Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sati B on June 11, 2024, 11:45:12
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Thank you for all your comments and thoughts on this topic. Very helpful
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Has anyone contacted the MB Classic Centers to see if NLA?
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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!
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Peter you must have got a bad batch of steel.
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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!.
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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
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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.
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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.......
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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.
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I had contact with MB Classic Parts Stuttgart concerning the availability of exhaust systems for the W113
The answer is that there is no availability at this moment and that “according to our product management, talks are underway to make a new system available, but they can't give a date yet”
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My 280 SL now has a stainless exhaust system that is too loud for my liking. I had Borla in New Jersey put a resonator on that help a bit but I'm still not happy with the sound. The stainless system I have replaced the bodged together system that came with the car. I still have the old exhaust. That has an Eberspacher 113-490-00-22/25 muffler in good shape. Are these known to be quieter? If I swapped mufflers would that make a difference?
Thanks,
Paul
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My experience is that Eberspacher is quieter and more like the original sound must have been.
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Since stainless and (the Eberspacher) mild steel are dissimilar metals, the interwebs warn against combining them - just one quote "Carbon steel is anodic to stainless steel, which can lead to significant corrosion of carbon steel in the presence of stainless steel". So use at your own risk. Maybe check after a year or so whether the muffler seems ok.
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My 280 SL now has a stainless exhaust system that is too loud for my liking. I had Borla in New Jersey put a resonator on that help a bit but I'm still not happy with the sound. The stainless system I have replaced the bodged together system that came with the car. I still have the old exhaust. That has an Eberspacher 113-490-00-22/25 muffler in good shape. Are these known to be quieter? If I swapped mufflers would that make a difference?
Thanks,
Paul
Paul, this is an older thread, but look at my reply from 6-July-2024, more than a year ago.
Have you been to any gathering of any number of Pagodas, and thus been able to listen to a few different 113s with different exhaust systems and notes to them? If not that would be a worthwhile idea to pursue. Aside from some Pagodas with holes or leaks in the exhaust system, I've never heard a system that was remarkable in any way. I know that for certain as my own system developed a minor leak from dragging on the ground for a bit as I headed to Chicago for PagodaFest in 2023. The resonator was weakened and blew a small hole on the way home.
While the "budget conscious" can mix SS and mild steel together in an exhaust system, as Cees points out you are setting things up for accelerated degradation of the mild steel parts. The moisture and condensation in an exhaust system create the perfect environment for this to happen, especially in areas with high humidity or road salt.
One thing I would certainly NOT do, is weld together a system of dissimilar metals. The reason for that is in addition to the galvanic corrosion, now you have thermal expansion to deal with. The welds would probably want to break apart.
Meet up with a bunch of Pagodas, listen to them and choose ONE exhaust system that meets with your ears. Don't kluge something together.
Oh, BTW...I'm not familiar with Borla's current offerings for the Pagoda. Their current catalog starts at 1980 so a Pagoda would be a custom job. But, Borla's reputation is in the aftermarket "performance" exhaust systems, and sound is a huge part of their marketing, with their "touring" system being the quietest but still louder than stock...then they have two more systems designed to be louder. I also remember from my advertising days that Borla vs. Borla East (New Jersey) were not exactly the same company...you also indicated you had Borla ADD a resonator which helped a bit. My TimeValve has a muffler and resonator as standard.
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Thanks for your replies. I've heard a number of Pagodas in the past and mine is much louder especially at speed. I understand the cautions but, as at least an intermediate step, I'm going install the good Eberspacher I have in the system and cross my fingers. Bora East had a resonator in stock to replace the one I had and it did make a small difference. I'll keep you all posted.
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Thanks for your replies. I've heard a number of Pagodas in the past and mine is much louder especially at speed. I understand the cautions but, as at least an intermediate step, I'm going install the good Eberspacher I have in the system and cross my fingers. Bora East had a resonator in stock to replace the one I had and it did make a small difference. I'll keep you all posted.
Just understand that anything made by "Borla" will be louder by design. Louder than stock, and louder than other systems. That's their MO. While some systems such as the OEM or a TimeValve only have ONE system, Borla has three dB levels: loud, louder and loudest. They go by their names of Touring, S-Type, and ATAK. They also have a race-only system called XR-1.
Good luck and report back on how it all fits together for you.
Doesn't apply to you, but in North Carolina any modification to a street-legal vehicle's exhaust system to make it louder than the OEM stock system is prohibited. Doesn't stop all the wannabe NASCAR drivers with their exceedingly loud cars here. Police have more things to worry about and loud cars persist.
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Just wondering if anyone in the UK has had dealings with this company in High Wycombe the price they are offering is fully fitted looks fair value
I have hade a nightmare with a Mercedes system over the last 18 months originally had to cut and turn one of the front down pipes to clear the subframe but its got a Dreadful rasp or noise under load at 2000rpm we have even opened both boxes and repacked just to check for a loose baffle not quite sure where to go next.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated Gary Tingle
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I had the stainless muffler removed and the and Eberspacher installed. Night and day difference. The car even seems to drive better. Thanks for all the help.
Paul
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Just wondering if anyone in the UK has had dealings with this company in High Wycombe the price they are offering is fully fitted looks fair value
Gary,
It's best to start a new thread for a new topic of discussion.
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Paul,
That's great news!! Clamped together? I hope you can provide a status in 2027 about any material problems where they join.