Cat delete questions
I leased a 2019 C63s coupe and want some more sound. It doesn't make sense for me to spend a couple grand on any big exhaust modifications so I figured the best option for me would be a secondary cat delete.
I was wondering...
1. Will I have issues with performance/check engine lights?
2. Will I have issues when I take the car for service?
3. Will I have issues when I return the lease? (I of course plan to put the cats back on before returning it.)
Is there anything else I should make sure to ask the shop to do?
If anyone could help me out I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
2. Will I have issues when I take the car for service?
3. Will I have issues when I return the lease? (I of course plan to put the cats back on before returning it.)
Is there anything else I should make sure to ask the shop to do?
2) No
3) Yes... Technically you need to put it back to OEM... welding the secondary cats back on is hardly adequate. They'll make you buy new DP's and install (need to drop the transmission) and that'll cost you probably a good $2-3k with labor I'd imagine.
The best thing you could do as a lease is ASR module (2019 compatible version). That's probably the best you'll get without spending a ton of money
2) No
3) Yes... Technically you need to put it back to OEM... welding the secondary cats back on is hardly adequate. They'll make you buy new DP's and install (need to drop the transmission) and that'll cost you probably a good $2-3k with labor I'd imagine.
The best thing you could do as a lease is ASR module (2019 compatible version). That's probably the best you'll get without spending a ton of money
Yeah I’d definitely want to avoid any problems at the end of the lease so I guess secondary cat delete isnt the way to go.
You mention the 2019 compatible version of the ASR. I’m reading threads that say the 2018 C63S sounds almost exactly the same with or without the ASR module. Do you know if there will be a noticeable difference in sound on the 2019?
I’m not 100% sure where the best place to get the module is. Is this the one you’re talking about?
https://www.active-sound.eu/en/merce...ol?action_ms=1
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A friend at my dealership (junior sales associate, still in training I believe) said no problem as long as its back to stock, but call and ask mbusa.
Mbusa said they can’t say, ask service department at my dealership.
Service department said it will void warranty and I’ll be charged.
But further research online mentioned a law that states a dealership cannot void your warranty due to the use of aftermarket parts, unless they can prove that part was the cause of a problem with the car. I understand a cat delete isn’t exactly the same as installing aftermarket parts, but its the same idea. So that tells me that as long as its returned to stock and nothing is wrong with the car, my warranty should remain intact.
Service department was just talking about warranty, they weren’t really answering my question regarding being charged or not when they see the weld marks.
Not sure if its worth it or not. The cat delete will only cost 200 bucks or so, so that’s a reasonable cost I’m willing to pay. But its obviously not worth it if I end up getting charged 2-3 grand at the end of the lease. Might as well get a fully new exhaust system in that case, but the cost of that is out of my budget.
Obviously it would be reasonable to assume they are not okay with weld marks and I will be charged, but if there is a chance that won’t happen then I’d really like to go forward with the cat delete as the sound on the 2019s is really pathetic.
I’m really lost.
Magnuson-Moss doesn't mean anything unless you're ready to SUE MBUSA... Cheaper to just pay $5 k TBH. At that price, just go full cattless and replace the intact stock DP at the end. It'll be cheaper and you'll actually be satisfied with the sound.
For your reference, here's the lease end guide that goes over details and here's the highlight for your case:
The following vehicle conditions will result in excess wear and use charges:
- The vehicle’s factory-installed parts are not present, are damaged, or are in poor working order
- Third-party aftermarket alterations have not been restored to their original condition
https://www2.mbfs.com/mbfsr/en/resou...seEndGuide.pdf
I was thinking of doing this on my car until I figured my 2019 c63s is still not fixed after giving it 3 chances which is still back to the dealership...
Magnuson-Moss doesn't mean anything unless you're ready to SUE MBUSA... Cheaper to just pay $5 k TBH. At that price, just go full cattless and replace the intact stock DP at the end. It'll be cheaper and you'll actually be satisfied with the sound.
I know, this is what most information points to happening. Unfortunately going full catless on a car I don't plan on buying isn't an option for me. Hopefully, if I do end up going with my 2nd cat delete, the fact that I'll be switching into to another mercedes will give them incentive to let it slide.
For your reference, here's the lease end guide that goes over details and here's the highlight for your case:
The following vehicle conditions will result in excess wear and use charges:
- The vehicle’s factory-installed parts are not present, are damaged, or are in poor working order
- Third-party aftermarket alterations have not been restored to their original condition
https://www2.mbfs.com/mbfsr/en/resou...seEndGuide.pdf
I was thinking of doing this on my car until I figured my 2019 c63s is still not fixed after giving it 3 chances which is still back to the dealership...
See to me, that sounds like as long as I put the cats back on, and they're functioning correctly, I should be perfectly fine. Unless they would classify welds as damage, but I guess that's all up to the person performing the inspection. The link also mentions the credit card test, I'm pretty sure a credit card could cover the weld mark too!
That makes me want to just go ahead and do it but I'm hearing stories about both outcomes! I guess MB is just really inconsistent about how they handle welds.
See to me, that sounds like as long as I put the cats back on, and they're functioning correctly, I should be perfectly fine. Unless they would classify welds as damage, but I guess that's all up to the person performing the inspection. The link also mentions the credit card test, I'm pretty sure a credit card could cover the weld mark too!
That makes me want to just go ahead and do it but I'm hearing stories about both outcomes! I guess MB is just really inconsistent about how they handle welds.
On the other hand, life is too short not to take those risks as it’s totally worth the fun you get out of it once you hear your desired sound. I’d totally go for it
On the other hand, life is too short not to take those risks as it’s totally worth the fun you get out of it once you hear your desired sound. I’d totally go for it

Just gotta pray they don't say anything when its in for service! So far I only did the rear diff service I still got 3 more to go!
Magnuson-Moss doesn't mean anything unless you're ready to SUE MBUSA... Cheaper to just pay $5 k TBH. At that price, just go full cattless and replace the intact stock DP at the end. It'll be cheaper and you'll actually be satisfied with the sound.
May be someone else here can verify if what I said is correct or not.
I want to proceed with the cat delete but I think I've seen here someone mentioned the 2019s don't even have secondary cats and they just have the particle filter instead.
Thanks!
"Hi, being a 2019 model it won't have secondary cats. It will have petrol particulate filters, which if removed will require ECU tuning, because otherwise the car will go into limp mode."
Now that's unsubstantiated by anyone else but I've no reason to doubt this person. They do lots of upgrades/performance work on German marques and are very reputable here in the UK.
Had them taken out yesterday and have had no issues.
I have had an ASR module for a little while now, and the difference now with the cat delete is honestly pretty minimal.
However, I now consistently get crackles on start up, it growls a bit more at idle and low speeds, and if you really put the gas down from standstill you'll get some more noise.
Compared with fully stock, the difference is night and day. I think ASR + secondary cat delete is a great low cost (and hopefully lease friendly) set up for the 2019s.







