# Mid muffler **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** exhaustsystems\ **Created:** [July 26, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553 "2013-07-26T17:54:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tina\_Jaillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@Tina\_Jaillet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tina_Jaillet)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/1 "2013-07-26T17:54:51Z")
I got two VERY different work proposals: replace the mid muffler ($750) remove the mid muffler (about $100). I drive a 2003 Passat wagon and would truly appreciate the car talk community’s opinion. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/2 "2013-07-26T18:16:28Z")
Get a second opinion. Go to a local (not chain) muffler shop that has a good reputation. ---
**Author:** ![Tina\_Jaillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@Tina\_Jaillet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tina_Jaillet)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/3 "2013-07-26T18:29:16Z")
the $100 removal cost is fom a reputable local exhaust mechanic. The $750 is VW dealership repairshop… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/4 "2013-07-26T18:42:04Z")
What would the local shop charge to replace the mid muffler? ---
**Author:** ![Tina\_Jaillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@Tina\_Jaillet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tina_Jaillet)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/5 "2013-07-26T19:03:07Z")
$150 (not $100). They are also replacing flex hoses… I am learning about exhaust systems! ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/6 "2013-07-26T19:10:06Z")
I’d have the independent shop replace it at $150. You’re talking 50 bucks more to have the exhaust operating as designed. Removing the mid muffler will probably make it louder, and might make it make a very unpleasant drone at certain RPM’s, which will get real old real fast if that happens to be the RPM you cruise down the highway at. ---
**Author:** ![Stoveguyy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Stoveguyy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Stoveguyy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/7 "2013-07-26T19:28:41Z")
Dealer wanted 750 to just replace resonator? Or was this for a cat back system? What did they charge for resonator price and labor? 650 for res and 100 install? ---
**Author:** ![Stoveguyy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Stoveguyy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Stoveguyy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/8 "2013-07-26T19:38:57Z")
looked online. walker midmuff is 450. another one was 300. i suppose bobs muffler shop could fab up something close. maybe not. ---
**Author:** ![Tina\_Jaillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@Tina\_Jaillet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tina_Jaillet)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/9 "2013-07-26T23:15:24Z")
Thanks to all repliers! I decided to forgo the VW factory replacement resonator/mid muffler (not a cat back system- they cost lots more!) and opt for the exhaust shop replacement resonator/mid muffler. That will save me several hundred $$ and the work will be completed in one shop. The exhaust shop apears to have a good reputation. ---
**Author:** ![doubleclutch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/doubleclutch/32/1281_2.png) [@doubleclutch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doubleclutch)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/10 "2013-07-27T17:27:15Z")
Volkswagon has a special talent for making the simplest things cost $1,000 to fix. They used to be “The People’s Car”. Now they are only for people who can afford to keep them running. ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/11 "2013-07-27T19:12:22Z")
@Stoveguy that’s interesting. Bob does almost all of my muffler work too, at 32nd St and South Seneca. Good guy, reasonable, fast. I’m glad to see another recommend him. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/12 "2013-07-27T19:23:58Z")
I am waiting for OP to post a pic of bobs work. A traverse mid muff install should be cool. Maybe angle the muff at a 45 degree slant? ---
**Author:** ![meanjoe75fan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meanjoe75fan/32/552_2.png) [@meanjoe75fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meanjoe75fan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2013, 7:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mid-muffler/80553/13 "2013-07-29T07:38:15Z")
I would not replce the resonator, and I’m not sure why so many are recommending it. I had the same choice to make when my '98 Contour took a rock to the resonator. I replaced it with a straight pipe. Under acceleration only, it got ever so slightly more raspy…not even louder, just a more assertive tone. (Oh, and the parking brake mechanism above the resonator quit rusting out!) So, OP, have the indy shop cut off the resonator and replace it with a test pipe. **Ask them to clamp it into place and let you drive it before permanently welding it** I’m 99% certain you’ll be satisfied with the sound…and you’ll have saved $$$. If not, NOW have them put in an aftermarket resonator…you’ll only be out the $100 extra, and likely even less, as much of the cutting off the old stuff was already done, theoretically lowering the labor cost of replacement.