exhausts - how long do they usually last?

turbopete

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as the title suggests, how long to people usually get from an exhaust? it seems not long ago 2-3 years from an aftermarket one was considered quite good, and 5-6 years was exceptional on OEM exhausts

but what sort of lifespan are people getting now, WITHOUT having a stainless system fitted?
 

bigtwin

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Diesel. Forever. W210 320 12 years and 150K - had to have a bracket mended mind; disgrace and no goodwill payment either.
 

Miffy

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I think mine is the original, still looks like new. so in excess of 10 years
 

Aletank

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I sold my W202 at 13 years old with the original exhaust on but at one point i thought i had a hole in it :shock: as it was blowing !
Turned out the connecting bolts had rusted and the exhaust had dropped down, £20 at ATS and all was sorted.
My W203 is now 9 years old and still on the original
 
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bigasotonuk

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Still on the original system on my 97 C230K after over 170k miles, the gearbox support bracket has had to be repaired once. Though the exhaust manifold is cracked now and will need repairing.
 

mikebatt

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15 years and 178,000 miles - still on the original exhaust. 1997 C250TD.
 

toby1

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Diesel. Forever. W210 320 12 years and 150K - had to have a bracket mended mind; disgrace and no goodwill payment either.

Exactly the same except I'm at 120,000 miles :)
 

bigtwin

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Exactly the same except I'm at 120,000 miles :)

Yeah, I was at about that when the bracket failed.

I think there is a potential class action here.

I need to get that £25 back.
 

hotrodder

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The type of use effects things a lot... low mileage, especially if mainly short journeys = more condensation/moisture = shorter life. Based on the service history and the weight/wall thickness of the pipes the mid and back sections i replaced on the w124 a couple of years ago were the origional... granted had been repaired (badly) a few times but the pipe work was for the most part fine, it was the welded joints to the boxes and corners of the back box itself that had rotted out

OEM stuff is sometimes 409 stainless... a fairly basic ferritic stainless that's magnetic and has less corrosion resistance than the austenitic stuff (typically 304 or 316) used by the aftermarket. Mild steel, especially aftermarket stuff, is usually 'aluminised' for corrosion protection. Welding aluminised destroys the coating which is why the welds rot out so quickly as they're often just painted with a cold galve paint after fabrication. OEM mild steel stuff is usually treated after the thing has been made and/or made out heavier gauge steel. Where they use 409 stainless the welds usually have less corrosion resistance for various reasons- some complicated metallurgical ones and the more obvious crevices for moisture to collect
 

Mic

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My 1988 BMW 735iSE when I had it scrapped last year at 266k miles because of body work corrosion was still on its original exhaust system.
If a car is in regular daily use maintaining the exhaust system ''warm'' I believe that helps longevity.

Mic
 

paul hayward

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our e class is still on her first one...290,000 miles of fumes blowing through it:lol:
 
OP
turbopete

turbopete

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  • Thread Starter
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well i think i am going to try to repair mine at some point then. it is original but has done a fair few very short runs in its time, (often under 1/2 a mile) due in part to dads mobility problems.

will this be difficult to weld with a MIG welder?
 

brianbrian

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I got 15yrs out of our exaust 1990 124 250d replaced it 7rs ago hope I get 15 yrs out of this one, Our 129sl 1992 still on original exaust. Hope this helps
 

bigtwin

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will this be difficult to weld with a MIG welder?

Terribly. Cold war Russian jets were not made to be user serviceable, no matter what the Russian Site says.

I'd always use an AMG welder. They are pricey, cost a lot to run, have a shorter earth strap, but do get the job done quicker.
 

Rockall

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well i think i am going to try to repair mine at some point then. it is original but has done a fair few very short runs in its time, (often under 1/2 a mile) due in part to dads mobility problems.

will this be difficult to weld with a MIG welder?
Just go to a breakers and get a 'replacement' one

Bill
 

42847

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mercedes exhausts

my w202 c200 petrol is a may 2000 with 173000 miles and still on original exhaust system.......but my w107 roadster is 28 yrs old 141000 miles and still on original middle pipe section....rear section was changed 11 yrs ago with a gen merc part
 

stwat

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1989 300SE, 71.000 miles still with its original system fitted. I recently had to patch up a slight blow on the front pipe where the w shaped bracket fits to the gearbox.
 

S.Speed

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Just go to a breakers and get a 'replacement' one

Bill

Exactly !!
That is what I would do as we have established they last such a long time when not doing micro runs.
 


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