the right one for the right situations! Sometimes people's humanity wins out.

Oh, don't do this, just kidding! Don't bet things on people's humanity and kindness in the business/warranty world, not when profits are better to deny your claim. Not a good bet at all... But I did want to put that in your mind as well, just in case. You may have level 100 speechcraft and/or possible addiction to the high stakes thrills of making risky life decisions that are not entirely based in best interests of any person, but the THRILL of the game!

 

[WItoTX]

Can't help much with the exhaust, but does he/they have the straps wrapped around the wheels/tires? If you have damage, I guarantee the GT500 does too! This carrier has probably left the country so he isn't harassed.

If I saw my car show up like that, first place I am taking it is the dealership for a full inspection. Wow.

 

[DRAGOON]

Can't help much with the exhaust, but does he/they have the straps wrapped around the wheels/tires? If you have damage, I guarantee the GT500 does too! This carrier has probably left the country so he isn't harassed.

If I saw my car show up like that, first place I am taking it is the dealership for a full inspection. Wow.

That wheel/tire strap doesn’t look right as it‘s putting all the load on the top of the wheel. That’s a moving miscue big time. That trailer isn’t set up to move cars & most likely transported both cars in gear with the parking brake engaged.

 

[cerbomark]

OEM and drive it until it arrives. They sound good OEM and if you pick the wrong system they can sound horrible IMO. Now if you knew you wanted aftermarket and know what you want than that s another story.

 

[Park]

That is not a good trailer to haul vehicles with.

 

[TEAsGrabber]

Check the price difference between OEM stock and any aftermarket stuff. I read a thread the other day about muffler replacement being like $5K. That's why they are pushing you towards aftermarket options. It would always be nice to have a mint OEM system to install or sell.

 

[McSkillet]

Wow! Thanks to all for the prompt feedback.
@Jimmy Dean Lucky you I'm in North Mobile (Satsuma). There's a white Mach 1 that I see every day on my way to work. Not sure if she is on the forum.

@22MAVXLT The driver didn't speak any English, I had to use Google translate to communicate with him, so it's likely.

@WItoTX Other than visible damage, what other damage could potentially happen from being transported like it was? This is my first car to have delivered, I've driven them home myself in the past, so I don't have much experience on the correct way it should have arrived. I did think it odd that there weren't any wheel chocks on either vehicle. So, yeah, car in gear and handbrake on.

@TEAsGrabber The dealership price for the OEM exhaust part (MR3Z-5230G) is $3,437 + shipping. So, about $3700-ish.

As for my choice of which exhaust to go with, it looks like the clear choice is OEM. I do like the deeper growl of the OEM and don't want to risk losing that as @cerbomark stated. Since I'm new to the Mustang platform and there being several aftermarket options available, I was concerned that I might be overlooking an opportunity to upgrade.
As others have similarly mentioned, if I do decide to go aftermarket in the future and decide to sell the car, having the OEM exhaust in mint condition will be beneficial because most buyers want the OEM parts, too.

Again, thanks to all for your helpful input. Now my only concern is what y'all might come back with on my question concerning the transport.

 

[FreePenguin]

Would they just cut you a check for 4K and call it good?

saves them labor etc.. I’d eat that up if so. Polish the bottom out call it good, if it’s just the exhaust tip bottom scuffed up.

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