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exhaust????

15659 Views 40 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  JPMBenz
hey guys,

I recently test drove an A45 with performance exchaust.

IT sounded just amazing.

I am wondering as I have ordered my CLA45 with the performance exhaust. Will it sound the same or is the CLA tuned down a bit?

I have read some things saying the exhausts are the same and another saying they cLA is toned down.

Keen to know??
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hey guys,

I recently test drove an A45 with performance exchaust.

IT sounded just amazing.

I am wondering as I have ordered my CLA45 with the performance exhaust. Will it sound the same or is the CLA tuned down a bit?

I have read some things saying the exhausts are the same and another saying they cLA is toned down.

Keen to know??
It'll sound more toned down since the CLA 45 AMG is meant to be more civilized, and this information comes straight from my tour in Affalterbach so Im guessing its correct.
It'll sound more toned down since the CLA 45 AMG is meant to be more civilized, and this information comes straight from my tour in Affalterbach so Im guessing its correct.
THANK GOD ! I have ordered the exhaust option but been concern what I would do if I don't like the sound. So far, the Youtube videos only deepen my fear. The A45 sounds like old rusted mufflers with holes in them...
THANK GOD ! I have ordered the exhaust option but been concern what I would do if I don't like the sound. So far, the Youtube videos only deepen my fear. The A45 sounds like old rusted mufflers with holes in them...
Well Its not going to sound anything like that lol. I heard a A45 in Affalterbach during the tour since they were testing it. So I asked if the CLA 45 AMG will sound like that and the tour guide said that it wont for sure
The Performance Exhaust is LOUD in person. It's meant to be that way. I know what the difference is but I am not allowed to say. Sorry ladies and gents! :)
If I was on the fence I would order the stock exhaust and...well...hack it up later to make it louder if I wanted it to be louder. :)
I'm not on the fence, however, and happily invite the comparison to kids with coffee can mufflers.
Bring it on.

-Eric
Yeah I want it to sound the same as the A45. That thing sounds like a WRC rally car
Yeah I want it to sound the same as the A45. That thing sounds like a WRC rally car
Ditto


Sent from my iPhone using Mercedes CLA Forum mobile app
The Performance Exhaust is LOUD in person. It's meant to be that way. I know what the difference is but I am not allowed to say. Sorry ladies and gents! :)
The difference between the standard exhaust and the sports exhaust, or the difference between the sports exhaust on the A45 and the sports exhaust on the CLA45?
HPSOV, he's talking about the difference between the OE and sports exhaust.

-Eric
any update on whether or not the CLA 45 with performance exhaust will sound the sound as A45 with performance exhaust?>
For now, I have ordered the standard exhaust on my CLA45. I'm delayed until a January build because of the Night Package delay. I'm hoping that I get to hear in person the live exhaust sound on other CLA45's before I make my final decision. I'm assuming that the standard CLA45 exhaust is already going to be a little louder and deeper than the base CLA250 exhaust. I will switch to the performance exhaust option if the sound is deeper but will not switch if only louder and raspy.
I was worried about the performance exhaust being too loud but it should be fine with the two settings.

The video plays comfort mode first, then sport.

It sounds like comfort mode is loud but not over the top while in sport mode, you get the over the top crackles and fun =)

I like it, depending on how you feel like your exhaust matches the mood!
great video thanks for sharing. My dealer feels confident the CLA sounds the same as the A45. Good news. The A sounds wild
I too have been wanting a definitive answer to this question. As a $450 option, my impression was the difference wouldn't be very involved from a mechanical standpoint.

My dealer emailed the AMG rep and this was his reply:

CLA45 AMG performance exhaust, apparently it also has the center resonator "muffler" removed as well, for an even more pronounced exhaust note. I believe the look from behind remains unchanged.
If I remember correctly it is a modified exhaust system with an actuatorin the muffler end for a more sporty sound out the back when driving more aggressively. Sounds great!
Although this doesn't specifically answer if the A45 and CLA45 performance exhausts are different -- I emailed him back for clarification on this point alone and will keep everyone updated with his response.
I too have been wanting a definitive answer to this question. As a $450 option, my impression was the difference wouldn't be very involved from a mechanical standpoint.

My dealer emailed the AMG rep and this was his reply:
CLA45 AMG performance exhaust, apparently it also has the center resonator "muffler" removed as well, for an even more pronounced exhaust note. I believe the look from behind remains unchanged.
If I remember correctly it is a modified exhaust system with an actuatorin the muffler end for a more sporty sound out the back when driving more aggressively. Sounds great!
As to your dealer's response...

1. I did the exact same thing to my Volvo for the same effect (which was subtle in all truth) and it cost me $100 to have a performance shop cut it out and have a piece of pipe welded back in.
2. Both the standard and upgraded exhaust systems have the actuator they described...at least according to MB.

-Eric
Although this doesn't specifically answer if the A45 and CLA45 performance exhausts are different -- I emailed him back for clarification on this point alone and will keep everyone updated with his response.
heard back today:
The Performance Exhaust eliminates the middle resonator, it willbe a little louder. Pretty close to the A45 sound, but not as raucous. It does notchange the look of the pipes, and there won’t be a measurable increase in performance.
So I'm interpreting this as a subtle but louder difference, due to the middle resonator delete (as Eric mentioned in the post above regarding his volvo). I did some searches on "middle resonator" trying to ascertain the difference in sound and why it would be put there in the first place.

Essentially it's a common DIY mod to get more sound out of the exhaust. General consensus seems to say this mod costs $80 to remove the middle resonator and around the same $80 if you didn't like the results and wanted to weld it back in.

Good news is the Comfort mode and Sport mode settings can adjust the volume of the exhaust via the actuator which is standard on the A45 and CLA45 regardless (at least according to MB ordering guide) if you've selected the standard exhaust or the performance exhaust.
heard back today:


So I'm interpreting this as a subtle but louder difference, due to the middle resonator delete (as Eric mentioned in the post above regarding his volvo). I did some searches on "middle resonator" trying to ascertain the difference in sound and why it would be put there in the first place.

Essentially it's a common DIY mod to get more sound out of the exhaust. General consensus seems to say this mod costs $80 to remove the middle resonator and around the same $80 if you didn't like the results and wanted to weld it back in.

Good news is the Comfort mode and Sport mode settings can adjust the volume of the exhaust via the actuator which is standard on the A45 and CLA45 regardless (at least according to MB ordering guide) if you've selected the standard exhaust or the performance exhaust.
So are you saying that the performance exhaust isn't worth the $450?
If all it requires is the removal of a resonator the question you need to ask is whether you want MB to remove it for $450 or whether you want to trust your brand new baby AMG to a shop to do it for $100? For a few hundred thrown out bucks I think it's worth the extra to make it a factory job. The time I'd need to take out of my life to deal with a shop, drop off the car, risk them scratching it (or worse), etc. just isn't worth the hassle.

-Eric
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