I just about fell over when I heard that a muffler for a 02 3.0 LL Bean will cost me almost $500.00.

 

I confirmed the part number as 44300AE20A based on my VIN.  The part seems unique and Walker doesn't make one as a replacement.  Usually a muffler is about $75.00.  

 

Anybody else find a better solution to the OEM pain of $480?

i've had them shipped from out west.  a little legwork but worth not only not buying those insane prices, but not supporting them either.

Edited September 4, 201312 yr by grossgary

Have you checked Rockauto? They list two different styles for the 3.0 for under $100. Built by Bosal.

I will consider it time for a turbo muffler or one of the rockauto units when mine finally goes.

 

It is one tough muffler though, what part of it failed? Cap to the bypass fell off?

Do you know for certain that the muffler is bad, or you taking the word of a muffler shop or dealer that the muffler is bad? Subie mufflers are super well built, and seldom wear out. The mufflers on my 98 & 99 OBWs show no rust, and still perform well. However, I have had trouble with both exhaust systems developing a rust out leak at the resonator.

 

If your muffler is truly bad, how exactly has it gone bad?

The 4 cly one fitts in same place just a bitt smaller and dosent have the bypass junk on the side

It has a slight buzz or vibration. My mechanic is my neighbor and I trust him.   I think I am going to drive it till it falls off for that money and then look at a rock auto one after that.  thanks for the help and suggestions.

Buzz/rattle is almost always heat shields. Are you sure the sound is from the muffler and not a heat shield above it? Or from one of the ones further forward like the cat or the Y pipes?

Yeah, bad muffler is likely to be worse than a buzz or rattle.

Bosal 229-581 comes up available to me on my system.  

www.car-part.com shows a nice CO Rust Free one:

 

2002
Muffler
Subaru Legacy LL BEAN,3.0L,EFI,AWD A BB001 $Call Brighton Auto Parts USA-CO(Brighton) E-mail 303-659-2965

I get the buzz in the back , so I will for sure check the heat shield in the back above the muffler.

 

Thanks for all of the comments.