Ok, so I took the car to MBS motors(Medi's) in Concord, CA to get my exhaust leak fixed, I did not want to mess around with it anymore since I had done quite a bit to it already. (vacuum pump, replaced turbo, water pump, engine mounts, blocked off EGR, R&R intake and clean.)
He diagnosed that the flex pipe was leaking exhaust pretty bad, not the accordion between turbo and exhaust but further down there is a flex part that was all black from exhaust escaping.
So anyway, he told me that price at the dealer was $650 just for the exaust part. He had a good used one on hand, he sold it to me for $350 plus $120 for the labor. On top of it he will replace my thermostat seal for only $20.
Did I get an OK deal or got ripped off? I was not able to verify the price at the dealer(not enough time).
The engine now is very very quiet compared to before, lots of power...
This if for the 1987 300D

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1987 300D
2005 E320 CDI

Doesn't make sense that plugging an exhaust leak downstream of the turbo would provide more power. By chance does the replacement downpipe not have an oxidation catalyst?

Sixto
87 300D

$470 for a used exhaust pipe? Yeah, you got ripped off.

www.timevalve.com has a stainless exhaust system for under $800 -

http://www.timevalve.com/cat/us/p16c.html

AFAIK, it's illegal to sell a used catalytic converter. Wrecking yards won't do it. I'd be surprised if selling an oxidation catalyst isn't somehow illegal too.

Sixto
87 300D

Basically I am talking about the first part of the exaust from the left in this pic from timevalve.
That was the only thing that got replaced. Dou you guys know the MB part number for this thing, so I can verify the dealer cost. (I guess it's called engine pipe).

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1987 300D
2005 E320 CDI

Looking at some ofthese websites I realize I got charged way more that I should of, OE brand new front pipes are about $125.
He charged me $350 for a used one.
Conclusion, do not use this shop!

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1987 300D
2005 E320 CDI

yeah you did get ripped off. I purchased the down pipe for about 120 brand new.

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

Just called the mechanic, he told me if the pipes I was seeing on germanstar.net and mercedeswhosaleparts.com are genuine OEM he will refund me the cash. I hope they are will see tomorrow..
Was your down pipe OEM, the one you got for $125, if so where?
p#1244905619

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1987 300D
2005 E320 CDI

In other words you caught him in a lie and he is trying to save face.

pretty much that's how it sounds like!

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1987 300D
2005 E320 CDI

The thing is - the pipe probably is 650 at the dealer, and he has the right to charge whatever he wants, even if it is a rip off. If you get some money back, I think the guy's being more than fair.

The diagram is misleading. The actual MB part post trap recall is a downpipe with oxidation catalyst. There's no way MB or anyone sells it new for $125. The pre trap recall downpipe is no longer available from MB. If he sold you a downpipe without a cat, consider that you don't have to fear it clogging. It might be an issue if your car is subject to Diesel emissions testing in the future.

Nothing I've heard thus far about that Medi fellow suggests he's a crook.

Sixto
87 300D

Maybe it's not 650. Here are the prices as of Jan 08, but I don't know if the prices are in dollars, or what the three different prices are:

1244905619 EXHAUST PIPE 26000 20800 15500

http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/other/MB_Pricelist_Jan-2008.zip

I purchased my '85 from Medi. I've always found him to be practical and reasonably priced. He is not of a mind to throw tons of money at a turd and oftentimes feels its more realistic use a used part or to "fix" something rather than replace it with a new part.

As with any mech, it is helpful to know what is being agreed to prior to approving work to be done and to have reasonable expectations.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Ok so mechanic (Medi) turned out to be fairly reasonable. The pipe he sold me was actually a new P# 1244900047 it's post recall part with a cat.
It's $625 at the dealer. The older part number was $260 no cat.
He did go ahead and gave me a credit for $120 for any future repairs I might need. (ovp relay and abs light come to mind ).
So at the end of a day I am ok with it and now know where he came up with that $350 price.

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1987 300D
2005 E320 CDI