Do I need a muffler? 300D
 

The muffler on our 85 300D fell off today.

Car amazingly sounds Ok with out it.

Anyone running without a muffler?

I would add a pipe extension if I left it this way.

The W123 has a muffler as well as a resonator. I ran without the muffler for a while, then got bored and had the resonator removed. Perfectly fine to remove the muffler.

Mine gets a bit loud though... :o

The purpose of the muffler is to muffle the sound. It might hold back a bit of exhaust particulates but very little really. If the sound doesn't bother you then you can run with out it. Usually cars get significantly louder with out a muffler. The 123's actually have two mufflers. Did you loose both or just one? If you only lost one that could be why it doesn't seem too loud.

One muffler removed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc3aNsfOkJ8

Both removed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGOJTCXLjRs&feature=channel_video_title

Both videos were shot with the same phone. (HTC inspire)

Thanks guys! Mike you didn't have to remove your mufflers just for me ;)

I checked with dealers - C$275 for OE muffler. Then Speedy Muffler - $299 for a Walker.
On-Line - About $145 incl shipping for ANSA - Never heard of them. Tried to order but for some reason Paypal wouldn't work.

So, will probably break down and install a new muffler. But no rush - have other old cars to drive :)

not sure what shipping would be to the white north, but I'm stripping several 123's and mufflers last a LONG time here in the no snow belt...

Any of those w123's have a header down pipe in good condition? The flex section on Khan has a hole I can get three fingers into (and I need to get him inspected next month).

nope...:(

worth checking local inspection rules. Removed the entire exhaust system and put in a 2.5" straight pipe on an 83 300D, only to discover that in order to pass inspection, I needed at least one muffler or muffler like object. Put in a twin tip resonator instead.

I only say this cause its annoying to have to go back in and adjust for a pesky rule. Might as well check and see if there are any, I was completely surprised they cared for a car that old, but I guess noise is noise. The resonator fit the restrictions without damaging the note of the exhaust I was going for.

Luckily we are grandfathered on this car - no inspections required. Besides even when it was done, they had no way to do it, so just looked at exhaust for a few minutes - not too much smoke - PASS!

VCTECH - Thanks for offer, but I found I could buy a new ANSA muffler in Canada for $115 incl shipping, so went with that.

Its a turbo, you don't really need a muffler, turbos effectively function as a muffler. If it was a non turbo, you'd definitely need one.

Put it on the to do list, just not too close to the top IMO.

I have no muffler of any sort on my 300SD. Just a 2.5" pipe from the turbo to the rear bumper! :D Its "loud" but not annoyingly so, turbo sounds amazing! My 420 is so quiet in comparison its almost eerie. :eek:

That's a good thought!

But if new (cheap) muffler I "think" I ordered on line actually turns up, I suppose it might actually be an easier install than the extension pipe.

Shot this video earlier today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHOUdK60PdA

I tend to run one muffler now on my old 123s. If the rear one dies I replace it with a custom made pipe. If the middle one dies I replace it with a custom made pipe. The increase in noise running one muff instead of two is hardly noticable.

I have not tried running without any muffs....I tried that on my suburban once. It was way too loud. My wife made faces.;) ....me too.