New SLK55 AMG owners (R171) - Few questions.

[C320CDIsport]

Hey guys!

I recently changed my C320CDI Sport for a low mile SLK55 AMG (R171), wanted one for years and I love it!

I have trawled through the forums for a few days trying to find answers to my questions and I wanted to check a few things with owners.

1) Exhaust smoke

When the car is warm and idle / stopped I do still notice exhaust smoke. Normally this would be fine in a de-catted car or when warming up, but my AMG is still completely stock, any ideas what could be happening or if this is normal for the V8?

The temperature outside has been fairly mild say 6 - 10 Degrees celsius (I just want to make sure the car is spot on).

2) Increasing sound and performance

I love the car, how it handles, drives and above all sounds!

I am however after more noise and potentially more performance. In terms of noise I have read a lot about the standard route people go down of installing an X-pipe and resonator delete. I want as much noise as possible without it being droney on the motorway.

Infinity exhausts, MSL, PCS and EMP have all mentioned however I am in central Scotland and they would be a 600 mile round trip - do you know of anywhere more local?


In terms of increasing performance and further noise, again the route seems to be fitting a set of Kleeman Headers, downpipes + a Eurocharged map should get me to approx 400HP/400lb ft.

-> With these mods what is the car like to drive with daily?
-> How much louder vs. just an x-pipe + res delete?
-> How will these mods affect reliability?
-> What should I expect to pay? (seen people mention £1600-2000).
-> Places to get it done seem to be MSL but again 600 mile round trip.

Look forward to hearing from everyone!

Cheers!

 

[Y8cel]

I'm currently at infinity although a long drive you won't be disappointed, fit an X pipe and removed the secondary cats and it will sound awesome. I'd that to my SLK55 and it started a chain reaction of others doing the same. It makes no difference when cruising on the motorway so it's a win win.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Having owned an R171 55 and did most that you are looking to do, here are my thoughts:

1) apart from lots of vapour warming up, there should be zero smoke, even decatted and Xpiped. Even when I put my foot down I never noticed any smoke.

2) the xpipe, decat and silencer removal certainly made the car sound fantastic with only a tiny bit more noise on the motorway and certainly no drone. The car really comes to life with your foot down though. Infinity did mine for £300 all in, but there are a lot of other places that do it and some that do it better. Speak to a local exhaust shop and look at evidence of their work. Of course the exhaust isn't everyone's cup of tea, and while I loved it and am starting to really miss it, everyone I know prefer my current exhaust noise...saying that it is a different sound altogether on the R172.

3) I had a eurocharged remap and was lucky to have a huge discount. It certainly made the car more responsive and I could feel the extra power. I wouldn't pay full price for it though. Headers etc shouldn't affect reliability, you are only looking at affecting that by installing turbos etc. Having spent so much money on my R171, and as with any mid not getting any of it back in resale, I don't plan on spending anything on my R172 - I guess I thought I would keep the R171 longer!

 

[C320CDIsport]

Thanks!

 

[C320CDIsport]

Having owned an R171 55 and did most that you are looking to do, here are my thoughts:

1) apart from lots of vapour warming up, there should be zero smoke, even decatted and Xpiped. Even when I put my foot down I never noticed any smoke.

2) the xpipe, decat and silencer removal certainly made the car sound fantastic with only a tiny bit more noise on the motorway and certainly no drone. The car really comes to life with your foot down though. Infinity did mine for £300 all in, but there are a lot of other places that do it and some that do it better. Speak to a local exhaust shop and look at evidence of their work. Of course the exhaust isn't everyone's cup of tea, and while I loved it and am starting to really miss it, everyone I know prefer my current exhaust noise...saying that it is a different sound altogether on the R172.

3) I had a eurocharged remap and was lucky to have a huge discount. It certainly made the car more responsive and I could feel the extra power. I wouldn't pay full price for it though. Headers etc shouldn't affect reliability, you are only looking at affecting that by installing turbos etc. Having spent so much money on my R171, and as with any mid not getting any of it back in resale, I don't plan on spending anything on my R172 - I guess I thought I would keep the R171 longer!

Thanks!!

I bet the R172 sounds lovely, and with cylinder deactivation your MPG is better than the 12mpg i'm getting in town!!

1) When I say smoke I mean vapour - it seems to have vapour even when warm? what could be causing that and should I be worried?

-> The guy I bought it from used it every other weekend as a 3rd car, but it's my daily as I only do 3-4K miles per year so I thought it would have went away?

2) Also, did you ever experience a burning type smell after some hard use?

3) Thanks re the X-pipe I'll ring around and might make a day of it to get it fitted and cats removed... should be worth the extra noise.

The headers / remap would consider more thought as to whether it's worth it.

Also on a final point, do the cars use oil? got a message this morning to add 1L of oil.

Cheers!!

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Thanks!!

I bet the R172 sounds lovely, and with cylinder deactivation your MPG is better than the 12mpg i'm getting in town!!

1) When I say smoke I mean vapour - it seems to have vapour even when warm? what could be causing that and should I be worried?

-> The guy I bought it from used it every other weekend as a 3rd car, but it's my daily as I only do 3-4K miles per year so I thought it would have went away?

2) Also, did you ever experience a burning type smell after some hard use?

3) Thanks re the X-pipe I'll ring around and might make a day of it to get it fitted and cats removed... should be worth the extra noise.

The headers / remap would consider more thought as to whether it's worth it.

Also on a final point, do the cars use oil? got a message this morning to add 1L of oil.

Cheers!!

1) Maybe someone else can field this one? Can't say I ever noticed once warmed up, but maybe it is our weather at the moment?

2) Yes, quite strong after real hard use. It got better after my valve cover seals were redone, these leak a little oil after a while. Check you engine for any oil running down the side. Common, but real cheap problem to fix.

3) Shortly after I got mine it needed oil, but after servicing it never asked for it again. I guess it does run down after a good few miles.

Yes, I do like the improved mpg - 33 mpg on the motorway is crazy for a v8.

 

[brucemillar]

Do you mean smoke or steam?

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[C320CDIsport]

1) Maybe someone else can field this one? Can't say I ever noticed once warmed up, but maybe it is our weather at the moment?

2) Yes, quite strong after real hard use. It got better after my valve cover seals were redone, these leak a little oil after a while. Check you engine for any oil running down the side. Common, but real cheap problem to fix.

3) Shortly after I got mine it needed oil, but after servicing it never asked for it again. I guess it does run down after a good few miles.

Yes, I do like the improved mpg - 33 mpg on the motorway is crazy for a v8.

Thanks makes sense!

1) Maybe the weather, I'll get it checked out.

2) Thanks - was worried there... still got the new car thing of everyone wanting to see what it can do at full chat!

3) Bought some mobil 1 new life 0w40 to top up.

33mpg is crazy! I was seriously concerned at averaging 12mpg in town... but it went up to 25mpg on the motorway which I can live with.

Plans for any mods on the R172?

Cheers!

 

[C320CDIsport]

Do you mean smoke or steam?

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

Hey Bruce, it's steam / vapour (not smoke) - thoughts?

Cheers!

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Plans for any mods on the R172?

None at the moment, but I am missing my xpipe and cat delete!