just made a quick video of a cold start up and some light revving
AMG drivers package is a must..

to clarify the valve is opened before I start the car

Which mode did you start in, comfort?

Sport plus. I purposely hit accessory power first to change the mode so the exhaust is opened before I started

Sounds just like my car in comfort. For cold startup it opens the valves I believe and then as the idle settles down it closes them.


For me, the PE makes the car.

Thanks for posting video . Do you know if turning off the performance exhaust would give the same sound as not having the option in the first place and if so it would be interesting to hear a video with it switched off for a comparison . I'm getting a c43 but cant decide if the option is worth having . I don't need amg steering wheel and 19 inch wheels which come with package here in Canada . I assume the regular sound is OK ?

that kinda **** annoys me so much, all i want is the exhaust but noooooo i have to get the steering wheel and 19" low profiles summer tires.... NO NO NO!!! i dont want all that crap.... it sucks.... but there is still sound without the performance exhaust just be in sport + for it

Considering the package is only $1700 i'd say it's a steal. Most people will get the premium package regardless. If there's one thing that you should probably get on the car it's the Performance Exhaust.

If the regular sound is anything like my car in comfort I'd say its pretty lame. The car sounds like a corked up 4 banger in comfort.


The package is cheap at $1700. Just get it and enjoy at least having the option to turn up the volume if you want to.

When you start the car with a cold start, I haven't noticed any real difference in sound with the PE on or off. Both seem to have a deep enough rumble.

The real symphony is when you have the PE on and you are driving around town. There is no comparison between the non-PE normalcy and the PE melody.

Not saying you couldn't find it in another add-on exhaust, but for the money it was steal for me.

That's because it opens the valves on cold start, so essentially you are "on" PE.

Good to know, but why?

Leads to the next question of how to get the car to interpret every start as a cold start then. If the programming is out there to start out of "auto-off" then I'm sure some enterprising programmer can figure this one out.

I am not about to drop extra $$$ on winter tires when the car already comes with all seasons.
because with the AMG performance package you get summer tires that are HORRIBLE in the winter i learned my lesson with my current 2014 C350.

Express that to your dealer and they should give you all seasons. If not maybe find another dealership...

but here in Canada they cant subtract whatever amount the tires are from the full 1700$ if im keeping the all seasons. you cant pick apart the package... unlike murrica where they are offered separately

I think we he means is the dealer should swap the tires or rims to make it work to your needs but of course still charge the $1700. Only difference is summer tires

Get AWE Touring Exhaust. Much better than OEM AMG PE exhaust.

Depends on preference. I prefer the switch for when cruising with wifey and the kids. Also it's plenty loud when switched on with no drone.

for me having it from factory and being able to switch it on and off was a nice bonus

The ability to switch is everything IMO. I'm sure AWE's sounds better, but you're stuck with that sound day in and day out. Valves > all.

OP, you ever think about finding someone local (someone with a c300/400/450/43) that has the 18's and negotiate a trade? Should be able to easily trade plus get a few hundred bucks out of the deal... Not sure if that is something they will catch or care about at lease turn in though.

If somebody is worried about the drone they are definitely looking to the wrong car. AWE sounds amazing compared to AMG PE and no drone at all. I can say that AMG PE is not worth it, OK, may be $500, but not $1500. I had AWE Touring on my C450 and I currently have AMG PE on my C43. Waste of money IMHO, just 10% louder when the valves opened because Mercedes needs to comply with all federal regulations and blah-blah-blah

gotta admit this sounds pretty good!

Listen to this amg performance exhaust startup. It's about 6 seconds into the video.

I will ADAMANTLY say the exhaust is worth the price. Hands down my favorite part of the car...and there's plenty to love about it.

Not sure I agree with the comments about it starting up and idling in PE "open"....it's an audible difference in the volume and "growl" when I'm sitting in the garage with the car door still open and am switching PE on, off, on, off.

Furthermore, it's noticeably louder once you're actually in gear...when i back out of the garage, or anywhere, I can hear a noticeable increase in the exhaust a few seconds into backing up. Then, it remains that loud.

Can't say enough about the exhaust. Will upload some of my vids soon to help clarify.

PE is the best way to go on this car!

AM like AWE is like an afterthought, do-over or mulligan for those who did not tick the proper box when ordering.

just test drove the C43 in toronto this afternoon and have to say i wouldn't consider the car without the exhaust. without it, it's just a C300 'S' imo. the standard steering wheel, while it looked more pleasing in photos and youtube i thought felt very cheap. the AMG steering wheel is better. the rims are a toss up... i actually think the standard AMG 18s are the nicest rims but the other AMG option, the non spoke-y ones are pretty good, both with and without the black inserts. hate the fact it comes with run flats.

still completely annoying that AMG drivers package requires premium package which is not worth $5K in my opinion.