E320 COUPE (1994)--- SOURCING A REPLACEMENT EXHAUST

[carspath]

MY 1994 W124 E320 COUPE has developed a crack in the rear section of the exhaust system
i took it to 2 different 'quick'repairers, who sucked their lips and said that a replacement would be expensive, but could not find the replacement part in their catalogues
another firm found what they thought woud be suitable TIMAX and BONSAL parts, but both these were in 2 sections , rather than the one rear section that is currently on the car

i would rather not be fleeced at a main dealer if i can avoid it, esp as the price of an OEM system would probably outweigh the cost of the car

any cost-efficient solutions gratefully received

[ClassicMercs]

The rear section of my S124 E220 went twelve months ago when on holiday - as they always do. It was the original 16yo exhaust - as yours may well be !!

The cheapest place for the section in question - Mercedes Benz - Inverness. Genuine part - car valeted - coffee, biscuits and newspapers - posh loos - very glam 'toys' in showroom - and tolerated three bouncy dogs running around. Wouldn't get that at Kwik/National etc nearby.
Under £300. Not sure about the C124's - different rear layout I think so may be cheaper.
And the workshop had more 10+yo cars in than newer ones. OK - that was Inverness who will be cheaper than some southern dealers. But - ask around - and go to specialists who will buy the exhaust from the dealer network. 50:50 on price difference - their trade discount compared to discounted price you could get it at, and pay a specialists fitting fee.

Had a genuine 190E exhaust done some years ago - better than a copy part fitted nearer to the time I sold the car. Stick with the Mercedes part, wherever fitted. The only thing to watch - if it is the original exhaust it will be a devil to get off - they fitted them well and the parts have been together for a lot of years - the fitter must be trusted for the quality of their work.

[Biglips]

This thread might be useful:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t...

less than £50 delivered to your door!

[carspath]

thank-you for this
1)i have already e-mailed the german seller
2)i will be ringinging inverness in the morning

[bolide]

Estate rear boxes are about £150 + VAT from a dealer. There's 20% discount to be had with some haggling

They're beautifully made, last for years and are hardly expensive

Nick Froome

[ClassicMercs]

So really what Nick is telling me is that I paid about £50 per hour whilst my rear box was fitted into place, car washed, etc. Which doesn't sound very cheap. The coffee was good though.

But looking at it another way, I was 500 miles from home, with another 1500 miles before I got home. The Kwik type boys in the Highlands wanted more than the main dealer - for inferior kit. It was a good deal from where I was.

I think as Nick says, the Mercedes boxes are worth the money to keep these beauties on the road. Just haggle and shop around.

[jith]

carspath said:

thank-you for this
1)i have already e-mailed the german seller
2)i will be ringinging inverness in the morning

Why would you go all the way to Inverness when you can come to me in Glasgow?

Sorry if I'm tramping on toes here, but I can supply and fit virtually any Mercedes system.

Incidentally, I replaced my middle box and front pipes on the SEC last year for the MOT. The main boxes and tail box are still original and dead quiet. It had it's 25th birthday last month!

J

[carspath]

a quick update: i had the exhaust middle portion and back box sent over from germany(ADXauto)at the very acceptable price of £125 , which included P&P

thank-you to all who replied, and in particular to Biglips,whose MBforum link directed me to the suppliers

also a big thumbs-up to steve at avantgarde in martock(07917 177011)who has done a fantastic job---the car is purring beautifully now