CLE53 Exhaust sound...lame?
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Joined: Dec 2019
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It made a bigger difference in previous models but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference on the CLE 53. This module is also only good when you don't redline a lot and drive a low RPMs and want some low RPM rumble.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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I just realized if you purely want more sound for free, just drop the seats. That said, I thought CLE 53 has something called real performance sound? If so the sensors should pipe in the sound to the speakers regardless.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 54
Likes: 11
From: Poland
CLE53
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.
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.
I`m going to mod my exhaust , they basically open muffles and ripe them apart a bit . Will see how it sounds on Friday .
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 232
Likes: 68
From: Long Island, NY
CLE53
Exhaust note change...
Having said that, when the car was backed out of the muffler shop by the mechanic after the mod I could immediately hear a nice rumble that wasn't there before but I didn't have the presence of mind to record that moment. The exhaust is definitely more noticeable while driving in C mode but not a huge increase from stock. There are definitely more burbles and it is louder than before in S+, but not obnoxious nor as loud as my C43 which made pops and bangs galore.
I have some theories on why the CLE53 without mufflers just isn't as loud as my C43 WITH mufflers. 1) the biggest reason I think is because the inline-6 is just inherently quieter than a V6, 2) there is more sound deadening in the CLE and 3) the engine/transmission performance mapping is tamer.
One of these days I'll try to arrange a drive-by and maybe a compare with a stock CLE53 or try to get my buddy to lend me his GoPro and stick it to the rear bumper.
Ciao.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 54
Likes: 11
From: Poland
CLE53
Hey just modded my exhaust , middle muffler was removed and replaced by pipe with some net inside , right muffler was gutter results are good I`m happy with it . Its much louder , more pops and burbles in lower rpms , and also loud pops on higher rpm.
P.S you need to use speakers or headphones , on phone you wont notice diffirence.
Sample videos :
P.S you need to use speakers or headphones , on phone you wont notice diffirence.
Sample videos :
Last edited by furio_CLE53; Sep 24, 2025 at 11:50 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 54
Likes: 11
From: Poland
CLE53
I did make some video clips from the driver seat of the exhaust sound in my garage before and after the muffler removal but I didn't post them because there was so little difference in sound using this recoding method. And, because you can't rev the engine above 4000rpm in neutral, you can't duplicate the full throttle, 6000+rpm, sounds. Judging sound is a pretty subjective thing and these recordings just didn't make much of a case for the mod.
Having said that, when the car was backed out of the muffler shop by the mechanic after the mod I could immediately hear a nice rumble that wasn't there before but I didn't have the presence of mind to record that moment. The exhaust is definitely more noticeable while driving in C mode but not a huge increase from stock. There are definitely more burbles and it is louder than before in S+, but not obnoxious nor as loud as my C43 which made pops and bangs galore.
I have some theories on why the CLE53 without mufflers just isn't as loud as my C43 WITH mufflers. 1) the biggest reason I think is because the inline-6 is just inherently quieter than a V6, 2) there is more sound deadening in the CLE and 3) the engine/transmission performance mapping is tamer.
One of these days I'll try to arrange a drive-by and maybe a compare with a stock CLE53 or try to get my buddy to lend me his GoPro and stick it to the rear bumper.
Ciao.
Having said that, when the car was backed out of the muffler shop by the mechanic after the mod I could immediately hear a nice rumble that wasn't there before but I didn't have the presence of mind to record that moment. The exhaust is definitely more noticeable while driving in C mode but not a huge increase from stock. There are definitely more burbles and it is louder than before in S+, but not obnoxious nor as loud as my C43 which made pops and bangs galore.
I have some theories on why the CLE53 without mufflers just isn't as loud as my C43 WITH mufflers. 1) the biggest reason I think is because the inline-6 is just inherently quieter than a V6, 2) there is more sound deadening in the CLE and 3) the engine/transmission performance mapping is tamer.
One of these days I'll try to arrange a drive-by and maybe a compare with a stock CLE53 or try to get my buddy to lend me his GoPro and stick it to the rear bumper.
Ciao.
Last edited by furio_CLE53; Sep 24, 2025 at 12:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 232
Likes: 68
From: Long Island, NY
CLE53
Nice! Sounds like an AMG NOW!
Thanks for the vids. The exhaust sounds really loud in both the drive-by and in-car, especially in the tunnel.
I do have some questions:
1) What did you do to "gut" the passenger side muffler and did you then replace the empty shell?
2) Did you not do anything to the drivers side muffler?
3) Are the stock flaps still in place?
4) How did you match up a pipe to the oval pipe in the mid-muffler/resonator?
Thanks
I do have some questions:
1) What did you do to "gut" the passenger side muffler and did you then replace the empty shell?
2) Did you not do anything to the drivers side muffler?
3) Are the stock flaps still in place?
4) How did you match up a pipe to the oval pipe in the mid-muffler/resonator?
Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 54
Likes: 11
From: Poland
CLE53
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 54
Likes: 11
From: Poland
CLE53
Thanks for the vids. The exhaust sounds really loud in both the drive-by and in-car, especially in the tunnel.
I do have some questions:
1) What did you do to "gut" the passenger side muffler and did you then replace the empty shell?
2) Did you not do anything to the drivers side muffler?
3) Are the stock flaps still in place?
4) How did you match up a pipe to the oval pipe in the mid-muffler/resonator?
Thanks
I do have some questions:
1) What did you do to "gut" the passenger side muffler and did you then replace the empty shell?
2) Did you not do anything to the drivers side muffler?
3) Are the stock flaps still in place?
4) How did you match up a pipe to the oval pipe in the mid-muffler/resonator?
Thanks
I do have some questions:
1) It is basically removed leaving just flap in place
2) No
3) Yes so no CEL
4) Just a straight pipe instead
Thread Starter
Member
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Posts: 232
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From: Long Island, NY
CLE53
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