A-Train

If anyone has personal experience with aftermarket SL600 exhausts, would you please post. I want to switch out the stock exhaust to something more aggressive in tone and louder in volume, without resonance, and without any modification to the sport package body.

The stock SL600 has a mechanical mellow growl and the stock SL55 seems about 30% louder with clearly a more muscle car sound. I am looking for something at least as muscular in tone as the SL55, and definitely as much louder than the 55 as the 55 is to the 600.

The sound of the SL55 on www.eisenhaus.com (then click the "Eisenhaus Theatre" link) is excellent. Does anyone know if the SL600 version sounds essentially the same? Also, any other helpful personal experience info with Eisenmann product, customer service, etc., would be great.

Thank you ahead of time for any Eisenmann or other exhaust option info.

- A-Train

Kar don

a-train, did u sell your CL55? Anyway, the SL600 will not sound like the SL55 simply because the 600 is a 12 cylinder. I believe Sillydriver has installed an exhaust system on his SL600.

absent

I have a Brabus exhaust on my S,minuscule change in sound vs stock.

mantylar

I have the Eisenmann race performance exhaust on my 04 SL600. I am pleased with the sound improvement. I have had a number on unsolicited comments about how good it sounds. You can definitely hear the roar when you hit higher RPM's with the top down. With the top up it sounds similar to stock, but you still can hear more exhaust noise at higher RPM's. The turbos do "muffle" the exhaust, so I don't think you will be able to match the sound of the SL55.

Twinturbo

Yeh I've heard that the exhaust on the 600 is muffled a lot by the turbos at low rpm, but it is equally good and loud than a 55 in the higher rpm. For this reason your probably safe with the 'race' version of exhausts.

A-Train

Thanks, everyone. Sounds like Eisenmann race is the way to go. When making an exhaust change, I want it to be noticeable to my ears (in a good way), and seems like it will be easy to live with the race version since it doesn't get too loud at lower rpm but roars as the rpm climb. If it's anything like the Eisenhaus web site SL55 clip and is resonance-free, I'll be happy.

TCM from this board, whom I've known / met a few times in person over the last couple of years, is a really nice guy who knows his automotive stuff. He has worked on some cars of other guys I know and is now kind enough to be checking into which exhausts are right for me (incl. no modification to the sport package body, minimal or no cutting / welding, etc.). TCM, for those who don't know him: http://www.automotivespecialist.net.

Al: the CL55 is long gone. Very good car, though.

Thanks again, everyone. TCM: I look forward to hearing from you!

- A-Train

TCM

A-Train:

I did some research last night after getting in from the shop (sorry for not talking longer) and am going to call some places today to get their opinions on the issue. As of now, I am thinking Eisenmann along with the removal of resonators might be the best bet for you. I will let you know asap.

mantylar

The guys at Carnutz in Bellevue, WA said they removed the 2 kidney shaped resonators from the exhaust system of an 04 S600 and said it improved the sound. I have not taken that additional step yet with my SL600.

sillydriver

I agree that if you want a louder sound than a 55, Brabus is definitely not the way to go. My new Brabus exhaust seems about midway between a stock 600 and a stock 55. Personally, I’m pleased with it because I didn’t want that much sound from a car I use for my daily commute. As Alboston said, the 600 with any exhaust has a very different (smoother, less raspy) tone than a V8 car.

A-Train

I spoke with TC this afternoon and he believes that if there is no apron modification needed to the rear, Eisenmann is the way to go. He'll check with the Eisenmann people. Also, the SL does not have the resonators that are on the S-class, per a diagram MB sent him, and the exhaust swap should require no welding or cutting. Anyway, we'll figure it all out soon enough, and the SL will end up without resonators regardless.

Absent: just a few quick questions, asked in an entirely positive way: how come you did the Brabus if the sound is a miniscule change? For the tips? Maybe you thought it was going to sound different than it does? Just wondering...

Mantylar: thanks for the info. How do you compare the Eisenmann race version on the SL600 to the stock SL55 (assuming you've heard one)? I really hope the Eisenmann is notably louder. Either way, seems like there's only one way for me to find out at this point...

Thanks!
- A-Train

mantylar

No Rear apron modifications were needed to install the Eisenmann exhaust on my 04 SL600 Sport. I have not heard a stock SL55 in person. I think you will like the sound of the Eisenmann Race Performace exhaust. With the top down it really sounds impressive. I still wish it was a little louder with the top up.

A-Train

Big thanks to TC, who has been helpful advising me and who will be doing the install work. The Eisenmann race version is now en route for install next week.

- A-Train

KarToyz

We're installing a Brabus Exhaust on an SL600 today. Will try my best to record video clip to compare the sound of the stock vs. Brabus and post it here for someone who wants to hear it.

Trimmer2

I'm very interested in all the aftemarket exhausts and am leaning know to the Eisenmann Race Perfomance version but h
ave yet to hear one in person. I'm still into the "wolf in sheeps clothing" but, I also like what they've done for other MB's and BMW's. My car is my everyday driver so I don't want a loud intrusive exhaust either.

Any other thoughts?

TCM

Trimmer2:

Most of today's luxury cars are very good at insulating the noise to the driver. From talking to my sources and listening to this forum (which is a large help) it appears the Brabus is very subtle and the Eisenmann is a but louder (although it is still relatively quiet due to the twin turbos according to Eisenmann). Unless you do headers and exhaust, I think any aftermarket exhaust would be fine for you. I will also try to post a clip of A Train's exhaust after we get it fitted to help you decide.

A-Train

The Eisenmann exhaust did not fit properly. After a thorough analysis, measurements, the whole works (TC and his father know how these things work inside and out, literally) today at their shop, and even trying to use their own in-house materials to get the system to fit, it was clear there was a product design issue. TC and his father were going to all kinds of lengths to make the Eisenmann fit. Finally, a call was made to the Eisenmann distributor, the situation and measurements taken by TC and his father were provided, and the rep concluded that there may be a production problem and/or it may need an Eisenmann adaptor. Eisenmann did not mention sending out a new exhaust but did offer to put together and send the adaptor.

After having happily used many properly-fitting aftermarket exhausts (Techart, Gemballa, Tubi, etc.) on other cars, I was concerned about having to essentially retrofit a brand new item. Just didn't make sense to me to do so. My experience here with Eisenmann may be unique -- this post is not an opinion of all their products, just a description of my situation.

Regardless, the exhaust is being sent back for a full refund and I will not be using Eisenmann. Since Brabus is the only other SL600 option other than having an exhaust custom made, and since Brabus is not much different in sound from stock, I will not be modifying my exhaust.

Big thanks to TC and TC's father, who were fantastic in getting to the bottom of this, explaining to me the scenario, and saving me from potential issues. I'm disappointed that the exhaust did not work out but I am glad that in the end the right decision was made.

TCM

A Train:

I am sorry to see this happen. A very unfortunate situation but I think you made the right choice. The Eisemann production center in Germany is supposidly going to be calling us soon so we can talk about the improper fitment of the exhaust so others will not have this issue. Thank you for all your patience and understanding. I am sorry you were not driving out today with an exhaust that could be heard 1/4 mile away.

mantylar

My installer did not mention any problems when he installed my Eisenmann exhaust on my SL600.