VW Golf Exhausts - Dealer fit or third party

[mawallace]

My VW Golf exhaust is starting to make a 'blowing' noise and I suspect there's a small hole in it somewhere.

What's my best choice in terms of getting a quality exhaust - VW or a independent? are there any better brands out there then the dealer fit ones.

Car's 2012 2.0 diesel. I live in East Anglia.

[TonyTony]

Might be best getting one off Ebay and getting it fitted.

If you want brand new you can probably get a aftermarket sports exhaust that is better quality than an OEM one.

[mawallace]

That's fine - but where can I get a 'sport's one from of good quality locally?

[cuprabob]

The price a VW dealer will quote you for an exhaust will frighten you. Take it to your local independent exhaust place and have them look at it and find out exactly where it's blowing from and take it from there.

[TonyTony]

mawallace said:

That's fine - but where can I get a 'sport's one from of good quality locally?

FInd a good local Independent and see what they can order in and fit for you, a Milltek/Scorpion will be about £500.

Could also go custom which might be a bit cheaper, not sure where you are but these usually get good rep.
http://pipewerxcars.com/index_cars.html

[SuperchargedVR6]

First establish where the leak is coming from, and then assess whether it is weldable or not. No point chucking money down the drain.

[markrtw]

Seems like a short life for the exhaust. I have not had to replace a VAG original exhaust for years owning cars up to 14yrs old. Check its not just a joint blowing or something. A friend's corrado got past 20 before the exhaust went on that.

[Cromulentvolvo]

Has the car had the emissions update? Loads of faults now occuring due to the software fix. Check the exhaust is definitely blowing as a lot of the issues are described as a knocking/pinking sound not dissimilar to a bad exhaust blow

[Adrian E]

If it's had any work done that involves removing emissions control kit down the back of the engine for repair or replacement, it could be as simple as a blowing joint. I'll 3rd the advice to get it up in the air and investigate before expecting the worst.

[SuperchargedVR6]

markrtw said:

Seems like a short life for the exhaust. I have not had to replace a VAG original exhaust for years owning cars up to 14yrs old. Check its not just a joint blowing or something. A friend's corrado got past 20 before the exhaust went on that.

I was thinking that. 6 years is nothing for a genuine exhaust. Similarly, my 11 year old MK5 is on its original exhaust and my old Corrado VR6's exhaust also put in a very long service.

Everything is built down to a price these days. You can see that when putting a post MK5 era VW up on the ramp. Gone are the alloy subframes and control arms. It's all cheap pressed steel now, and plastic sumps.