J45P3R

I recently found a c43 i'm interested in purchasing. It has everything I want in options. Designo Brown, Heads up display, Parking assist, Ventilated seats, CPA with warranty.

The issue is that it doesn't have performance exhaust, and it breaks my heart a little. Is it still worth buying?

There isn't another CPA for sale with those options. Purchasing with a warranty is mandatory for me.

I have no issues going aftermarket, but I really liked the idea of a one touch button to lessen the noise when needed. The classiness of having it OEM at your fingertips.

Is there a way to add this, and if so, what does that run?

Thanks in advance to any reply.

Dieseldan9

iTrader: (1)

Imo u have to have perf exhaust

But u can retro fit the exhaust from another car but u will not have the ability to control the valves

I personally would not buy it and keep looking

jerhu

It's a lot of work to add the performance exhaust after the fact. You're better off finding one that has one already installed. However if your goal is to quiet the exhaust then you dont need the performance exhaust. Most people get the exhaust because its louder and sounds better. The non sports exhaust Is pretty quiet in comparison.

The purpose of the button is that it opens the valves which increases the noise.

J45P3R

I would imagine I would have the performance exhaust open 99% of the time. I guess my question is, how often does everyone turn it off?

I just like the idea of turning it off if there was some reason to. Night time or leaving for work in the early morning.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

performance exhaust is for the crackles and pops (which I personally hate when tuned in and not naturally occurring)

If you want a nice sounding exhaust and don't need those characteristics, get the car and equip an aftermarket exhaust. The way you keep exhaust sound under control is through the revs - too low and you'll get minor drone, too high and it starts to sing.

DVision44

Imo the crackles and pops aren’t over exaggerated like BMW M’s though..I’ve heard louder more consistent crackles and pops from folks with Awe track exhaust systems

OP it’s a matter of preference and I could be wrong but the sound characteristics should differ upon whether you’re in S+ or not.. it shouldn’t be obnoxiously loud the 1% you’re in C... except for maybe cold starts.

J45P3R

To clarify, I like the sound of the performance exhaust. I like the feature of being able to open and close the valves do lessen the note.

My question is, how often is this feature used when everyone else drives their car? Do you ever ride with the valves closed? If the performance exhaust is constantly active for most people, sounding great at all times, I am not too worried about going aftermarket without having the option to turn it on and off. There is no point in having the feature of opening and closing if it’s always open.

I dont own the car yet, so I’m not sure how practical the feature is. I’m just looking for advice on that.

Edit: Even though this is a direct reply, it’s a general post to everyone.

MVEOVR

Personally, always with valves open . Start the car, auto stop/start off, exhaust valves open.

Cosworth2000

Don't buy it without the performance exhaust. If you don't mind the car, then negotiate the price to have the exhaust installed. You will be looking around $1500-$2900 for an aftermarket exhaust before installation, taxes or shipping.

It's a total sin to not get the performance exhaust with the AMG models.

SirJmon

When I bought my c450, I put the AWE Touring exhaust on it and it was great. However, having sold that car and bought a new 2019 c43 with the PE. I would never want it without the PE. It is such a key upgrade which is definitely louder than the AWE. And yes, I do drive it with it off from time to time so far. At night when I’m driving in the neighborhood, or when I don’t want to look like a douche in certain areas. Yes, you can control the volume by putting it manual and using the gears to keep revs up or down.

Skim450

so can someone clarify, did the PE option come out for the C43's only? i picked up a CPO'ed C450 and i dont recall seeing any that had this option availabile. on the C450 is putting it into Sport+ mode essentially the same as the PE tone? cuz the car sounds damn glorious in sports+ with all the pops and crackles.

SirJmon

The PE was not an option on the c450. I came along with the C43. The C450 has a sport exhaust which was standard. And yes, putting the c450 in S+ did change the exhaust note and has the pops and bangs. It is not the same as the PE in the c43 however.

Skim450

i see, thanks for clarifying man, i was always curious about this cuz i felt like the C450 sounded pretty decent stock. wish it was a tad louder, but i cant justify spending a few grand for a new exhaust setup.

Grant Hummel

I don't have PE on my current C43 and won't have it on my new one which will be delivered later this month.

I live in the city and wouldn't get much use out of it. The standard exhaust sounds plenty good to my ears--how you drive the car has a really dramatic impact on the sound of the exhaust. I get enough gawking just by goosing it around town without--can't imagine it with.

Different strokes though...

stockbmw

Once you go PE, you won't go back.

Another wonderful feature on selecting $2k AMG driver option gave upgraded steering wheel with suede/alcatara insert steering wheel in Canadian C43. Totally love the feel of it.

mcschan86

I actually really like the feature to turn the valves on and off as I don't always go loud. In residential area, late night, or bumper to bumper traffic, I'd have the valves off. Also it gives me another option to enjoy Burmester better when the valves are off. I also vote 100% on getting the PE w/ the car.

J45P3R

So, now the question is, does anyone know if the dealer will throw a perf exhaust on a CPA 2018?

stockbmw

It's factory only option. Lot of work for one guy who retro fit PE on to his c43. Doubt dealer will do it.

SirJmon

Yeah, good luck with that. I asked my dealer about it last year when I was gonna buy a 2018. They said nope. So when I bought my new one this year I optioned it.

waisoserious

Aftermarket exhausts are basically straight pipe when the valves are open. But the factory performance exhaust being integrated and working with the mode button is amazing. The factory option is also cheaper than any factory exhaust.

Aftermarket is likely louder though. I have FI on my GLC.

Mr. J

C450 is much quieter than the C43s with PE. However, the C450 has way more crackles and pops than C43s without PE. C43s without the PE are very quiet and have minimal crackles, pops, and burbles even in S+.

Capt Slo

I know I'm definitely in the minority here but I could live without the PE on my C43. I like the sound when Sport or Sport + is selected (I especially love the tone at idle in Sport +)

My gripe is that when I'm in Comfort mode and applying very light throttle I don't always want to hear it fart between shifts...if there was a way to correct that I would be totally happy with PE but as it is right now it's more of a gimmick to me.

Flame away.

Skim450

interesting... in that case, yes, if i had gotten a 43, i would want to hear those cracks and pops. would be hard to live without in my opinion. thats kind of what sold me on the C450 when i test drove. to each his own though! i can see why that would be annoying for some folk. lol. my fiance hates when we drive in sport mode and she can always tell... "you're in sport mode arent you?...... i feel sick" haha

AMG C43 3LV6

I will say this much about the C43 PE. If you buy your car deliberately without one because you claim your fine with the current exhaust system, that is your prerogative. However, in terms of selling it afterwards it will be one option that almost all 2nd hand buyers will want. Paying the extra $$$ now will make your car so much easier to sell one day.

I cant imagine a 2nd hand buyer wanting a used c43 without PE. They would have heard and read all the great reviews about how good it is.

When I purchased my car, I was undecided about it. However, after reading on here and reviews online, youtube reviews on the C43 it solidified for me that I needed to have it and I bought it without actually hearing it beforehand.live or tested it out. Also In Australia, its not just the PE you get in the package there is other things as well. So well worth it for me.

gcurnew

I have PE on my '19 C43. I like the sound of the exhaust but really hate the pops and crackles, which are pretty much present whenever the car is driven even moderately hard in Sport or Sport+. I agree that it'll be good for resale, though. I wish there was a tune I could do to eliminate the pops and crackles, but keep the tone and the on/off valve.