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View Full Version : Thermal R&D vs. Neuspeed vs. APR vs. Miltek etc.



FINA4
06-25-2004, 09:30 AM
I think this discussion has been here before, but once again:

What do you think is the best exhaust for chipped B6 A4? In sense of performance, look, sound (quiet, loud, quality), price etc.

I just got my Thermal R&D Race exhaust, but I'm not got sure, whether it's too loud...so looking for other options perhaps.

1sicknickel
06-25-2004, 09:36 AM
I have a neuspeed chip and exhaust and the feel and sound are terrific. I would go anything else best bang for the buck

piaadoll
06-25-2004, 09:40 AM
i love my miltek - although it isn't the prettiest of the three. love the sound - quiet but low like a subwoofer. well, it's all relative - it's quieter than the neuspeed and the thermal, but louder than say APR.. money well spent i say. [:D]

i rate exhausts by
sound
performance
looks

[:D]

G_A4
06-25-2004, 09:42 AM
yup milltek for me... [:)]

FINA4
06-25-2004, 10:08 AM
Does anyone have pics/sound clips of Milltek or APR? I mean pics with car, not from the exhaust only [:D]

What's the performance difference between Therman and APR/Milltek? Thermal brings really nice boost, but once again it's a bit loud...

Saturnine
06-25-2004, 10:22 AM
The Thermal exhausts are awesome.. Ive never seen such a sweet piece of welded metal in my life[eek]

Jazzman
06-25-2004, 10:39 AM
I have the Thermal (race) and could not be happier. The sound got a bit softer after a month or so. Or may be I'm getting use to it. Anyhow, I don't think it's too loud, I really like it.
http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v90/jazzman59/Meet_RS3.jpg

shehatezme
06-25-2004, 10:48 AM
I drove a car with Thermal before, thanks Rich =), and it sounds awesome although it does drone at around 3000+ rpm.... I don't like droning so I probably would not get a Thermal.

FINA4
06-25-2004, 10:50 AM
Originally posted by Jazzman
I have the Thermal (race) and could not be happier. The sound got a bit softer after a month or so. Or may be I'm getting use to it. Anyhow, I don't think it's too loud, I really like it.
http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v90/jazzman59/Meet_RS3.jpg

That's a nice ride Jazzman [:)]

I heard also from somebody else, that the sound should mellow out a bit after 500miles...

Did you notice the sound difference inside your car?

astris
06-25-2004, 11:00 AM
If you want to gain the most hp and best looks, go with the Thermal Race. Miltek has a good sound, but doesn't create as much hp.

I think someone on here is getting their Thermal Street version today, so keep a look out for a post about that.

Jazzman
06-25-2004, 11:05 AM
Originally posted by FINA4
That's a nice ride Jazzman [:)]

I heard also from somebody else, that the sound should mellow out a bit after 500miles...

Did you notice the sound difference inside your car?

I did notice a difference from the stock exhaust but got use to it quickly.
My wife hated it at first but don't even notice it anymore [;)]
Since I drive an Avant, I think the noise level is a bit higher compare to the sedan.
And yes there is some droning around 3K RPM under load but I kinda like it...

A4NCAR
06-25-2004, 11:05 AM
I'm "the other". My vote is for MTM.

A full 70mm [2.756"] system (w/o DP), heavy-duty build, fine craftsmanship, OEM like fitment, very tolerable interior sound level (not much more over OEM), a nice growl outside (but very tame when compared to the others; except for APR, Milltek,..), beautiful 90mm polished, rolled tips, uses the OEM stamped muffler shell with MTM internals and has a custom center resonator. It produces superb flow and performance gains, w/o being noisey. Quite amazing considering the pipe dia. of 70mm. Can't ask for much better then this IMO. I had GHL and APR and both of those had defects, fitment issues, intolerable drone/resonance, poor quality control,.. etc.

E17YCE
06-25-2004, 11:24 AM
Milltek, it has a deep tone. You should listen to the soundclip here http://www.stratmosphere.com/milltek_a4_catback1.htm
That's what sold me.

UltraAvant
06-25-2004, 03:51 PM
I just had the Thermal Race put on the Avant yesterday and it is pure quality. The sound is nowhere as loud as I thought it was going to be. Everyone who said the Race system was loud had me a little scared until yesterday. This is a very nice kit. It gives a nice deep tone, which I like. Even with the tips sticking out a hair more than the standard for the Ultra Sports, the look is still impressive.

Jazzman
06-25-2004, 04:22 PM
Originally posted by UltraAvant
I just had the Thermal Race put on the Avant yesterday and it is pure quality. The sound is nowhere as loud as I thought it was going to be. Everyone who said the Race system was loud had me a little scared until yesterday. This is a very nice kit. It gives a nice deep tone, which I like. Even with the tips sticking out a hair more than the standard for the Ultra Sports, the look is still impressive.

http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v90/jazzman59/Smilypicture.gif

/\G
06-25-2004, 08:57 PM
I just installed the Thermal Street. Its perfect. Exactly the sound I was looking for. If I was to compare, I would say its very close to a 180 TT(my wifes). Just a tad bit louder

performance - ??? Not sure what the street does compared to the rest

look - In my opinion, the Thermal is the nicest looking exhaust out

sound (quiet, loud, quality) - I wouldnt say the street is quiet. You definitely know there is an exhaust on the car. Nice deep refined rumble. Personally, after listening to the race clips on ECode i thought that was too loud.

price - You cant beat the GB prices on the Thermal.

My vote = Thermal Street

http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v74/shymeone/DSC01434.jpg

Matt Devo
06-26-2004, 04:00 PM
I vote for Milltek. The sound is low and mean sounding, but not overly loud and it doesn't drone. The fit is good and the tips are adjustable, so no worries for US and avant drivers. There was a definite increase in perf. according to the butt-dyno, particularly in the higher RPMs