Akrapovic Mercedes A35 Slip-On Exhaust Install Guide

The Akrapovic Slip-On Line for the 2019+ Mercedes-AMG A35 (W177) is a titanium rear-muffler exhaust that bolts to the factory mid-pipe, cuts weight off the tail of the car, and unlocks a deeper, higher-frequency note from the M260 2.0L turbo without touching the tune. This step-by-step guide walks through the full install — tools, torque, fitment, and the OPF/GPF version choice — and shows the bolt-ons that pair best once the exhaust is on.

What Is the Akrapovic Slip-On Line for the AMG A35?

The Akrapovic Slip-On Line is a direct-replacement rear muffler (the last section of the exhaust) for the Mercedes-AMG A35. It is built from lightweight, corrosion-resistant titanium and finished with a set of carbon-fiber tailpipe tips. Because it is a slip-on, it reuses the factory downpipe, catalytic converter, and mid-pipe — you are swapping only the muffler at the back of the car, which is what makes it one of the few genuinely bolt-on exhaust upgrades for the W177 platform.

The A35 runs the M260 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, rated at 306 PS (302 hp) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) through a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT and AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. That is enough to run 0–62 mph in about 4.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited 155 mph. The factory exhaust is deliberately quiet; the Akrapovic system opens that up with a cast, in-house-foundry sound valve that lets more of the engine’s character through on throttle and shifts while keeping cruising drone in check.

Tools and Parts You Need Before You Start

A slip-on install on the A35 is a light-duty mechanical job, but doing it cleanly means having the right gear staged before the car goes up. Nothing here is exotic — a basic metric socket set and a way to safely lift the rear of the car cover most of it.

• Vehicle lift, or a floor jack plus two rated jack stands / drive-on ramps
• Metric socket set and ratchet (typically 13 mm and 15 mm for exhaust hardware)
• Torque wrench (for even, spec clamp torque)
• Penetrating oil for the factory clamp and hanger points
• Rubber-tipped mallet and a trim/hanger removal tool
• Silicone spray or rubber lube for the exhaust isolator bushings
• Safety glasses and gloves — and let a hot exhaust cool fully first

Before you loosen a single bolt, confirm you have the correct version of the kit. The Akrapovic Slip-On Line is sold in separate OPF/GPF and non-OPF variants because European-market A35s carry a gasoline particulate filter that changes the exhaust geometry. This guide’s featured part (S-ME/TI/6H) is the OPF/GPF W177 hatchback kit. Fitting the wrong variant is the single most common mistake on this platform — verify your car’s configuration and match it to the part before you begin.

How to Install the Akrapovic A35 Slip-On (Step by Step)

Installing the Akrapovic Slip-On on the AMG A35 takes most DIYers two to three hours the first time. Work slowly at the dry-fit stage — getting the tips centered in the diffuser is 90% of a professional-looking result. Always defer to the printed Akrapovic fitting instructions in the box, which call out the exact clamp and, where applicable, trim points for your specific car.

Step 1: Raise the car and let the exhaust cool

Park on level ground, chock the front wheels, and raise the rear of the A35 on a lift or ramps. The rear muffler runs hot; give it at least 60–90 minutes to cool before you put hands on it. Spray the factory clamp joint and rubber hangers with penetrating oil so they release cleanly.

Step 2: Support and remove the factory rear muffler

Support the OE muffler with a jack or a helper so it cannot drop once it is free. Loosen the clamp at the slip joint where the factory muffler meets the mid-pipe. Then work the muffler off its rubber isolator hangers — a little silicone spray on the bushings makes this far easier. Set the heavy OE unit aside; you will immediately feel the titanium difference when you lift the Akrapovic piece.

Step 3: Transfer hangers and dry-fit the Akrapovic muffler

Slide the Akrapovic Slip-On onto the factory mid-pipe and hang it on the same isolator mounts. Leave every clamp finger-tight at this stage. Depending on your exact car, the instructions may specify a marked trim point on the OE pipe or a particular clamp orientation — follow them exactly rather than forcing the fit. A proper dry-fit lets the whole assembly float so you can align it in the next step.

Step 4: Align the tips in the diffuser and torque the clamps

This is the step that separates a clean install from a crooked one. Adjust the muffler fore/aft and rotate the tailpipes until the carbon tips sit evenly and centered in the rear diffuser with equal gaps side to side. Sight it from directly behind the car. Once you are happy, torque the clamps evenly and in stages to Akrapovic’s specified value (a typical slip-joint clamp lands around 15–20 lb-ft — confirm against the instructions). Even torque prevents leaks and keeps the tips from shifting.

Step 5: Start, warm up, and re-check

Lower the car, start it cold, and listen for any ticking that would indicate a leak at the clamp. Let it reach operating temperature, then shut it down, let it cool, and re-check clamp torque and hanger seating. Titanium and the surrounding parts settle after the first heat cycle, so a quick re-torque after your first drive is cheap insurance. Total hands-on time: about 2–3 hours.

OPF vs Non-OPF: Choosing the Right A35 Slip-On

Choosing the correct version comes down to whether your A35 has a gasoline particulate filter (OPF/GPF). European-market A35s built from roughly 2019 onward carry an OPF/GPF in the exhaust, and Akrapovic makes a filter-specific Slip-On (like the S-ME/TI/6H featured here) to match that geometry. Cars without the filter use the non-OPF variant. The two are not interchangeable, so the version you order has to match your car’s hardware, not just its model year.

There is also a body-style distinction. The hatchback wears the W177 chassis code, the sedan is V177, and the closely related CLA35 four-door coupe is C118 — all three share the same M260 drivetrain, but Akrapovic tailors the muffler and tip layout to each body. If you are unsure which kit your car needs, send us your VIN and we will confirm the exact fitment before you order. Getting this right up front avoids the return-and-reorder cycle that trips up most first-time A35 exhaust buyers.

Complete the Build: Best A35 Bolt-On Upgrades

The exhaust is the centerpiece, but three inexpensive bolt-ons round out the AMG A35 into a sharper daily driver. All three are wrench-in-an-afternoon jobs and pair naturally with the Slip-On Line: springs to drop the stance and body roll, higher-bite front pads to control the extra pace, and a reusable drop-in filter to keep the M260 breathing.

H&R Sport Springs — lower the stance

H&R’s progressive-rate Sport Springs drop the A35/CLA35 4MATIC roughly 1 inch (about 25–30 mm), tightening the wheel gap and cutting body roll while keeping ride quality livable. This set (P/N 28657-2) is the adaptive-damping-compatible version, so it works with AMG RIDE CONTROL. It reuses your factory dampers, which makes it the cheapest way to fix the A35’s slightly tall factory ride height.

EBC Yellowstuff Front Pads — more front bite

The A35’s 4MATIC pace deserves a front pad with more initial bite than the OE compound. EBC Yellowstuff (P/N DP42423R) is a fast-street and light-track pad that comes up to temperature quickly and resists fade during spirited canyon or track-day driving, all while staying streetable from cold. It is a direct-fit replacement for the front axle on the 2020+ A35 4MATIC.

K&N Drop-In Air Filter — reusable, higher flow

The simplest bolt-on of all: a K&N high-flow drop-in filter (P/N 33-3133) replaces the paper element in the factory airbox in about ten minutes with no tools. It is washable and reusable, backed by K&N’s limited warranty, and keeps the M260 breathing freely for the life of the car instead of being tossed at each service interval.

AMG A35 Bolt-On Upgrade Path at a Glance

Here is how the four upgrades stack up by job and budget. The Akrapovic exhaust is the headline mod; the springs, pads, and filter are the affordable supporting cast that make the A35 feel like a complete package.

Akrapovic A35 Slip-On: Pros and Cons