OEM vs Sport Exhaust on an Early G500 (M113) – What Would You Choose?

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Tue, 07/07/2026 - 10:53
Nelson Lisboa
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Joined: 10.06.2026
Location: New Malden

Hi everyone,

I'm continuing the OEM+ restoration of my 1998 G500 SWB and have now reached another decision point—the exhaust.

(Attach the two photos.)

I'm not looking for a loud or aggressive exhaust, nor am I trying to turn the G into something it isn't.

My goal is simply to let the M113 V8 sound like a proper Mercedes V8 while keeping the truck refined enough for long motorway journeys.

At the moment I'm torn between keeping the original rear silencers or fitting a quality sport exhaust.

I'd really appreciate hearing from owners who have lived with either setup.

A few questions:

  • If you have an M113 G500, did you keep the factory exhaust or change it?
  • If you upgraded, what did you fit?
  • Does it drone on the motorway?
  • Is it noticeably louder inside the cabin?
  • Looking back, would you make the same choice again?

If anyone has experience with:

  • Genuine Mercedes
  • AMG
  • Brabus
  • Eisenmann
  • Supersprint
  • Custom systems

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

My priorities are:

  • OEM+ appearance
  • A deeper V8 tone rather than outright volume
  • No motorway drone
  • Long-term durability
  • Something that still feels like Mercedes engineered it

Videos would also be hugely appreciated if anyone has them.

Many thanks,

Nelson

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Tue, 07/07/2026 - 18:12
#1
Jdring
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Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto (SOLD), 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: OEM vs Sport Exhaust on an Early G500 (M113) – What ...

Hopefully others will have a view on this one.

I would go for an end to end custom stainless exhaust.  They can fabricate it to the template of the original and decide what baffling to do to get the muted but throaty sound you want.  The issue is if there are NOX sensors and CAT - I don't think yours will have that.  Obviously don't change the manifold and downpipe unless absolutely needed.

A small 230GE exhaust, non OEM, cost me about 1,600 which was a lot.  Stainless will be cheaper but I didn't have access to do it at the time

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Tue, 07/07/2026 - 20:13
#2
Nelson Lisboa
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Joined: 10.06.2026
Location: New Malden
Re: OEM vs Sport Exhaust on an Early G500 (M113) – What ...

Mine is a 98 G500 SWB with the M113, so no catalytic converter or NOx sensor issues to worry about.

I'm leaning towards exactly what you suggested: having a quality stainless system fabricated while keeping the original routing and appearance. I'm not looking for a loud exhaust, just a slightly deeper V8 note without any drone.

Do you know of any exhaust fabricators you'd recommend in the UK that understand these older Gs, or did you have yours made locally?

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

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