Complete exhaust pipe replacement on the 124s is due to the addition of an oxidation catalyst in the system. On 126s, the front pipe only gets replaced.

Note on this recall that it is a one-time-per-car recall that is ownership and vehicle history independent.

I would strongly recommend that anyone that has this recall done needs to do 2 things:

1) If there is evidence of turbo damage, then I would insist on borescope analysis of the cylinders.

2) I would ask the service department if you can keep your old exhaust pipe after it is "checked off" by the zone service representative. The dealership will "tag" the pipe, the rep will check it, and it will then be tossed. Ask them if you can have it after it has been checked off. If they will let you keep it, then you have a temporary backup in case your new oxidation catalyst pipe gets plugged up in the future.

Finally, on the potential purchase of the 603-equipped 124, the early 603 heads (86 & 87) are weak around the bolt area, and are sensitive to heat (a trap oxidizer contributes greatly to this given its proximity to the head).

These engines perform very, very well, but I would factor in the above and would go as far as to suggest that you should explicitly include in your purchase decision the potential replacement of the head at some point.

Richard Easley
Waco, Texas