Audi S3 Exhaust Recommendation

[LACPA]

First time poster here! I have a 2016 Audi S3 and I'm looking to improve the exhaust tone. On prior vehicles I ran APR exhaust and had good results, but they are not making a system for the S3. I've done extensive research and I decided on the Milltek, but then I found out that the Euro spec S3s sound different due to different injection so I'm back at square one.

I've owned several 2.0T VWs in the past 10 years and really like the deep euro tuner tone that's quiet under normal cruising, but loud at WOT. The APR was perfect and I also really liked the Unitronic system I had on my 2015 GLI. The AWE touring was pretty good overall, but at times made odd tones that resembled Japanese vehicles. On my B8 S4 I ran the touring and it was amazing..frankly I don't know I'll ever have a car sounding that good. What do you guys think? Should I stick with the resonator delete or spring on one of the other options? If so, which would you recommend? Thanks for the help!

[UWbadger91]

I too am in the same situation. I'm leaning towards the AWE. Good luck!


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[bakedcorn]

So the other day as I was driving into work, a riced out IS250 drove past me with a fart can and this thing crackled and popped and sounded close to the Audi RS3 (well not as sweet sounding as the Audi). There must be some exhaust system that could provide such a sound, no? Maybe additional mods to the motor were done on that vehicle????

[chrisdazzo]

On mine:

[Sean@TAG]

On mine:

That sounds awesome! How are you liking it so far?

[chrisdazzo]

That sounds awesome! How are you liking it so far?

Someone recognizes their customer ;) absolutely LOVE it so far - knew I would, though. Had an AWE exhaust on my '14 A5 and '10 Jetta, loved them both for the most part. The SwitchPath plus 180 tech (no drone for y'all not aware) is a dream! It's relatively quiet unless I absolutely ask for it, and that is perfect. Driving in Sport mode all the time, leaving nearly every light with my foot down... well, it definitely helps with the overall enjoyment. Paired with a turbo muffler delete, my S3 now makes noises which make me smile every time I drive.

[LACPA]

On mine:

That sounds great! Stock downpipe?

[LACPA]

Has anyone went from the OEM res delete to AWE Switchpath with stock downpipe? If so, was there much of a change in tone/loudness?

[casualalfredo]

On mine:

WAY better than stock!

[chrisdazzo]

Has anyone went from the OEM res delete to AWE Switchpath with stock downpipe? If so, was there much of a change in tone/loudness?

Yep; it's louder when you stomp on the gas, not as much when you're just cruising (trust me, it's better this way). Though, if you're constantly in Sport mode and/or downshifting with the paddles, it does rumble a bit. Though not as much as the res delete. Again the DSG farts are much more satisfying, you still get the loud "braap" that rattles the exhaust flaps per normal, etc. etc. etc. I've posted glowing reviews of this all over /r/audi on Reddit, on my Instagram, YouTube, and the like.

Also yes, stock downpipe. See signature below ;)

[LACPA]

Yep; it's louder when you stomp on the gas, not as much when you're just cruising (trust me, it's better this way). Though, if you're constantly in Sport mode and/or downshifting with the paddles, it does rumble a bit. Though not as much as the res delete. Again the DSG farts are much more satisfying, you still get the loud "braap" that rattles the exhaust flaps per normal, etc. etc. etc. I've posted glowing reviews of this all over /r/audi on Reddit, on my Instagram, YouTube, and the like.

Also yes, stock downpipe. See signature below ;)

Awesome! Thanks. Just have to find somewhere with it in stock now.

[chrisdazzo]

Awesome! Thanks. Just have to find somewhere with it in stock now.

I would recommend TAG Motorsports for the exhaust. Purchasing directly from AWE Tuning and spending the extra $150-200 (MSRP) is only going to get you the exhaust a week sooner, at best. TAG quoted me 5-6 weeks, took about 3 weeks (03/27 to 04/17).

[UWbadger91]

Wow I'm glad I sub'd to this thread. Looks like the AWE blows the Milly out of the water.

I've done some price shopping and Uro Tuning has a deal where the system is 8% off then they'll give you a $100 gift card, which I'd use toward the remote. I've never dealt with them, but there an authorized dealer so I'm probably jumping on it. $1,884 for everything is a pretty good deal IMO.


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[UWbadger91]

I would recommend TAG Motorsports for the exhaust. Purchasing directly from AWE Tuning and spending the extra $150-200 (MSRP) is only going to get you the exhaust a week sooner, at best. TAG quoted me 5-6 weeks, took about 3 weeks (03/27 to 04/17).

What's up fellow Redditer


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[chrisdazzo]

What's up fellow Redditer


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Sh*t! Caught! I will follow up with more videos soon, I assure you

[PsiBlast]

I've been looking at exhaust mods since I got my car almost two years ago and have done a ton of research and read a lot of testimonials on this site and others.

My 2 cents:

If you have any plans to go Stage 2, then I would recommend (especially if you're under warranty) holding off on the catback, and instead get the OEM resonator delete kit. Otherwise, keep it stock until you go Stage 2.

Once you do the Downpipe and Stage 2 -- see how you like that sound. Do the catback as your last exhaust mod. I've read threads where people put their stock OEM resonator or stock exhaust back on after the downpipe install because they didn't like the sound.

So in order, this is what I would do:

1.) Exhaust flap mod.
2.) OEM resonator delete kit (or ECS kit if you want to save $50).
3.) Downpipe.
4.) Cat Back.

To me, it's silly to drop $2K on what is essentially a sound-enhancement mod -- especially considering that you may end up thinking it's too loud/obnoxious after a downpipe install and Stage 2.

All I've done so far was to do the exhaust flap open mod (via coding), and the sound difference from that alone was enough to make my girlfriend notice that my car sounds "more sporty". Next up is the OEM resonator delete, which I'll have in place by month end. Stage 2 is next year when my warranty is up.

[UWbadger91]

Sh*t! Caught! I will follow up with more videos soon, I assure you

Just ordered it through Sean at Tag! So excited!





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[sansian5016]

PsiBlast - Thanks for the info. But, I have a quick question for you. I have a 2017 S3 that came with the resonator delete kit and the exhaust sounds nice. What exactly is the "exhaust flap mod" and who can do the mod? I am getting a state 1+ ECU tune next week and if this exhaust flap mod is software related, I may consider it. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

[Speedybrit]

PsiBlast - Thanks for the info. But, I have a quick question for you. I have a 2017 S3 that came with the resonator delete kit and the exhaust sounds nice. What exactly is the "exhaust flap mod" and who can do the mod? I am getting a state 1+ ECU tune next week and if this exhaust flap mod is software related, I may consider it. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

It is a change made in the VCDS (vagcom) settings which tells the car you do not have flaps installed on your car, which keeps all 4 exhausts open at all times. IMO it doesnt make the exhaust any "louder" but allows it to get to the louder sound at lower RPMS which is why I like it. Also im in NJ, shoot me a PM if you want to meet up as I have the VCDS cable.

[PsiBlast]

Speedybrit summarized it well.

By default, the exhaust flaps are open at idle, then close when you put it in gear, then reopen at > 3000 rpm. It is noticeable because it stays open in lower RPMs, which is the majority of most people's driving.

[sansian5016]

thanks guys!!

Speedybrit - PM sent