280 CE Exhaust Dilema

[RossCormack]

Hi, I need some advice. I found it really hard to source a middle section for my 1980 280CE. In the end, Mercedes told me they could get it for me in time for my MOT re-test. But then, when I bought it, they said they actually couldn't deliver in time. Now I have to pay for another full MOT test and I've paid £380 for the part. Also, it will be difficult to fit it to the downpipes because they are a bit broken at the ends (will need a short joining pipe to connect them). To make things worse, my brother said he got a custom system put on his car (a high performance Mitsibushi Legnom) for £240 in a place not too far from Glasgow, where I live. Now I've got the new part and it looks great, but should I fit it to the car? Would it be better to sell the new part and the back box (which is in pretty good condition)? Then I could maybe get a full stainless custom system, including new downpipes. Could I sell it for, say, £300 (which still seems like a lot to most people) and maybe the back box for £50 or so? AAAAH, I don't know what to do now.

 

[GordonTarling]

If Mercedes couldn't deliver when they said they could, ask for a refund as they've breached their part of the contract.

 

[RossCormack]

It wasn't really like that. They had one guy on the phone who said they could and then another guy in the shop who told me they couldn't. I could have pulled out of the sale at that point but I didn't.

 

[rossyl]

Tough one.

Option 1 - Merc Exhaust
Cost = £380 + labour. Middle section only.
Problems = No idea how much longer front section, or connects to front and rear will remain. Could end up with other parts needing replacing.
Benefit = This is the original exhaust specially designed for the car.

Option 2 = Custom
Cost = £280 (sell mid and back box for £380. Buy custom for £250)
Problems = Not original. May not sound right. May not expel exhaust fumes as originally intended.
Benefit = Cost, it's cheaper. Guarantee on whole system. Durability. Customising sound and looks.

So that's what you are looking at.

 

[jaymanek]

im sure mercedes will refund if you explain. From the sounds of things you are going to spend even more money to be able to use the MB part.

It all depends on how original you want to keep the car. I have the same car and i wouldnt fit a stainless exhaust as I may want to sell the car in the future and I know buyers will look for originality.
However I have stainless steel exhausts on all of my other cars, they last forever and are cheaper than the MB prices.

Thats said, an MB box should last 15 years +

 

[RossCormack]

That's an interesting point about originality. Will a future buyer really prefer a Mercedes part that will wear out in time to a stainless system with a lifetime guarantee? What do people think about this?

The custom system may cost more than the £240 my bro paid as I'm not sure he got downpipes done and they seem to add a lot to the cost, although they said they could make a clean cut on the downpipes and fit it on there.

 

[jaymanek]

Yes anyone buying a decent W123 nowadays will want originality for sure.
These cars are increasing in value as bad ones erode away into dust and so the people buying them are particular.

I have only modified items on mine that can easily be put back (wheels, CD Player etc)...

Downpipes are expensive to make, most "full" stainless systems start from a cut on the downpipe.

Any classic car officianado will definately turn their noses up at a stainless exhaust whilst muttering on about back pressure and resonations..

 

[RossCormack]

Ha Ha, I wonder which type mine is. I'd like to think it is pretty solid but there is always a slight paranoia that something horribly unfixable will go wrong and it will become one of those that is sold for parts and returns to dust. Maybe I did make the right decision buying that part, even though it was almost half the price of what I originally paid for the car.

 

[grober]

Keep it original. Since the demand for such a part is quite rare and it was a "special" I would venture the Merc parts dept might be reluctant to take it back?

 

[RossCormack]

Thanks for your advice guys. You will not believe what happened. The car went missing from the street on Tuesday night and is presumed stolen. I can't believe anyone would want to steal an old car like that. I still half expect the police to call and say they've found it in an impound somewhere (tax has just expired). I'm now looking for a replacement, preferably the same model or a 230CE, Ideally a 280CE with a worn out exhaust mid-section.

 

[RossCormack]

Memories..

 

[d w124]

Thanks for your advice guys. You will not believe what happened. The car went missing from the street on Tuesday night and is presumed stolen. I can't believe anyone would want to steal an old car like that. I still half expect the police to call and say they've found it in an impound somewhere (tax has just expired). I'm now looking for a replacement, preferably the same model or a 230CE, Ideally a 280CE with a worn out exhaust mid-section.

Sorry to hear about it mate .As for another one,i`ll be hard and expensive to find a clean one

 

[grober]

Older Mercs in good nick find a ready market in the third world or behind the former Iron curtain as entire cars or for parts. No complicated electronics or security systems to get round for the new "owners"

 

[jaymanek]

where in the country are you? If in london this car will be half way to africa by now... A w123 in africa is worth a huge sum in spares.

 

[RossCormack]

I'm in Glasgow. There's not a lot of Africans here but maybe it went in the direction of eastern Europe. If I can't find a similar 280CE or 230CE, I'm thinking about a 500SEC from late 80s. Some people don't like them but I think they look pretty cool and are good value, especially with full leather interior. Are there issues with these cars that I don't know about?

 

[dj_efk]

Hi everyone,

I'm now in the same position with my 280ce, I need an exhaust centre box but can't seem to find one anywhere - My friend happens to be breaking a similar car and while the exhaust might be OK for a while on that I can't see it lasting too long, then I'll be back to square one!

What are my options? I want to get an original (or good pattern) system or centre box.

Thanks

 

[jaymanek]

get your local stainless steel exhaust place to fabricate one.

 

[219]

Not sure where you are , but I can't recommend P D Gough too highly . They will build a properly engineered replica of your original system in stainless steel with a lifetime guarantee .

After a bad experience elsewhere , I took my car all the way from Scotland down to Nottingham to have a system fitted there - well worth the trip in my estimation .

I don't consider that a proper system , faithful to the original design , should devalue the car .

See the following link for more detail / pictures of the system fitted to my W126 .

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/96547-exhausting-day.html