Eric,
I solved my limp home problem by selling my CE to my mechanic. I then took a quantum leap forward and bought a '97 CL500. Wow, what a car! It will be my last. I thought my '95 E420 was spectacular but this car exceeds the 420. And the surprising thing is that I recently got 25mpg on a 300 mile trip. However, around town is sort of "sucky".
Anziani
'97 CL500 140K
'95 E420 130K

Getting rid of the problematic vehicle is apparently the only permanent solution.

The CL500 is an awesome car. I don't see many of them but the ones I do see are in outstanding condition. All the S-Class amenities without the extra bulk.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

UPDATE 2
Over the past 6 months, both secondary cats began rattling. My original intent was to have them cut out and have aftermarket replacements or straight pipe installed.

Because an empty converter housing is, for all intents and purposes, a straight pipe, earlier this week my tech dropped the exhaust, gutted the secondary cats, and solved the problem (and improved performance).

I should add that the sound of that V8 with no mufflers is simply wonderful; don’t know why MB chose to tune it to be so quiet.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

They sound dirty when they don't have a muffler. Post a video up. It's been awhile since I've heard a V8 Benz not muffled.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Man, this wouldn't fly in California.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Unfortunately, I overlooked the chance to video record it.

With the car on the lift, he repeatedly air-hammered the faulty cat material, then started/revved the engine to blow out the debris. Very simple and effective.

Yes -- California would not allow this, and I originally did not do the work since i was concerned about the rules here (Virginia). But the secondary cats are behind the O2 sensors and thus irrelevant for emissions testing, which I passed easily.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black