Wgs2052

Based on all the great feedback on sound improvement from a resonator delete, I'm definitely moving forward with the job. I've spoken to 2 exhaust shops to get quotes. The process, time, and costs they are quoting seems far off from what many of the forum members have posted who have had this job done already.

Therefore I wanted to get feedback on the below 3 questions to ensure I have all the right knowledge when speaking to shops around doing the job. I'm in denver, and not many CLSs running around, so I havent found a shop who has done one of these yet. Questions:

1. Are the shops doing this job dropping the exhaust from vehicle (from the resonator back to the mufflers) and then cutting the resonator out
and welding in the straight pipes, or are they leaving the exhaust attached to the car?

2. Are they disconnecting the vehicle battery when doing the job and if so, are there any implications to disconnecting the CLS battery (i.e. vehicle going into a safe mode or other resets needed when connecting battery back?

3. Avg. costs, and time to do the job? Most posts on the forum are saying $100 - $150 and an hour to complete. The shops I've spoken to are quoting about $300 and 2-3 hrs to complete, so pretty far off.

Appreciate any input you all can provide, I know we have a very knowledgable group of owners out there!

2020

The total cost of the Resonator delete was $320.
Breakdown:
$100-- labor
$20-- tip
$200-- strip club across the street (waiting room)

I doubt they removed the entire muffler system. He did say to put back the resonator would require 2-3x more labor.

No codes, no resets occurred.

boschk

http://www.hanksvillehotrods.com/

Hank is in SW Denver. Honest and knows his stuff. I have firsthand experience with his shop. The type of guy you want working on your car if you're picky. He's a true craftsman, not just someone that thinks he can weld pipe.

427

1. The muffler shop that removed my resonator did NOT drop the entire system. I’m guessing itz a matter of skills/practice to do it this way and still get it welded properly. As a side note, my shop also uses a stethoscope to check for any possible exhaust leaks.

2. The battery on my CLS was NOT disconnected during the process.

3. I decided to go with the shop giving me the $200 estimate. Observing the vehicles they work on, their craftsmanship, and overall recommendations, I just felt more comfortable that the job would be done properly. As stated previously, I was in and out of the shop in approximately 1-hour.

Overall, I’m still extremely pleased with the results and would NOT hesitate doing this simple mod again. The wonderful tones during acceleration always make me smile!

Hope this helpz,
427

Wgs2052

2020/Boschk/427 -

Appreciate all the great feedback, very helpful and funny too (2020). I'm scheduled to have the resonator removed on Friday from a well regarded shop in Denver. They've done a CLS already which was comforting and quoted over the phone about $150 for the job which is right in line with others. I'll post up pictures of the job and a sound byte once the job is done for you all to check out. Excited to get it done.

p.s. Boschk - can you PM me your contact info so we can discuss the Eurocharged ECU tune? Thanks.

Dueclaws

+1

FEGELEIN

I am a huge exhaust mod guy and have always modded every exhaust on cars I've "owned". Lastest is my 09' and 84' 911s. Do you guys that modded, own the cars? I am always reluctant to do mods on leased cars, for obvious reasons.

Wgs2052

Fegelein -

Good question. My CLS `12 CLS is leased. I spoke to my MB dealer ahead of time and specifically asked about the resonator delete. They said that as long as it can be put back on when you return the lease it's ok to remove it. You may also want to run by your own dealer, but based on what I was told, I'm moving forward.

Dabigkaluna

Do it... Do it... Do it...

I'm a bad influence. Oh yeah btw... Do it.

FEGELEIN

I just might do it! I can only imagine how sweet it must sound, because it already sounds pretty nice, compared to my 10' E550. Anybody have a sound clip?

moreni

http://youtu.be/jDDJASSrrvo

S500 '02 resonator delete with 2 MagnaFlow MagnaPak additions.

I'm not an expert but just wanted to give you an idea what yours might sound like.

My muffler guy charged me $290 for this set up. Parts and labor included.

Dueclaws

See 427's thread about this: he has a MP3 sound byte linked.

https://mbworld.org/forums/cls-coupe...or-delete.html

Wgs2052

I'm happy to report that resonator delete has been performed! Had it done this past Friday from a very well regarded exhaust shop in Denver. The job took exactly 1 hour and the cost was $165, so ended up being right in line with what others here on the forum our stated.

I have 2 words post resonator delete: OH YEAH! I tried recording the new exhaust sound a few times, but none of my recordings do the exhaust sound justice, so I won’t even bother posting up the sound byte. I do have one pic of the completed job you all can check out though.

As for sound, it's night and day different. Like others have said, startup is louder and during acceleration. During normal cruising speeds, there is no drone what-so-ever, almost like nothing has been done to the vehicle.

I'd put most emphasis on the awesome sound of the vehicle during acceleration, especially in the 1500 - 3500 RPM range. It sounds absolutely unbelievable and for the past 3 days I have not had my radio on just to hear it. Was skeptical going into this on actual results, but now I’m a believer and definitely worth the $160. Would highly recommend. Also, I leased my car and will have to put this back in 3 yrs....the shop said it can be done quite easily for the same costs as removing it...

Hope this helps others in their decision...

akeni

you had it straight piped too right?

hyperion667

4. why? to sound a few decibles lower?

FEGELEIN

Thanks and that does sound sveet!

ccharlied

Wgs2052, Same question I asked 427. Was your stright pipe ST ST or aluminum?