Stainless steel exhausts

[philharve]

Hi All

Last week I had a clamp go on my exhaust system, the one that connects the exhaust manifold to the remainder of the exhaust system. I was issued with a advisory relating to a rusty exhaust clamp bolt at MOT time, 6 months ago, but took no action. This clamp finally rusted through allowing exhaust gases to escape. My Merc' sounded more like a motorbike than a car.

My indie replaced the clamp in little over and hour and my car is sounding quieter now than it has done for some months. This outcome came as no surprise to me but when I inquired about the overall condition of the exhaust system my indie informed me it will last a great many more years to come ... because it is made from stainless steel.

I know that MB exhausts are particularly long lived and I was hoping I would get at least 10 years service from the existing one, which I believe to be the original, before replacement was necessary. However, I always thought MB exhaust were armoured and not made from stainless steel. My indie warned that the worst thing that could happen is having trouble with the cat' thereby forcing its replacement, otherwise the exhaust system will continue to work for years to come.

My reason for initiating this thread is to ascertain how common stainless steel exhaust systems are on MB vehicles? Are they standard or a luxury option?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[philharve]

I have since learned that the catalytic converter if usually stainless steel but aft the remainder of the exhaust system is aluminized to increase durability. This section is most likely to corrode first but not until many years service.

All stainless steel exhaust systems exist for MB but they are bespoke fitments.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[bigasotonuk]

Phil
Looking at my 1997 C230K (130,000miles) exhaust, the only rust on it is around the welds where the exhaust enters/exits the boxes.
Though the corrosion appears heavier on my AMG (it has been welded where the pipe enters the back box) the exhaust still appears to be in fair condition.
I have located a supplier of stainless exhausts for MB's which appear to be of good quality and when mine fail I will be using them for both vehicles.

http://www.supersprint.com

Link directly to C230K exhausts.

http://www.supersprint.com/a_prodotti.asp?modello=mer20210

 

[philharve]

Thanks Andy

I have bookmarked this link.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[MarkCL]

Another place to consider (depending on how much you want to spend of course ) is Hayward & Scott (http://www.haywardandscott.co.uk). They do top quality work with a lifetime guarantee - real craftsmen Always thought that if I get mine replaced on the C43 that I'd use one of their systems myself.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[philharve]

Stainless steel exhaust fabrication

Hi Mark

Beautiful craftsmanship. Didn't see any reference to Mercedes on the website but that means very little. I wonder if all their exhaust systems are bespoke and therefore likely to be expensive.

I see there are a couple of video clips presumably of stainless exhaust fabrication? I didn't try downloading and viewing them though. Could be interesting.

Thanks for the link.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[jberks]

Always be aware that non MB systems can change the character of the car. We had a non MB cat put on the C and it changed the sound of the engine completely. Went from a nice mute buzz to more of a rough rasp. It was supposed to be a good one but we were never happy with it and wouldn't willingly put a non MB system on again, especially since a) they last really well and B) allegedly they can be found outside the dealer network for a lot less money.

 

[mortinson]

You could try this one too: http://www.stainless-exhaust.com/

They made a bespoke unit for my G-Wagen. It sounds like a Ferrari now, he, he...

 

[StevesPimpWagon]

stainless exhaust.

Hi Phil, Bought my first MB 12 mths ago c250 classic TD, 1999 V REG in an excellent condition, exhaust had been on about 4yrs,it had two previous repair patches and i had a third patch put on the front section (with the other two) and it scraped through the MOT, but it blew a week later.After getting a price of £250 for the front section only and abit more price searching i opted for a full stainless system at £450 having it de-catted at the same time,i tend to think in some cases a stainless is not a luxury considering how much a standard exhaust would have cost me,hope this sheds abit more light on your threads.

 

[Juddian]

I would agree with JBerks post,i put a Eberspacher (hope that speelings right or you lot will lynch me) tail pipe on my E300 diesel and it sounded awful afterwards, really rasping note, most unpleasant.
My indy put the same make of full exhaust on my E320 coupe last winter and it sounds lovely, nicer than original, much fuller sound but still refined.

It is something to be aware of, don't want your pride and joy sounding like a pimped punto after all.

 

[philharve]

Stainless steel exhaust systems can be noisy

Hi Phil, Bought my first MB 12 mths ago c250 classic TD, 1999 V REG in an excellent condition, exhaust had been on about 4yrs,it had two previous repair patches and i had a third patch put on the front section (with the other two) and it scraped through the MOT, but it blew a week later.After getting a price of £250 for the front section only and abit more price searching i opted for a full stainless system at £450 having it de-catted at the same time,i tend to think in some cases a stainless is not a luxury considering how much a standard exhaust would have cost me,hope this sheds abit more light on your threads.

Hi StevesPimpWagon

In all probability I will stick with the current combination of front and rear sections be they stainless steel or a mix of stainless and aluminized steel. It's a 'quiet' combination which has lasted well, at least 8 years.

I've read elsewhere that stainless steel can be noisy and I would only choose the stainless option if it could be proven to be at least as quiet as my present exhaust system which I believe to be standard.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[johno2004]

This Shop on Ebay offer alot of Stainless Performance and Standard Exhausts for mb. A mate of mine had one fitted on his CLK 320 With the 4 rear ports looks and sounds cool.

They can alter the engine note to suit you.

Item number: 130199870827

 

[RoyDavis]

I went to a well know mb specialist here in Reading and they are a main carlsson dealer. I want a different exhaust on my C320, was thinking an oval pipe either side, to have the carlsson one rear section only was about a grand but the guy there said he could build me one for about £400. I want it more for the look than the sound but at the same time i wouldnt mind getting a bit more of a growl from the v6 as you only really hear it when you boot it at the minute.