Are any brands of replacement stainless exhausts good enough to pass emissions and noise tests in Switzerland and Germany?
Should I expect arguments and hassle during inspections?

How long is a factory exhaust expected to last? I mainly do short journeys often in bad weather! I have a hole in each silencer section, now plugged with gum. The car is a 1996 S6 with 4.2 V8.

The V8 S6 has been a surprisingly practical car to have over here.

S6 Avant, 1996, C4, 4.2L.