Isawelvis

Will a rear muffler made for a 1991 190E 2.6 fit a 1991 190E 2.3
Places I have checked only list 2.6 It looks like it will fit, 2.6 muffler looks the same When I find a muffler for 2.3 its always a universal fit and they do not guarantee it fitting.

thnks

dolucasi

As far as I know the 2.6 and 2.3 mufflers are different enough that they will not be bolt on replacements for one another. I'm guessing the piping can be modified by a muffler shop to fit but why go there? I generally like to use the correct OE exhaust parts so that fitment is perfect, otherwise the exhaust parts rub as tolerances are tight down there.

190Efan

As a 2.3 owner, I agree with Dolucassi's advise. There are differences between the 2.3 and 2.6 due to the different needs of the 2 engines and also the space taken by the larger 2.6 engine. You might try the MB Classic Center in Long Beach, CA. If they don't have it. they might have suggestions on where to find it or what else might work. You might also try Adsitco. They have alot of hard to find MB parts.

Isawelvis

Thanks you two for your inputs. The 190 I bought has a leaking tail pipe where it fits into the back of the back muffler. My concern is when I buy a replace pipe and muffler , it will be hanging low and very visible from the rear. Not sure what company has the closet to OEM, just dont want one that is a one fits all type. Will check with Adsitco. Again Thanks

dolucasi

Starla muffler is generally close to OE Ebersprecher. How do I know? I have both for my 2.6. I compared them side by side. Long story but my muffler was replaced by Midas (for the second time under warranty after 20+ year for the same issue you have, corrosion of the pipe going into the muffler) and the second time they put in a Starla. Fortunately it was free under warranty.

It was indeed hanging a little low and it was of lesser quality (pipe ID matched, but the OD was less because the metal was thinner, I measured). So the muffler shop could not even use the original clamp (to the center resonator) and instead used a cheap U-clamp.

The shape of it was very similar, but the tail outlet was a bit longer so it showed like it did not belong.

I happened to buy the last available OE muffler for a 2.6 in north America because the dealer said there is one in a warehouse in the east coast but they could not guarantee they even have it as it could be an inventory mistake. They were already NLA at that point except for this one (3 years ago). Anyway, lucky me they had it and that is what is on my car now and the Starla is something I need to get rid of.

3 years ago you could still get an Ebersprecher in silver color as opposed to the Benz-Ebersprecher in dark grey. That is the only difference.
I believe even Ebersprecher stopped making them but sometimes you can find them on Ebay as NOS.

So your best bet is Ebersprecher as NOS or Starla with minor mods.
(1) Cut a 2" by 6" thin aluminum and wrap it around the pipe where it connects to the resonator, then install the mercedes clamp over it.
(2) Cut the tips of the pipes at the outlet to your liking or just install an aftermarket tip of your choice, they look OK too.

- Cheers!

Dave Kost

Im replacing my entire exhaust on my 1993 2.6. I found a Ebersprecher resonator, couldn't find a OE muffler(NLA) so I got a starla. Still looking for a first piece CAT. OEM-NLA. Ill try Midas to fab something .

FYI -There is a guy on craigslist , I think in Philadelphia area that has a CAT for a 2.3. for $50.

190Efan

Unfortunately, the engine weight and size differences between the 2.3 and 2.6 make a 2.3 CAT not useable for the 2.6. OEM parts becoming NLA is becoming an increasing problem for W201 owners. It's frustrating given the ever increasing value of the W201 EVO II which uses many of the same parts that the more mortal W201s use. I don't know what MB is thinking

dolucasi

Mercedes may realize down the road the late model C or model E cars they make will never become classics and start supporting the W201 again, who knows?
I'm not holding my breath though and am buying some spare parts for my car since they still have some of them. Missed out on the LCA's, just barely and had to settle for lembforter.
I do have all new spare MB clutch parts, hood pad, some bushings etc, etc .

Dave, I wish I knew you were looking for the muffler, you could have had mine for just the shipping cost. Less than 4K miles on it. But then again they are pretty cheap new.

Cheers!
Cheers!

SteveE400

I am not at all sure if they still do, but when I had my W201 190E-2.3, I had a complete exhaust system made for it by a company named Timevalve, Inc. They were an advertiser in The Star (the MB Club publication). The entire system was custom-made from type 304 (IIRC) stainless steel, and fit perfectly into all of the OEM hangers. It cost way less than the (then-available) OEM system.

Timevalve, Inc. is still showing a web page, so you might give them a call. IIRC, they are in New Jersey.

dolucasi

This looks promising. Odd that they do not make them for the 2.6. Fortunately OP just needs the 2.3.

Dave Kost

Steve,

My Florida home is 2 miles from Timevalve in Melbourne Florida. I stopped there first. They said that when they bought the business, the previous owner tried replicating the 2.3 and 2.6 w201 exhausts. They had a problem with a drone and scraped the project. I didn't think they had the tooling to bend the thick gauge material they MB used in there exhaust systems. Also, they are busy with Ferrari and other higher end exhaust systems.

There is a guy in California that offers a 3" diameter complete exhaust in SS. for the 2.6 w201. I thought it was quite noisy for my tastes, so I passed on it.

Being a million of these car produced, you would think that some company would support these exhaust systems.

190Efan

I would again suggest you try Adsitco. They advertise in the MBCA magazine, "The Star". They have alot of hard to find MB parts. I found a Behr radiator through them earlier this year. I don't know if they have any W201-2.6 exhaust system parts or not. I certainly share your frustration on the lack of availability of W201 parts. I have no idea what EVO II owners are doing other than likely just parking their vehicles given how valuable they now are. I keep hoping that the value of the EVO II will help to save all W201s..