Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8: the M156 in SUV clothing, the exhaust guide
The ML63 W164 brought one of AMG's most memorable naturally aspirated V8s into a family SUV. This 6.2-litre M156 is eager to rev, and the factory exhaust works to hold it back, to the point of making you forget what lies under the bonnet. Follow this guide to put together the ROG valved exhaust that will finally let your ML63 speak: material, tips, valve control and installation.
Written by ROG Motorsport · Updated
Your ROG exhaust for the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8
From €2,490 in stainless steel, €2,990 in titanium
Configure my exhaust- Vehicles
- Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 6.2 V8 (2007-2011)
- Engine
- M156 · 510 hp · 630 Nm
- Exhaust
- Valved cat-back, built for your VIN
- Material
- 304 stainless steel or titanium
- Front section
- Optional: catted front pipes with 200 or 100 cells, or decat
- Valves
- ROG remote, or factory control if your vehicle has it
- Lead time
- 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts and workmanship
Closely related versions have their own guide: Mercedes-AMG C63 W204 saloon 6.2 V8 M156.
The M156: the first V8 designed entirely by AMG
The M156 is a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8, the first engine designed entirely by AMG, hand-built in Affalterbach on the "one man, one engine" principle. In the ML63 W164, it produces 510 hp and 630 Nm, sent to all four wheels. Without forced induction, it responds instantly and revs with an appetite rare for such a large displacement, giving the SUV a very sporty temperament.
On a naturally aspirated engine of this kind, the exhaust carries much of the character: it accompanies the climb through the revs and lets you hear the displacement. The ML63's factory exhaust does the opposite and sets out to contain the V8. The ROG valved exhaust gives it back its freedom of expression whenever you wish, and keeps the comfort of a large SUV with the valves closed, with the ECU left as standard.
How the exhaust on your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8 is put together
An exhaust system is best understood in two parts. Here is what each one does, and what ROG replaces.
The cat-back is the complete exhaust system
It is everything you can see under your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, from the outlet of the front section to the tips: pipes, silencers, valves. This is where our research and development is focused, and it is what shapes the sound. On its own, it changes the character of the car.
The front section, where the catalytic converter sits
On your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, it is the front pipes, just after the manifolds. They contain the factory catalytic converter: the second restriction in the exhaust, after the silencer. Replacing this part is optional: it frees up the flow, and an ECU remap is what turns that into power.
The figures for your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8
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.
Power
Torque
Published factory and Stage 2 figures.
Our exhaust systems work perfectly with or without an ECU remap. On your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, however, we recommend having one done at an approved tuning centre: that is what lets the engine reach its full potential.
Being naturally aspirated, the M156 does not lend itself to the same gains as a turbo engine: a Stage 2 remap refines the mapping and cylinder filling, for a more modest result. The ROG exhaust complements it, giving that extra liveliness a sound to match.
Configuring your exhaust, step by step
4 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.
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Step 1 of 4: Material: stainless steel or titanium
For your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, the exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium.
304 stainless steel
2 490 €
- 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
2 990 €
- 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.
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Step 2 of 4: Front section: front pipes and catalytic converter
Optional: the front pipes on your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, with their catalytic converter. Sound intensity is rated on our scale of 0 to 10, valves open; the factory exhaust scores 3.
Cat-back only
Included
7/10Factory 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
+1 280 €
8/10Road use and French MOT
Emissions control is still very much there, and flow improves noticeably. The choice for everyday driving.
100-cell sports catalytic converter
+1 280 €
9/10French MOT pass not guaranteed
Half as many cells: flow comes close to a decat and the sound gains real aggression at high revs.
Decat
+870 €
10/10Track use only
No emissions control: maximum flow, raw sound, the sharpest revving.
Sound intensity, on a scale of 0 to 10
- 10/10Decat front pipes + ROG cat-back
- 9/10100-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
- 8/10200-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
- 7/10ROG cat-back only, factory catalytic converter retained
- 3/10Factory exhaust, for comparison
Valves open. With the valves closed, every configuration becomes discreet again.
What about the engine warning light? A sports catalytic converter can trigger it: the oxygen sensor after the catalytic converter detects less cleaning than with the factory unit. It is not a fault. An ECU remap recalibrates the sensor, and a session with a diagnostic tool clears the fault code. With a decat, the warning light is almost certain without a remap. If it happens to you, call us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing the French MOT with a sports exhaust.
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Step 3 of 4: Valves: ROG remote or factory control
Two ways to control the valves on your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8.
ROG remote
A small control unit fits in the boot. 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 motorway, with the valves closed, the gases pass through the silencer, designed for cruising: no drone at a steady speed. You open up when you feel like it, not when the motorway decides for you. More about exhaust drone.
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Step 4 of 4: Tips: the visual signature
Match the tips to the style of your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, understated or bold. A particular finish in mind? Send us a photo and we will look at it together.
- Stainless steel
- Black
- Carbon
- Blued titanium
The ROG sound signature on the V8 M156
The M156 is one of the loudest V8s of its generation: a cavernous rumble at idle, then a roar that grows stronger with the revs. In the standard ML63, much of this show stays trapped in the exhaust, especially at moderate speeds, which is where you drive most of the time.
With the valves open, the ROG exhaust lets the M156 rumble from start-up and roar openly with every acceleration, with the fierce character that made its name. With the valves closed, the ML63 goes back to being a comfortable SUV, discreet in town and relaxing on the motorway.
From order to fitting
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Configuration
You choose your exhaust and enter your VIN, found in box E of your registration certificate.
-
Check
We check compatibility with your VIN before manufacturing begins.
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Manufacturing
Your exhaust is made to order, for your car.
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Delivery
Free in Europe, insured to your door, tracked from dispatch.
-
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 delivery
- Payment
- In instalments with Klarna
- Installation
- At the garage of your choice
What about the manufacturer's warranty on your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8? 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 ML63 W164 V8
-
Daily driving
2 490 €
- Stainless
- Cat-back only
- ROG remote
Your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8 stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves whenever you decide.
View this configuration -
Fast road
4 270 €
- Titanium
- 200-cell front pipes
- ECU remap
More sound, more breathing, and a car you can still present at the French MOT.
View this configuration -
Track
3 860 €
- Titanium
- Decat front pipes
- 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 the phone.
Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8: your questions
How much power does an exhaust system add to the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8?
As standard, the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8 produces 510 hp and 630 Nm. An exhaust system on its own mainly changes the sound, the breathing and the weight; power is gained with an ECU remap. With a Stage 2 build, the published figures reach 562 hp and 693 Nm.
Stainless steel or titanium: which material for the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8?
For the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, the ROG exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium. 304 stainless steel is tough, rounded in tone and the most popular choice; titanium is around 40% lighter for the same design, with a more metallic sound at high revs.
Do you need to replace the catalytic converter on the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8?
No. On the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, the cat-back alone carries the valves and already transforms the sound. Replacing the front pipes is an option for going further: with a 200-cell sports catalytic converter for the road, 100-cell or decat for more radical use, with an ECU remap to turn it into power.
Will the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8 pass the French MOT with a ROG exhaust?
With the cat-back only or the 200-cell sports catalytic converter, emissions control is retained: present the car with the valves closed. The 100-cell converter no longer guarantees a pass, and the decat fails the emissions test.
How is the ROG exhaust fitted to the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8?
No welding or cutting, using clamps and gaskets. Allow two hours on average for a well-equipped mechanic. The exhaust is built for your VIN, which guarantees compatibility before it ships.
What does a ROG exhaust cost for the Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8, and how long does it take?
From €2,490 to €4,270 depending on the configuration. Allow 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery. Free delivery in Europe and a 3-year warranty.
Unsure about your configuration? Give us a call.
Stainless steel or titanium, cat-back only or the complete system: the right choice depends on how you drive and on your Mercedes-AMG ML63 W164 V8. We take the time to talk it through before you order, with a reply within 24 hours. We are not here to sell to you over the phone: we help you choose, even if that means a cheaper option because it suits the way you drive.
RogMotorsport is a French brand built on one conviction: with an exhaust system, the support matters as much as the product. More than 500 exhaust systems fitted and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Further reading
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