W123 Center Muffler Question

[Ten13]

Hi there,

One of the first things I need to address on my just-acquired '78 280CE is the center muffler; it's completely shot.

I ordered one from Eckler's, but after two weeks, it never showed. I called yesterday to find that it's been discontinued, and they don't seem to have any other options available. Nor have I seen any for sale at peach parts...

My question, has anyone used, or have advice one way or another on the MAGNUM brand? Here's a link:
Mercedes 280CE Absorption Exhaust MAGNUM High Flow Center Muffler - W/ Perf Tube

I came to this via a google search, and while I'm not interested in a loud car, I am interested in fixing the leak, and having trouble finding a suitable replacement.

These are weld-on, which I'm fine with. Thoughts? Positives? Negatives? Other options for this completely stock car?

Thank you!
-greg

[BWhitmore]

Not familiar with the Magnum brand. It looks like a quality muffler from the picture. Suggest you contact the manufacturer (hopefully it is USA made) and ask about the sound level (is it comparable to the sound with a stock muffler?).

[Ten13]

It appears to be european-made, and shipping times are lengthy as a result. It's hard to get a sense of how it sounds, because it's so subjective. What sounds great to one person can be terrible for another... Being it's the center muffler, I'm hoping anything obnoxious would be mitigated by the aft-most muffler. I'll look further in to it, for sure.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Ten13

It appears to be european-made, and shipping times are lengthy as a result. It's hard to get a sense of how it sounds, because it's so subjective. What sounds great to one person can be terrible for another... Being it's the center muffler, I'm hoping anything obnoxious would be mitigated by the aft-most muffler. I'll look further in to it, for sure.

Looking at the link you provided, the company is in Florida and ships out within 4 business hours - free shipping in the US. I say go for it, all positive reviews and the price seems very reasonable. Is there some other link that you're talking about in regards to a European made one?

[BusterBoyBenz]

Originally Posted by Dmitry at Pelican Parts

Looking at the link you provided.... Is there some other link that you're talking about in regards to a European made one?

If you scroll done that linked page a bit

"Shipment
Each Magnum free-flow pipe is made in Europe so please allow your exhaust 20 up to 28 days to arrive."

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

My apologies, overlooked that part..

[Ten13]

Reading further, these are not CARB-compliant, and I'm in California. Does anyone have a sense if a muffler that is CARB-compliant is actually different than one which is not? I can understand a catalytic converter, but not a muffler...

[Idle]

I once, about twenty-five years ago, drove a 123 280e. The exhaust system was shot from one end to the next.

I was able to find a 280e in a wrecking yard and pulled out the entire exhaust system in one piece. There were two down pipes coming off the M110 engine. I don't remember if the dual pipe arraignment continued throughout the system.

But I do know that the 'center muffler' was actually a catalytic convertor. It just looked like a muffler. The rear resonator was the only true muffler.

And I think this is why you are running into the 'non compliant' situation with CARB. I don't know if there is an exemption for cars after so many years (in Oklahoma any car over 15 years of age can have the cats removed) but you might look into that.

Or you might consider looking for a wrecked 123 280e in a salvage yard and just pulling the entire system. It would be a bit easier to replace it all if you can jack the car up high enough to twist it under there.

I cut the two pipes just in front of the end of the front fender on the right side. There is very little clearance in there so this was harder than it sounds.

You might also look for a 116 280se. I know the exhaust system itself would not be the same but the center muffler might be.

[280EZRider]

Originally Posted by Idle

But I do know that the 'center muffler' was actually a catalytic convertor. It just looked like a muffler. The rear resonator was the only true muffler

The cat is first in line with 2 pipes going into it. Coming out of it is 1 large pipe that connects to a Y fitting that connects back again to 2 pipes that go into the center muffler with 2 pipes continuing to the rear muffler and out the back of the car.

If it is the center muffler that is bad, it can most likely be replaced with anything that fits. The majority of noise out the tail is cancelled by the rear muffler anyway.

[Ten13]

Update on the state of my 280ce's exhaust system... I ordered from Eckler's the center resonator / muffler, but it never came, as it's now no longer available. This seems to be the case in general! It's even gone from the parts list at the local M-B dealership.

Took the car today (got it running on all six cylinders by un-clogging injector #6) to a reputable custom muffler shop nearby, and they were able to source an OEM center muffler from Germany - it's on its way. As for the rear muffler, which is also completely shot, we'll find some custom solution, with fabricated pipes connecting everything together.

I'm not looking for noisy or droning, so I'm willing to spend what it takes to have a long-lasting, tastefully sporting sounding system. We shall see - it's going to be a few weeks before the parts come in.

So, good luck if you need to find new exhaust parts for the 280ce with the M110!

[Idle]

Originally Posted by 280EZRider

The cat is first in line with 2 pipes going into it. Coming out of it is 1 large pipe that connects to a Y fitting that connects back again to 2 pipes that go into the center muffler with 2 pipes continuing to the rear muffler and out the back of the car.

If it is the center muffler that is bad, it can most likely be replaced with anything that fits. The majority of noise out the tail is cancelled by the rear muffler anyway.

I do remember mine having only the center 'muffler' and the resonator. This was a 1977.

Could it be that Mercedes was not using a cat during that time? I know it didn't have a thermal reactor (Yeah, I had to deal with one of those at one time, too).

This was twenty-five years ago. I do remember cutting two pipes right under where the passenger feet would be since I didn't want to deal with the twisting, turning and lifting the car as high as it would have needed to go.

[280EZRider]

Originally Posted by Idle

I do remember mine having only the center 'muffler' and the resonator. This was a 1977.

Could it be that Mercedes was not using a cat during that time? I know it didn't have a thermal reactor (Yeah, I had to deal with one of those at one time, too).

This was twenty-five years ago. I do remember cutting two pipes right under where the passenger feet would be since I didn't want to deal with the twisting, turning and lifting the car as high as it would have needed to go.

I donīt know what you mean by "resonator". There are 2 mufflers, center (oval shaped) and rear (completely round). Ahead of the center muffler is where the cat is mounted, if it hasnīt mysteriously disappeared. The 1977 for the US market definitely had a cat. Youīre right about no "thermal reactor", I believe that monster was delegated to the w115 only.