car exhaust

dannyjebb

Hi I have a mini cooper 2003 model and today whilst driving to work it started sounding like an F1 car when i got there I looked and the back box has snapped off form the exhaust piping. Please could someone give me a figure of how much its likely going to cost to fix? and where might be the best place to go? I have rang kwik-fit but they said they cant give a price until they have looked at it.

thanks

catflea

Depends where its broken really.

If its only the back box it shouldn't be too bad, but you can garuntee if you take it to quick fit you will need a whole new exhaust if you see what I mean....

gardner1

catflea wrote: »

Depends where its broken really.

If its only the back box it shouldn't be too bad, but you can garuntee if you take it to quick fit you will need a whole new exhaust if you see what I mean....

plus brake pads.discs and 4 new tyres

dannyjebb

LOl yeh thats what I was afraid of, It is a free "exhaust check" with no obligation to buy so I thought if I take it there and see what exactly is wrong with it then take it to a cheaper place. Someone has also recommended taking it to a garage nearby who should be able to weld it back together? Does this sound like a realistic option? As I have said, the back box has just snapped off from the rest of the exhaust pipe.

thanks

andygb

Danny the exhaust has snapped because of corrosion, and that means welding will only be temporary. You would be best off buying a nice back box, and then paying a local garage to fit it. If they do a good job, then you could consider letting them service your Mini at a fraction of the cost of the main "stealer" at a later date.

tripled

Last time I made the mistake (in a weak moment) of venturing near Kwik Fit, apparently my car was dangerous and pretty much a write-off. Since then it has passed two MOTs and done over 20,000 miles with the only incident being someone else crashing into me (which left a small scratch).

However, I've actually had the same thing happen to me this week (exhaust has gone at the back box), my friendly local mechanic will have it up on the ramp tomorrow. Whilst it's a pain, I guessed it was coming as the end of the tail pipe is rusting away.

jeannieblue

If you intend to keep the car for another couple of years or so, recommend you go to independent garage (not kwik !!!!!!) and have a genuine part fitted.

If you don't intend to keep it, go to same independent and get a pattern part fitted - won't last as long and could sound a bit tinny - but it is up to you and what you want and can afford.

dannyjebb

yeh it does look a bit rusty (sorry am useless at mechanics) will give kwik fit the swerve then and take it to a local garage

thanks Guys

catflea

I would point out that some independant "fast fit" centres are actually pretty decent. So just because its a fastfit dont assume they are going to rip you off.... Kwik Fit however will!

Theres one local to me called fastway autocentre and I have no qualms at all getting them to do work for me - although I tend to do as much as possible myself....

nullogik

Don't go for the dirt cheapest exhaust system. You'll find it'll last no where near as long as the original and will rust out super quick.

Kwik-Fit used to be real bad in the 90s. My dad must have put on three or four back boxes in a space of several years because they rusted out in no time. It was a false economy and in reflection buying a more expensive part in the first place would have worked out cheaper.