I'm having trouble sourcing aftermarket OE type mufflers (mid and rear) for my 89-300ce.

Is this part of the global supply shortage or have the manufacturers stopped production of exhaust parts for these old cars?

Any insights?

Jorg

Mufflers for older Mercs have been going NLA for years. The last time I was able to buy an NOS exhaust for a 603 was at least ten years ago. You can pick up odd bits on E-Bay.

Could be a combination of both. Manufacturers are going to focus on producing the most-needed/high volume parts during a time of materials shortages vs parts that may sit on the shelf for a year or more before being sold....

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'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Try TimeValve, numerous forum members here and on other MB forums have been very pleased with their stainless replacements.

They don't have anything listed for my model year. I also notice that the European sites have exhausts for 87-88 and nothing for 89 US spec. Maybe there was a change to the exhausts in Europe between 88 and 89 that didn't happen in North America?

Jorg

I'm not sure where you're located, but MEC in Germany makes total replacement units from the cat-back, all stainless with hardware included. I plan to go this route and have a hi-flow cat installed just after each downpipe.

I'm not sure if the US model inline-6 has a single downpipe vs separate ones. This is the setup on the V-8s (US vs Euro). Check and see if MEC has an option for your vehicle. Otherwise a reputable local shop will be able to fabricate (especially if they have a mandrel for non-deforming bends) and add mufflers. A good number of MB owners have put Magnaflow mufflers on their cars.

Thanks for the MEC link but they only seem to make a system for the E500. The Magnaflow is a good idea. I'll have to scout out local muffler shops to see which ones do decent custom work.

Jorg

I replace with turbo mufflers cheap $25.

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I've found mufflers for the rear but not for the mid. There are mid mufflers available for the 300e but not the 300ce. I imagine that the 300ce muffler is made shorter to accommodate the shorter wheelbase. I am considering modifying the 300e mid to fit, either by cutting the outlet shorter or taking some length out of the inlets. The metal doughnut gaskets for the front flange connection look to be a different model number so that gives me some concern.

I'll try giving MEC a call. See what they say.

Jorg

I had trouble getting exhaust parts in Canada for 85 300D. Eventually found an OE front pipe and aftermarket mid and rear from Rckotto.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

FYI
I couldn't find the mid muffler anywhere in north america. The rear muffler is the same as the 300e. I ended up buying a 300e mid muffler and modifying it to fit. I only had to cut and weld the mounting tab to face forward for the 300ce as opposed to facing to the back of the car as in the 300e. There was enough play in the slip joint between the mid and rear mufflers to shorten the system to the point where it is perhaps 1/2" longer than stock at the tips. I could have cut both mufflers at the slip joints to make it perfect but as is it's close enough that you really can't tell so I didn't bother.

Jorg

PS. All mufflers where available in europe but only one vendor was willing to ship the mid muffler and they wanted 460 euros (US$520) shipping.