Muffler Replacement for a 560SL?
 

Looks like I am going to be doing a muffler replacement on my 560SL, as the original is de-laminating and is not long for this world! Need some recommendations and advice. I see that replacement assemblies (with dual pipes) are available from Bosal, Ansa and Eberspaecher. Any recommendations? I plan to do the job myself and seek a straightforward repair. I have done exhausts before on other cars, and they are always a joy! Wear your goggles and gloves, keep the wife and kids away.

How about the seal rings? Are they on both pipes? What is involved with the connections at the front (to the cat pipes)? The illustration looks like flanges with bolts and nuts. Rear seems to hang from rubber hangers, which I will replace. Thanks.

It’s been a While since I've done an SL exhaust..so the # of seal rings etc is a big foggy.. But as far as manufacture goes Eberspacher is the Only way to go. The Bosal and Ansa and just cheap knock off's.

I'd get the genuine rubber hangers over the aftermarkets as well..they seem to hold up better esp. on the 560SL's which seem to be hard on their exhaust hangers.

Jonathan

Don't forget to check with dealer.

For my 300TE price was within $20 of aftermarket and quality was WAY more than $20 better.

I don't like that the black paint falls off om my Ansa exhaust. Other than that, it's OK. The price was right.

There are two seals; I had to carefully cut the old pipes off and peel, it was a little tricky to get the old muffler off.

The cheap soft doughnuts will last about 1 year; the genuine MB doughnut hangers (expensive, but worth it) have a wire center.

Is it actually perforated or is the heat shield just flaking off?
It may still be muffl'atin.
Just a thought.

Thanks for the replies!
Yes, it is the muffler peeling apart. Seems to be a two layer, original muffler. Back end is starting to perforate too.

Can anyone tell me if the Eberspaecher is a better fit and easier to install than the others?

Genuine = $262
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=213951

Bosal = $190

ANSA = $182

I bet you get what you pay for and the genuine item is far better quality and you know it fits. I've seen Bosal.

OEM a good bet
 

Check around for prices on OEM

Rusty's parts, Randy at www.eps.com (European parts specialists), parts vendor this site.

SEC uses the rubber hangers at the back.

Quality will be the highest.

Randy closed his business down some time ago. Last I read, he's working for an MB dealer in northern Calif.

Do a search for my post on my 560SL exhaust experiance. I have a Bosal muffler, DEC CAT and Miller crossover pipe. The aftermarket is crap compared to the genuine MB. If I had to replace just the muffler again I would try the Eberspaecher.

The entire system from MB is about $4000, yes thats not a typo it really is $4000. My entire aftermarket system was about $800.00. You get what you pay for. But for this kind of money and difference in performance I would prefer to get a good used OEM one from a junk yard. I would also expect a used one to last longer since it is made of SS. The aftermarkes are magnetic, which generally means they are not SS.

John Roncallo

Thanks again for the great advice and recommendations. I will go with the Eberspaecher and new hangers/seals.

Check out Timevalve
 

If you put a Timevalve system on, you will never have to worry about it again. I put one on my 230 SL 18 years ago and it still looks like new.

http://www.timevalve.com/cat/us/p10b1.html

Randy's back

http://www.autopartsguru.com/