exhaust upgrade
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport, ECU Tune, K & N Highflow Air Filters, Cross Drilled Rear Rotors
exhaust upgrade
Hey guys,
I'm looking to get an exhaust tune in a few weeks, going to MPower Houston btw. He recommended a cat delete and x or h-pipe. I know its minimal power gain which is why it'll be my second phase upgrade. Going to do an ECU tune with K&N filters first. Regardless: what are your opinions on the exhaust set up- i was thinking about magnaflow as well.
Thanks for your help!: zoom:
I'm looking to get an exhaust tune in a few weeks, going to MPower Houston btw. He recommended a cat delete and x or h-pipe. I know its minimal power gain which is why it'll be my second phase upgrade. Going to do an ECU tune with K&N filters first. Regardless: what are your opinions on the exhaust set up- i was thinking about magnaflow as well.
Thanks for your help!: zoom:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte, NC
2015 BMW M235i 6MT
Replace 2nd cats (which aren't even cats; they are tiny resonators) with straight pipes.
Replace resonator with x-pipe.
Keep stock mufflers.
I currently have this setup, and I love it.
Replace resonator with x-pipe.
Keep stock mufflers.
I currently have this setup, and I love it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport, ECU Tune, K & N Highflow Air Filters, Cross Drilled Rear Rotors
is it a deeper sound? i'm looking for that gurggle when the rpms come down too.. not sure if i should take the mufflers out as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 28
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
Does removal of the secondary cats give you a harsher, more raspy sound? If the secondary cats really are just additional resonators, could they actually be acting to deepen the tone of the exhaust by removing or cleaning up some of the vibration/exhaust pulses/turbulence/etc.?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte, NC
2015 BMW M235i 6MT
Question for you...or maybe for our resident exhaust experts....
Does removal of the secondary cats give you a harsher, more raspy sound? If the secondary cats really are just additional resonators, could they actually be acting to deepen the tone of the exhaust by removing or cleaning up some of the vibration/exhaust pulses/turbulence/etc.?
Does removal of the secondary cats give you a harsher, more raspy sound? If the secondary cats really are just additional resonators, could they actually be acting to deepen the tone of the exhaust by removing or cleaning up some of the vibration/exhaust pulses/turbulence/etc.?
To answer your second question, my car has a deeper tone than stock and is noticeably louder than stock. If I remember correctly, the C350 I heard did have a higher pitch, but honestly, I may have mistaken that for rasp/volume. So it's a toss up.
I think an x-pipe makes a really big difference in this situation.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Dix Hills
2011 c300 4matic
I don't know what you mean by harsher, but yes, removing my secondary cats has made the exhaust ever so slightly raspier. I've heard a C350 with straight pipes replacing both the 2nd cats and the resonator, and that was raspy. However, I think my x-pipe does a really good job of smoothening out the sound.
To answer your second question, my car has a deeper tone than stock and is noticeably louder than stock. If I remember correctly, the C350 I heard did have a higher pitch, but honestly, I may have mistaken that for rasp/volume. So it's a toss up. I think an x-pipe makes a really big difference in this situation.
To answer your second question, my car has a deeper tone than stock and is noticeably louder than stock. If I remember correctly, the C350 I heard did have a higher pitch, but honestly, I may have mistaken that for rasp/volume. So it's a toss up.
I think an x-pipe makes a really big difference in this situation.Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
Oh I agree. I'm just emphasizing what you're saying in that the worst case scenario is mild...compared to other mods, where worst case scenarios are irreversible.
I've done resonator deletes on my other cars before, and from past experience, I've personally come to the conclusion to leave those alone. However, like exterior paint color, sound signature is also subjective, so I'm not going to criticize.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Dix Hills
2011 c300 4matic
Oh I agree. I'm just emphasizing what you're saying in that the worst case scenario is mild...compared to other mods, where worst case scenarios are irreversible.
I've done resonator deletes on my other cars before, and from past experience, I've personally come to the conclusion to leave those alone. However, like exterior paint color, sound signature is also subjective, so I'm not going to criticize.
I've done resonator deletes on my other cars before, and from past experience, I've personally come to the conclusion to leave those alone. However, like exterior paint color, sound signature is also subjective, so I'm not going to criticize.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport, ECU Tune, K & N Highflow Air Filters, Cross Drilled Rear Rotors
Yeah, I'm honestly looking for a more aggressive deep sound, if what you all say is good then that's probably what i'll do.
and yes the stock exhaust does sound nice in-cabin.
and yes the stock exhaust does sound nice in-cabin.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Dix Hills
2011 c300 4matic
make sure you go to a quality shop. at first i went to meineke and the welds were really poor quality and then after i went to an amazing shop that cleaned up the welds and fixed a lot of their problems.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte, NC
2015 BMW M235i 6MT
Wow. I had the same exact experience. The first guy's welds looked like bubble gum. How did they clean up your welds? Did they have to cut the pipes off and re-weld?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Dix Hills
2011 c300 4matic
you live and you learn !
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte, NC
2015 BMW M235i 6MT
pretty much, i went to get my secondary cats off and then they explained everything to me. They cleaned up my welds on my x pipe and secondary cats. They also included a ( for lack of a better word ) a bracket? so when a shop needs to work underneath my car they do not have to take out the whole exhaust just sections of it. I need to get my mufflers fixed though, he tried to weld a 3 in pipe on a 2.25 in pipe and looks awful. you live and you learn !
you live and you learn !
I still have the ugly welds on my x-pipe, but it's not causing any problems, so I don't really have a good reason to get them redone.
Definitely learned my lesson, and will always use a quality shop. Not many in NC to start with, though.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Dix Hills
2011 c300 4matic
3 inch pipe welded to a 2.25 inch pipe?
I still have the ugly welds on my x-pipe, but it's not causing any problems, so I don't really have a good reason to get them redone.
Definitely learned my lesson, and will always use a quality shop. Not many in NC to start with, though.
I still have the ugly welds on my x-pipe, but it's not causing any problems, so I don't really have a good reason to get them redone.
Definitely learned my lesson, and will always use a quality shop. Not many in NC to start with, though.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 15
From: SF bay area
C300 sport
The best and highest rated muffler shop in my area didn't remove my entire exhaust for a resonator delete and x pipe install. I didn't really think much of it at the time. Are there any big advantages to remove the entire exhaust rather than just weld pieces on while attached to the car?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Dix Hills
2011 c300 4matic
The best and highest rated muffler shop in my area didn't remove my entire exhaust for a resonator delete and x pipe install. I didn't really think much of it at the time. Are there any big advantages to remove the entire exhaust rather than just weld pieces on while attached to the car?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 15
From: SF bay area
C300 sport
Yeah that makes sense. I think it all depends on how much space they have to work with. I've brought my car in for a check up and my mechanic patched up a leak before, so its possible it was due to less than adequate welding on the top part. How much more would it cost to get the entire exhaust taken out? I paid $150 for everything and that's the best price I could find from a reputable shop in the SF bay area. I don't think I could justify paying again or even more, just to make the welds on top look pretty.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport, ECU Tune, K & N Highflow Air Filters, Cross Drilled Rear Rotors
Interesting, I think the guy that i am going to go to takes the whole system down and does clean welds. I've seen his other work and its beautiful. Def will let you guys know when its done tho!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
2011 c300
I bought this, and love it. Price included diffuser, I got it for less.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-W204-Genuine-Carlsson-C300-C350-Quad-exhaust-w-Rear-Diffuser-/301015080394?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AC300&hash=item4615e59dca&vxp=mtr
No drone, yet an aggressive tone.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-W204-Genuine-Carlsson-C300-C350-Quad-exhaust-w-Rear-Diffuser-/301015080394?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AC300&hash=item4615e59dca&vxp=mtr
No drone, yet an aggressive tone.
Last edited by Wawatusi; Dec 13, 2013 at 11:12 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
2011 c300
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 128
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
2013 C250
