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I plan on moving from my 2015 SL550 to an updated 2018 or 19 SL model. I just did a test drive of an SL450, which I enjoyed for the lighter feel of the driving dynamic, but...
While I have always appreciated a good throaty exhaust note, there are occasions when I don't want it because it can get tiring over many hours, such as long distance trips with hours of interstate routing with the roof up.
I like that the refresh model has an "Individual" setting to tailor powertrain, suspension, steering and ESP, but I didn't have long enough with the SL450 to work out if it can be as quiet as my current SL550, while still having acceptable performance.
I am interested to hear about the experiences of people who have taken the SL450 on very long trips. We sometimes do PA to FL 1,000 miles + each way in the SL550 and it's great for that.
I have had both and do not feel the exhaust note on either one is offensive or even moderately loud on long trips. Our son’s Mustang and his friend’s Camero are obnoxious at highway speeds and they are both stock.
I have considered placing some sort of insulation in the wall between the trunk and rear wall though. Anything loose in the trunk can be heard in the drivers seat as if the wall isn’t even there.
Last edited by Utopia Texas; Jul 3, 2021 at 11:30 AM.
The facelift models got louder with their exhausts but that was a planned mod. by Mercedes. The facelifted SL550 is actually more quiet than the SL450's but both are fine for long distance driving and have a pleasant sound. The cars are designed to be louder during the brief startup process and are aided by an exhaust speaker in the trunk. The SL550 has exhaust flaps that open in Sport?/Sport+ mode. I assume the same for the SL450. You can disconnect the sound generator for the startup...
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I don’t care for loud vehicles, but find the exhaust note of my 2019 SL450 to be quite pleasing. I cannot comment on a long trip, as I never take the SL very far from home and most always drive it with the top down. I did just take it for a spin today and every time I drive the car, I just marvel at the power, the smoothness and the ride quality.
I'm not a fan of the fake exhaust sound of the SL450 either, but it's very easy to disconnect the speaker.
I cut the middle mufflers out of my SL550 and it sounds phenomenal. It has just the right amount of pops on deceleration and it sounds just amazing near redline.
I cut the middle mufflers out of my SL550 and it sounds phenomenal. It has just the right amount of pops on deceleration and it sounds just amazing near redline.
But, per my original question, would you be able to put up with that sound on a 1,000 mile journey?
We have a 2017 SL450 and have taken it on trips over 1000 miles one way. We have another residence in Florida and drive it. We have absolutely no problem at all with the sound at speed if it is in the selected comfort mode for highway driving. We play with the other performance modes sometimes in town just for kicks....but the highway performance comfort setting is no problem at all. I would also include the 2017 450 in your list. We love the car. It is a great highway drive.
We looked and drove a lot of SLs when we were shopping. We were in central Florida, and at the time the one day drive we limited our search to had many of them. After driving and looking at quite a few, we decided (like you) on a 2017 or newer 450. My wife fell for a new one in the blue and white, but we found a pre-owned (thank goodness) that had warranty left and extended warranty available through Mercedes and have been more than happy with it.
We both could tell a difference in the seat-of-the-pants feel between the 450 and the 550. It is hard to describe but to us the 450 just handled better and any difference in power did not matter to us. The 450 is more than adequate in power for us.
I have had both and do not feel the exhaust note on either one is offensive or even moderately loud on long trips. Our son’s Mustang and his friend’s Camero are obnoxious at highway speeds and they are both stock.
I have considered placing some sort of insulation in the wall between the trunk and rear wall though. Anything loose in the trunk can be heard in the drivers seat as if the wall isn’t even there.
f
Deleted --- too much wine last night....
Last edited by rorywquin; Jul 7, 2021 at 05:15 AM.
Reason: too much wine
You are absolutely correct. I wouldn’t want to take a chance damaging the magnificent rear surround sound speakers in a fu*+~_> - 100k+ vehicle. 😊
PS- Folks on this forum have added wheel spacers, different wheels/rims, ECU chips, different exhaust systems, air cleaners, internal battery tenders, rear speaker upgrades, one button roof actuators and God forbid spoilers to their SL’s. Their cars, their money. Why do you think your opinion is so important?
Last edited by Utopia Texas; Jul 6, 2021 at 06:26 PM.
You are absolutely correct. I wouldn’t want to take a chance damaging the magnificent rear surround sound speakers in a fu*+~_> - 100k+ vehicle. 😊
PS- Folks on this forum have added wheel spacers, different wheels/rims, ECU chips, different exhaust systems, air cleaners, internal battery tenders, rear speaker upgrades, one button roof actuators and God forbid spoilers to their SL’s. Their cars, their money. Why do you think your opinion is so important?
FWIW - I deleted my comment. However, my opinion is about as important as yours is - so how important is yours.
I'm not a fan of the fake exhaust sound of the SL450 either, but it's very easy to disconnect the speaker...
I didn't really pick up on this until I re-read the thread. Can you stop the fake sound just by pulling off a speaker connector, or is there more to it than that?
I didn't really pick up on this until I re-read the thread. Can you stop the fake sound just by pulling off a speaker connector, or is there more to it than that?
I plan on moving from my 2015 SL550 to an updated 2018 or 19 SL model. I just did a test drive of an SL450, which I enjoyed for the lighter feel of the driving dynamic, but...
While I have always appreciated a good throaty exhaust note, there are occasions when I don't want it because it can get tiring over many hours, such as long distance trips with hours of interstate routing with the roof up.
I like that the refresh model has an "Individual" setting to tailor powertrain, suspension, steering and ESP, but I didn't have long enough with the SL450 to work out if it can be as quiet as my current SL550, while still having acceptable performance.
I am interested to hear about the experiences of people who have taken the SL450 on very long trips. We sometimes do PA to FL 1,000 miles + each way in the SL550 and it's great for that.
Thanks and enjoy your July 4th holiday weekend.
This is what I did and I am satisfied with the end result: I did now want the expense of putting in a complete custom exhaust system. I went to my guy who is top of the line. He stated we first remove two of the mufflers/resonators and see how that goes. Sounded good but now the roar I was looking for. Then he proceeded to remove the next two. and I enjoy the slight loudness, not overbearing at all. I included some photos. When he removed the exhaust, he replaced them with straight pipes in stainless steel and WELDED them, no muffler clamps. Try it, if you don't like it, you can put the mufflers/resonators back on.
I plan on moving from my 2015 SL550 to an updated 2018 or 19 SL model. I just did a test drive of an SL450, which I enjoyed for the lighter feel of the driving dynamic, but...
While I have always appreciated a good throaty exhaust note, there are occasions when I don't want it because it can get tiring over many hours, such as long distance trips with hours of interstate routing with the roof up.
I like that the refresh model has an "Individual" setting to tailor powertrain, suspension, steering and ESP, but I didn't have long enough with the SL450 to work out if it can be as quiet as my current SL550, while still having acceptable performance.
I am interested to hear about the experiences of people who have taken the SL450 on very long trips. We sometimes do PA to FL 1,000 miles + each way in the SL550 and it's great for that.
Thanks and enjoy your July 4th holiday weekend.
The car is perfectly good on the stock set up.
We’ve done long trips to Europe (had it up to 155mph on the Autobahn a couple of times ), Ireland and all around the UK and the exhaust note in C & CV modes is not noticeable. You will do most of your driving in C or CV (with ABC) so no issues. S and S+ are more noisy and even they are not a huge issue. The *i mode basically lets you have a selection of your choice from the other modes. If you have test driven a 450 then you will know that there is more than enough grunt . No matter what mode you choose you always have all the power on tap.
Personally I think the 450 is the best car in the range for doing what is it meant to do - a Grand Tourer for long trips.
This is what I did and I am satisfied with the end result: I did now want the expense of putting in a complete custom exhaust system. I went to my guy who is top of the line. He stated we first remove two of the mufflers/resonators and see how that goes. Sounded good but now the roar I was looking for. Then he proceeded to remove the next two. and I enjoy the slight loudness, not overbearing at all. I included some photos. When he removed the exhaust, he replaced them with straight pipes in stainless steel and WELDED them, no muffler clamps. Try it, if you don't like it, you can put the mufflers/resonators back on.
Yes. The loudness only comes into play when you want it. Upon hard acceleration. In fact, the sound really is only noticeable at the rear end, not in the cabin.
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