Mild steel vs stainless steel exhaust system

[Sati B]

Hi All

Can you please get your input/opinions on whether the W113 is best suited to either mild steel or fully stainless steel exhaust system. 

Many thanks

[Cees Klumper]

Stainless due to corrosion resistance, on low-usage cars like Pagodas tend to be. Installed mine some 20 years ago, still functions and looks like new.

[Sati B]

Thanks for your reply Cees. How about overall exhaust noise? Does the stainless steel version sound "tinny"? Do you think there's any difference between the 2 versions?

[Peter]

In my opinion they are both miserable.
I have a stainless steel exhaust sound is tool loud en too much low tones.
I changed to the official Mercedes Bens exhaust. Also too loud and too much low tones.
Both totally not the original sound which does not fit this car.

I discussed the matter with MB, they don’t feel responsible.
I discussed this with a producer of MB stainless steels exhaust, he told me that producers compare the sound to the competition, so they all sound almost the same, but not correct.

Conclusion:
It hardly matters, both sound in my option not original, and I did not find a good solution till this moment.

[lowpad]

I guess I'm probably in the minority here, but I love the slightly rorty exhaust note from my stainless exhaust system. It makes a nice noise on acceleration, which I quite enjoy. If you search the archives, you'll find much discussion on this.

[mdsalemi]

For those really bothered by the sound of the OEM exhaust available today as well as stainless steel exhaust systems why don’t you have a custom exhaust made? In the world of custom cars, custom exhaust is pretty common.

[Peter]

Making a good exhaust is a science.
I've talked to quite a few such companies.
They can all make an Resonator with a loud and low sound.
A more complicated muffler, which requires a lot of calculations,
is a lot more complicated.

If anyone knows of a company in Europe that can make a good exhaust system I’m happy to heart this.

[Cees Klumper]

The stainless system on my car sounds great, very nice, not tinny or raspy at all. But, I got it back in 2004 and bought it slightly used from Van Dijk in The Netherlands. No idea what manufacturer. They may remember/know/still sell the same system but maybe not. Many people report being satisfied with their Timevalve system on their Pagoda.

[Starchild]

I think I got one of the last OEM exhaust systems from the MB dealer quite a while ago. Maybe it was longer than 10 years ago? What dealer(USA) told me. I love the sound of that original equipment exhaust system. Disappointing to learn the new mufflers offered today do not make the same sound.

 How long can I expect my exhaust system to last?  Car is never driven in wet weather.

[mdsalemi]

I think the sound of the exhaust is just one “note” in a variety of auditory sensations coming from our cars. Open up your hood/bonnet with the engine running and there’s a plethora of sounds created and broadcast from every moving part. It also changes drastically with RPM. With no sound deadening on the all aluminum hood/bonnet, it only amplifies these sounds.

With our Pagodas offering so much joy to the eyes, the hands and touch, it’s a shame there is any disappointment to the ears.

I have had a Timevalve stainless steel system for over 20 years. I don’t think it makes a much noticeably louder or different a sound than any other Pagoda I’ve heard… that being said I don’t think that any two Pagodas are identical in sound today.

I have a distinct memory of the sound of my Pagoda when it was new, and my uncle was driving it home. I cannot say it was the exhaust, but just a mixture of mechanical sounds that was very unique and pleasant. You knew it was the SL coming home and not the neighbor! It remains a memory, and I don’t think it is achievable today.

[zoegrlh]

I replaced my exhaust system years ago (19-20 yrs), and purchased the OEM system. Helped with the welding and placement of the system. Ordered from MB Classic Center. Came with new hangers, was asked at that time by Mr Hanson, if I wanted the clamp system or the weld system. I wanted to be a close to original as possible, so went with the weld system. The sound to me is just enough to give you that sport feel. Now some systems might sound loud. But please remember that some Pagodas (made for American market and equipped with automatic transmissions, will rev more therefore producing a louder sound. I have a European spec, with a 3.69 rear end, 4 speed manual, so when I shift thru the gears, a nice sound, but when I get into 4th gear, and cruising, hardly any sounds of exhaust. I think the American market Pagodas came with a higher rear end and will make the engine rev higher. Friend of mine has an American market automatic, and when we are riding in his SL we can hardly talk over the sound of engine and exhaust. So he found a 3.69 rear end and we swapped it out, now we can talk to each other. World of difference. So in conclusion many factors come into play with exhaust sounds. So I am blessed with my sound, Sunday went to NHRA National c drag races and you talk about exhaust sounds, wow.

[Sati B]

Thank you for all your comments and thoughts on this topic. Very helpful

[zak]

I recall reading a while back that Rolls Royce used to wrap their mufflers in lead sheeting to reduce muffler sound. That's a solution .
I wonder what parts of a stainless steel muffler system contributes to the tinny sound  - pipes or muffler/resonator bodies ?
I have a welded OEM muffler and love the sound especially that gurgle during downshifting.

jz

[RobSirg]

I have both Mild Steel and Stainless on each of my 280SL’s.
It’s an individual preference, but l find the Stainless Exhaust sounds a little ‘Tinny’ and not as appealing as the Raspy M.S exhaust.

The Stainless Exhaust is on a car that has had very little use and mostly used in Shows, hence, l went with S.S as the last thing l want to do is replace it on a fully restored car. ( I did spray paint it Black underneath to replicate the original look).

For my regular Sunday driver l have M.S exhaust which l prefer ( in sound).

Years ago l had a 250SL with a Stainless Exhaust that l used frequently - eventually the sound improved once the carbon deposits built up.

[Peter]

Does anyone have a quicksilver hausts?
https://quicksilverexhausts.store/collections/mercedes-280-sl
They say their exhaust gives an original 280SL sound.

Experiences regarding sound and quality?

[stickandrudderman]

No doubt that the original mild steel system is quieter than any stainless system.
The trouble is they are no longer available from Mercedes so faced with the fact that one has to go after-market then stainless becomes the only option.

[Duncan200]

Hey Colin,

How long have they been NLA?

I managed to get a complete OE system a couple of years back, including the front RHD pipes.

Although the centre and rear mufflers are marked Eberspacher.

If it’s only recent then it makes sense.

Doug.

[zoegrlh]

Has anyone contacted the MB Classic Centers to see if NLA?

[Peter]

Has anyone contacted the MB Classic Centers to see if NLA?

I wouldn't worry about this at all, I bought one of the last MB systems 2 1/2 years ago and the sound quality was so poor that you shouldn't want it. Eberspaeche has stopped producing exhaust systems for the W113 at the end of 2021

I am now in the process of replacing my MB exhaust and then returning it to HQ, so they can listen to it themselves and hopefully learn something from it!

[zoegrlh]

Peter you must have got a bad batch of steel.

[Peter]

That can be the case, but Mercedes Benz know that the last badge(s) produced are of poor (sound) quality, they still decide to sell them to make to money, leaving us with the rubbish.

I have addressed this with the classic part HQ and general manager Mr Thomas Budde in Stuttgart but he behaved as if he worked for mediocre company, not taking responsibility, not wanting to learn, but pushing back. Recognizing the problem will cost profit and his bonus!.

[Duncan200]

Just checked when I purchased my exhaust, it was actually in 2020.

I guess time flies when you’re having fun or perhaps when you spend countless hours in the garage restoring a 113

Doug

[mdsalemi]

This thread has me quite puzzled.

I've had a TimeValve SS system for about 24 years. Never noticed anything about the exhaust "note" worthy of mention in which to discuss its sound. It isn't tinny; it isn't loud nor soft, and isn't gurgling. I was around and conscious as a young kid when this car was new and my uncles, along with his 230SL predecessor. My neighbor up the street also worked for Ogilvy & Mather, the agency of record for Mercedes-Benz in the 1960s, and he had a series of Pagodas for a few years. Yes a most distinctive sound to a Mercedes but I'm not going to say it was merely the exhaust. Today my TimeValve simply provides an exhaust sound that doesn't raise an eyebrow. I cannot believe there is so much difference between this system, and perhaps the one originally installed in 1969. The center section of my exhaust (muffler, front pipes and middle pipes as one unit) was replaced recently because of damage. The newer parts don't appreciably change the sound in any way from what it was 24 years ago.

I don't believe the Classic Center anywhere will much concern itself with the sound of an exhaust, more so the fit.

[Peter]

I don't believe the Classic Center anywhere will much concern itself with the sound of an exhaust, more so the fit.

That is the problem!
It's about the sound, that's the product, a good fit is normal.

I'm going to ask MB Stuttgart when they expect to have a W113 exhaust in the program again.

To be continued.......

[badali]

I replaced my entire exhaust system in 2009 with MB parts from the classic center.  It is still in excellent condition.  I make sure to always drive the car long enough to dry any moister so it will not rust out.  It sounds OK to me.  I never noticed that it sounded bad or just not right.