A3 Exhaust options

OEM VW exhausts seem to cost quite a bit. We were quoted around $700cnd for the exhaust from the catalytic converter to the back of the car (is this what cat back means then?... I always thought it was some performance term, a "cat back exhaust job"... oh well...). This is one of the reasons we decided to sell the car (91 Golf). We have gone thru 2 exhausts on this thing (it was a commuter car, so very low KMs.... so the exhaust rotted out quickly) and each time we went to a muffler shop.

The only time we have ever gone to the dealer was for the exhaust on our 960 wagon (Volvo). They installed the larger exhaust off of an 850 turbo (stainless too) for 10 dollars less then the muffler shop quoted, and lifetime warranty!

If you buy a "replacement" exhaust from the dealer, it should come with a lifetime warranty, but you will still pay for labor. Labor here from the dealer is about $130 per hour though. :-) The original exhaust does not come with that warranty. :-(

I don't like those chain places, but I live in the rust belt and things can rust quickly here and they add pipes to the exhaust usually.

There are aftermarket sources that will have good exhaust parts for you and some muffler places or repair shops can install for you. Stainless Steel should give you your 60K+ miles at least.

I need an exhaust for my 91 Passat and I have not decided which system I want for it. (Dealer $400+, Aftermarket $200, SS $400) JMHO later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

Rob,

No, the OEM VW exhaust is not SS, but plain old stamped aluminum by the looks of it. It even has the "Made in Mexico" label on it, which gives me great confidence in it :)

The Honda exhaust was for the cat back system. Even the parts guy at the VW dealerships says the VW exhaust price is a rip off.

My 1986 Jetta's original exhaust lasted almost 100k before needing replaced.My 1998 Jetta GLS has only 65K and the exhaust is shot. I really miss that car:) This is just one more reason why this Jetta will be my last ( of 4 ) VW's.

I see Impex parts has this exhaust kit for sale. Any ideas??

I've always thought the same way. Often cat-back refers to a free-flow exhaust system replacement from the catalytic convertor back. The original poster wants a quiet, OEM version that'll last

60K, I don't *think* performance since quiet performance is an oxymoron (for the most part :). I'd try one of the chains with their lifetime warranties. VW lifetime warranties are great but the labour is a killer.

I would suggest a TT Stainles Steel (SS). Some may say it may be a bit loud, well then Just get another resonantor added in. I know for TT usally throws in a extra resonantor for my Corrado.

As for the Aluminum comments. It's not really all aluminum. It is a Alumanized Steel. That is Steel with a aluminum coating.

Don, thanks for the advice, but I'd prefer not to go that route. Im looking for something as close to OEM as possible. I had a TT SS system on a 96 Golf GTI. I personally disliked the increase in noise, and the droning at freeway speeds. It had marginal performance gains, and for me, simply wasnt worth the added noise. I have driven or ridden in a number of VW's and Audis with aftermarket sport exhaust systems. To me, most of them were annoying. My Jetta is the family car, it doesnt need to anything other than a stock type exhaust. I'm just balking at VW's replacement for $800. Certainly, there must be options that are worthwhile.

Carl

Labour at my dealer is quite reasonable, $68.50 Canadian an hour... Quite decent.

Then maybe you could see about going with a Retro Fit G60 exahust. I find mine too quiet, yet they flow about the same rate as aftermarket exhaust.

I bought Bosal replacement mufflers (both the "suitcase" and the rear muffler), new hangers, clamps, etc from thepartsbin.com for a little over $200 for my 95 Golf. The Bosal parts looked and fit like the original parts but are constructed of plain steel. I did not buy the cat to suitcase pipe which seemed to be in good condition. I suspect the Bosal parts will not last as long as the originals which seemed to contain some SS elements. Time will tell. Supposedly, Leistritz exhaust parts are OEM. However, I don't know where you can buy then other than maybe the PartsPlace in Michigan (they listed Leistritz in their catalog but I haven't seen one of their catalogs in several years). I had a bad experience buying from them years ago and didn't want to deal with them.

Bill

78 Rabbit...since new! 82 Convertibles(s)...since 93 95 Golf GL...since 11/99 02 Passat 1.8T Tip GLS...since 4/02

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