electromechanical

Hi,
I got from a friend a 2000 TT FWD with 195K miles on it. It needs help, but because it is a quality car I would like to fix it for use as a daily driver. I used to be a Honda mechanic when I was younger and once had a Mercedes SL500, so I've repaired German cars as well. I can likely fix the Audi myself, the exception being exhaust systems because I don't have access to a lift to work on it overhead. The worst issue right now is that the exhaust pipe has broken off right behind the flex pipe. An independent muffler shop said he could cut off the old headpipe and flex pipe from the converter pipe and weld on new ones. He said otherwise I would have to buy a new converter from Audi because if he put on an aftermarket converter it would throw check engine codes. He wants $250 to do this, and won't guarantee the system wouldn't leak somewhere else. I would much prefer to replace the whole exhaust system. What can the TT people tell me about whether the issue with the aftermarket converter is true? Does anybody have any other suggestions on what I should do?
Thanks for any help!

J. Patterson

Very likely that he is correct. I put a high flow cat and down pipe on my TT 225 and had to put a spacer on the rear O2 sensor in order to avoid CEL for converter performance. There were fitment issues too on my quattro car as the space in the tunnel is really tight. MIne is a Relentless.

Mister Bally

Use OEM or OES parts. Otherwise.....

electromechanical

I agree about aftermarket parts, but don't you think $900 for just the converter is a bit outrageous? By the time I'd buy a complete system from Audi it would cost more than this 2000 TT is worth. I'd rather deal with the O2 sensor difficulties -- it's more challenging anyway.

Mister Bally

Well then just buy another car.

Will you really get one that is worth more than yours? You might have to replace the exhaust on it in a few months. Otherwise, buy a new vehicle. If it would be affordable that is.....