How long has your current exhaust lasted ?

[Will]

I think most of the MB exhausts used to last about 15 years, then the back boxes would typically go.

On some of the 'newer' models the cats can rattle (perhaps due to external forces - impact damage, sudden cooling through puddles etc?). I'm thinking W202/210 from the mid-90s.

Overall - very good quality. I reckon many 190s/124s etc are on original downpipes and mid sections still. Sometimes they can look a bit tired but they're often still very solid.

Will

 

[C240Sport97]

my 210 estate's exhaust is still fine after 240,000 miles .. the hook holding the back box to the body broke, but a quick welding job for £30 sorted that out.

 

[ringway]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ringway
The guy I dealt with at MB Macclesfield was adamant that only (I think) Porsche exhausts were better than an original MB.

NEVER!

I do a few Porsches and the exhausts are cr@p. Manifold bolts snap heat sheilds vibrate bolts seize etc etc.

Maybe he didn't say Porsche after all then. I can't ask him now either because he is no longer with MB Macclesfield.

I sincerely hope his departure wasn't anything to do with my injectors refund of £204.00 (LINK) which was deducted from the cost of my new exhaust.

 

[Rob77]

On my W201, I replaced the whole thing with MB parts when I got it at around 190k miles. Nearly 4 years and 40k miles on it's still fine.

I've had my S124 6 months and it had done approx 190k miles with the exhaust being replaced around then too (though with a cr..py version I'll need to do something about at some stage).

So, on that basis, I'd say they last around 190k miles

 

[SAFC]

You know when you have a nagging concern at the back of your mind that you wonder when the time could be up for your current exhaust - especially if its the original factory fit.The problem is as they tend to corrode from the inside,its hard to judge when its on its way out - generally when you hear it,its too late - so how long have members had an original factory fit exhaust on for - I drive a 12 mile commute and few if any short journeys,which will help - it has been on for 4 years and 8 months.

My W202 C Class 220 Elegance has not a single part of the exhaust system replaced since it was first registered in Aug 1994.That's nearly 16 years old !! Honest !!What has happened, however, is that the baffles inside the silencer box have rusted and the car is slightly noisy (outside, but fine inside) and still passes MOT's.The baffles started to go around two years ago so you can say it was still in pefect nick for 14 years - amazing !!Two Exhaust System Truisms:1. Good exhausts rust from the inside out, not the other way round and ...2. MB make great exhausts!John (SAFC).

 

[SAFC]

... and, I forgot to say, my W202 (1994) exhaust has given me 220,000 miles worth of trouble-free motoring !! John.

 

[6pot]

shortest....i had a vw polo with a quickfit box, it managed 6 months. My w124 as far as i can tell...everything is original!

 

[splitpin]

My W202 back box fell off at 57k.

Splitpin

 

[MOR8A]

When I sold my 1991 500E this year it was still on the original exhaust!!!

 

[markjay]

Never changed exhaust on any car I owned in the past 15 years....

1st Omega MY 1997 - sold at 4 years with the original exhaust
2nd Omega MY 2001 - sold at 7 years with the original exhaust
Previa MY 1998 - still got that one, going strong with the original exhaust after 12 years!
W203 MY 2006 - still got that one with the original exhaust
Scenic MY 2005 - still got that one with the original exhaust

All factory fitted. They just don't fail as much as they used to in the olden days...

 

[markjay]

For that matter, batteries also seem to last forever these days... of the cars above, only the Previa needed new battery (at 8 years). Not so long ago we used to change batteries every 3 years or so....

 

[jasonyw]

For that matter, batteries also seem to last forever these days... of the cars above, only the Previa needed new battery (at 8 years). Not so long ago we used to change batteries every 3 years or so....

W201 exhaust needed a replacement after nine years 90,000 miles because wife didn't look after it after winter with a rinse.

W202 still OK(touch wood, will break anytime) 110K miles.

W202 battery lasted only 6 years, another 6 years had gone, due for renewal soon, if it does not charge.

 

[proser]

S210 - 10yrs and 213000 miles

 

[jaymanek]

The ones I know of:

190E - 22 years
500SL - 20 years
W123 - 12 years

On my others I have put stainless steel systems on.

Short journeys will kill an exhaust system... You will find that cars that have done around 10-15K a year will have the longest lasting exhausts.

 

[stwat]

I recently replaced the system on my 2.3-16. The one i took of was the original and had been on for 22 years and 167.000+ miles.

The back box(Stainless as standard) was still in fantastic condition. It's just a shame the mild steel pipe leading to it had corroded The middle box was still fine but the baffles in the front box on the downpipes had crumbled away.

 

[lextalionis]

E300 cat for £84.

As a newbie I don't know if other members are aware that the front exhaust pipe with a Cat to fit a 1998 E300TD (S210 - that is the Estate but equally the saloon W210 is the same part I understand) costs £685 + VAT and fitting from a Merc Stealer (over a grand anyhoo) is available as a pattern part from a Cat manufacturer here in England for just £84.00 + VAT.

I found that my exhaust was blowing at the Cat which had been welded several times prior to my purchase as documented on the MOT failure history for allowing fumes into the cockpit. Rather than wait until it dropped off naturally - so to speak - I went to my local Kwikthick branch where the manager told me that his pattern part was £400 + VAT with free fitting but the flange connection was not the correct one for my car (not much use then if it doesn't join up to the turbo pipe – it might leak gases I guess).

After discovering that my pre 2001 car does not legally require a cat or apparently not subject to emission controls (none listed on the V5C) I considered getting a bespoke exhaust company to stick a bit of pipe in. However, I found that Cats Direct in Nottingham sell an MB Cat (made in Mansfield) pattern part online for the quoted £84 plus £7.50 DHL delivery plus VAT - a whopping £109.38 (with a U clamp for £1.59 + VAT).

It came today and I got a local indie exhaust centre to fit it for £50.

It's excellent - no more blowing noise - and all for under £160.00 all done.

The links below show the part BM80066 from Cats Direct (it costs more from their stores and you have to collect it) as it does direct from MB Cats themselves which is an excellent company as I spoke direct with the Technical Adviser to check if I was correct in my needs and anticipated monetary saving

Hope this is of interest to others.

Incidentally, I'm aware that the Merc one would be better made and more durable, but this one has a two year warranty in any event and for a 12 year old car that I only paid £1,800 for it seems more than reasonable to me.

www.cats-direct-shop.co.uk/diesel-catalytic-converter-details.php?ID=BM80066]Cats Direct |

Catalytic Converters From BM Catalysts | Catalogue