R129 - Exhaust tip/tailpipe

[AnilS]

I've been on the trawl for a shiny exhaust tip for my car for ages and failed. There were some on Ebay (Germany) but expensive and not in the best condition.

The tip was already painted black (1st pic), so I took it off and painted it black (Hammerite) to give it some gloss. It still looked wrong

I'm currently having a set of M5 alloys finished in chrome powdercoat (see my Sador refurb thread for the colour), so asked the firm if they would do the tip.

After chemical dipping and prep, it looks like this. Thoughts?

Then

 

[Sp!ke]

Looks fantastic. I've been looking at doing the chrome tip on mine as the price of a new one has recently jumped from £90 to £170 +vat.


Any reason why you chose to powdercoat rather than re-chrome?

 

[BTB 500]

That looks pretty good, hope it will be durable.

 

[AnilS]

Looks fantastic. I've been looking at doing the chrome tip on mine as the price of a new one has recently jumped from £90 to £170 +vat.


Any reason why you chose to powdercoat rather than re-chrome?

Yes, he did it FOC as he wasn't sure on durability.

That looks pretty good, hope it will be durable.

I'll keep you guys posted if there are any issues.

 

[Doodle]

By the time you get to the tail the exhaust gases are pretty cool, plus it's a shroud rather than the pipe itself. I think that should be fine to be honest, I've had engine cases powdercoated that get warmer with no issues.

 

[sheepy67]

Looking good, nice to try new things out, see how it lasts when it's been on a few weeks.

 

[AnilS]

Cheers guys

Right, made a decision last night to sort handling (bit roly in the corners) and ride height. :bannana:

Suggestions of kits out there

 

[Sp!ke]

I put eibach sportline springs on mine combined with #1 spring pads on the front and #2 on the back. Makes a big difference.

How is the ride height on yours on the front near side? Does it appear higher than on the offside front?

[edit] I assume you've got a standard spring/shock setup rather than adaptive damping?

 

[AnilS]

I put eibach sportline springs on mine combined with #1 spring pads on the front and #2 on the back. Makes a big difference.

How is the ride height on yours on the front near side? Does it appear higher than on the offside front?

[edit] I assume you've got a standard spring/shock setup rather than adaptive damping?

Is, it seems higher on the NS than OS. Std setup and the ride is average. At its age, I'm wodering if a refresh is required.

Was thinking of selling up as lots of things have been put right but its an arresting sight when clean

 

[Sp!ke]

Sorry, I just checked my old threads, the spring pads should normally be #2 front and #3 rear for about a 1 3/4" drop.

I corrected my uneven ride height issue by putting a #1 in the nearside front and #2 in the offside. (this seems to be a common issue with late R129's)

 

[Doodle]

Despite the 4x4-esque ride height, that's more or less what my SL had in as standard (#3 at the back, #2 offside front, #1 nearside front)

It means that with the H&R springs the drivers side is really rather low, so I'm going even it up next month with a pair of new front pads, probably #2 or #3.

 

[BTB 500]

By the time you get to the tail the exhaust gases are pretty cool

The tips on my R129 exhaust are absolutely sizzling hot after a run! Having no centre muffler could be a factor though?

I sometimes give them a quick wipe with a piece of damp kitchen towel after putting the car back in the garage ... sounds like a steam iron!

 

[Doodle]

The tips on my R129 exhaust are absolutely sizzling hot after a run! Having no centre muffler could be a factor though?

I sometimes give them a quick wipe with a piece of damp kitchen towel after putting the car back in the garage ... sounds like a steam iron!

No centre box will make it a smidge warmer, but on ours the tips are physically part of the system, rather than being a bolt on cover.

 

[Sp!ke]

The later SL's dont have a centre box as standard IIRC.

 

[Sp!ke]

Despite the 4x4-esque ride height, that's more or less what my SL had in as standard (#3 at the back, #2 offside front, #1 nearside front)

It means that with the H&R springs the drivers side is really rather low, so I'm going even it up next month with a pair of new front pads, probably #2 or #3.

Mine has 4's up front and 5's at the back.

Changing to Eibach sportline springs made a fair difference on its own.

 

[BTB 500]

I knew the '99 onward cars were meant to have a 'more sporty' exhaust ... wasn't sure how that was achieved though.

 

[Sp!ke]

Like this....

 

[AnilS]

The bit on the end (piece 65) was powdercoated.

Sp!ke, what difference did the Eibach sportline springs make? Better ride or handling (or both)?

 

[Sp!ke]

Combined with the spring pad swap it lowers the car to a nice height. The suspension is a little firmer but not too firm and handling is improved but still not a race car.

The other option is H&R's but I think they go for a little more money then the Eibach's.

I'm currently looking to replace Item 60 with a bolt on replacement with a bit more noise. Something I can swap on & off easilly should I want to return the car to standard. I may end up getting something made up as the ones on Ebay DE go for €1000 or close to it.

Decatting (unless it is reversible) is a bit of a risky choice at the moment I feel.

 

[BTB 500]

Decatting (unless it is reversible) is a bit of a risky choice at the moment I feel.

You should be able to get two short bolt-in pipes made up to replace the secondary cats ... which would be easily reversible?