My car (1997 E420) failed inspection because of its failed catalytic conv (code p0432). So, I brought it to Midas (in a pinch). They installed a universal converter today. Tonight, I looked under the car and they replaced what looks like a cat behind the second oxygen sensor. Now, I am 90% sure that is actually a muffler (two mufflers in paralel leading to the final muffler). Can someone confirm that the catalytic conv on this car is indeed right of the exhaust manifold by the transmission, and that what is behing the oxygen sensor is a muffler that "looks" a little like a catalytic converter. Please let me know asap since I need to go to Midas tomorrow...

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2008 S550
2010 GLK350
1997 E420 (retired)
2005 CLK500 (retired)

I think there are two cats running in parallel up front with a mid and rear muffler. Unfortunately, neither this Russian EPC (link below) nor the MB EPC refers to a catalytic converter. Best of luck.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=124034&M=119%2E975&GA=722%2E354&CT=F&cat=44S&SID=49&SGR=015&SGN=01

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

Is there a picture on the russian site of the 1997 E420 (W210)? Thanks a lot for helping out

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2008 S550
2010 GLK350
1997 E420 (retired)
2005 CLK500 (retired)

Here's a link for all of the MB models:
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb0.asp?TP=1

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5280BENZ
'07 GL450,'03 CL500

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=210270%5F45Q&M=113%2E940&GA=722%2E623&CT=F&cat=45Q&SID=49&SGR=212&SGN=03

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

May I suggest you also look farther than replacing the cat. A cat should last pretty much forever when the engine is maintained. If the cat has failed it is because the engine is not running correctly. Often the culprit is a faulty O2 sensor that causes a rich run scenario. The sad part is that a bad O2 often will not trigger an error code in the ECM (check engine light).
I am concerned that if you just replace the cat you will be replacing the cat again in short order. Just food for thought.

Good thought. I will retrieve the codes in a month or so.

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2008 S550
2010 GLK350
1997 E420 (retired)
2005 CLK500 (retired)