Mercedes CLA35 AMG Performance Parts & Tuning Mods

Top Brands For Mercedes CLA35 AMG Parts

For the Mercedes CLA35 AMG, you have access to a wide range of leading performance brands, covering everything from engine tuning and exhausts to suspension and styling. Explore trusted manufacturers known for high quality upgrades and motorsport proven parts.

Mercedes CLA35 AMG Exterior Styling Upgrades

To sharpen the look of your Mercedes CLA35 AMG, you can choose from a range of exterior styling mods including body kits, lips, spoilers, splitters, diffusers, custom grilles and trim upgrades. Whether you want a subtle OEM+ finish or a more aggressive track-inspired vibe, you can really make it your own.

Mercedes CLA35 AMG Suspension & Handling Upgrades

The Mercedes CLA35 AMG is sharp out of the box, but there is still plenty of room to tighten up the chassis for road and track. Start with quality tyres, going for a performance compound with stiffer sidewalls to improve grip and steering feel. Then look at brake upgrades, performance pads and braided lines give better bite and pedal consistency, while a big brake kit is a solid step if you do regular track days or heavy spirited driving. From the factory the CLA35 can feel a touch nose heavy and push into understeer when really leaning on it. Suspension tuning with lowering springs or height adjustable coilovers helps reduce roll, improve turn in and make the car feel more agile without destroying daily comfort if you choose sensible rates. Add uprated anti roll bars, strut braces and firmer bushes to sharpen chassis response and stability, making the AMG feel more planted and rewarding in quick direction changes. Doing the mods in stages lets you feel each upgrade and fine tune the balance to your driving style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best first performance mods for a Mercedes CLA35 AMG?

For most CLA35 AMG owners, a quality ECU remap paired with an intake and panel filter is the ideal starting point. A sensible stage 1 tune on the stock hardware can unlock noticeable gains in horsepower and torque, sharpen throttle response and make the car feel much more eager without making it awkward to drive every day.

Adding a high flow panel filter or intake kit, plus a freer flowing secondary cat back exhaust, helps the 2.0 turbo breathe and spool more cleanly. Together these upgrades improve response and mid range pull, and they set a solid base if you plan to move to a more involved stage 2 setup later on.

How much power can I safely gain from tuning my CLA35 AMG?

On a healthy, well serviced CLA35 AMG, a reputable stage 1 ECU remap on 99 RON fuel usually delivers a clear bump in power and torque while staying within sensible limits for road use. Figures vary by tuner and dyno, but you can expect a stronger mid range and faster in gear acceleration rather than just a big headline number.

Stage 2 tuning, with an upgraded downpipe, intake and supporting cooling, can push things further. At that level it is important to look after the engine with regular oil changes, quality fuel and proper warm up and cool down, and to work with a mapper who understands the M260 engine and AMG 4MATIC drivetrain.

Will tuning and mods affect the reliability of my Mercedes CLA35 AMG?

Any performance upgrade that raises boost and torque will add a bit more stress to the engine, gearbox and drivetrain, but if the mapping is sensible and the car is maintained properly, a tuned CLA35 AMG can stay very reliable. The key is to avoid cheap, generic maps and poor quality parts that push components too hard.

Sticking to regular servicing, using good quality oil, changing spark plugs on time and letting the turbo warm up and cool down all make a big difference. Cooling upgrades, such as a better intercooler for higher stage builds, also help keep intake temps in check and protect the engine during hard use or track days.

What wheel and tyre sizes work well on a CLA35 AMG?

The CLA35 comes with fairly aggressive OEM wheels, but many owners move to lightweight aftermarket rims in 18 or 19 inch sizes for better grip and stance. A common setup is 19 inch alloys with a slightly wider tyre, which fills the arches nicely and can improve traction when paired with quality performance rubber.

Offset and width are important on this chassis to avoid rubbing on the arches or suspension. As a rule, stay close to OEM rolling radius to keep the speedo accurate and protect the 4MATIC system, and do not go overly wide at the rear, as the car still benefits from a balanced front to rear setup for predictable handling.

Do I need supporting mods for a stage 2 CLA35 AMG tune?

Yes, for a proper stage 2 remap you will want a high flow downpipe, upgraded intake, and ideally a more efficient intercooler. The freer flowing exhaust helps the turbo spool and release backpressure, while the intake and intercooler help keep charge temps stable and consistent, especially on repeated pulls or on track.

At this level it is also sensible to review the braking setup and suspension. Uprated pads, fluid and possibly springs or coilovers will help the chassis cope with the extra shove. Power is only half the story, making sure the CLA35 stops and turns as well as it goes will give you a far more rounded upgrade package.

Will an exhaust or intake make my CLA35 AMG too loud for daily driving?

A well chosen cat back exhaust on the CLA35 AMG will usually give you a deeper tone and more character without becoming obnoxious, especially if you stick with systems that retain valves or include resonators. Decat or very loud race downpipes are more likely to cause drone and may not be ideal for a daily driver.

Most performance intake kits increase turbo and induction noise a little, which many enthusiasts enjoy, but they should not make the cabin uncomfortably loud. If you want a subtle change, a performance panel filter in the stock airbox is a good compromise that supports tuning while keeping things civil on the commute.

How much should I budget to tune and upgrade my Mercedes CLA35 AMG?

Costs vary with how far you want to go. As a rough guide, a quality stage 1 ECU remap and intake upgrade is usually in the hundreds rather than thousands, depending on the exact hardware and mapping options. This gives you a tidy bump in performance without overhauling the whole car.

Moving to stage 2, with a downpipe, intercooler, full exhaust, possibly suspension and brake upgrades, will push the budget higher. It often makes sense to plan a package of mods and do them in logical stages, so you can spread the spend and make sure each upgrade works well with the next.

Final Thoughts On The Mercedes CLA35 AMG

The Mercedes CLA35 AMG is a cracking all rounder straight from the factory, blending hot hatch punch with a more grown up saloon feel. It has sharp looks, a lively 2.0 turbo and usable 4MATIC traction, so it already makes a solid base for tuning and track day prep. That said, the stock car can feel a touch soft if you really push on, and the power delivery is often tuned more for smoothness than outright excitement. This is where carefully chosen performance parts start to wake it up, without ruining its daily manners. With sensible engine upgrades like a high flow intake, sports downpipe, more efficient intercooler and a well developed remap, the CLA35 AMG responds with stronger mid range punch and better consistency on a spirited run. Heat management is a known weak point when driven hard, so cooling mods and quality oil are popular with enthusiasts who like fast road or occasional circuit work. On the chassis side, uprated coilovers or sport springs, stiffer anti roll bars and wider, stickier tyres tidy up body roll and front end grip, giving you more confidence on turn in. Better pads, braided lines and decent fluid also help keep the brakes feeling fresh, especially when the car is loaded up and driven enthusiastically. Styling tweaks and motorsport inspired details, like lighter alloys, aero accents and a more purposeful exhaust note, let you put your own stamp on the Mercedes CLA35 AMG while shaving unsprung weight and improving response. The key is balance, combining power mods, handling upgrades and subtle cosmetic changes that all work together rather than chasing headline figures. Done properly, you end up with a CLA35 that pulls harder, turns in sharper and still deals with the commute or long motorway runs without drama. Use the right mix of Progressive Parts upgrades, and you can build a CLA35 AMG that feels genuinely yours, and even more rewarding every time you grab the keys.