This weekend, on the way back from SC, we stopped for lunch and my wife noticed exhaust smoke coming from under the side of the car ('94 E320 Cab). I knelt down and noticed that there was very little smoke coming fom the exhaust pipe--most of it was coming from the exhaust system near the middle of the car. I am not sure if it is coming from the catalytic converter or just a section of the exhaust pipe.

My question is whether this is a job for the MB dealership or can Midas handle the job just fine?

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1994 E320 Cab (mine)
2001 Chevy Suburban (wife's)
1995 BMW M3 (son's)
1989 Volvo 740 GL (extra car--for sale)

I might get flamed ... but

if the problem [leak] is with a regular exhaust pipe > ie not a CAT or MB-specific component >> then a Midas shop should be able to fix you up at a considerable cost savings over a MB shop...

my.02 worth

It's according to how much you want to spend and how long you will keep the car. Cheap patchwork job with parts that last a few years - Midas. Expensive OEM parts that will last another 10 or more - Mercedes. You could also order the parts online and get a good independent to do the work.

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1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K

Your car makes visible smoke after it's warmed up?

Any noise associated with the smoke?

Sure it wasn't just puddle splash on the hot pipes?

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Norm in NJ
Next oil change at 230,000miles

... or transmission fluid leaking on hot exhaust pipe?

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

An exhaust leak should not create visible smoke, but any fluid leaking onto the pipe(s) sure will. I think you have a fluid leak, not an exhaust leak!

Duke

Put a gloved hand over the exhaust pipe. If there is little pressure, and you hear exhaust coming out elsewhere, there is your leak.

OE exhaust will last 10 or more years. Made of very heavy metal.

Midas will last perhaps 3 years, may not fit properly, and may not be as quiet. Remember, that silly "lifetime" warrantee they give is only for the muffler, which is never the part that fails. They use cheesy pipes with short lifespan. If your car has some years left in it, invest in OE parts.

If you want a cheaper fix, consider visiting a welder for a patch. Depends upon the extent of the damage, but you may get several years from a patch. The heavy OE exhaust material takes welds well.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

I can attest the welds hold well. My 300E was riddled with welds when I boutght the car. Exhaust was original at ~155k miles and ~16 years old. It was not much longer for this world at that age, but that's a long time!

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

The rear muffler on a Mercedes includes what you think of as the muffler and the pipes -- its all one unit (there is a front muffler -- cat etc. -- between the "rear muffler" and the engine -- that one never failed for me). I had the rear muffler on a 1986 190e 2.3 replaced by the dealership the first time I needed one, and it lasted only a few years. Because I live in the rust belt I needed a new muffler again in about 3 years. The next time I needed one I went to Midas. It was cheaper and because they considered the pipes and muffler to be "the Muffler" the next time it needed to be replaced all it cost me was the hangers. It is the best deal going -- even if it only lasts a few years the next one is free -- the dealership can't beat that.

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Dan

1986 560SL (52.5k miles) sold 11/24/04

1987 560sl (55.6k miles)

Today I looked at it again and didn't notice any smoke coming from underneath the car and there seemed to be suffuicient exhaust coming from the rear tailpipe. I happened to be near my mechanic and he also looked and didn't see anything and suggested that sometimes there is condensation in the muffler and that can cause some steam/smoke to appear. I am going to watch it carefully for a while and see if I see it again.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

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1994 E320 Cab (mine)
2001 Chevy Suburban (wife's)
1995 BMW M3 (son's)
1989 Volvo 740 GL (extra car--for sale)

Take a rare E320 Cab to Midas! Come on get it fixed right that car still has a lot of value!

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I think it depends upon what the "real" problem is.

If you have a fluid lead, Midas would be a bad place.

Also, if you need major components (mufflers, etc.), I would certainly research the genuine MB parts, see what aftermarket (upgrade?) parts are available, and go from there.

However, if all you need is a minor patch or a clamp replaced or tightened (we all get lucky sometimes), then Midas would probably do fine.

-David