Muffler

[Jordan_3202000]

Hi everyone

it seems like there are holes in both the rear muffler and center muffler of my 300E, i was looking at the cost of the OEM MB mufflers, and they are VERY expensive. I was thinking of installing an aftermarket muffler as they are much cheaper, like one from Midas or something. Do any of you know if its safe to install an aftermarket muffler one of these cars, or if it can cause any problems?

Then agian, i could just drive it the way it is, it sounds like a real hotrod now lol

[Robert Goodwin]

With wholesale contacts or a friendly dealer, prices should be about 30 % more for OE than Walker or Maremont brands at McParts. I would still shop around the McMuffler places if it were me. My cars are daily drivers, not collector items. You should ask if they are going to order parts from the dealer or use/make their own parts. I got an estimate for a leaky header pipe on a 123. $300 plus 2 days. They had to get the part from the dealer. Drove home to VB and took the car to Meineke. 30 minutes and $20 later I was on the road. They cut out the bad section of pipe and welded in a new one.

[Tom Hanson]

Genuine MB mufflers for this car aren't all that expensive. How about $157.44 each ? Aftermarket mufflers will make the car sound like an old Fiat or something. Contact me if you're interested. hanson_anaheim@mbretailer.com or 800 252-6877 ext 306.

[badali]

I have noticed that when you get an after market muffler with a life time warrenty they use cheep pipes and they rust out quickly, the pipes are not life time only the muffler. The OEM parts seem better to me.
Brad

[Jordan_3202000]

With my new C coupe on order, I have made the decision to sell the car, do any of you think it would be better to sell the car "as is" and discount the price of a muffler, or get it fixed before selling it

[Ferdman]

Jordan, I suggest that you price the muffler replacement both ways ... OEM and aftermarket. Once you have a prospective buyer and are negotiating the purchase price see what works best for you i.e., you replacing the muffler or reducing the price accordingly. A knowledgeable MB person will want an OEM muffler so installing an aftermarket muffler now may kill the deal.

[Robert Goodwin]

Ferdman has offered good advice here. Another angle is that you may get a buyer like me who would want you to get the work done on your time. I would ask for a substantiasl discount if I had to take the car in somewhere to be fixed.

[Tom Hanson]

I don't know about legal requirements in your state, but in CA the seller is responsible for a smog certificate. You can't get a smog certificate here with bad mufflers. If I were selling the car, I'd want it to be in top shape. A car that is presented well might make the buyer think it was maintained better than others.

[Jordan_3202000]

Well guys, i couldn't bring myself to sell it, its too nice of a car:D, i'm going to try to install the new exhaust myself, does anyone know how difficult it is, or if i should just take it someware to have it done

[Ferdman]

Jordan, if the holes in the mufflers aren't too large try sealing them with muffler weld that is sold at Pep Boys and other auto stores. It costs approximately $3 and is amazingly effective ... simply follow the directions. I recently repaired a 2" diameter porous area in the muffler of our Taurus (beater/snow car). By law the inspection station can't patch a leaking exhaust system, but if it is already patched and doesn't leak it will pass inspection.

If the repair route is unappealing then buy an OEM replacement system. No direct experience here, but I've read that the system bolts right on. It's likely that there are several mechanical joints with the replacement system so you might want to have a muffler shop seal weld those areas after you're done the installation. Without access to a lift the job will be cumbersome; however, if jack up the car 18" to 24" and block it securely a creeper will simplify the job.

[Robert Goodwin]

I will do just about any job on a car. I have rebuilt my transmission, changed glow plugs, water pump, vacuum pump, injectors, front and rear main seals, brakes, springs, other suspension parts and many other things. After all that, I am not set up here at home to do exhaust work. First problem is getting the car up high enough to work under it. The rest are potential problems such as cutters for the pipes where a hack saw will not easily reach, a torch to cut or re-weld a connection (I have a torch) without setting the car on fire, internal pipe expanders to make stuff go back together (I have these). Sometimes you get luckey and it all comes apart and goes back together easy. If it doesn't, thats when you get to see a grown man cry. Hope this helps make your decision.

[Tom Hanson]

By the way, this exhaust system can be installed with simple hand tools. I think even I could do it, and that's scary.