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Old Aug 31, 2019 | 01:36 PM
  #1  
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Cat delete questions

I apologize in advance because I know a lot of similar questions have been asked here, but I'd just like some further clarification before I go get work done on my car today.

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!
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Old Aug 31, 2019 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Encore818
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?
1) No
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
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Old Aug 31, 2019 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by skim7x
1) No
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
Thanks.

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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Old Aug 31, 2019 | 09:43 PM
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To be honest I'm not on top of the 2018/2019/2020 exhaust flap module market because I have a 2017... I thought I had seen that there was a compatible version on these forums but I may be mistaken.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 05:39 AM
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The 2019 one is the RX2, I can confirm it's compatible as I've had one in my 2019 car for a few months now. Makes a noticeable difference.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by playalistic
The 2019 one is the RX2, I can confirm it's compatible as I've had one in my 2019 car for a few months now. Makes a noticeable difference.
Any chance you could upload a video? Would really appreciate it!
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 03:37 PM
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I do not think the particulate filter in the new 2019 C63s is in the secondary cat. It is probably in the primaries.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by munis
I do not think the particulate filter in the new 2019 C63s is in the secondary cat. It is probably in the primaries.
No idea where the particulate filter is, but I believe removing secondary cat will result in some noticeable increase in sound.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 03:52 PM
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I’ve been trying to figure out what my lease return process will be like with weld marks around the secondary cat.

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.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 05:51 PM
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I know you don't want to believe it, but this is what WILL happen. You'll do 2nd CAT delete and enjoy the maybe 20% sound increase over stock. You'll go back and try to weld the 2nd cat back in, which may or may not have its own complications/stress/cost. After all that is done, you'll take the car back to the dealership and they'll say, "NOPE! You've butchered the stock exhaust, you owe us $5000" and you'll say, "NOPE! Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" and they'll say "F-you" and deduct the amount owed based on your lease agreement and you'll be sad and go home to cry.

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.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 06:35 PM
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Honestly I've done lease return with BMW and not much of a headache at the end and as far as I remember, they only looked for physical damage around the body, tire treads and that's all...

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...
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 07:15 PM
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Did a lease return on my previous benz with muffler delete and then welded back on.. had no problems.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by skim7x
I know you don't want to believe it, but this is what WILL happen. You'll do 2nd CAT delete and enjoy the maybe 20% sound increase over stock. You'll go back and try to weld the 2nd cat back in, which may or may not have its own complications/stress/cost. After all that is done, you'll take the car back to the dealership and they'll say, "NOPE! You've butchered the stock exhaust, you owe us $5000" and you'll say, "NOPE! Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" and they'll say "F-you" and deduct the amount owed based on your lease agreement and you'll be sad and go home to cry.

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.




Originally Posted by B3NS_C63s_AMG
Honestly I've done lease return with BMW and not much of a headache at the end and as far as I remember, they only looked for physical damage around the body, tire treads and that's all...

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!


Originally Posted by untamedd
Did a lease return on my previous benz with muffler delete and then welded back on.. had no problems.
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.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 11:11 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Encore818
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.









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.
Bet you those inspectors don’t know anything about mods or at least in my case didn’t... and I bet they won’t bother bending over and checking every single bolts and bits of the car. I also remember my previous inspector saying even if the car was involved in an accident, once it’s repaired, there shouldn’t be an issue. I remember coding the **** out of my Beemers when I returned them lol
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
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by B3NS_C63s_AMG
Bet you those inspectors don’t know anything about mods or at least in my case didn’t... and I bet they won’t bother bending over and checking every single bolts and bits of the car. I also remember my previous inspector saying even if the car was involved in an accident, once it’s repaired, there shouldn’t be an issue. I remember coding the **** out of my Beemers when I returned them lol
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
I think I'll go for it! And when it comes time to put the cats back on I'll spend some more to have the welds as nice as possible.

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!
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by skim7x
I know you don't want to believe it, but this is what WILL happen. You'll do 2nd CAT delete and enjoy the maybe 20% sound increase over stock. You'll go back and try to weld the 2nd cat back in, which may or may not have its own complications/stress/cost. After all that is done, you'll take the car back to the dealership and they'll say, "NOPE! You've butchered the stock exhaust, you owe us $5000" and you'll say, "NOPE! Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" and they'll say "F-you" and deduct the amount owed based on your lease agreement and you'll be sad and go home to cry.

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.
If he does go full exhaust, i.e catless, he would need a tune unless he can figure it out with a spacer. If he gets a tune, powertrain warranty goes bye bye for major issues. Which is not a big issue if your 2019 is a stable unit with no misfiring problem etc. I would say drive the car atleast 20k km and wait for any major problems to come out before you take the knife to it.
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Encore818
I think I'll go for it! And when it comes time to put the cats back on I'll spend some more to have the welds as nice as possible.

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!
Don't forget to post videos!
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 10:01 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Encore818

Service department said it will void warranty and I’ll be charged.


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.


I’m really lost.
Service department would void your entire powertrain warranty for cutting cats? What was the service rep drinking? I assure you that is not the case. The warranty for your exhaust, sure, for your turbos, sure. Not for anything else. Rule of thumb is that anything directly connected to the component your are modding will have its warranty voided. In this case, turbos and your exhaust.

May be someone else here can verify if what I said is correct or not.
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 02:40 PM
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^correct
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 03:56 PM
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Went ahead and ordered the RX2 ASR module today. Hopefully that'll give me enough sound and I wont have to touch anything else and mess with my warranty and/or lease return. If not, I'll go with the cat delete.
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Old Oct 21, 2019 | 01:40 PM
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Can anyone confirm with certainty if the 2019 FL C63s has secondary cats?

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!
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Old Oct 22, 2019 | 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Encore818
Can anyone confirm with certainty if the 2019 FL C63s has secondary cats?

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!
That was me. The tech was quoted as:

"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.
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Old Oct 22, 2019 | 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Encore818
I think I'll go for it! And when it comes time to put the cats back on I'll spend some more to have the welds as nice as possible.

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!
When you return the car they look at exterior body condition and they want the oem wheels. That's about it based on my experience.
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Old Nov 1, 2019 | 04:01 PM
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Just an update, the 2019s do in fact have secondary cats. I saw them myself.

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.
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