Mercedes Benz C63 SE Performance W206 Downpipe/exhaust options or ECU unlock
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Joined: Mar 2025
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Brabus G700 2020, C63se 2024, Urus Mansory Venatus 21
Mercedes Benz C63 SE Performance W206 Downpipe/exhaust options or ECU unlock
Hello fellow AMG enthusiasts,
First I want to start with I know that most people think it is a shame that the V8 has been replaced by the M139 engine of the A class. I thought it was a shame too but after driving the car I started to appreciate it more. I use the car next to my other cars as a daily driver and I like it very much, the car is economical and faster than the older C63s it also handles well on the road. In fact, the new C63se is faster than most cars I have driven and own which surprises me, I have had quite a few cars from Mercedes Benz AMG. The only thing that is missing is a bit more sound as a daily driver, only to come a bit closer to the A45/CLA 45 sound.
My question is has anyone tried a different exhaust or a downpipe with an ECU unlock yet? So far I have only found one option where the ECU tune is not necessary and will keep warranty and that is a downpipe from Manhart. I have a European car so with OPF, Manhart claims they can make the downpipe so that there is no CEL present.
I would like to know if there is anyone else with another option for the OPF, i wouldn’t mind losing my warranty and tuning the ecu so that a catless downpipe can be installed if there has been someone who unlocked it already.
First I want to start with I know that most people think it is a shame that the V8 has been replaced by the M139 engine of the A class. I thought it was a shame too but after driving the car I started to appreciate it more. I use the car next to my other cars as a daily driver and I like it very much, the car is economical and faster than the older C63s it also handles well on the road. In fact, the new C63se is faster than most cars I have driven and own which surprises me, I have had quite a few cars from Mercedes Benz AMG. The only thing that is missing is a bit more sound as a daily driver, only to come a bit closer to the A45/CLA 45 sound.
My question is has anyone tried a different exhaust or a downpipe with an ECU unlock yet? So far I have only found one option where the ECU tune is not necessary and will keep warranty and that is a downpipe from Manhart. I have a European car so with OPF, Manhart claims they can make the downpipe so that there is no CEL present.
I would like to know if there is anyone else with another option for the OPF, i wouldn’t mind losing my warranty and tuning the ecu so that a catless downpipe can be installed if there has been someone who unlocked it already.
Last edited by Greenlight; Mar 1, 2025 at 08:39 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 37
Likes: 14
From: Indiana
AMG C63 S E Performance (2024)
Hello fellow AMG enthusiasts,
First I want to start with I know that most people think it is a shame that the V8 has been replaced by the M139 engine of the A class. I thought it was a shame too but after driving the car I started to appreciate it more. I use the car next to my other cars as a daily driver and I like it very much, the car is economical and faster than the older C63s it also handles well on the road. In fact, the new C63se is faster than most cars I have driven and own which surprises me, I have had quite a few cars from Mercedes Benz AMG. The only thing that is missing is a bit more sound as a daily driver, only to come a bit closer to the A45/CLA 45 sound.
My question is has anyone tried a different exhaust or a downpipe with an ECU unlock yet? So far I have only found one option where the ECU tune is not necessary and will keep warranty and that is a downpipe from Manhart. I have a European car so with OPF, Manhart claims they can make the downpipe so that there is no CEL present.
I would like to know if there is anyone else with another option for the OPF, i wouldn’t mind losing my warranty and tuning the ecu so that a catless downpipe can be installed if there has been someone who unlocked it already.
First I want to start with I know that most people think it is a shame that the V8 has been replaced by the M139 engine of the A class. I thought it was a shame too but after driving the car I started to appreciate it more. I use the car next to my other cars as a daily driver and I like it very much, the car is economical and faster than the older C63s it also handles well on the road. In fact, the new C63se is faster than most cars I have driven and own which surprises me, I have had quite a few cars from Mercedes Benz AMG. The only thing that is missing is a bit more sound as a daily driver, only to come a bit closer to the A45/CLA 45 sound.
My question is has anyone tried a different exhaust or a downpipe with an ECU unlock yet? So far I have only found one option where the ECU tune is not necessary and will keep warranty and that is a downpipe from Manhart. I have a European car so with OPF, Manhart claims they can make the downpipe so that there is no CEL present.
I would like to know if there is anyone else with another option for the OPF, i wouldn’t mind losing my warranty and tuning the ecu so that a catless downpipe can be installed if there has been someone who unlocked it already.
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Brabus G700 2020, C63se 2024, Urus Mansory Venatus 21
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C43 AMG S206
Hi, a month ago, I installed an Akrapovič cat-back exhaust system, and the improvement in sound is significant. I also wanted to install a catless downpipe, but it would have been too loud. The advantage is a noticeable power increase without ECU tuning, and there’s no risk of losing the warranty on the engine, turbo, etc.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2025
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Brabus G700 2020, C63se 2024, Urus Mansory Venatus 21
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Joined: Dec 2024
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2024 AMG C63 SE
Hi, a month ago, I installed an Akrapovič cat-back exhaust system, and the improvement in sound is significant. I also wanted to install a catless downpipe, but it would have been too loud. The advantage is a noticeable power increase without ECU tuning, and there’s no risk of losing the warranty on the engine, turbo, etc.
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Joined: May 2018
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From: Toronto, Ontario
2008 C300, 2015 CLA 45 AMG, 2018 SLC 300, 2019 C43 AMG coupe, 2024 AMG C63SE , 2026 AMG GT55
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 37
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From: Indiana
AMG C63 S E Performance (2024)
Hi, a month ago, I installed an Akrapovič cat-back exhaust system, and the improvement in sound is significant. I also wanted to install a catless downpipe, but it would have been too loud. The advantage is a noticeable power increase without ECU tuning, and there’s no risk of losing the warranty on the engine, turbo, etc.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 599
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From: Toronto, Ontario
2008 C300, 2015 CLA 45 AMG, 2018 SLC 300, 2019 C43 AMG coupe, 2024 AMG C63SE , 2026 AMG GT55
Thanks again
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C43 AMG S206
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Joined: Jan 2025
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From: Indiana
AMG C63 S E Performance (2024)
i remember I had my exhaust guy up in rhode island mix and match a bunch of stuff for me before getting the perfect sound on my CTS-V back in the day.
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C43 AMG S206
Thanks for the video! Any chance you could do a cold start video like @docandrew above? Not sure how much this sounds different from stock. I’m sure it does as you said it’s very loud, but the resonator delete might just do the trick for a deeper rumble from his video and it’s only a couple hundred bucks.
i remember I had my exhaust guy up in rhode island mix and match a bunch of stuff for me before getting the perfect sound on my CTS-V back in the day.
i remember I had my exhaust guy up in rhode island mix and match a bunch of stuff for me before getting the perfect sound on my CTS-V back in the day.
Last edited by S206_Akrapovic; Apr 23, 2025 at 07:16 AM.
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From my experience, it's very difficult to compare the sound of an exhaust system just from a recording. I first heard this exhaust system from a recording on the official Akrapovič website, and only later in person—and the difference is striking.
https://youtu.be/vtfGqgz_oL8?si=g60t4sCypFE_-_uk
https://youtu.be/vtfGqgz_oL8?si=g60t4sCypFE_-_uk
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From: Houston / NYC
2024 C63 S
https://redstarexhaustusa.com/merced...w206-downpipes
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I installed this from Red Star, see link below. Not cheap but distinct increase in power and sound. Very happy, great quality.
https://redstarexhaustusa.com/merced...w206-downpipes
https://redstarexhaustusa.com/merced...w206-downpipes
