Curious to see if this a good setup and if these are worth it. Going to stay the NA route down the road and want to get a full exhaust system so I can help the C55 breath a little better.

https://mbworld.org/forums/engine-performance/631368-e55-kleeman-headers.html

These will not fit 100%. You will need to get different extension pipes between the headers and the rest of the exhaust. Kleemann had a deferent set for just the C55 (W203)

I just realized the for sale post said E55, not C55. Ooooooops

kleeman had them up on ebay for the clk55 every now and then new for 700$...i want to go the Eurocharged route myself, but I dont know about longevity for ANY shorty headers because of all the bends

CLK55 headers fit onto the C55?

Keep an eye on Kleeman USA's ebay auctions. They will sometimes run sales on the headers. A couple of weeks ago they ran a 3-day sale on the E55 headers for $600 plus $45 shipping. I contacted them through ebay to see if they would be running any specials for the C55 headers.

I received the following reply from Kleeman USA:
"Buy these, but put a "note to seller" that they are for a C55 and I will see you get them."

I did so and my C55 headers arrived a week later.

Now that's great service and a great price too.

Damn that's a great deal!


Is there only one style of headers for our cars or multiple? Sorry for the rookie questions, I come from the motorcycle world and I am totally new to the Mercedes world.

That is a great deal!
My turn to hit up this deal!

What your guy's thought on kleemann vs eurocharge headers and tunes?

I have the eurocharged tune...i actually just got around to setting it up yesterday, should have the tune done on the weekend and ill let you know..

as far as headers, I really wanted a set of shorty headers, but have heard only negative stories as far as longevity (cracking over time)

A thing about the cracking headers. Obviously there can be poor workmanship or poor quality SS piping used. But from my experience, before installing the headers, check your engine mounts. These cars are getting old and if the engine mounts have any play in them, at WOT that would put extra tension on the headers. Since the headers are attached to to the rest of the exhaust which is more or less fixed in place, the headers will crack. BTW, other than the labor involved, it is very easy to weld the crack in the headers.

Anyone have a picture reference for short vs long headers? Trying to get a visual of what you guys are talking about because I have no idea what it is or looks like.

These are long tube headers.


These are short tube headers.


Long tubes are going to be your best bang for the buck, more gains with better exhaust scavenging. However its illegal pretty much in every state, and say bye to all your cats lol.

Shorties are cheaper, mountable up to the cats, and carb legal for the most part.
Gains aren't that great compare to the long tube headers.

Thanks Vu! That was exactly what I needed. Where in SD you located Vu?

I used live in the Clairemont area, but now I'm in Sacramento for school.

You can keep your secondary cats in if you get the long tube headers.


My friend here in the UK has kleemann headers and downpipes, with x pipe in his R171 SLK55 and he passed our emissions tests in a MOT. Secondary cats still in place.

I have Kleemann headers and downpipes, with OEM secondary cats in place.
I pass Swedish MOT, no problems there!

Amgen we need some videos.

Sorry, I don´t have any. I have this one when I´m trying to show
shiftings with Kleemann TCU..

I do believe that the Kleemann headers are actually considered mid length. They are in between MBH's long tubes and the Eurocharged shorty headers. Honestly, I wouldn't waste the time and money to do shorty headers because the primary cats on these cars are so restrictive (and also the tiny pipe that goes from the manifold to the cat). You will get some more sound but not like you would get with the Kleemann or MBH. The Kleemann and MBH headers are both top quality. I had the Kleemann headers on my car because I got them on sale also or I would have gone with the MBH. The Kleemann headers are easier to have installed though because they can be mated to the stock exhaust and the secondary cats can be left in if that is a concern (it isn't that loud with them out though). I did a full custom 2.5" exhaust all the way back into the stock mufflers shortly after I installed my headers and the flow increase was substantial. I believe I gained a half second in the 1/4 mile but that was also being supercharged.

Looks like kleemann is the way to go!

I just ordered a set of kleeman headers + downpipes on ebay for 745 shipped through kleeman! they fit the C/CLK/SLK55s

You upgrading the whole system or just adding that to the stock setup?

i have shorty headers for the c55, they require no modifications and bolt to stock down pipe, I have had no issues with cracking and they do come with a warranty, They are $449 shipped in the US.