Hi all

Just looking for some advice. I was experiencing a new race-car growl
from
my Maxima and had it checked out.

Turned out that the muffler inlet pipe had opened up/separated/almost
broke.
The Nissan dealer here estimated that the repair would cost $460
including
labor. This was for replacing the muffler and the piece of pipe leading
into
it. The intermediate pipe going further toward the front of the car
would
not be replaced.

Then tried Meineke. They presented me with two options: 1) a patch up
job in
which small sections of pipe at thge break point would be removed and
be
replaced by a new section of pipe overlaying the opposite ends of the
broken
pipe. They would also repair the front of the "intermediate pipe" which
seems to be in a deteriorated shape, as well. This would all cost me
$130

2) Replace the muffler& pipe assembly + the resonator and pipe assembly
for
the same price as the Nissan dealer was asking for only the muffler &
pipe
assembly.

Would option (1) from Meineke likely be a short-term fix and therefore
a
waste of money?

If I go for the more thorough repair, are there major downsides in
going
with Meineke and the parts it is likley to use versu the dealer??

Thnaks for any advice on this.

Harold