I think it'd come down to the cost factor and finding a dealership that would do it. A dealership would probably not do it since it wasn't original equipment based upon your VIN. You'd be better off finding an independent dealer to do it.
I did a lot of research into this and what I gather is I think it should work with some small modification. The 53 exhaust has a Y before it enters the muffler. The 450 enters the muffler with just one pipe. It should be easy enough to add the Y to the 450 since the underside of the cars is the same. I would think the dealer could easily source the 53 muffler (about $1400), but I would think it would be better to have a competent exhaust shop do the install since they could easily make any needed modifications/adaptations to make just the muffler work. Dealership would probably want to use an entirely new exhaust system all the way from the turbo or downpipe back and that would cost $$$. I haven't found them, but comparative exploded parts diagrams would be helpful.
Too bad there aren't affordable aftermarket options. The few I've sen are $4500-7500 for the parts. There seems to be very little aftermarket development around the 450 which is a shame because it's shared across so many MB models.
FYI, this is a picture of the 450 muffler.
This is a picture of the GLE53 Coupe exhaust (all I could find)
53 and 450 are same engines with different tuning and the addition of an electronic supercharger on the 53. Both are straight 6’s, 98% mechanically the same.
Wouldn't you also need to modify the rear bumper? I thought the 450 has the completely blocked off fake exhaust tips (and stock exhaust just points downwards) whereas the 53 still has fake tips but they're open and the exhaust actually blows through it.
Wouldn't you also need to modify the rear bumper? I thought the 450 has the completely blocked off fake exhaust tips (and stock exhaust just points downwards) whereas the 53 still has fake tips but they're open and the exhaust actually blows through it.
You would need a different rear bumper (not the whole bumper but just the bottom skirt) as the 53 exhaust tips don't fit the 450 shapes directly, there are different inserts available
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
