bumpnzx3

There's no way in the world I am spending the money companies like Eismann (sp?), Brabus, Supersprint, etc..... want for a muffler. You know it's way overpriced when you can buy a stainless Borla for cheaper than one of theirs. And I don't want to hear about how much better the Benz specific ones are- because I don't buy it. I could possibly see spending the money they, if it were a full bolt-on stainless setup.

Anyway- off my soap box.....I want just a tad more sound. Nothing loud or obnoxious- just something a little more aggressive than stock. Should I just cut out the resonator OR replace the muffler with something from the likes of Borla, Magnaflow, MAC, Flowmaster (love the sound of these on older muscle cars I have owned in the past- not sure if it would sound good on a Benz though).

I searched a little- but I didn't see much about any other brands outside of the Benz specific ones. I read a little about Magnaflow. I have always used that brand on both of my exhaust setups on my Ford Focus project car- and been happy with the price/sound/performance.

MJ50

ur car is not ford focus...
if u want cheap exhaust, buy $99 ones from eBay...

bumpnzx3

thanks for the pointless comment.

i forgot- the more i spend the better it will sound.

Firemane

I've been very pleased with Magnaflow mufflers on my other vehicles. The sound is very mellow, without being raspy (Flowmaster anyone? LOL). However that being said, the smallest engine I've ever had a Magnaflow installed behind is the 4.0L in my '94 Jeep. I have no idea what one would sound like behind an even smaller engine (you didn't mention if your C230 is an I4 or V6), so you might want to have your exhaust shop test fit one so you can hear it before they weld everything up. You don't want to end up with "ricer buzz"...

I'd also ask the installer to weld flanges on the muffler to make it as "plug-and-play" with the forward exhaust as possible. A good shop should have no trouble making that work for you. If they need to bend pipe to do it, make sure you ask them to mandrel bend the pipe (no hydraulic crush benders!). It's hit and miss which exhaust shops have mandrel rigs; call around. And stainless is a MUST IMO (no aluminized pipe belongs on a Mercedes LOL).

And FWIW, I agree with you about the ridiculous price of MB aftermarket parts. Some of it makes sense, but basic things like exhaust parts simply should not command the premium that they do IMO. Just call around and find a shop that has the right tools and the right materials to build your setup right (Meineke is right out!), and you should be good to go.

Firemane

Oh, and if you do go with a Magnaflow, post some sound clips. I'm interested to hear what it sounds like on these cars!

Interestingly though, I just came across this Remus muffler in another thread. It looks to be "bolt-on" for about what an exhaust shop would charge to install a Magnaflow "done right". I wonder if anyone has sound clips for this guy...

bumpnzx3

My Mercedes is the V6. My Focus is a 4cyl (naturally). I was actually suprised at how deep the sound was, coming from an engine so small. Granted it has a lot of work done to it- but it's still a 4cyl.

There is a shop near my house that does great custom work. They mainly do custom/race setups. Not to much daily driver type muffler replacement. Mainly drag cars and dirt track cars. They did full stainless mandrel bent for my Focus as well as my FI V8 S10 drag truck. My truck used Flow's- but as you said, I don't think that would sound right on a Benz. I am sure they are up to it. If they can figure out how to run true 3" duals on the S10- they can throw a muffler on my car for me.

I am going to continue to search around for clips of different exhaust.

There are a couple clips from Anthuny85's exhaust floating around here somewhere. His car is the V6, resonator removed, 3" Magnaflow, stock tip.

valexv

don't forget about weight

Firemane

Oooh, I'll have to look for those clips after work...

Your profile doesn't say where you are; which shop do you go to? The only place I've found near me with a mandrel rig is a good 30 minutes away, and they don't stock stainless pipe (gotta order it). Not that I make frequent exhaust changes to my rides - usually it's because I've ripped the exhaust off my Jeep offroad again - but still...

Firemane

Magnaflow 14211's (2½" I/O) weigh about 7 pounds according to the highly accurate scale in my arm.

bensitto

It's not all about sound. The fastest S600 I've seen is very quiet but EXTREMELY FAST! On the other note... start off with high flow air filters (KN, GREEN, etc...) You need to start off giving your car more air intake at the front. From my experience resonator removals don't make a noticeable difference. Hi-flow cat would help and of course a high flow muffler with nice tips. Headers being #1 but most expensive mod. Still saving up for mine...

If you can find a used Eisenmann Hi-perf or Race you would be saving all the steps above and get instant deep tone. I used to have one but went for the quieter quad.

REMUS

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_1Lw0Jsio6k

Enough said

bumpnzx3

i've built enough engines (auto and bike) and modded enough cars to know loud doesn't mean fast. i also know, in most cases, you need to get the start with the front and work your way back (intake first then back to exhaust). i'm not looking to make this thing fast- that's a waste. it will never be as fast as my other toys. i just want a slightly better exhaust note.

the remus certainly does sound good- but $700 plus shipping for a muffler? if i could find a used one- sure. but for about $250'ish i could have a stainless magnaflow, hangers, etc.. installed and sound just about as good.

firemane, here's anthuny's setup: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=magnaflow

REMUS

The magnaflow is universal.
Our exhaust is a complete bolt on.

We also offer universal exhausts btw, which range from 200 to 400 +.
Here's a link : http://www.remusexhaustshop.com/universal-c-397.html

bumpnzx3

i know the magnaflows are universal- my estimate included the little bit of fabbing that would be involved. i called my exhaust shop to get a cost idea from them.

the universal remus might be worth looking into- but add shipping, plus exhaust shop fab time- and i am right back at the $700 bolt on price. about the only way i am going that route is if i find one used somewhere.

REMUS

700$ ????

A regular twin tip rev3 universal : around 340
add 25 shipping

365

350 for install?
I'd recommend a new shop

bumpnzx3

sorry- my math was a little off, i didn't mean for my numbers to be take literally. either way, if i order a universal and have them fab it, or buy the bolt on- it's still 2x as much as a stainless magnaflow, borla, etc....

i'm not trying to agrue, and i don't plan to- i am just stating that i'm not spending 2x as much on one of the mercedes front runners compared to another brand that is just as good (w/o splitting hairs). and i was asking if anyone else had used any other brands aside from magnaflow or the normal mercedes brands.

C24owner

If you think price makes no difference then get this: its only $25


Companies like Eisenmann and Remus build high quality mufflers that are designed to work with our cars. If you dont like the price of aftermarket parts for a mercedes then keep it stock, or buy a honda.

You know the saying. You get what you pay for.

REMUS

Here's a comparaison video.

This is magnaflow, same setup as remus,V6 C320, res delete :
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5qvs8y2bedE

bumpnzx3

they are designed for our cars? aside from being bolt on- how exactly are they designed for our cars? if the same muffler fits my car as the older kompressor- seems it's not designed for my car.

you get what you pay for? i'm not saying i am going to autozone to by a galvanized steel turbo muffler. i am talking about buying a stainless setup from a reputable company. are you saying the welds/construction on flowmaster, mac, borla, etc... aren't any good?

this site is a fantastic spot for research and technical help. however, i could certainly do without the elitist side of it...."buy a honda"

KA8

I think stock exhaust for V6 model sounds perfect. Very sporty and doesn't appear to be that restrictive. If you really want aftermarket invest in some Remus Universal mufflers which can be had for around 300-400 bux. Got it on my acura and it's one of the best mufflers you can buy

bumpnzx3

doesn't sound too bad. if i replaced the muffler- i would most likely leave the resonator as is- i don't want it to be too loud.

bumpnzx3

i agree for the most part. i like the tone/note, i would just like it to have a few more db behind it.

REMUS

All our exhausts are sound tested in a unique accoustic chamber, it eliminates any parasites noise to perfect our label sound.
All our exhausts are tested for backpressure reduction measures, etc.

There's much more to it than meet the eyes, if it were only a bunch of pipes, we'd all be running straight pipes and we would not be the no 1 exhaust manufacturer in the world

bumpnzx3

so you're saying the exhaust flow/charactoristics are the same for the I4 and V6 engines? you guys tested this, and that's why they are the same?

REMUS

The C230 was originally designed for the 2.3L Compressor or 1.8L Compressor engine, however Advan (MBWorld.org member), bought the exhaust and fitted it to the C320 coupe. It's not homologated, however as you heard on the sound clips, it's a perfect fit.