Removed resonator on my 2012 E550 Coupe. Significantly better sound (deeper and louder) when putting it down while keeping same relaxed sound level at cruise / idle. Best $140 spent! Will try to get decent sound clips posted soon.

Yeah, I agree. I get many compliments on the sound. Most people don't expect a Benz to sound like that. Put the windows down and listen to the car. It's pure joy. I'm sure the NA engines sound awesome, but I like the sound of our turbos too.

I read the other 4 page thread on this, and still am not sure if anyone has done this on a 2012 E 350 Coupe.

About six years ago, I removed one secondary Cat (was rattling inside) and the resonator , replaced with straight steel pipes for I guess 18", on a 2001 E320 and really liked the results. At the same time put in a Remus muffler. The E320 tranny died at 186k miles last week and I decided it wasn't worth it to pay for a rebuild, so I bought CPO E350 coupe to replace.

I'm sure it will sound similar to what you had before. Maybe like the 250CDI in this thread?

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-c...arket-mod.html

I recently purchased the 2012 E550 Cab in Chantilly VA and want to perform the Resonator delete. Can you tell me what shop I take it too, what are the benefits and what are risks if any. $140 sounds like little to pay for a roar on the highway. Poet.

I took mine to a local reputable exhaust shop in Stafford, VA. There should be several decent exhaust shops in Chantilly.

I would say very little risk as cost is very low and if you don't like the sound, just have the resonator put back.

I do like the increased aggressive sound at the higher RPMs with little impact on sound at lower RPMs.

Good luck and look forward to hearing about your results.

Clip?

Sorry completely dropped the ball on this. Will try to get sound recordings this weekend. Still loving the sound with resonator delete on TT-V8!

Straight pipe it is, thanks guys....!

Would this achieve the same result on the non turbo 5.5 ? If you baby the throttle, is it still quiet ?

It is not much louder than stock at part throttle, most apparent at WOT.

WOT?

I didn't know either, but I thought about it and realized it was Wide Open Throttle.

From what I understand (I have the TT-V8), the non-turbo 5.5 with the resonator delete has an even more aggressive sound but is still quiet in gentle throttle application.

Still haven't had an opportunity (or the right equipment) to record sound (parked and hitting throttle does not do the exhaust sound justice vs. while moving) but I just ordered a suction mount for my GoPro and will try to get decent sound clips soon.

For those in the Northern Virginia area, http://www.hi-flocustom.com/ in Manassas is supposedly the place to go for anything MB. The owner drives an AMG and can do some sick exhaust mods. Taking mine over there in a couple of weeks.

just found this thread. im thinking of doing a straight pipe resonator delete. does any one have a video at idle? someone mention exhaust leak? any proof? another thing is will tuning be needed? will this hurt the engine and will knocking occur?

This was the first mod I did on my TTV8 E-coupe and sounds great to this day (way better than stock IMO). Not sure what you mean by exhaust leak - I have no leaks whatsoever. No tune is needed and no damage / knocking of engine. I have had this on my car for a few years now and no issues. I did do a Stage 1 ECU tune about a year after the resonator delete and the sound only got better (especially when getting on the throttle). I've been meaning to do a quality video / sound recording but have just not had the time (as soon as I am able to do so I will certainly post the recording to this thread). There are several YouTube videos of the TTV8 M278 with resonator delete.

I'm thinking of doing the same - what about drone? I'd like it to sound throatier and more aggressive but want to keep the calm Benz luxury feeling when cruising... any feedback would be helpful

Calm normal sound (no drone) when cruising.

Hi FFR, do you have any idea on the dimensions of the straight pipes .... inside dia
and length ? I am considering this. Thanks .......

Inside diameter of straight pipes was 2 inches and length was about 18 inches if I recall correctly. Any reputable exhaust shop can do this easily. They can also reinstall the resonator if you want to go back - I kept my resonator but will never go back. :-)

Is a lot louder with the resonator off?
I cant decide whether to just delete the resonator or the secondary cat too

It is louder and more throaty / aggressive sounding when getting onto it with the resonator delete while maintaining similar civil sound to stock at normal cruise. I kept stock mufflers but if you are looking for a lot louder you'll likely want different mufflers.

I also was thinking of secondary cat removal but after reading several threads on this forum, the resonator delete only with straight pipes was the best (and simplest) choice for my tastes.