E400 exhaust mod - thoughts and advice

[fabes]

After 2 years of ownership of the E400 coupe and a Res delete from month 1, I got to wondering about a little bit more V6 'theatre'.....

Not looking to release more horse power etc (it's as fast as, already) but the X pipe on my prior n/a E350 provided more V6 howl and even a better tickover / cold start burble to my ears.

Removing or downsizing the rear boxes is the next mod suggested.
I am considering the option of smaller rear boxes / sports boxes
Nothing would be to affect emissions.

Admiral were relaxed with this as it's not a performance or appearance enhancing mod (and I'm officially an old duffer now btw)

Would welcome thoughts, advice or experience

 

[fabes]

Have opted not to do this.
The existing Res delete will do

Chat with the fabricator again, the drone around town risk, plus almost definitely on the motorway puts me off.

Getting the wheels dipped and stripped instead...

 

[BTB 500]

Admiral were relaxed with this as it's not a performance or appearance enhancing mod (and I'm officially an old duffer now btw)

You already have a modified exhaust (resonator delete), so further changes to it won't normally make any difference from an insurance POV. Nobody has ever wanted details of how my R129 exhaust is non-standard - just the fact that it is.

Good luck with the wheels!

 

[mattk1]

R129 intrigued now Bill, please tell all . . . .

 

[BTB 500]

R129 intrigued now Bill, please tell all . . . .

Nothing new or particularly exciting! Centre muffler (resonator) removed, 200 cell sports cats, optional AMG rear box (this is purely cosmetic). Been running in this configuration since 2006. In stock form it was almost silent - Mercedes dropped the centre muffler themselves in the '99 facelift. Modified it's in no way loud or obnoxious, no drone or anything when cruising. TBH it's probably quieter than some 'sportier' cars are in stock form, but at least you can hear the engine now!

 

[RogerSausage]

Have opted not to do this.
The existing Res delete will do

Chat with the fabricator again, the drone around town risk, plus almost definitely on the motorway puts me off.

Getting the wheels dipped and stripped instead...

My Dad has got an E400 with the resonator and rear boxes deleted, and there's no drone at motorway speeds, in fact it's virtually the same as standard when cruising. It it significantly more aggressive sounding under hard use though.

 

[BTB 500]

My Dad has got an E400 with the resonator and rear boxes deleted

Does that mean it has no silencers at all? Don't know about the E400 but from the manifold back most cars have cat, centre muffler/resonator, rear box

Noise is checked (subjectively) at 2,500 rpm for the MOT:

 

[ALFAitalia]

.....you know as well as I that those rules are universally ignored....especially on modified high end sports cars. I can only remember ever failing one car for a noisy pipe.....an M5.....its was ear hurtlingly, stupidly load. 3 inch pipe front to back with just the four factory tailpipes welded on. He even appealed against my decision....he lost!

 

[BTB 500]

.....you know as well as I that those rules are universally ignored....especially on modified high end sports cars. I can only remember ever failing one car for a noisy pipe.....an M5.....its was ear hurtlingly, stupidly load. 3 inch pipe front to back with just the four factory tailpipes welded on. He even appealed against my decision....he lost!

It's subjective of course so I suspect most testers give the benefit of the doubt. I can see why an appeal might not go well with no silencers in the system at all though! Not hard to open the boxes up and gut them instead.

 

[RogerSausage]

Does that mean it has no silencers at all? Don't know about the E400 but from the manifold back most cars have cat, centre muffler/resonator, rear box

Noise is checked (subjectively) at 2,500 rpm for the MOT:

View attachment 155679

Yeah, just the primary cats, into an x-pipe and then out. The turbos and then the cats do an impressive job of dampening the noise. On paper it seems like it'd be horrendously loud, but it's really not in person.

 

[Fastcar155]

Better modify your car's now before the DVLA stop you.

 

[fabes]

I opted not to.
It's great (enough) as it is


And also bought a V8!