Peter Newsome

Hi team,
I've still got my 2012 E550 Cabrio and its obviously super fun to drive, really enjoying it. I have one minor complaint and that's the engine and exhaust sound is very muted. I know most people do really like that, however I was hoping to add a bit more growl to the startup and throttle. I am not into the ridiculously loud exhaust systems and muscle car sounds but just a step up.

My gut was telling me a simple clean Xpipe with the resonator delete, and perhaps secondary cats would open add a bit of power and also give me that sound improvement.

My other option I was thinking was leave the resonator on and either straight pipe the mufflers, or find/use e63 or another performance mufflers. (Does this always require some bumper cutting/ aftermarker diffuser?) Taking any recommendations

I've watched a lot of youtube videos trying to find the happy medium on sound output and it seems most people that post the vids opt for the full resonator delete and straight pipe mufflers and it just seems a little much, especially considering the top might be down.

Looking for some advice and opinion on a way to bring out the lovely v8 growl without being too much.
Thanks in advance all!
Cheers

s1c

I don't think you need to cut the bumper or replace diffuser when replacing the muffler (e.g. from c63). Unless you mean replacing the exhaust tips.

PhuongNguyen

I chopped off the rear mufflers and rear box resonator and added an x pipe and it sounds good. But still tame. Might do catless downpipes next.

nota_amg

If you don't want it too loud, just remove the mufflers. Removing one of the resonators will not do anything(there are 2 resonators and only 2 cats, there are No pre-cats).

I originally did a "muffler delete" when I got my car and it was just right as far as a daily driver without being annoying. Since the muffler"tips" are fake and attached to the bumper, you can just have 2.5" pipe added where mufflers are and have them crimp the end of the pipe slightly to mimic the stock tips on the stock mufflers so the exhaust is directed thru the "tips". The AMG mufflers are stupid expensive($800 used?!?) and not worth it in my opinion.

Straight-piped is loud and sounds great, but may be a bit much for you if you don't want it loud. I did 3" catless downpipes and dumps under the car and it was absolutely horrible. WAY too loud and sounded like a truck(Covid hit and shut everything down, so I couldn't get it finished for about 6 weeks. I then addae an x-pipe and some cherry bomb 3" 3-chamber mufflers. It is still loud(especially when in the throttle!) but much more manageable AFAIK, but I don't mind a loud car, you know, since it's faster than an e63s!

Good luck!

nota_amg

have the other resonator removed before investing in downpipes...it makes a huge difference.

PhuongNguyen

catless with dumps? So basically nothing at all to idle the sound besides the turbos? I bet that was crazy loud lol

PhuongNguyen

I already removed the rear box resonator. Still has the two front bulb resonators. I was just gonna gut the cats themselves, mainly for HP boost. And also added sound.

nota_amg

Here ya go! 3" MBH Catless Downpipes, X-Pipe and dumps:

Damn...I forgot how loud the turbos were!