SLK 55 Exhaust on a 350

russj · 10-08-2009

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

etyu · 10-08-2009

Thank you Russ for the post. Here are some piccies of Ynot's supersprint install to serve as a guide on the cut-out around the quad exhaust.

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.

alroumi · 10-08-2009

Congrats, needs a sportier rear valance.

UK-C200 · 10-08-2009

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.

nikech1 · 10-09-2009

i'm almost 100% sure that the rear valence will only fit an amg bumper.

russj · 10-09-2009

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

Adamantium · 10-09-2009

Looks fine to me too.

It definitely won't fit to the stock 350 bumper.

Shouldn't have too much difficulty buying a 55 rear bumper.

Tsssk, I don't know, these people!!!! If you want a 55, why not just buy one instead of spending money trying to make a 350 look like one!

Woolly · 10-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Tsssk, I don't know, these people!!!! If you want a 55, why not just buy one instead of spending money trying to make a 350 look like one!

-1- · 10-09-2009

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.

shamus · 10-09-2009

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

alroumi · 10-09-2009

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

not only you, me too.

russj · 10-09-2009

The first picture is before the mod....
Russ

etyu · 10-09-2009

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).

shamus · 10-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by russj

The first picture is before the mod....
Russ

So you already had an X-Pipe instaled ?
Where is it now ?
Is it for sale ?

discoduck · 10-10-2009

The x-pipe is stock for SLK280/350

mhslk350 · 4 Weeks Ago

I am very interested in doing this and would like to know who you used as I am near Cambridge (UK)

Thanks

M

russj · 4 Weeks Ago

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

lkchris · 4 Weeks Ago

There's a factory kit to get 4-pipe mufflers retrofitted to an SLK 280/300/350

http://www.slkworld.com/147071-post18.html

Woolly · 4 Weeks Ago

And REMUS in the UK do a pair of back boxes/twin (quad!) pipes for £670 which look like they just clamp on.

Legin · 4 Weeks Ago

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.

10-08-2009	#3 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 8,022 Country: Thanks: 665 Thanked 501 Times in 327 Posts Chats: 1	Congrats, needs a sportier rear valance. __________________ 06 Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

10-08-2009	#4 (permalink)
UK-C200 aka John Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK & Baton Rouge, Louisiana Vehicle: RHD Jasper Blue C200K Coupe, RHD Jasper Blue SLK55, LHD Black SLK350 Other Toys: Nacra F18 Posts: 4,477 Country: Thanks: 427 Thanked 861 Times in 558 Posts Chats: 1129	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. __________________ Life is good - enjoy it with the top down! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-09-2009	#9 (permalink)
-1- Don - Founding Member #4 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 3,201 Country: Thanks: 215 Thanked 218 Times in 169 Posts Chats: 0	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. __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *-----------------1----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- IT'S THE GOOD LIFE, FULL OF FUN!

4 Weeks Ago	#18 (permalink)
lkchris Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Designo Other Toys: 2006 E320CDI, 2007 GL320CDI Posts: 280 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 61 Times in 39 Posts Chats: 0	There's a factory kit to get 4-pipe mufflers retrofitted to an SLK 280/300/350 http://www.slkworld.com/147071-post18.html __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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10-09-2009	#5 (permalink)
nikech1 SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NorCal / SoCal Vehicle: 2006 SLK350 Posts: 28 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Chats: 0	i'm almost 100% sure that the rear valence will only fit an amg bumper.

10-09-2009	#6 (permalink)
russj SLK World Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Norwich Vehicle: SLK 350 Silver/black Posts: 90 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts Chats: 2	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

10-09-2009	#7 (permalink)
Adamantium Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London, England Vehicle: 350 6MT, 55 AMG bodykit, Airscarf and Comand retrofit, much more to come! Posts: 632 Country: Thanks: 7 Thanked 80 Times in 43 Posts Chats: 121	Looks fine to me too. It definitely won't fit to the stock 350 bumper. Shouldn't have too much difficulty buying a 55 rear bumper. Tsssk, I don't know, these people!!!! If you want a 55, why not just buy one instead of spending money trying to make a 350 look like one!

10-09-2009	#10 (permalink)
shamus SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Far Vehicle: merc Other Toys: LEGO Posts: 2 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Chats: 0	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

10-09-2009	#12 (permalink)
russj SLK World Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Norwich Vehicle: SLK 350 Silver/black Posts: 90 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts Chats: 2	The first picture is before the mod.... Russ

10-10-2009	#15 (permalink)
discoduck Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto Vehicle: '05 SLK350 Sport Other Toys: '91 300SE Posts: 189 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 44 Times in 19 Posts Chats: 60	The x-pipe is stock for SLK280/350

4 Weeks Ago	#16 (permalink)
mhslk350 SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cambridge UK Vehicle: SLK 350 (09) Posts: 10 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Chats: 0	I am very interested in doing this and would like to know who you used as I am near Cambridge (UK) Thanks M

4 Weeks Ago	#17 (permalink)
russj SLK World Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Norwich Vehicle: SLK 350 Silver/black Posts: 90 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts Chats: 2	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

4 Weeks Ago	#20 (permalink)
Legin Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Vehicle: SLK55AMG Posts: 493 Country: Thanks: 16 Thanked 77 Times in 62 Posts Chats: 0	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.

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