Building the E35 AMG: How We Turned a W211 E350 Into a Track-Ready Sleeper

From Daily Driver to Track-Ready Sleeper

What started life as a clean, daily-driven Mercedes-Benz E350 quickly evolved into the E35 AMG—a track-capable sleeper that can hold its own against far more purpose built sportscars. Over eight years, this car moved from comfortable daily to a finely tuned precision weapon, all while keeping its understated look.

The Beginning

We picked up the E350 with ~85,000 miles on the clock. It was spotless—back seats basically untouched—and it served perfectly as a daily. It stayed stock for a while, with the occasional spirited mountain run, until the suspension started to show its age.

Suspension & Wheel Upgrades

When the factory shocks needed servicing around 100,000 miles, we skipped OEM replacements and went straight for BC Racing BR Series coilovers. We added a camber kit, rear toe arms, and gave it a proper track alignment. The car initially ran 19×8.5 squared flow-form wheels on Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s, and its potential showed quickly on roads like Angeles Crest Highway. Constant damping tweaks turned it into a planted, responsive machine.

Breathing New Life Into the Engine

More grip meant we needed more power. We sourced the M014 SLK350 intake manifold + M273 E550 throttle body combo, paired them with high-flow drop-in filters, and an X-pipe, finishing it with a ECU reflash. Power climbed to 305 hp, shifted to the higher RPM range with a now perfectly linear power delivery—ideal for track driving where predictability lets you push to the limit with confidence. The E35 AMG became a precise track weapon, and because it doesn’t have excessive horsepower, you can use more of the available power more of the time without overwhelming the tires or upsetting balance mid-corner.

From Family Sedan to Track Weapon

Once we outdrove the Firehawks, we stepped up to 18×9.5 SL55 AMG rear wheels on all four corners wrapped in Falken RT660 semi-slicks. Braking received stainless steel braided lines and performance pads with upgraded fluid. The car was an absolute sleeper—embarrassing McLaren 720S and Porsche GT3 RS models more than once on ACH, and keeping pace with fully built Honda S2000s and Subaru WRXs through tight, technical, twisty roads.

Shop Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines (W211)

Lightweight & Track-Proven

Later, lightweight Aodhan AXX7 wheels shed 20+ lbs per corner. The E35 AMG clocked a best of 1:27 at Streets of Willow, proving that with the right setup, a W211 Mercedes E350 performance build can run with purpose-built sports cars.

Back to Daily Duty

After years of track duty, the car returned to daily service. It now runs Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+ all-seasons while retaining the coilovers and dialing back the alignment (less camber). Early in the build, the SLK350 M014 intake manifold and larger E550 M273 throttle body shifted the powerband noticeably higher in the rev range. This delivered stronger top-end performance but effectively reduced torque in the lower band—most noticeable between 1,500–3,000 rpm. On track, this wasn’t an issue, but in real-world mountain driving it meant the car would sometimes downshift into 6th just to crest steep gradients. 

We replaced the X-pipe with an H-pipe to re-balance the torque curve toward the lower rpm range. The change was immediate—on the same steep climb that previously required a downshift, the car could now hold 7th gear at just 2,000 rpm. The modification brought back the everyday drivability and climbing confidence without sacrificing the E35’s character or its high-revving fun when pushed.

Parts Used & Recommended (W211 E350)

• BC Racing BR Series Coilovers — ride height + damping adjustability for street and track.
• SLK350 M014 Intake Manifold + E550 Throttle Body — high-RPM breathing on the M272.
• Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines — firmer pedal and better modulation.
• High-flow Drop-in Filters — supports the induction upgrade and ECU tune.
• Performance brake pads + high-temp brake fluid — consistent bite and fade resistance.
• X-pipe mid-section — shifts torque slightly higher for top-end power.
• H-pipe mid-section — shifts torque slightly lower for real-world drivability.

The Takeaway

The E35 AMG proves you don’t need a six-figure budget to build a fast, engaging, and reliable car. With thoughtful upgrades and proper tuning, a humble W211 Mercedes E350 track build can punch far above its weight—on the street, at the track, and on mountain roads.