Hi,

I just came back from Audi and they told me my flex pipe has a leak and needs to be replaced. They told me to go to a muffler shop since they would have to replace the cat too.

So I went to a local shop attached to a gas station and asked for an estimate.

He said that it will be $120 for the part and 3 hrs @ $85/h to fix it.

He said they need to remove the whole exhaust system to properly weld it. From all the other posts it seems that you can do it with the exhaust attached.

Do you really need to remove the whole exhaust system? And what would be a reasonable quote?

Thanks, Christian
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2000 Audi A6 2.8L quattro Wagon

 

I suppose it really depends on what exactly the problem, issue is.

$120 for the flex pipe and a cat is pretty much right on. And it sounds like they are going to do a thorough job without some of the "short cuts" other shops might take. If the shop you went to has a good reputation, I think I would trust them. Labor costs seem slightly on the high side but it kind of depends on what area of the country you are in.

bottom line: in my OPINION, that is a reasonable quote

 

Thats reasonable compared to the alternative

 

$120 for a catalytic converter? Where is this? I sure need to take my car there. In California, it would cost you ten times that.

 

THIS ONE is only $90. The 3" one is $100. I couldn't find one more expensive than that

 

I'm pretty sure he's saying the flex pipe is 120.00 not the cat. He stated the dealer told him to go to a exhaust shop as the dealer would have to replace the cat where a exhaust shop would just cut out the old flex pipe and weld in a new one leaving the cat alone.

 

^^^

well then, thats different...

 

Had one done recently in Dallas . Cut out the old leaking flex pipe and welded the new one inplace. Took a 1/2 hour and cost me $85.00https://www.audiforums.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

 

Yes, it is just the flex pipe. I thought $120 is a little much given that at ECS I found some for under $50 (link)

But my main question was if it is really necessary to take of the whole exhaust system to replace the flex pipe? That adds another 2 hrs in labor (=$200) to it.

Thanks for all your comments so far.

 

Yes and no. Flex pipe is pretty close to the underside of the body. You wouldn't get proper space to weld around the top with the exhaust in place. Given that, depends on which method of welding you are doing, you can possibly weld using stick welder. They are probably using wire fed mig, which won't be possible.