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Mercedes E 53 AMG W213: waking up the straight-six, the complete guide

11 min read

Mercedes E 53 AMG W213: waking up the straight-six, the complete guide

The E 53 is AMG's sensible grand tourer: electrified straight-six, total comfort, efficiency. Its sound is utterly discreet, and many owners would like to be able to adjust it. That is precisely what our valves are for. Here you will find everything that matters before configuring the exhaust for your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo: catalytic converter, material, valves, tips and vehicle inspection.

Written by ROG Motorsport · Updated

ROG valved exhaust system for Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo

Your ROG exhaust for the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo

From €2,490 in stainless steel, €2,990 in titanium

Configure my exhaust
Vehicles
Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 3.0 inline-six turbo (2020-2023)
Engine
435 hp · 520 Nm
Exhaust
Valved cat-back, built for your VIN
Material
304 stainless steel or titanium
Front section
Optional: catted downpipe 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-Benz E300 W213 2.0 turbo, Mercedes-AMG E43 W213 3.0 V6 biturbo, Mercedes-AMG E63 / E63 S W213 4.0 V8 biturbo, Mercedes-Benz CLS450 C257 3.0 inline-six turbo 4MATIC.

The AMG electrified straight-six: technology, in silence

The electrified 3.0 turbo straight-six in your E 53 AMG W213 is a technological gem: electric compressor, 48V starter-generator, instant power at all revs. AMG calibrated it for hushed efficiency, and the factory exhaust takes that logic all the way to complete sonic anonymity. A straight-six of this calibre deserves a voice.

The ROG exhaust gives it that voice: the deep, silky tone typical of straight-sixes, with body under load and crisp crackles on the overrun. With the valves closed, the factory refinement is fully preserved.

What makes up the exhaust on your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo

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

How the exhaust system is laid out From left to right: the engine, the front section, then the ROG cat-back with its valved silencer and tips.Front sectionROG cat-back: the complete exhaustEngine
Valves closed: the silencer does its work and the sound stays discreet.Valves open: the direct path opens up and the engine finds its full voice.Schematic only; the actual routing depends on the vehicle.

The cat-back is the complete exhaust system

It is everything you can see under your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo, from the outlet of the front section to the tips: pipes, silencer, valves. This is the part where most of our research and development goes: it is what shapes the sound, and it is enough on its own to transform the car.

The front section, where the catalytic converter sits

On your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo, it is the downpipe, the pipe leading from the turbo. It contains the factory catalytic converter: the second restriction in the exhaust, after the silencer. Replacing it is optional: it frees up the flow, and it is the ECU remap that turns that into horsepower.

Your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo in figures

An exhaust system is judged first by ear and on the scales. The extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap.

Power

Factory435 hp

Torque

Factory520 Nm

Published factory and Stage 2 figures.

The ROG exhaust works with or without an ECU remap. To get the full potential out of your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo, we advise taking it to an approved tuning centre afterwards.

To be completely transparent: the exhaust alone improves breathing and provides the sound. The significant gains come with Stage 2, the exhaust plus an ECU remap at an approved tuning centre. The electrified straight-six responds well, and the figures above stay within its reliability range.

Configuring your exhaust, step by step

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

  1. Step 1 of 4: Material: stainless steel or titanium

    For your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo, 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 safe bet: strong, corrosion-proof, with a full, rounded sound. The best value for money.

    Titanium

    €2,990

    Weight
    Around 40% lighter
    Sound
    Metallic, crystal-clear

    It makes the exhaust around 40% lighter for the same design. Its note is more metallic and clearer higher up the rev range, and its finish ranges from brushed to blued.

    No worries on durability: 304 stainless steel shrugs off winter road salt and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.

  2. Step 2 of 4: Front section: downpipe and catalytic converter

    Optional: the downpipe on your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo, with its catalytic converter. Each option is placed on our sound scale of 0 to 10, valves open, with the factory exhaust at 3.

    Cat-back only

    Included

    7/10

    Factory emissions control

    The factory front section stays in place. It is already a complete transformation, and the choice of many of our customers.

    200-cell sports catalytic converter

    +€630

    8/10

    Road use and inspection

    More flow, emissions control retained: the right option for road use.

    100-cell sports catalytic converter

    +€630

    9/10

    Inspection: depends on local rules

    More open than the 200-cell: the sound hardens at high revs and emissions control is reduced.

    Decat

    +€400

    10/10

    Track use

    Flow with no filter at all: the rawest sound and the sharpest response.

    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 catalytic converter it can come on, because the rear oxygen sensor reads less cleaning. Nothing mechanical is wrong: an ECU remap or a session with a diagnostic tool sorts it out. Without a catalytic converter, you will need an ECU remap. If it happens to you, call us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing vehicle inspection with a sports exhaust.

  3. Step 3 of 4: Valves: ROG remote or factory control

    Two ways to control the valves on your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo.

    ROG remote

    ROG remote for opening and closing the valves

    A discreet control unit in the boot and a two-button remote: you open and close whenever you like, independently of the drive modes. For fitting, we support you by phone or by email.

    Factory control

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

    For vehicles fitted with factory valves: the exhaust connects to their control and the drive modes stay in charge, with no extra control unit.

    At 130 km/h, many sports exhausts drone. Here, with the valves closed, the exhaust flows through the silencer and stays composed when cruising; open, it makes itself heard when you choose. More about exhaust drone.

  4. Step 4 of 4: Tips: the visual signature

    Match the tips to the style of your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo, 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
    Exhaust tips for Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo

The ROG sound signature on the straight-six

Our exhaust reveals the natural timbre of the straight-six: deep, silky and smooth, with body under load and crisp crackles on the overrun with the valves open. With the valves closed, the factory silence is fully preserved, true to the car's grand touring spirit.

Valves open and valves closed: the gas path through the ROG silencer
Valves open, valves closed: the path the gases take through the silencer.

From order to fitting

  1. Configuration

    You configure the exhaust and enter the VIN from box E of your registration document or from the base of the windscreen.

  2. Check

    Your VIN is checked before any manufacturing begins.

  3. Manufacturing

    The exhaust is produced to order, for your vehicle.

  4. Delivery

    Free in Europe, insured parcel, tracking number from dispatch.

  5. Fitting

    Around two hours in the workshop, with no welding or cutting.

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

Is your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo still under the manufacturer's warranty? In Europe, the manufacturer cannot refuse cover simply because a part from another brand has been fitted: it is up to the manufacturer to prove that the fault comes from that part. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.

Our recommendations for your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo

  • Daily driving

    €2,490

    • Stainless
    • Cat-back only
    • ROG remote

    Your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves whenever you decide.

    View this configuration
  • Fast road

    €3,620

    • Titanium
    • 200-cell downpipe
    • ECU remap

    The best of both worlds: character and breathing, with emissions control retained.

    View this configuration
  • Track

    €3,390

    • Titanium
    • Decat downpipe
    • Stage 2

    The most extreme configuration, for track use only.

    View this configuration

Every Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo has its own story and its own use: if none of these profiles sounds like you, let's talk.

Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo: your questions

How much power does an exhaust add on the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo?

As standard, the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo produces 435 hp and 520 Nm. The exhaust alone acts first on sound, breathing and weight; the extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap.

Stainless steel or titanium: which material for the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo?

For the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo, the ROG exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium. Stainless steel is the safe bet, with a full sound; titanium makes the exhaust around 40% lighter and gives a more metallic note higher up the rev range.

Do you need to replace the catalytic converter on the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo?

It is not compulsory. The cat-back alone is enough to change the character of the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo. Replacing the downpipe is how you go further, together with an ECU remap: 200 cells for the road, 100 cells or decat for more radical use.

Will a ROG exhaust pass vehicle inspection on the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo?

The cat-back only and the 200-cell converter both retain emissions control: present the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo with the valves closed. With the 100-cell, acceptance at the emissions test depends on the car and local rules; the decat is intended for track use.

How is the ROG exhaust fitted on the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo?

With clamps and gaskets, no welding or cutting: around two hours in the workshop for a well-equipped mechanic. The exhaust is built to the VIN of your Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo.

What price and lead time for a ROG exhaust on the Mercedes-AMG E53 W213 inline-six turbo?

From €2,490 to €3,620 depending on the configuration. Allow 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery. Delivery is free and the exhaust comes with 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 E53 W213 inline-six turbo. 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.

ROG is a French brand, and the way we work comes down to one idea: an exhaust system should be sold with advice, not just a product page. More than 500 exhaust systems fitted and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.

Further reading