I have a question on my muffler on a 85 500sel Euro I have heard there are front rear and rear sections. Is the middle section a box type that has the two tail pipes going to it? If so what does it cost to replace this and the muffler with a real Mercedes parts. Do real Mercedes parts last a lot longer than Midas stuff.

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Dan Younes
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1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)

I don't know how much a M-B muffler will cost, but I'll bet it will last as long as the OE muffler. If I read your signature right, another 223k miles or so...

I'd go for the M-B part. I chased OE parts for the Suburban a few years back and the local garage who installed it said OE fit better than any other replacement they had used.

BCingU, Jim

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'96 E300D 60k mi (wife's daily ride)
'95 Audi 90 118k mi (for sale)
'92 GMC Suburban 138k mi
'85 300SD 231k mi (my daily ride)

For comparison's sake, my 300TE resonator costs around $250 (with the dealer's MBCA discount of 15%) and nearly $300 for the muffler. I replaced the resonator about three years ago, so I'm not thrilled with the longevity. Then again, I'm in the northeast.

Both my muffler & resonator have begun to leak a bit, so both get tossed tomorrow in favor of a fully stainless setup from Time Valve for $650.

For an extra $100, how can you go wrong? A large piece of their business is OE retrofits for Mercedes, so I'm confident it'll fit fine.

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All the best, Michael
500E
300TE

My parents replaced the muffler with 89,000 it was the factory and it was changed in 94. We changed it at Midas it cost 563.87 does this sound like more than a muffler. one last question what is the box on the muffler right under the drivers door is it the cat.

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Dan Younes
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1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)

this is like my muffler it is a 91 beacuse it is a euro the gasket is fine and not rusted but the pipe out of it is bad.
what do you guys think
thanks

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Dan Younes
---------------
1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)


[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 09-19-2000).]

I recently replaced the rear muffler assembly on my 1986 4240 SEL. I am pretty sure it is identical to the muffler you will need for your 500SEL. The cheapest price I was quoted for OE was $450. That was from Caliber Motors in California, a Benz dealer that doesn't mark up from SRP and discounts to MBCA members. On average the quotes were $600. The original muffler on my car lasted 120,000 miles and 10 years. The replacement was an ANSA and it lasted 50,000 miles and 4 four years. As for midas I don't know. I actually put a Walker Mufler on mine. Saved only about $100 on the deal, but I got a lifetime warranty (as long as I own the car) I plan on owning the car for a long time and MB only offers a 1 year warranty. I really wanted to go for the OE, but the warranty I got was too good to pass up. If the thing dies every three years (probably will) I get a new one free. They only take about 15 minutes to change. I do think that the OE is worth it, and unless you are planning on owning your 500SEL more than 8 more years, I'm sure it will last.



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Jason Priest
1986 420SEL

no my muffler is diffrent than you 420 but i do plan on owning it for much more than 8 years.

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Dan Younes
---------------
1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)

The resonator is # 126-490-41-15 MB list is $540, the muffler is 126-490-05-15 & MB list is $464. OE is Ebersprecher.

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MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN (6 TIMES)
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. Shopforeman
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA racecar

what is a resonator

I think the resonator is esentially another muffler (just smaller) in series with the main muffler to dampen the noise even more. Surprised that it is more $$$ then the muffler. On my Olds the resonator is smaller and much cheaper.


Another thought is why are so many of you replacing your exhaust components? Aren't your Stainless steel. They'll last forever as long as you don't run over a curb and tangle it up=.??


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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'68 Olds 88 Convertible
'84 300 SD (sold it)

i live in florida now and stanless steal rust like crazy here.

where is the resonator on the car

i made a page with pictures of the problems it is www.1985500selbenz.homestead.com/muffler.html

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Dan Younes
---------------
1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)

any ideas

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Dan Younes
---------------
1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)

Dan, the resonator is the last piece before the tailpipes which come out from under the bumper. They are all expensive parts, especially MBZ originals.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE