In need of a new exhaust and no, I'm not going the OEM route. By exhaust I mean the center and rear mufflers on this M103 equipped W126 car.

Bosal and Ansa appear to be in the lead at this point, leaning slightly towards Ansa based on comments I've found here from people whose opinions I trust. I don't live in the rust belt, so it's likely either one of these brands will last whatever life the car(or I) have left.

I did try to locate the close-to-OEM Eberspacher and have not been able to find a provider in the U. S. I sent an email off awhile back to a place in Alabama and never heard back from them.

Curious to know if anyone here has replaced these 2 mufflers on an 88-91 300-SEL with either of these brands and any gotchas you may have run into.

I will add that the catalytic converter(pipe from exh. man. to center muffler) is original and I'm not replacing it.

Thanks.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Have you considered good, used stock? Rear is same between the 300SE and 300SEL. Center is specific to the .025 chassis.

I have purchased two vehicles over the years with Ansa ('78 280S and '85 745i). I would not install it for someone, let alone purchase to install on my own vehicle. They just do not last and fitment is bleh at best. I am in Texas, far from the coast.

My 300SEL needed a new catback when I purchased a decade ago. I went Eberspacher.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Are you suggesting a used center/rear muffler? If so, they would be as old or older than what I have. Mine is one-piece from where the center muffler connects to the cat -
all the way to the rear. Can't imagine another 26 yr. old unit being in much better shape than mine and for how long.

A well known member here - T. Walgamuth - indicated he's had good luck with Ansa mufflers.

As mentioned above - Eberspacher appears to be unavailable.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Yes, a good, used factory system beats a rotted out setup. I put on an OE used rear muffler on my 300SD years ago from another junkyard SD. Works fine to this day. The middle resonators are usually longer lasting than the rear mufflers on city cars as the resonator will become hot faster and getting the water out.

My 560 has a stock catback from 1991, I would not hesitate to install on another car and run it. SDL too. I own multiple E23 BMW 745i, I have fixed many botched exhaust systems on them with good, used OEM Boysen resonators and mufflers produced in the 1980s.

Interesting OE Eberspacher is NLA.



In any event, between Bosal and Ansa? I would go Ansa.

Do not forget about checking Timevalve - Timevalve Manufacturing - Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems and Catalytic Converters for Mercedes Benz, Vintage Ferrari, and other Classic Cars Unsure of cost, but they are stainless.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

My situation is the opposite. Center muffler is a rotted disaster. Have been patching with chemical goop 'til I decide a course of action. Rear muffler is in very good shape.

My biggest concern for either Bosal or Ansa is how their units hook up to the back of my OEM cat.

Thanks for your input.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Hey, I had another idea!

You could take a used .024 resonator and weld it to your current piping that fits the .025 chassis. Or a late V8 catback (dual pipe) would work, hangers are all there and the same. Just the piping is a hair bigger so you would have to weld up a bit between aft of the catalyst and before the V8 resonator section.

Glad my input could help. That is what this site is all about. PS, my .025 will roll 317k in 400 miles.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Watching this post with interest. I'm on my third W126 300SEL. I replaced the first two cars center mufflers with Eberspacher; perfect fit, perfect function, value. Last fall, I went to replace my center muffler on my current 300SEL, and found out Ebersacher NLA. I looked at both Ansa and Bosal, and didn't like what I saw for the money. I ended up buying a cheap off brand (allegedly exact fit) muffler on Ebay and it is a POS. I've been watching Ebay for an NOS Eberspacher, or I will find used, or fabricate. I wish I would have saved my old Eberspacher for the pipes as Hit Man suggested. Good idea.

I also checked in with Timevalve - mufflers for my '91 300-SEL no longer available.

Another online euro seller confirmed that Eberspaecher was no longer available after April 2013.

Looking into another stainless steel option.

My biggest concern is - will any after market center muffler bolt right up to the back end of my cat pipes. I'll find out eventually.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

i have a 1990 300sel which i bought for parts. the center muffler looks good used. the rear looks new used. stock

disregard i missed the part about not going oem.

Pie - thanks.

While your used OEM may be fine - I am going to replace with new after-market. If the car were 10 yrs. old - I would be going OEM as that would be available as would Eberspaecher.

My 26 yr. old Benz will be just fine with an after-market setup. I've bought muffler brands for other makes that are condemned here and they all worked just fine.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

yeah, its one of those jobs you just hate to put used parts. anyway if your not happy with aftermarket good used may be an option

Mike, Did you get the new center muffler yet? I'm not happy with the aftermarket one I recently installed. It looked like junk when I got it, and I think that the pipes at the CAT end are incorrect and causing leaks. My buddy, that I sold my old 300SEL to, just got an aftermarket center muffler, and it too looks like a chimpanzee welded it up. Honestly, I've never seen a worse looking part. It also seems louder then the OEM, but may just be the leaking/
Thanks.

I have not gotten around to doing the center/rear muffler replacement yet. It will be a toss up between one of 3 after-market providers. Walker may be in the running as some of their product line is stainless steel.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

OK thanks for your reply. The choices seem terrible. I agree Walker would be a good choice, but they don't make the center muffler for a 300SEL only the SE. The Ansa is an oval shape, and may be OK. Whatever I bought and my friend bought (looks like an Ansa, but not certain) is complete junk. Everything else I need for the car is readily available. I never thought the exhaust would be a problem. Good Luck.