Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site aluxe.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!aluxe!david1 From: david1@aluxe.UUCP (nelson) Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers Subject: Muffler static Message-ID: <1392@aluxe.UUCP> Date: Wed, 21-Mar-84 16:31:12 EST Article-I.D.: aluxe.1392 Posted: Wed Mar 21 16:31:12 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 22-Mar-84 01:55:41 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Allentown, PA Lines: 45 I have some observations about Midas Muffler shops that I'd like to get some feedback on. 1) About 5 times out of 6 when I would need a new exhaust pipe they would tell me that the whole system is rusted together and everything has to be replaced. If I previously bought an exhaust system there the muffler would of course be free to replace , but they don't guarantee their pipes. I finally found a Midas when I was in Allentown (Pa.) that said they could weld the pipes apart and just replace the section that was bad. 2) I've never had to have a Midas muffler replaced, but it seems their pipes rust out about every year or two. 3) I was once told by a (Reading, Pa.) Midas that I needed 2 new brake calipers (a couple of hundred dollars). I went to another place and they said they were fine. 4) I have a '78 VW diesel Rabbit now. It has 86500 miles. I took it in yesterday because the exhaust system was making alot of noise. By now I use Midas only as a diagnostic center and get my work done elsewhere. The car was put on a lift and my problem was a cracked flex pipe which is about 14" long and looks like it should be flexible due to the vibration of the diesel engine . The guy told me that for $65 he could replace it with the type I had, but that it would last about 6 months and then crack, or he could replace it with a newly designed one for $170 which he could guarantee. I told him the one that was cracked has 86500 miles on it and he replied saying I was very lucky. I told him I'd get it checked out elsewhere. Another guy took my car off the lift, pushed down on the hood and said I needed new front shocks. I told him I just had the McPherson struts replaced at that Midas about a year and a half ago. Then he said that I must need new springs, that they don't last long on the VW's. I told him that the car has 86500 miles and he replied that that is very long and I must be very lucky. So I got the same reply from 2 different guys about 2 different parts. What are they trying to pull? Obviously to get my money, but I question their tactics. Has anyone else had similar experiences at a Midas or am I alone in my suspicions? R. Nelson AT&T Bell Labs Reading, Pa. aluxe!david1