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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