Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo: the V12 in all its majesty, the exhaust system guide

The 6.0 biturbo V12: extraordinary torque for the S65 Coupé

The S65 C217 is one of the few production cars powered by a biturbo V12. This 6.0-litre engine produces 630 hp and, above all, 1,000 Nm of torque, available very low in the rev range. Here, the power has nothing nervous about it: it arrives like a continuous wave, moving this grand coupé with an ease and smoothness that few engines can offer.

On a biturbo V12, the turbos and the factory exhaust form a double filter: the natural sound of the twelve cylinders, rich and silky, barely reaches the cabin. The Rog valved exhaust replaces this system and lets you decide. With the valves closed, the S65 keeps the refinement of a grand coupé; with them open, the V12 finds its voice again, with no work on the engine or the ECU.

How the exhaust on your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo is put together

An exhaust system is best understood in two parts. Here is what each one does, and what Rog replaces.

The figures for your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo

On a modern car, an exhaust system first changes the voice, the breathing and the weight at the rear. Power, on the other hand, comes from an ECU remap.

Published manufacturer and Stage 2 figures.

Our exhaust systems work perfectly with or without an ECU remap. On your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo, however, we recommend having one done at an approved tuning centre: that is what lets the engine reach its full potential.

Configuring your exhaust, step by step

3 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.

1. 1

   Step 1 of 3: Material: stainless steel or titanium

   Titanium costs more than stainless steel; the price of each version is shown on the product page, in your currency.

   304 stainless steel

   Weight

   Baseline

   Sound

   Full and rounded

   The benchmark for high-end exhausts: tough, corrosion-proof, with a full, rounded sound. The choice of most of our customers.

   Titanium

   Weight

   Around 40% lighter

   Sound

   Metallic, crystal-clear

   Around 40% lighter than stainless steel for the same design, with a more metallic sound that turns crystal-clear at high revs. Its finish ranges from brushed to blued tints.

   Over time, both hold up: 304 stainless steel stands up to winter salt and damp, and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.

2. 2

   Step 2 of 3: Front section: downpipe and catalytic converter

   Optional: the downpipe on your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo, with its catalytic converter. Sound intensity is rated on our scale of 0 to 10, valves open; the factory exhaust scores 3.

   Cat-back only

   Included

   7/10

   Factory emissions control

   The factory catalytic converter stays in place. The starting point and, for many of our customers, more than enough.

   200-cell sports catalytic converter

   8/10

   Road use and inspection

   Emissions control is still very much there, and flow improves noticeably. The choice for everyday driving.

   100-cell sports catalytic converter

   9/10

   Inspection: depends on local rules

   Half as many cells: flow comes close to a decat and the sound gains real aggression at high revs.

   Decat

   10/10

   Track use

   No emissions control: maximum flow, raw sound, the sharpest revving.

   Sound intensity, on a scale of 0 to 10

   1. 10/10Decat downpipe + Rog cat-back
   2. 9/10100-cell sports catalytic converter + Rog cat-back
   3. 8/10200-cell sports catalytic converter + Rog cat-back
   4. 7/10Rog cat-back only, factory catalytic converter retained
   5. 3/10Factory exhaust, for comparison

   Valves open. With the valves closed, every configuration becomes discreet again.

   What about the engine warning light? With a sports cat, it can come on with some engines: the sensor placed after the catalytic converter measures a different level of emissions control from the original. It is not a mechanical failure, but a warning light should never be masked or cleared without dealing with its cause: the right answer is a catalytic converter suited to the engine, with a map by a tuner who takes it into account. The decat version, for track use only, almost always triggers it. If this happens to you, write to us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing vehicle inspection with a sports exhaust.

3. 3

   Step 3 of 3: Valves: Rog remote or factory control

   Two ways to control the valves on your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo.

   Rog remote

   

   A small control unit fits in the trunk. Two buttons, open and closed: the valves respond at any moment, whatever the drive mode. Simple to fit, and we stay on hand throughout the installation.

   Factory control

   • Only for vehicles fitted with factory valves
   • Controlled by the drive modes

   If your vehicle is fitted with factory valves, the exhaust keeps their existing control. The drive modes decide, just as they did from the factory, with no added electronics.

   On the highway, with the valves closed, the gases pass through the muffler, designed for cruising: no drone at a steady speed. You open up when you feel like it, not when the highway decides for you. More about exhaust drone.

The Rog sound signature on the S65 Coupé's V12

A V12 has a sound all its own: denser than a V8, smoother too, with a tone reminiscent of the great exotic sports cars. On the S65 C217, the factory exhaust reduces it to a muffled murmur, in keeping with the image of absolute discretion the brand was after.

With the Rog exhaust and the valves open, the V12 lets out a deep rumble on start-up, then a smooth, continuous song under every acceleration. With the valves closed, the S65 regains the calm of a lounge on wheels, for travelling far without the slightest unwanted noise.

From order to fitting

1. Configuration

   You choose your exhaust and enter your VIN, found in box E of your registration document or at the base of the windshield.

2. Check

   We check compatibility with your VIN before manufacturing begins.

3. Manufacturing

   Your exhaust is made to order, for your car.

4. Delivery

   Free, insured to your door, tracked from dispatch.

5. Fitting

   No welding or cutting: clamps and gaskets, around two hours on a lift.

20 working days from order confirmation to delivery

Warranty

3 years, parts and workmanship, from the date of purchase

Payment

Card, PayPal or bank transfer

Installation

At the garage of your choice

What about the manufacturer's warranty on your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo? In Europe, a manufacturer cannot refuse warranty cover simply because a part from another brand has been fitted: it has to prove that the fault was caused by that part. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.

Our recommendations for your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo

• Daily driving

  • Stainless
  • Cat-back only
  • Rog remote

  Your Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves whenever you decide.

  View this configuration

• Fast road

  • Titanium
  • 200-cell downpipe
  • ECU remap

  More sound, more breathing, and a car you can still present at vehicle inspection.

  View this configuration

• Track

  • Titanium
  • Decat downpipe
  • Stage 2

  The most extreme configuration, for track use only.

  View this configuration

And if you are still unsure, that is perfectly normal: it is exactly why we answer every message.

Mercedes-AMG S65 C217 / A217 V12 biturbo: your questions

Further reading

• All Mercedes-AMG exhaust systems
• Mercedes-AMG S63 C217 / A217 4.0 V8 biturbo
• Mercedes-AMG S63 C217 / A217 5.5 V8 biturbo
• Mercedes-AMG S65 W222 / V222 6.0 V12 biturbo
• Stage 2: the role of the downpipe
• How to pass vehicle inspection with a modified exhaust
• Pop & Bang: how it works, and is it risky?
• The 28 brands we cover