Hi all
Just looking for some advice. I was experiencing a new race-car growl from my Maxima and had it checked out.
Turned out that the muffler inlet pipe had opened up/separated/almost broke. The Nissan dealer here estimated that the repair would cost $460 including labor. This was for replacing the muffler and the piece of pipe leading into it. The intermediate pipe going further toward the front of the car would not be replaced.
Then tried Meineke. They presented me with two options: 1) a patch up job in which small sections of pipe at thge break point would be removed and be replaced by a new section of pipe overlaying the opposite ends of the broken pipe. They would also repair the front of the "intermediate pipe" which seems to be in a deteriorated shape, as well. This would all cost me $130
2) Replace the muffler& pipe assembly + the resonator and pipe assembly for the same price as the Nissan dealer was asking for only the muffler & pipe assembly.Would option (1) from Meineke likely be a short-term fix and therefore a waste of money?
If I go for the more thorough repair, are there major downsides in going with Meineke and the parts it is likley to use versu the dealer??
Thnaks for any advice on this.
Harold