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I ordered the RES exhaust that comes with brackets for the OEM valve motors. We installed the motors into the new brackets, and the actuation IS working, but the CEL comes on all the same. Few cons here is remote start now will not work as the car “fails” the start up checklist.
if anyone has any ideas I would love the assist.
TLDR: New catback exhaust is on the car, the OEM valve controller/actuator was removed from the OEM mufflers and installed onto the new mufflers. Actuation from the steering wheel exhaust button is seemingly working, but the DTCs are still triggered.
picture: res exhaust with the special fitted brackets for the OEM valves installed actuator
Hey , man contact the RES Henry they are quite responsive I believe , Could be one of the flaps i getting blocked , try to remove flap engines and start the car with them hanging on the cables .
I know this is your main thing to do but if you find some time please let us know how much it was to order + can you do a video how it sounds ?
Hey , man contact the RES Henry they are quite responsive I believe , Could be one of the flaps i getting blocked , try to remove flap engines and start the car with them hanging on the cables .
I know this is your main thing to do but if you find some time please let us know how much it was to order + can you do a video how it sounds ?
Thanks. Contacted RES Henry and he let me know that my situation with the DTC is the first he’s heard of which is actually encouraging to me. The car is now back at the shop and my guy is working on setting the valves right to stop the DTCs. I will keep you guys posted.
Here is a video of some revs. It’s hard for camera to capture but the car is much louder. Driving around town the audible experience is now present as you would expect from this kind of car. The biggest difference comes in the burbles which are loud and sound great in S+. Will work on getting more content once the DTCs are sorted.
The exhaust was $1850 shipped to me in Florida, and I paid $550 for install.
Thanks. Contacted RES Henry and he let me know that my situation with the DTC is the first he’s heard of which is actually encouraging to me. The car is now back at the shop and my guy is working on setting the valves right to stop the DTCs. I will keep you guys posted.
Here is a video of some revs. It’s hard for camera to capture but the car is much louder. Driving around town the audible experience is now present as you would expect from this kind of car. The biggest difference comes in the burbles which are loud and sound great in S+. Will work on getting more content once the DTCs are sorted.
The exhaust was $1850 shipped to me in Florida, and I paid $550 for install.
Good price, keep us posted! Sounds great. I'm about to place an order for mine soon.
So had the car in the shop today and they tried "setting" the valve actuation point to halfway open to match the OEM spec of the valves when the car is off.
Still getting the DTCs on.
I reached out to a forum member who had a similar issue installing an IPE Valved Catback on his GLE 53 and he said this:
Hi. Actually there is no way around this at this time. The exhaust manufacturers say this will fit the new year mercedes benz models. But actually nobody tested them besides like you and me. And they think that a 2022 is the same as a 2024 and it clearly is not. So it sucks. My IPE exhaust is for sale just sitting there. I suggest checking your code what you have showing up. But as soon as you see flap malfunction or actuataor anything like that then yes it is totally because of the flaps. I even went to the dealer 2 times paid $$$ for them to force to learn the flaps and I made it 100 miles that time before the car got a check engine, my burbles stopped and its pretty much in limp mode in sport+.
For anyone thinking about going the RES route, I would take a beat for now....
The guy I have the car with right now is going to give it one last try tomorrow. If not, I am going to look to re-install the OEM exhaust. Last thing I want to deal with is limp mode.
Just curious as to why anyone would do these kinds of mods and risk voiding the warranty?
While I haven’t done it I don’t believe there is a risk to void warranty with some form of cat back system. I definitely would be weary of anything that deletes the cats or anything that would trigger a CEL. Also just not a fan of cat deletes or anything that worsens air quality.
As an aside, if anyone take a photo of their stock exhaust flaps as the vehicle is sitting parked or knows the valve orientation while the vehicle is parked vs start up vs in drive that would be a big help.
Update: we finally found the correct valve resting points and the system is installed and trouble code free.
The mistake we made was making both the left & right mufflers start at the same valve position. The left muffler is actually much bigger than the right muffler and so even with the new RES system (where both mufflers are the same size), the left mufflers' valve must be more open than the right mufflers valve to match the cars expectations.
RES has been very supportive through the process as well. The car sounds great and will take more exhaust clips shortly.
Initial impressions:
- Car is much more audible in S+. Exhaust note sounds great, is the right amount of loud, and very satisfying in spirited driving.
- Plenty quiet in comfort mode with valves closed.
- BURBLES are much more pronounced and loud.
Update: we finally found the correct valve resting points and the system is installed and trouble code free.
The mistake we made was making both the left & right mufflers start at the same valve position. The left muffler is actually much bigger than the right muffler and so even with the new RES system (where both mufflers are the same size), the left mufflers' valve must be more open than the right mufflers valve to match the cars expectations.
RES has been very supportive through the process as well. The car sounds great and will take more exhaust clips shortly.
Initial impressions:
- Car is much more audible in S+. Exhaust note sounds great, is the right amount of loud, and very satisfying in spirited driving.
- Plenty quiet in comfort mode with valves closed.
- BURBLES are much more pronounced and loud.
Oh boy, you bet we will ask for a sound clip : ) you saw that coming : ) If you can please post a sound clip just revving and when driving. Maybe gopro on the bumper and/or inside the vehicle for example.
Did you know the car sounds louder with the rear row seats dropped down? I mean I am pretty sure you know already.
Oh boy, you bet we will ask for a sound clip : ) you saw that coming : ) If you can please post a sound clip just revving and when driving. Maybe gopro on the bumper and/or inside the vehicle for example.
Did you know the car sounds louder with the rear row seats dropped down? I mean I am pretty sure you know already.
Here are some clips from today. I just placed a wireless mic on the license plate frame so what you're hearing here is pure exhaust. There is some sound distortion with higher speed but that's probably a limitation of the mic. Enjoy!
Here are some clips from today. I just placed a wireless mic on the license plate frame so what you're hearing here is pure exhaust. There is some sound distortion with higher speed but that's probably a limitation of the mic. Enjoy!
Here are some clips from today. I just placed a wireless mic on the license plate frame so what you're hearing here is pure exhaust. There is some sound distortion with higher speed but that's probably a limitation of the mic. Enjoy!
Nice bro. It looks like you were running Sport+ - how does it sound in Comfort or Sport mode? I'm asking since the car starts in Comfort mode by default.
i just took delivery of a cle 53 amg. i am also disappointed in the exhaust note. in my opinion it's the only flaw. i do like that its quite at times to keep things classy but i would like to have a more emotional opinion with the exhaust flaps open 100%
i purchased the car so i dont want to mod it and void my warranty. i would like to see a over the air update that allows for the exhaust flaps to open fully
i would also like to see AMG bring back the "emotional start" where the car starts at a higher rpm to give u that feeling
i just took delivery of a cle 53 amg. i am also disappointed in the exhaust note. in my opinion it's the only flaw. i do like that its quite at times to keep things classy but i would like to have a more emotional opinion with the exhaust flaps open 100%
i purchased the car so i dont want to mod it and void my warranty. i would like to see a over the air update that allows for the exhaust flaps to open fully
i would also like to see AMG bring back the "emotional start" where the car starts at a higher rpm to give u that feeling
Very nice! I like the forged wheels! Out of curiosity, does your CLE 53 have the AMG Real Performance Sound pkg.? My wife felt this helped with the exhaust sound when we test drove a CLE 53 that had it, so she ordered it for hers.
Her 2026 CLE 53 coupe is currently at port, and she will be taking delivery shortly....most likely after Sep 1st since that's when the tariffs drop to 15% from 25%.
Last edited by MASSC450; Aug 28, 2025 at 09:33 AM.
i think they renamed some of the packages for 2026. i have the switchable engine sound option. i'm not sure if thats the same thing as amg performance exhaust
i think they renamed some of the packages for 2026. i have the switchable engine sound option. i'm not sure if thats the same thing as amg performance exhaust
$550 is the same price point for the AMG Real Performance Sound pkg.....
"A clever system can enhance the listening enjoyment of the symphonic AMG exhaust. A sensor in the exhaust system picks up the actual engine sound and feeds it into the cabin, elevating the emotional expression of driving sensations"
In essence....piped in sound, but at least it's not manufactured like BMW does it....
Nice spec. Can you tell me what the difference is between the Carbon Fiber I and II packages? Would I be able get these added by the dealer at a later point? Also, with the Winter Package, I see you also got Summer tires. What do you plan to do this Winter?
$550 is the same price point for the AMG Real Performance Sound pkg.....
"A clever system can enhance the listening enjoyment of the symphonic AMG exhaust. A sensor in the exhaust system picks up the actual engine sound and feeds it into the cabin, elevating the emotional expression of driving sensations"
In essence....piped in sound, but at least it's not manufactured like BMW does it....
Two points:
1) If the Real Performance sound was "symphonic" I might not have modified my exhaust. The MB quote seems like gaslighting to me. The EU has stricter noise regulations which is what led to the quiet exhaust and I don't think that MB has a real US spec exhaust system.
2) I had my mufflers replaced with straight pipes and the car sounds like it should, a nice rumble at idle and much louder at WOT with the appropriate crackle on decel but not obnoxious. The cost was $480. I previously owned a 2019 C43 and that exhaust sound was perfect. I drove with the flaps open all the time so this mod doesn't change that. The exhaust note when cruising on the highway at 70-80mph is still pretty tame because the single turbo straight 6 engine is just inherently quieter than the twin turbo V6. I have heard it said that the turbo is the muffler, lol. Also, I didn't change anything affecting emissions so I don't think that there is any warranty issue.
I have to point out that, since the aftermarket has not yet (to my knowledge and, I have contacted Burger Motorsports on this) cracked the MB CPU codes, the flap modules cannot be bypassed for model year 2024 and up. To address this I retained both exhaust flap assemblies in-tact and plugged in. The only snag is that I too get CELs that decode as exhaust flap failure, or something like that, from time to time because the installer insisted on welding the whole flap assembly to the straight pipes at 90deg. I'm pretty sure that the drivers side flap is interfering with the straight pipe and sticking. I hope that eventually it will clearance itself. There is some resonance at 2000-2300rpm where the exhaust is louder but otherwise the car is just about perfect.
Two points:
If the Real Performance sound was "symphonic" I might not have modified my exhaust. The MB quote seems like gaslighting to me. The EU has stricter noise regulations which is what led to the quiet exhaust and I don't think that MB has a real US spec exhaust system.
May be, but in no way shape or form am I stating piped in noise will ever replace the sound of a V8 with a decent exhaust system. I'll tell you this though, my wife has zero desire to modify the exhaust on her brand new $92k 2026 CLE 53 let alone deal with an occasional CEL, so she opted for the piped in sound option. Also, keep in mind the EU requires additional particulate filters installed in the exhaust on certain models which make the exhaust note even quieter....and for U.S. spec vehicles like my Macan GTS, there's no requirement for particulate filters.
At least the MB piped in exhaust sound is supposedly just amplified, and not artificially generated like BMW does it.
While I haven’t done it I don’t believe there is a risk to void warranty with some form of cat back system. I definitely would be weary of anything that deletes the cats or anything that would trigger a CEL. Also just not a fan of cat deletes or anything that worsens air quality.
exactly. catback you're all good re: warranty. There's so much fear mongering online on voiding the warranty lol can't escape it
Update: we finally found the correct valve resting points and the system is installed and trouble code free.
The mistake we made was making both the left & right mufflers start at the same valve position. The left muffler is actually much bigger than the right muffler and so even with the new RES system (where both mufflers are the same size), the left mufflers' valve must be more open than the right mufflers valve to match the cars expectations.
RES has been very supportive through the process as well. The car sounds great and will take more exhaust clips shortly.
Initial impressions:
- Car is much more audible in S+. Exhaust note sounds great, is the right amount of loud, and very satisfying in spirited driving.
- Plenty quiet in comfort mode with valves closed.
- BURBLES are much more pronounced and loud.
So happy you fixed that bro!! I just had my RES installed last week. Someone else told me to make sure the valve positions were memorized. Saved me a headache!
Has anyone installed the ASR FLAP CONTROL RX2 MERCEDES (ML2-4PA)?
Or another module to keep the exhaust flaps open? Keen to understand what difference it makes.
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My exhaust sound is "lame" no more
