back box advice

[red line fun]

guys, i've been advised by a seat dealer that within the next few months to a year the back box on my leon (fr tdi '08 plate, totally standard) will probably need replaced. they have stated it's not a cheap job mostly due to the part itself costing circa £300

obviously i don't know for sure what parts they would intend to replace, but when i google 'seat leon mk2 back box' i see prices <£100 but nothing in the region of £300. will the dealer be including the price of other parts that are required over and above the back box component, or are their prices simply on the 'high' side?

what is a ballpark price (including labour) for replacement of this part at a dealers?

 

[kazand]

guys, i've been advised by a seat dealer that within the next few months to a year the back box on my leon (fr tdi '08 plate, totally standard) will probably need replaced. they have stated it's not a cheap job mostly due to the part itself costing circa £300

obviously i don't know for sure what parts they would intend to replace, but when i google 'seat leon mk2 back box' i see prices <£100 but nothing in the region of £300. will the dealer be including the price of other parts that are required over and above the back box component, or are their prices simply on the 'high' side?

what is a ballpark price (including labour) for replacement of this part at a dealers?

Why have it done at a dealers? They'll screw you top dollar for both the parts and labour. You could try an independent, or (yes I know) qwick fitty ist type places. Or source a performance part....
You could also try the for sale bit on here, sometimes standard systems/parts come up for sale....

 

[red line fun]

Why have it done at a dealers? They'll screw you top dollar for both the parts and labour. You could try an independent, or (yes I know) qwick fitty ist type places. Or source a performance part....
You could also try the for sale bit on here, sometimes standard systems/parts come up for sale....

tbh come the time i'll defo shop around (always do) just wondered what the ballpark dealer price is. i'm not averse to getting the part new, just want to make sure i'm not paying silly money. i'm 99% sure they told me the part alone is £300.

 

[kazand]

I've just had a quick Google and prices are (or seem to be) starting at £85, so I'd say your dealer is extracting the urine somewhat. As you say, I would make a fewphone calls first as £300 does seem a bit excessive

 

[richicupra]

£300 sounds right from the dealers, I got a quote for a standard Cupra backbox from Dave/Sere and that was almost £400. You can pick up a decent used part for £50 to 100.

What was the problem to say that it will need replacing?

This is a bargain if still available, and you can cope with a Cupra tailpipe:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=421391

 

[Asce]

The back box isnt just the box, its also the centre pipe running from the cat. I was quoted last year for a replacement from dealer of £350 just for the part.

 

[richicupra]

The back box isnt just the box, its also the centre pipe running from the cat. I was quoted last year for a replacement from dealer of £350 just for the part.

This is a good point worth mentioning, the "backbox" is actually a section with both silencers on it and runs from the middle of the car.

 

[kazand]

The pictures of FR back boxes I've seen consist of twin tail pipes , box (1 off, runs across the car from left to right at rear) and then a single short length of pipe (500mm or so) that exits box in centre and faces towards front of car. This would then join to the rest of the system.

 

[Asce]

This is a good point worth mentioning, the "backbox" is actually a section with both silencers on it and runs from the middle of the car.

Its one reason why im looking at stainless steel exhaust when i replace it. Why pay £350 when for a fraction more, you get something that will last longer.

 

[red line fun]

thanks for replies and advice guys. yeah in the dealers defence they did say the part itself is quite large i.e. not just the back box and surrounding pipes. so their quoted price of £300 seems about right from a main dealer perspective based on some of your experiences.

the reason they say it'll likely need replaced is the outer skin is more than slightly corroded and one of the sections (sorry can't remember the proper word/term) holding the unit in place has corroded through. they think it'll be okay into next year and advised if it does 'go' i'll hear the exhaust starting to blow.

as and when it needs done i'll seek quotes from a couple of other non dealer garages and then see if the dealer can price match or at least get close.

 

[richicupra]

The pictures of FR back boxes I've seen consist of twin tail pipes , box (1 off, runs across the car from left to right at rear) and then a single short length of pipe (500mm or so) that exits box in centre and faces towards front of car. This would then join to the rest of the system.

If you look in the link above, the Cupra system is one big piece - I was under the impression the FR was the exact same exhaust apart from the twin vs. oval tips

 

[Asce]

Richi, from what i understand the TDI FR exhuast is missing the centre silencer and just has a pipe instead. While the TFSI FR will have a middle silencer.

 

[richicupra]

Richi, from what i understand the TDI FR exhuast is missing the centre silencer and just has a pipe instead. While the TFSI FR will have a middle silencer.

Makes sense, I missed the TDI reference in the original post