new the flex pipe even for the older diesels is only bout 150 brandy new! Not sure if your year has something odd about it or not.. but sounds like he charged what the market would bare and made his money for keeping an old pipe.

I believe the prices in US cents are list, wholesale and cost.

124 490 56 19 is the pre recall catless pipe. Looks like list would be $260 if sill offered in the US.

124 490 00 47 is the post recall pipe with cat. Looks like list is $760, wholesale is $610, cost is $456.

The cheapest you could have gotten the part is from someone parting a car locally (there's one in San Mateo). I suppose you can pressurize it with a bicycle pump to check for leaks but what if it only leaks at operating temperature? Wrecking yards won't sell you the part because it has an intergral cat. You paid about half of list for a used part, you didn't get dirty and you have a warranty. If he didn't fill with green coolant after replacing the thermostat seal, you weren't ripped off

Sixto
87 300D

Thanks, I figure that. He will take care of the thermostat for $20 on top of everything he gave me credit for $120 for what ever work or parts I need. So I figure not too bad!
Thanks guys!

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1987 300D
2005 E320 CDI