Best AMG E63 (W213) Exhaust Systems: 2018-2020 Guide

The Mercedes-AMG E63 (W213) is one of the fastest four-doors ever built, and the fastest way to unlock its character is a better exhaust. Its hand-assembled M177 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 makes up to 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, yet the factory system muffles most of that hot-vee snarl. Upgrading the exhaust on your E63 W213 wakes up the soundtrack, sheds weight from the rear axle, and lets those turbos breathe. In this buyer's guide we compare the best cat-back systems, link pipes, tips, and intake upgrades in stock at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, with real prices, part numbers, and fitment.

Why Upgrade the E63 W213 Exhaust?

Upgrading the E63 W213 exhaust is primarily about sound, weight, and presentation — not raw horsepower. The M177 4.0L biturbo V8 is already turbocharged, so a cat-back exhaust typically frees only a handful of horsepower on its own; the real transformation is a deeper, louder AMG V8 note and pounds of weight removed from behind the rear axle. On a car that weighs roughly 4,500 lbs, trimming exhaust mass low and rearward sharpens throttle response and rotation.

The factory E63 exhaust uses restrictive OEM stainless piping and heavy muffler cans. Swapping to a titanium or high-flow stainless cat-back opens the top-end note, adds pops and crackles on the overrun, and — in the case of valved systems — lets you choose between civilized commuting and full-volume theater. If you want more actual power, the exhaust is step one of a package that also includes downpipes and an ECU tune. For most owners in our Tampa shop, though, the exhaust alone is the single most satisfying modification you can make to a W213 E63.

The E63 W213 Powertrain: What You Are Working With

The Mercedes-AMG E63 (W213) is powered by the M177 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, mounted with its two turbochargers inside the vee ("hot-vee" layout) for faster response. In E63 S form it produces 603 horsepower (612 PS) and 627 lb-ft of torque; the standard E63 makes 563 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. Power reaches all four wheels through AMG's 9-speed Speedshift MCT transmission and the fully variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which includes a rear-wheel-drive Drift Mode. The E63 S sprints from 0-60 mph in about 3.3 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 186 mph with the AMG Driver's Package.

This generation was sold as both a sedan and the S213 wagon (estate), and every exhaust in this guide is engineered to fit both body styles. Because the M177 already breathes through twin turbos, the goal of an exhaust upgrade is to reduce back pressure, cut weight, and unleash the V8 voice that the factory muffled to meet noise regulations.

Best E63 W213 Exhaust Systems & Upgrades Compared

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the top E63 W213 exhaust and breathing upgrades in stock at NLP Performance. The two full cat-back systems — Akrapovic and AWE — are the headliners; the link pipes, carbon tips, and drop-in filter let you build the setup in stages.

Akrapovic Evolution Line Cat-Back (Titanium) — Top Pick

The Akrapovic Evolution Line is the best E63 W213 exhaust for owners who want the loudest, lightest, most exotic setup available. It is built entirely from aerospace-grade titanium, a material roughly 40% lighter than the 304 stainless steel used in most performance exhausts, so it dramatically cuts weight from the rear of the car while resisting corrosion and discoloration. Akrapovic tunes each Evolution Line system on the dyno and in the sound lab, and the result is a deeper, harder-edged AMG V8 voice with sharper overrun crackle than any factory setting can produce.

One important note: this cat-back is sold "without tips," meaning it is designed to be finished with a separate Akrapovic tail pipe set (carbon or titanium). That modularity lets you choose your exact tip style, and it is why serious E63 owners often pair the Evolution Line cat-back with the Evolution link pipes and carbon tail pipes for a complete, concours-level titanium system.

AWE SwitchPath Cat-Back — Valved Sound on Demand

The AWE SwitchPath is the best E63 W213 exhaust for drivers who want to flip between a quiet daily commute and a loud track roar at the push of a button. Built from durable 304 stainless steel, the SwitchPath uses a valved design controlled by the AWE SwitchPath Remote, so you can open or close the exhaust independently of the car's drive mode. That means a whisper-quiet cold start in your neighborhood and full AMG volume on demand — something a fixed system cannot do.

This version is engineered for W213 E63 and E63 S cars equipped with the factory Dynamic Performance Exhaust (DPE), and it fits both sedan and wagon. Every AWE exhaust is backed by AWE's No Check Engine Light Guarantee, so it installs cleanly without triggering fault codes. At $4,315.00 (down from an MSRP of $4,542.11), it undercuts the Akrapovic titanium system by roughly $1,880 while adding the flexibility of on-demand sound.

Akrapovic Evolution Link Pipes & Carbon Tail Pipes

To build a complete Akrapovic titanium exhaust for your E63 W213, add the Evolution Line link pipe set and a tail pipe set to the cat-back. The Evolution link pipes are titanium high-flow mid-pipes that further reduce restriction and raise volume; they fit 2017-2020 Mercedes-AMG E63 sedan and S213 wagon. Note that Akrapovic link pipes cannot ship to California due to CARB regulations, so confirm your state before ordering.

The Evolution tail pipe set in high-gloss carbon fiber is what finishes the "without tips" cat-back, giving the rear of the E63 a genuine motorsport look. Together, these two pieces turn the Evolution Line cat-back into a fully realized, feather-light titanium and carbon system.

K&N Drop-In Filter: The Easy Breathing Upgrade

The K&N 33-3140 drop-in air filter is the best budget upgrade for the E63 W213, priced at just $122.25. It replaces the factory paper filter in your OEM airbox with a washable, reusable oiled-cotton element that is engineered to improve airflow and add a small increase in horsepower over a dirty stock filter. Because it drops straight into the factory box, installation takes minutes and requires no tuning. K&N backs it with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty, and it fits 2017-2020 E63 4.0L V8 models.

How to Choose the Right E63 Exhaust

Choose your E63 W213 exhaust based on how you drive and how much sound control you want. Buy the Akrapovic Evolution Line if you want the lightest, loudest, most exotic titanium system and you do not need a quiet mode. Buy the AWE SwitchPath if you want to keep the peace on early-morning starts but still summon full AMG volume with a remote — and save nearly $1,880 in the process. If you are building the ultimate setup, stack the Akrapovic cat-back with the Evolution link pipes and carbon tail pipes.

Working with a tighter budget? Start with the K&N drop-in filter and add a cat-back later. Whatever path you choose, our team at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL can confirm fitment for your exact E63 or E63 S, sedan or wagon, and help you plan a staged build. Browse the full performance exhaust collection to compare every option in stock.