on 8/4/06 11:41 AM, Geo & Kathleen Hahn at ahwahnee@CYBERTRAILS.COM wrote:

> .go.brown. wrote:
>
>> need to replace the muffler/tailpipe/strap on my '84 1.9l-- rust finally
>> overwhelmed them.
>
>
> I got a Midas muffler about 16 years ago -- guaranteed for life.  Never
> had a hassle or question -- when I say I need a new one they take care
> of it.
>
> Just my experience -- do not recall the cost (would have changed by now
> anyway) but made sense for me on a vehicle I plan to drive forever.

I "Midasized" my 84 westy while still taking it to the dealer for
service-the dealer said to get a Midas muffler which was a fraction of the
cost of the vw muffler($90 vs $280+-).  I compared the 2 before I had the
lifer Midas installed, seemed identical-lasted 30-40k, then baffles broke
loose, Midas replaced for free, now am into 2nd one another 20+k.  I got the
Terry K  muffler-bearing strap.  It appears that before I did & the old
strap was rusted away, that I got a stress crack in the collector pipe from
the muffler/cat/tp vibrating too much.  Replaced easily w/ new Ernst from BD
& all is well(knock on wood).

Tom B.