My exhaust has blown... and I'm eager to get it sorted. Will probably need to replace all parts due to corrosion. The car is a 1.8SE with (IIRC) ADZ engine. Since I've been dropped with a load of bills lately, I'm wondering whether it's worth paying a premium for VW original parts. I've heard it said that cheap aftermarket parts may alter the engine tone or resale value.. is this a big deal or not?
Alternatively, are there performance parts worth considering? VW is quoting approx £300 for the job incl 90mins labour.
I have very similar car with very similar engine and had the same problem two years ago. I choose the "aftermarket" parts from Ernst (a serious company, they also produce as OEM for VW) and I am NOT happy. At moderate speeds it is Ok, althrough there is some specific "bubbling" sound, but it does not bother. But if I go quicker as
120km/h (~75mph), it starts to resonate and get very loud, especially in the lower ("bass") part of the spectrum.
The problem with aftermarket parts ("brands" included) is, that they do not bother to differentiate between different engines. For example, if you look up the middle muffler for Golf3, you will see, that they offer the same model for 1.8 petrol and for example TDI. Where VW does offer two different parts. They both are identical from outside, so they fit without any problems. But apparently they are different inside.
In my case, it looks like I got the copy of TDI version (according to the "equals to oem part no ....." on the sticker). And it is no wonder, that it does not like to work at ~4000rpm, which are "usual" for 1.8 petrol, but already near the redline for TDI. And TDI also has a turbo, which additionally damps the exhaust "bursts". Of course, I called the producer ("Ernst") and was assured, that "this is the right version for my engine, they all are the same etc etc", so I did bought the "correct" version.
Now I am waiting for the exhaust to corrode again (while cursing every time I drive on highway), and will buy the original parts then (~300euro for both mufflers).
If you want to save money - buy parts at VW and do work elsewhere. Or you can buy the aftermarket parts, but do know that it is a lottery.
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