R129 SL500 - AMG accessory rear box fitted

[BTB 500]

Had the AMG rear box fitted today. Have to say, I don't think it looks that great ... and only a very slight increase in exhaust note.

IMO the tailpipes are just set too low, presumably to make sure they clear the various designs of rear skirt that the R129 has had without the need to cut them. There's no scope for adjustment as the mounts are in the same place as those of the standard rear box.

I had the fitting done by Longlife Exhausts in Carshalton. They were unwilling to make up an adapter pipe with a flange that mated with the one on the AMG box, so as I didn't intend to return the car to standard config. I agreed they could cut the flange off the box and weld a custom-made adapter pipe directly to it. It took just over an hour in total, and the charge was £99.

Anyway here are some before/after pics:

And one extra 'after':

I think if I'd paid anywhere near the full price of almost £1400 for the AMG box I'd have been pretty disappointed with the mod.

I may look at having the tailpipes cut off, shortened, and welded back on so they sit closer to the body ... this should be possible.

Good news was that 'disclosing' to Elephant that I had a modified exhaust on the car didn't affect the premium.

 

[stats007]

Did you have the centre section removed as well? You can buy the AMG rear apron which would make it look better. I think if the noise dramatically increased you'd get annoyed with it after a while - I'm sure it sounds better under hard acceleration?

 

[BTB 500]

I left the centre section unchanged; it's not much louder even under acceleration. However, I must say I'd rather it was that way than excessively noisy ... it's nice to be able to cruise long distances without being deafened!

Here's a really unflattering shot of the tailpipes:

You can see the standard cutout in the rear apron, I will investigate having the centre part of the tailpipes shortened to move the tips up and forward a bit. If that's not possible I might look at the AMG apron, but I suspect that would be pretty expensive and might look strange in isolation (without the rest of the body kit) ?

 

[stats007]

Hmmn are you sure they mounted it correctly? It does stick out a bit even with the AMG rear bumper:

Edit:

You can buy a rear lip from Demec that fits on the bottom of your existing bumper which should work:

 

[BTB 500]

Perhaps I'm being overly fussy, that pic looks as bad as mine!

I think it's fitted properly, it has exactly the same mountings as the standard box and I can't see any adjustment.

 

[KLP 92]

The SL pictured with the DEMEC rear lip has had the exhaust mountings changed so the exhaust sits 1/2 inch lower. The Remus exhaust in the pic sits flush under the rear bumper.

 

[stats007]

That photo is just for illustraion for the lip - not the crap exhaust fitted

 

[GrahamC230K]

Looks great. Massive improvement. I didn't think the accessory items were intended to sound any different - visual styling only.

 

[BTB 500]

I didn't think the accessory items were intended to sound any different - visual styling only.

Well the outlet area is greater, and the tailpipes don't point down at the road .. so I think you'd expect a slight difference for those reasons alone.

 

[stats007]

There's no way you'd pay £1400 for a new exhaust that was just a visual enhancement.

 

[GrahamC230K]

There's no way you'd pay £1400 for a new exhaust that was just a visual enhancement.

The C-Class one is ~ £550, more expensive than the ACTUAL AMG C-Class item. I'm sure AMG will justify the SL part being double. If you need to ask the price and all that......

 

[KLP 92]

That photo is just for illustraion for the lip - not the crap exhaust fitted

I would rate the Remus exhaust better than the AMG. Sounds nicer, has a lifetime guarentee and costs a 1/3 of the price. And judging by the pics, sits alot nicer too.

 

[stats007]

The AMG exhaust is far more complex than the Remus unit and hence quieter - it is also better made - whether it's worth £1400 is another matter. I have never liked Remus designs - Eisenmann are nicer IMO. Agreed it sits better - but I'm sure it wouldn't take much to alter the mountings to get Bill's looking good.

 

[BTB 500]

Well, Longlife aren't interested in altering the tailpipes on my AMG box. Any suggestions who might be able to do this (preferably within easy reach of Surrey)? I'm reluctant to add a rear skirt to the car.

 

[stats007]

Surely anyone with with a torch and a welder?

Don't fancy this then?!

The square pipes look like this:

 

[Howard]

I agree with Stats..

It can't be that difficult a job ....

I would flick Longlife the bird as they obviously aren't interested in helping you out .....

Seriously , any competant bodyshop/exhaust centre should be able to do what you need ....

Worst comes to the worst , i believe Graham knows a good exhaust shop (who like to help out and love mods) but they are in Aylesbury .....

 

[KLP 92]

I've had work done by Longlife before, and they've nerver refused a job like that before!

 

[BTB 500]

The quad pipes actually look quite nice

Not so keen on the rectangular AMG ones.

It was Dan (the manager) at Carshalton who declined to mod. my tailpipes, I guess it's up to individual centres what they do?

I agree it's not a difficult job, but the exhaust centres I know just bolt on boxes & systems - nothing 'creative'! Will see what I can find.

 

[BTB 500]

I agree it's not a difficult job, but the exhaust centres I know just bolt on boxes & systems - nothing 'creative'! Will see what I can find.

Well I've been politely turned down by 3 custom exhaust outfits so far, the last one (Paul Cheesman) suggested Simpson Race Exhausts in Slough ... currently waiting to hear back from them.

QuickSilver were very helpful, although they wouldn't do the mod (they only fit full systems) they checked their patterns for the R129 and found the tailpipe shape was the same as my AMG box!

 

[BTB 500]

Finally all sorted.

C43AMG (Peter) mentioned a very helpful bodyshop at the last GTG, and kindly put me in touch. I left the car with them for a week while I was away on holiday, and picked it up today. As well as modifying the tailpipes they sorted out a few paintwork problems for me, including a respray of the front valance/spoiler which was looking a bit tatty. Very happy indeed with the results and the standard of work in general.

Here's a quick reminder of 'before' - the standard AMG box.

And now, with the outlets raised and levelled - you can see where the join is, and how much was removed:

And the whole car, showing the tailpipes:

Finally, they presented me with my own pair of "AMG spectacles" ... made from one of the sections they removed!