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Just waiting for the diffuser center panel to come back from paint. After the pic we also adjusted those right side pipes to better match the position on the left.
That's the stock bumper with an OEM S63 2 piece diffuser, and a Becker axle- back (just mufflers and tailpipes) exhaust kit. The install wasn't entirely bolt on as two brackets on the stock bumper that held the OEM tips in place had to have sections Dremeled out to make room for the new tips. (The OEM tips aren't actually connected to the exhaust at all, just attached to the bumper where the tailpipes end.)
I shot the diffuser with a metallic gunmetal color to get some contrast against the black. The center piece (missing in pic) is getting shot in black.
It was too loud with just the Beckers, so we added a pair of resonators to mellow it out a little. Not quite as rowdy but you definitely can hear the engine now. It has a great bass heavy burble at idle, roars impressively under throttle and forcing downshifts with the paddles sounds great as well.
I'd like to say the less restrictive exhaust improved MPG but I've been gunning it so much I think I'm breaking even.
Hey Ralph. No tune. It's a CPO car and I don't want the ECU to show a flash. Just the stock 5.5 liter sounds good as-is with a less restrictive exhaust.
When you're warranty ran out and IF you kept the car for a while...would you tune it then?
Or, is the option to buy another extended after your current one runs out?
I made the mistake once of owning an S out of warranty, so I'll be on to something else when the CPO expires in August 2016. I'm not concerned about a tune per se...the MB engines have been fairly bullet-proof, but God help you if something goes bad and they pick up the tune or the flash. MB's policy when a diagnostic shows an ECU flash is to cease work and flag the VIN.
The tune vendors swear their tune can be deleted and the OEM map replaced without detection, but my understanding is that the flashes themselves get counted and reported back in the diagnostics.
I was thinking about doing a ECU tune Mike5215 but reading from what u said makes me not do it your car looks great by the way
Wow, those wheels and the silver car look phenomenal! My favorite wheels on the W221, I just haven't summoned the nerve to pull the trigger. On the tune, I asked a vendor who guaranteed their tune was undetectable, if they would warranty the engine in the event MB caught the tune or flash and denied a damage claim. Umm, it's not THAT kind of guarantee. I didn't expect them to, but the bottom line is they can "guarantee" whatever they'd like in the sales pitch. In reality of course you're completely on your own.
Finish panel back from paint and installed. The cosmetic change plus less restrictive exhaust totally transformed the car's personality. I'm doubly happy I upgraded the stereo because it needs to work a little harder now. The exhaust isn't crazy loud, but you can definitely hear it when you open the throttle up a little. It has that classic big V8 rumble to it.
Finish panel back from paint and installed. The cosmetic change plus less restrictive exhaust totally transformed the car's personality. I'm doubly happy I upgraded the stereo because it needs to work a little harder now. The exhaust isn't crazy loud, but you can definitely hear it when you open the throttle up a little. It has that classic big V8 rumble to it.
Looks good!
Are you're windows tinted or is it just the angle of the picture?
Also, any side shots of the car. I'm interested in seeing what that spoiler looks like!
Thanks! I think the prior owner had them tinted because they're pretty dark. It's also the angle and the fading daylight. It's tough to get a clear shot of the spoiler on the black paint. It's a subtle piece but it adds a lot. I got it from JB Speed here on the forum. Comes pre-painted and attached with 3M auto adhesive tape.
Finish panel back from paint and installed. The cosmetic change plus less restrictive exhaust totally transformed the car's personality. I'm doubly happy I upgraded the stereo because it needs to work a little harder now. The exhaust isn't crazy loud, but you can definitely hear it when you open the throttle up a little. It has that classic big V8 rumble to it.
Mike, any recommendation on a muffler shop who did your tips?
My tips are coming and do not know anyone in the area who can work on the car yet.
We actually did an axle back exhaust. The shop was Alan's Discount Muffler in Gainesville. He came highly recommended by my MB service advisor. What's amazing is how fast they were. I went by for a quote and Alan said "An hour". I was thinking "an hour for a quote?". No. give me an hour and it'll be done.
They put her up and I was in and out an hour later. Then I went back because it was a little too loud. They put it right back on the rack then and there and installed a pair of resonators. and then it was perfect.
Tips will be no big deal. Are you going the swap-in diffuser route or a whole rear S63 bumper? For the swap in they're going to have to cut back two brackets, and you'll need to figure a way to anchor the bottom edge of the diffuser.
For this setup was your rear bumper just an AMG sports package bumper and you added an S63 diffuser and exhaust?
I apologize if this is a noob question. I just bought an '08 S550 w/ an AMG sport package last week.
Just an OEM diffuser (2 piece) and a Becker axle-back exhaust (and two aftermarket resonators to tame it a little). I used the original AMG sport bumper. Some minor mods were necessary to the factory brackets that held the original tips to the bumper. and to secure the lower edge of the diffuser to the car. Great results though, very happy with the mod.
Here's the thread with the info and part#'s for a guy who also did his pre-facelift car...
09-29-2014, 12:22 PM
KING good Mike!
