Ah..I see...would be interested to hear a '99 model as I was looking for a bit more noise but think I have a bit too much now. I agree about keeping it stock. I am not much of a showman and thought the SL500 would be a bit too pretentious to non-car people if you know what I mean. I know car people would get an understand and SL500 but some not aware may see it is a bit showy and pretentious. I haven't had any hand gestures waved at me in the last 6 months since I have had it so it must be OK.
I was hoping I had 2 pre-cats on the front downpipes in addition to the rears but alas I haven't. I was therefore left with a bit of a quandary as one cat had gone and the second was starting to breakdown. It was either go for stock MB cats at about £1200 for the pair, non-MB for about £500 a pair or hi-flow sports cats at £600 for the pair. Last option was a decat with flanges to insert removed old cats for about £250. I went for decat option as if it backfires I am only £250 worse off if I then popped in hi-flow cats later down the line.
I have heard many people seeming to have passed MOT emission just one the 2 front pre-cats with rears removed. Not come across anyone yet with a pass on no cats on a post-93 model! Here's hoping!! I will do a pre-MOT emission check in 12 months to see if it will and if not will pop the old cats back in before its MOT. I got a new MOT done just before doing the exhaust/cats work even though I still had 6 months left. Meant I knew there were no problems with the car as it passed fine and also proved it was worth keeping the old cats for re-use if needed later as they would pass emission fine. It flew threw on emissions no problem even though there is barely anything left on the inside of the completely broken cat. The difference in weight of the two now is quite amazing so not sure if the broken one is doing much anyway.
Interestingly the week before the car went in for the work the car was seemingly strangled over 4k rpm which gave symptoms of a dirty or faulty MAF sensor (had this on my BMW 540i). However after the exhaust change and cats removed it was perfect proving it was likely the broken cat causing the issue.
Anyone know what the noise emissions limit or regulations are as I would like to do a noise test with a db meter to see if I am happy with it? I have agreed to take it back to the shop to have them look at the noise issue but haven't been able to get there yet as our 2nd child decided to make an appearance last week so not had the time.
I will do some video footage and post in some fashion as soon as I can. If it is the kind of thing you want it really sounds very good. It has a small deceleration burble a solid idle and light throttle note and a quite amazing full tilt crescendo! The only thing I am not sure about is the light/medium throttle is a bit too loud IMHO some might really like it though.
When I did a fair bit of reading to find out about the make up of silencers it seems there is a box with aired/holed baffle centre and wadding around the outside that does the silencing bit. Depending on the amount and acoustic silencing properties of the wadding used gives you the level of noise of the system. It seems to have no effect on back pressure/performance etc. but purely the noise level.
I would prefer mine 25% quieter so not an awful lot less. Would prefer too much noise rather than not enough though as I don't use the car tons and that was the point of it to be enjoyed. The noise really has helped it to feel a little more special and different.
I will post some pics as well showing the stock tips. Sorry for the long post!
