Help! Replacing catalytic converter, rear/centre box

[james_biscuit]

We have owned our Mark 3 Golf Gti 16V for only a week and are having loads of problems.

It has been misfiring a lot and eventually went totally dead. The RAC towed us to the loval VW dealer who diagnosed a faulty ignition coil and replaced it (£200 for diagnostic, labour & parts). However, the misfire continued so we took it back to the dealer who then diagnosed a hole in the catlytic converter.

We took the car to another garage to replace the catalytic converter (as the VW dealer quoted £800 compared to £170 at the other garage!). However, they said that the baffles on the centre box were completely gone, which had contributed to the catalytic converter problem, but they also said that the rear box must be replaced at the same time as its part of the same unit as the centre box. Another £220 on top of the £170, so thats nearly £600 all up for a car we have only had for 1 week.

Basically, can anyone here tell us if it is indeed true that the rear box must be replaced at the same time as the centre? Also, is that about normal price for the rear/centre box - it seems odd that it is more than the catalytic converter which is a more complicated piece of kit.

Thanks in advance for your help. Hopefully once this is all sorted we can start enjoying the car

[the_GTI_new_guy]

However, they said that the baffles on the centre box were completely gone, which had contributed to the catalytic converter problem, but they also said that the rear box must be replaced at the same time as its part of the same unit as the centre box. Another £220 on top of the £170, so thats nearly £600 all up for a car we have only had for 1 week

erm, is it just me or do you think it strange that each piece has its own price but its one unit? Would think they would have just said one price for one thing, 2 prices for two things.  £170 for a cat sounds about right to me but £220 for a box, madness.

Just thinking that performance exhaust shops sell cat back systems. Its illegal to remove a cat after 93' and shops do sell performance exhausts for mk3 golfs so they must be seperate. Have you got a nice friendly local place that could tell you? I have a great place near me, always cheap, helpful and give you 30% off from an add in the local paper every week. Havent had my golf box changed yet, but my corsa back box cost £21 fitted.  Preffer the golf though!

[...joe]

have a look on www.gsfcarparts.com or www.eurocarparts.co.uk for the parts to see if they work out cheaper. i wouldn't have said they HAVE to be done at the same time but if the lot is knackered you may as well. you can always fit it yourself then go to quickfit or somewhere like that and gte them to check it for leaks or get them to seal it properly. should cut the cost down a bit!

[the_GTI_new_guy]

The words "Kwick FIt" and "properly" in the same sentance. Thats funny 

[GolfGL]

if you can have a look underneath check what they are actually saying as you dont want to replace something thats isnt even broken as what they said sounds stupid. at halfords they got a book on all the sections that make up every cars exhaust im sure theyl let u have a look. back box will set u back about £30 for a standard one.

[...joe]

The words "Kwick FIt" and "properly" in the same sentance. Thats funny

hilarious

[animaniac]

you have 3 boxes plus the cat all can be brought seperate!!

if your going to fork out hundreds for a standard exhaust which will rot and fall apart your better off buying a stainless performance one for not much more.... about £300 for a full cat back....