Coming from a BMW Z Roadster fitted with an Eisenmann exhaust, I've always considered the SLK a bit too quiet for my tastes.
I looked into getting a custom one made but the guy said that he'd have problems in avoiding a motorway drone as the rear boxes were quite small. A long conversation with Adam (Adamantium) and his experience of aftermarket exhausts convinced me that this was a real issue. As I intend to do a lot of touring in the car I decided not to risk unknown suppliers.
I then looked at well known names but was amazed at the costs. With sterling weak, any foreign sourced system(Piecha, Supersprint etc) was very expensive.
I'd just about given up on the idea when I saw a used SLK55 exhaust on eBay. Much to my surprise my relatively modest bid won and I became the proud owner of a SLK 55 exhaust in excellent condition.
I knew it wasn't a straightfoward job to fit the new system so I took it along to my local indie, Millenium Mercedes, in Dereham, Norfolk.
They hadn't done one before but were happy to have a go and assured me that their welding skills were up to the job.
I asked them to take some shots during the work so that others could see what is involved.
I think they did a fantastic job and the end result looks almost factory finish. The connecting pipes between the headers and the new system had to be cut off reversed and rewelded. To add to the complexity, the header pipes were twin walled, so making welding an even trickier task.
It took them 4 hours so wasn't a trivial job (and cost me £200!)
However, the sound is awesome - a deep burble at tickover, rising in tone till 4500rpm when it really snarls. Certainly turns heads when accelerating from the traffic lights in town. Paul at Millenium reckoned it sounded better than on the regular '55. But best of all, it's quiet and restrained when cruising at motorway speeds (70-80mph) so I'd be happy to go on long trips without earplugs!
One suggestion that Millenium made was that I ought to fit an AMG rear panel which would be a better fit than the standard, albeit cut, valance.
This wasn't the complete bumper just a black lower back panel with suitable cut outs for the tips - can anyone let me know what this is, if it will fit and the part number please?
Hope this will help anyone else tempted to do this mod.
Russ
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I don't know if the black trim piece at the lower part of the SLK 55 rear bumper cover will fit a non-AMG rear bumper cover. Perhaps UK-C200 would know.
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Looks great Russ!! My (limited) understanding is that the rear valance will only fit only the '55 bumper cover. It would probably be worth a chat with Adam, see what he thinks since he removed his stock '350 to replace with the '55 cover.
Part number is A1718850825.
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Thanks for the info guys.
Seems like I'm going to have to look out for a secondhand AMG rear bumper...
In the meantime, I don't think the standard one looks too bad.
Russ
A+ for your logic and reasoning skills in selecting a suitable, proven, cost effective new exhaust system for your SLK 350. Current exhaust tips/bumper cover doesn't look bad, but go one step further and finish the job with the SLK 55 bumper. Interesting, I would prefer the look and performance over increased sound, but I'm sure they go hand in hand.
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-----------------1----------------- ---------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- ---THE MONSTER ON THE BLOCK---
It`s just me or on the first picture there is a X-pipe ?
And if there was, is the new sound better than the old one? because in the other picture i can see the resonator.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shamus
It`s just me or on the first picture there is a X-pipe ?
And if there was, is the new sound better than the old one? because in the other picture i can see the resonator.
shamus
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If you're not planning on putting an AMG rear bumper cover, then may I suggest that the cut-out be modified to a single oval instead of 2 partial circles (IMHO, it looks better with a single oval and the twin exhaust).
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Hi M,
Details of the company I used are: Millennium Mercedes Independent
Unit 1 Enterprise Centre, Greens Road, Dereham, Norfolk NR20 3TG
Telephone: 01362 695499
I know it was a much bigger job than they anticipated so they may not be so keen to do another! If they are up for it then it will probably cost you about £230, ie 4 hours labour but they did do an excellent job on mine.
Let us know how you get on...
Russ
I dont really like the red tail pipes but otherwise its a great job. I have seen one other but they ditched the 55 resonator or rather retained the x pipe. If the boxs are grafted on behind the x pipe its a much easier job. Personally I think its better to get a 55 then downgrade the engine rather than the other way round.
SLK 55 Exhaust on a 350 
2008 Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG (R171.473)
2006 Mercedes Benz SLK350
SLK 350 6 MT
2004 Mercedes Benz SLK 350 6sp MT
A+ for your logic and reasoning skills in selecting a suitable, proven, cost effective new exhaust system for your SLK 350. Current exhaust tips/bumper cover doesn't look bad, but go one step further and finish the job with the SLK 55 bumper. Interesting, I would prefer the look and performance over increased sound, but I'm sure they go hand in hand. 
