2018-2023 Mercedes-AMG E63 Exhaust: Akrapovic vs AWE

A Mercedes-AMG E63 exhaust upgrade is the single most transformative modification you can make to the W213 super-sedan. The factory system on the 2018-2023 E63 and E63 S already sounds serious, but it holds the hand-built 4.0L twin-turbo V8 back on both weight and voice. Swap it and you unlock the raw, race-bred character AMG engineers dialed down for the street. In this comparison we put the two systems worth buying head-to-head — the titanium Akrapovic Evolution Line and the valved AWE Tuning SwitchPath — with real specs, materials, and pricing so you can pick the right one the first time.

The E63 W213: What You Are Upgrading

The 2018-2023 Mercedes-AMG E63 (chassis code W213) is powered by the hand-assembled M177 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. In standard E63 trim it makes 563 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque; the E63 S bumps that to 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft, enough to launch the roughly 4,500 lb sedan from 0-60 mph in a Mercedes-claimed 3.3 seconds. Both use the fully variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system and a 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT gearbox.

That much output deserves an exhaust that can keep up. The factory unit is heavy stainless steel with electronically controlled sound flaps that stay conservative in the default drive modes. An aftermarket cat-back replaces everything from the catalytic converters back — the mid-pipes, mufflers, and tips — to cut weight, sharpen response, and let the twin-turbo V8 actually breathe. Because this is a turbocharged engine, most of the horsepower is made at the turbos, so a cat-back frees only a few peak horsepower; the real payoff is weight, throttle sound, and a dramatically more aggressive note.

Akrapovic Evolution Line titanium cat-back for the W213 E63.

E63 W213 Exhaust Systems Compared

Here is how the three E63 (W213) cat-back options we stock stack up. The two Akrapovic listings share the same titanium core — the difference is whether the high-gloss carbon fiber tail-pipe set is bundled in. The AWE Tuning SwitchPath is a 304 stainless system with its own driver-controlled valve. All prices are current at NLP Performance.

Akrapovic Evolution Line Titanium (Top Pick)

Akrapovic

Evolution Line (Titanium) & Link Pipe w/ Gloss Carbon Tips

$11,209.28

Part Number	MTP-ME/T/5H-5-G
Fitment	2018-2023 E63 / E63 S (W213)
Material	Titanium

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The Evolution Line is the top rung of Akrapovic’s ladder, and this bundle is the complete E63 package: the titanium Evolution cat-back (part MTP-ME/T/5H), the titanium Evolution link-pipe set (E-ME/T/5), and the high-gloss carbon fiber tail-pipe set (TP-CT/46/G). Every gas-carrying pipe is aerospace-grade titanium, a metal roughly 40% lighter than the stainless steel used in the factory system by volume. On a car that already tips the scales near 4,500 lb, shaving unsprung and rear-biased weight this far back sharpens the way the E63 changes direction.

Sound is where Akrapovic earns its reputation. The Evolution Line is tuned to retain the car’s factory-controlled sound flaps, so it stays civil in Comfort and turns savage in Sport Plus and Race — a deeper, drier, more metallic bark than the OEM system, with sharper overrun crackle. The gloss carbon tips are the visual signature, and each Evolution system ships with the Akrapovic authenticity documentation collectors care about.

Titanium mufflers and mandrel-bent pipework on the Evolution Line.

Akrapovic Evolution Line Cat-Back (No Tips)

Akrapovic

Evolution Line Cat-Back (Titanium, w/o Tips)

$6,196.03

Part Number	MTP-ME/T/5H
Fitment	2018-2023 E63 / E63 S (W213)
Material	Titanium

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This is the identical titanium Evolution cat-back core — same pipework, same mufflers, same Akrapovic sound tuning — sold without the tail-pipe set so you can choose your own finish or reuse a set you already own. At $6,196.03 it is more than $5,000 cheaper than the fully bundled kit, which makes it the smart buy if you want the Akrapovic acoustic signature and titanium weight savings but are not paying a premium specifically for the gloss carbon tips.

Keep in mind the link-pipe set and tips are separate line items on this configuration, so factor those into your budget if you want the full Evolution look. For most E63 owners chasing the Akrapovic note, the cat-back plus a titanium tip set still lands well under the complete carbon-tip bundle.

AWE Tuning SwitchPath (Value Pick)

AWE Tuning

SwitchPath Exhaust — W213 E63/S (Sedan/Wagon)

$4,315.00

Part Number	3025-31044
Fitment	2018-2020 E63 / E63 S Sedan & Wagon
Material	304L Stainless

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AWE Tuning’s SwitchPath is the driver’s-choice option. Instead of relying only on the AMG drive-mode flaps, SwitchPath adds AWE’s own electronic valve that you toggle between a fully open Track path and a quiet Touring path — on demand, from the included SwitchPath Remote or an integrated switch, independent of which drive mode you are in. Cruise silent on the highway, then open it up at the touch of a button.

It is hand-built in Macedonia, Ohio from 304L stainless steel and fits both the E63 and E63 S in sedan and wagon body styles. AWE backs it with the No Check Engine Light Guarantee, so a properly installed system will not throw an exhaust-related CEL. At $4,315.00 it is the most affordable path to a genuinely engineered, drone-managed E63 exhaust with real dual-mode control.

AWE’s driver-controlled SwitchPath valve in the 304 stainless system.

SwitchPath toggles between an open Track path and a quiet Touring path.

Titanium vs Stainless: Which Material Wins?

Titanium is the premium exhaust material, and it wins on weight: at roughly 4.4 g/cm³ versus about 7.9 g/cm³ for stainless steel, titanium is close to 40% lighter for the same pipe. It also resists corrosion superbly and develops the blue-gold heat tint enthusiasts prize. That is why the Akrapovic Evolution Line commands its price — you are buying the lightest, most exotic system available for the W213.

304L stainless steel, as used in the AWE SwitchPath, is the workhorse of quality aftermarket exhausts: highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and far less costly to fabricate. You give up some weight savings, but you gain AWE’s SwitchPath valve technology and a lower price. If outright lightness and exotic finish top your list, go titanium; if you want on-demand sound control and the best dollar-per-decibel value, the stainless AWE makes the stronger case.

Titanium pipework is close to 40% lighter than stainless for the same section.

Installation, Fitment and Legality

All three systems are direct-fit, bolt-on cat-back replacements engineered specifically for the W213 E63 — no cutting or welding required. Both use the factory hangers and connect to the OEM catalytic-converter section. Plan on a couple of hours on a lift for a clean install; our fitment team in Tampa, FL can handle it or ship your system fast with everything you need to bolt it on at home.

On legality: the AWE SwitchPath is a cat-back that leaves the factory catalytic converters in place. The bundled Akrapovic Evolution Line kit is flagged non-CARB, meaning it is intended for off-road and track use in California and other CARB states — always confirm your local emissions rules before ordering. If avoiding an exhaust check-engine light is a priority, AWE’s No CEL Guarantee is the most reassuring option in this group.

Direct-fit, bolt-on design uses the factory hangers on the W213.

Which E63 W213 Exhaust Should You Buy?

If budget is no object and you want the definitive statement piece, buy the Akrapovic Evolution Line titanium kit with gloss carbon tips at $11,209.28. It is the lightest system in this comparison, wears the most exotic finish, and delivers the sharpest, most race-derived note through the factory-controlled valve. For an E63 S owner building a no-compromise car, nothing else here matches it on material or presentation.

If you love the Akrapovic sound but not the sticker, the $6,196.03 Evolution Line cat-back gives you the identical titanium core and acoustic tuning, then lets you add tips on your own terms and save over $5,000. And if you prioritize everyday drivability, the $4,315.00 AWE Tuning SwitchPath is the smart pick: its driver-selectable valve keeps the peace on a commute and unleashes the twin-turbo V8 at the push of a button, all backed by the No Check Engine Light Guarantee. For most daily-driven E63s, that blend of value and on-demand control is the sweet spot.