Count Laszlo

Hey guys...

I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on either a low-mile '11 or new '12 E63. I was originally in the market for a '12 C63, but it's just a little small for my needs (wife has a '12 C350) and I may have outgrown that model by age. I'm not that old, but I do have a 3-year-old Son and a nagging Wife. haha (but wife knows my habits, came from owning two M3s prior to my now very boring Land Rover.)

Nonetheless, I'm on the fence between the '11 and '12. I know the '12 is outstanding in all respects, but after listening to motor/exhaust on both, it just seems the '12 has lost a little exhaust soul and engine metallic whine. I know the exhaust can be improved with some mods, but what I dislike the most, is the lost burble. Am I missing something?

The '11 6.2L had a great burble, popping, heart pounding sound.

The '12 5.5TT has got the rumble (although a little muted) but absolutely no burble or popping at all. I'm sorry, but that's part of the experience.

Am I again missing something, does the burble ever come back to haunt the driver on the '12?

Any help would be appreciated. Both cars are superb. But I like burble, pop, snaps... anger.

cm60k

WaaaaaaaaaW,, that’s AMAZING....., Thankss for sharing........

ZAYED,,

otakki

Of course I'm biased towards the M156 engine since that's what I have.

Count Laszlo

The M156 is a marvel indeed, a one-of-a-kind accomplishment and benchmark by the AMG group that we'll probably never see again. It's a masterpiece. But we all know, today's eco-friendly laws forbid this type of outlaw engine development from happening in the future.

I'm just bummed the M157 no longer has the burble.

vdubpower

yeah but it has alot more torque

Count Laszlo

No doubt. The 5.5TT is a monster! And other improvements to the '12 E63 are significant.

I just have to decide if the exhaust and NA really means that much to me.

I love the '12 E63.

This one's going to be tough.

Maverick1975

To get the burble / pops back in the tt perhaps cut the secondary cats out, that should help

ProjectC55

The turbochargers would also act like mufflers until you floor it then you'll forget all about the N/A version and fall in love with that familiar V8 sound. Free up the exh a little and you will perhaps hear a burble at idle.

Karl901

I have both engines. Love each of them. But go with the Bi Turbo and get a tune and will not regret it.

Racing Dad

good advise. :-)

otakki

I love how you word it--especially the word, "outlaw!" I particularly like those WOT moments next to a green-police-type-piloted-Prius hogging the left lane on the highway.

It's win-win either way you pick it. No matter what you pick, you will have no choice but an induced engine in the future...unless you go for something like the SLK55, or if the SLS stays N/A (kind of unlikely, though).

CaptDngr

I came from an N54 engine BMW 335is with a TT engine. It had a nice burble and crackle/pop. I think you can still have that even with the 5.5TT M157, I wonder why it doesn't have it?

GrnLantern

For some good exhaust clips of the M157 engine, take a peek at
But yes, there's no way it's going to beat the M156 in terms of sound and pure rawness.

Count Laszlo

Funny that you mention the 335is, as you're right at how good that exhaust burble really is... It's art. It's angry. It's spiritual.

I love that sound and to have that with the V8 is all the more glory.

I'm not quite sure why it's missing from the M157, maybe it was too much for a portion of Mercedes's clientele.

KPIs?

AMG E Power

Go with the 5.5 twin turbo, I promise you won't even look back
More fuel efficient and way more power ! I seen the AMS ecu only can get 550-560 to the wheels and over 700 tq not to mention kleeman, renntech,eurocharged etc all offer similar results

Vic55

What I have experienced from ownership

Cars:

M156 E63
M156 C63 BS
M157 (E63 and CLS63)

Stock vs Stock the CBS M156 is the best sounding of the lot. It has stock loud barks accelerating and downshifting. The exhaust set up on this car is amazing from the factory; Im not sure why the E63 M156 doesnt match up remotely close.

I modified my M156 E63 by removing the post cats and resonators. This really opened up the car but I still dont think its as good as the CBS because the ECU/TCU does not create the same downshift replications that the CBS has. The software programming creates far more "barks" downshiftingwise and upshifting. I really think AMG got it right with the CBS.

The modified M156 E63 is louder than a stock M157 under load and in cruising rpm situations. But once I removed the resonators on both of my M157's the cars came to life. You definitely get a louder roar and some pretty good upshifting barks. I personally love the M157 exhaust with the resonator out- its the best "bang for the buck" mod I have done on the car besides the tune. And IMHO the sound is better than the M156 E63 even in modded format.

I find the resonator removed M157 to be very close in sound to my CBS but probably a close 2nd place because the CBS has the upshift and downshift roars along with the all important coasting to a stop light burble.

I do think that C63 M156 owners get a little more out their exhaust soundwise than do the W212 owners... possibly due to length and a more sound deadening muffler? I dont know there. But if you get an M157 you will be very happy after a 100 dollar resonator delete with straight pipe install.

Racing Dad

Great update! Thanks.

i like my M156, i just took out carbons and drop in filters, and i get compliments all the time!

Even friends ask if i've done done any exhuast work.

I love how fast revving it is. I just wish i had more torque. :-)

CaptDngr

Speaking of removing resonators, carbon filters, etc. Is this something any shop can do? What do I need to know when I walk in and ask for someone to do this kind of work?

Thanks!

Vic55

The filters are a simple DIY removal--- they are just a secondary filter in the airboxes.

The resonator removal should be done by a reputable muffler shop who has the piping to replace and a good welder. Its a simple job but any idiot can screw up simple. Yes you can just go there and tell them you want to "straight pipe" your resonators. They will saw off the front and rear and and then weld in the pipes for each tube. 30 mins tops.

Karl901

Yes, the sound of the M 157 I think is better than the M 156 with resonators removed. Renntech did it when I had my ECU tuned and did not tell me. I thought it was the tune, until I saw bill for removing them. I think they new I would like it. Definitely snap, crackle and pops more.

Count Laszlo

All of this talk is really encouraging guys

_AMG_

Both sound great, but the M156 sounds alot more raw and unleashed then the M157.

Count Laszlo

Upon removing the resonators, does this cause any emission issues (check engine light) or smog fail down the road? I live in California; land of peculiar governance… dumbfoundedness and a Pacifica sea-breeze to boot.

Vic55

No issues smogwise or CEL--- I have lived in the peculiar land all my life... removing post cats would be another story.

vdubpower

sound isnt gonna with a race