AWE and DP's

[audi021]

I wanted to write yet another thread about this exhaust system and setup. I recently purchased an AWE catback and ran it with stock DP's. I was disappointed in the sound of the low RPM drone. Not the highway drone that some talk about, that actually wasnt that bad....More the 0-15 MPH drone where the card is louder than the speed you are accelerating. Coming from V8's where the Torque is substantial, this was a real deal breaker. The car sounded broken.

I gave up on the exhaust and sold it.

2 weeks later, I was left hating my car. It felt slow, sounded like crap and I was literally on the verge of trading it in from the disappointment (I have only had it 3 months).

I decided to order the exhaust again, but this time with DP's. (i have a DSG)

The difference is amazing. The car has a higher pitched low RPM sound that eliminates the weirdness associated with the stock DP's. Going WOT, the sound is very exotic and the perfect db. It doesnt sound modified, it sounds like it came that way from the factory, but the factory made it amazing.

I literally can not believe the difference, it is night and day. I feel like if you run this system without the AWE DP's resonated, you might as well just by full headers and go full race. The stock DP's are a poor attempt at sounding like a true race version. The Resonated DP's give it a very high-quality sport sound that is easily different than the mustangs and hondas of the world. More on par with a Maserati or Ferrari sound.

I hear it gets better with break in.

All I can say is - This is amazing.

[MailmanOdd]

There is a reason they say get the resonated DP if you have DSG :)

[s4bw]

Totally agree, I had the stock downpipes for a year then decided I couldn't stand the way it sounded in the winter with the windows closed. I was worried the res. downpipes would make the car too muted, but with the downpipes it just changed the tone and made the car sound exotic. Worth every penny, and in my mind a must. And I have a 6spd manual.

[audi021]

Totally agree, I had the stock downpipes for a year then decided I couldn't stand the way it sounded in the winter with the windows closed. I was worried the res. downpipes would make the car too muted, but with the downpipes it just changed the tone and made the car sound exotic. Worth every penny, and in my mind a must. And I have a 6spd manual.

So True.

[MrFunk]

There is a reason they say get the resonated DP if you have DSG :)

+1
LOL... Hope you didn't spend too much installing the 1st exhaust then removing it then re-installing the second one... not the most efficient way to go about it...

[UltraS4John]

Interesting review...I'm debating to purchase the exhaust w/out downpipe but not you've got me thinking...

[MrFunk]

Interesting review...I'm debating to purchase the exhaust w/out downpipe but not you've got me thinking...

If you have the DSG then get the DP's as it's strongly recommended... you will have drone issues if you don't.
If you have a 6MT then you don't "need" them... if you want to quiet the exhaust further after installing then you can always simply add them.

I have stock DP's and no drone... mine is 6MT

[UltraS4John]

Good to know MrFunk...however, I don't really mind the drone too much. I just assume DP's are recommended for performance reasons too. How much were you guys charged for installation? I was quoted around $400.

[MrFunk]

The DP's won't give you any additional performance. UNLESS you get headers.

I got my exhust WITH install for 1700 from an Audi Dealership.

[UltraS4John]

wow...that's a good. How'd you transport your stock exhaust since it is one huge piece? When I had my B6 S4, I borrowed a friend truck to bring it back home.

[s4bw]

It's not so much the sound level that changes. It's the quality. Regardless of your trans.

[xs8tanx]

wow...that's a good. How'd you transport your stock exhaust since it is one huge piece? When I had my B6 S4, I borrowed a friend truck to bring it back home.

I was charged $180 for installation at a local muffler shop. To get my stock system home I had to cut the rear sections just behind the middle resonator. If I ever need/want to re-install the stock system I'll just have to get it welded back together or couple it together with sleeve clamps.

[akatz]

Everyone please don't jump down my throat, but does this AWE exhaust void warranty?

[UltraS4John]

akatz: negative. I've owned multiple Audi's/BMW's w/ aftermarket exhaust and doesn't void.

[AKPS4]

Audi will find a way to void warranty if you have an issue that could be slightly related to exhaust.

By the way, if you have a 6MT and are not getting the non-res DPs you are missing out ad wasting money IMO. This exhaust is the best sounding exhaust I've ever heard short of an exotic car. Nothing beats a mean V8 but this is a true smooth exotic sounding exhaust.

I don't think I'll ever get bored of hearing it.

[MrFunk]

Audi will find a way to void warranty if you have an issue that could be slightly related to exhaust.

By the way, if you have a 6MT and are not getting the non-res DPs you are missing out ad wasting money IMO. This exhaust is the best sounding exhaust I've ever heard short of an exotic car. Nothing beats a mean V8 but this is a true smooth exotic sounding exhaust.

I don't think I'll ever get bored of hearing it.

I agree that if you have issues with say your stock DP's and you have the AWE exhaust - it may be difficult to have Audi cover it. However your warranty in general is not VOID...

I'm not sure I'm following what you're saying about if you have a 6MT and not getting the non-res DP's?!? I have a 6MT, stock DP's and AWE exhaust - it sounds awesome. Are you saying I wasted my money buying it because it only sounds good if I got the non-res DP's?

IMO I think the non-res DP's sound way too loud and have drone that ruins the ride on the highway. Maybe I'm not following what you meant...?

[IanVr6]

Audi will find a way to void warranty if you have an issue that could be slightly related to exhaust.

By the way, if you have a 6MT and are not getting the non-res DPs you are missing out ad wasting money IMO. This exhaust is the best sounding exhaust I've ever heard short of an exotic car. Nothing beats a mean V8 but this is a true smooth exotic sounding exhaust.

I don't think I'll ever get bored of hearing it.

LOL

Non-res DPs is loud. You are not wasting money if you keep stock DPs. It all depends on what you want.

[1MORLAP]

If you have the DSG then get the DP's as it's strongly recommended... you will have drone issues if you don't.
If you have a 6MT then you don't "need" them... if you want to quiet the exhaust further after installing then you can always simply add them.

I have stock DP's and no drone... mine is 6MT

This is VERY true. I sometimes regret "upgrading" to DPs as I lost much of the exotic sound.

[Moose201]

This is VERY true. I sometimes regret "upgrading" to DPs as I lost much of the exotic sound.

It's posts like these that make me crazy. I plan to get an AWE exhaust for my MT6 but am having trouble deciding on whether or not I want the res DPs or stock DPs. On this very thread, one person says it sounds exotic with DPs....another says the DPs take away the exotic sound. I wish I could hear the darn things in person.

[audi021]

It sounds exotic with dp's it sounds race car ish without. Plus you have bad drone when moving slow.

[dawei213]

It's posts like these that make me crazy. I plan to get an AWE exhaust for my MT6 but am having trouble deciding on whether or not I want the res DPs or stock DPs. On this very thread, one person says it sounds exotic with DPs....another says the DPs take away the exotic sound. I wish I could hear the darn things in person.

You really need to hear it for your self to decide. The sound of exhaust is subjective and everyone have their own level of sensitivity to drone. I didn't know what drone was until I was on this board. When I found out, I realized my old car with magnaflows drone a bit but I actually liked it. Just a bit but not too much.

[TTRU]

You really need to hear it for your self to decide. The sound of exhaust is subjective and everyone have their own level of sensitivity to drone. I didn't know what drone was until I was on this board. When I found out, I realized my old car with magnaflows drone a bit but I actually liked it. Just a bit but not too much.

^this^ (I have stock DP's btw)

IMO....What the AWE does best is transform from:

1. LOW RPMs = Rumble rumble - heads nod, people smile, give thumbs up

2. MID RPMs = growls and start to wail - heads turn, people can be seen mouthing "dayum, "holy sh*t" and "bada$$"

3. HIGH RPMs = full screaming wail - people stop dead in their tracks, jaws drop, Big Gulps fall from hands, babies cry... lip reading now yields "omg sweet jeebus", "have my baby" and "you're such a dooshbag" (can't win em all[:)])

YMMV [;)]

[Gee123]

^this^ (I have stock DP's btw)

IMO....What the AWE does best is transform from:

1. LOW RPMs = Rumble rumble - heads nod, people smile, give thumbs up

2. MID RPMs = growls and start to wail - heads turn, people can be seen mouthing "dayum, "holy sh*t" and "bada$$"

3. HIGH RPMs = full screaming wail - people stop dead in their tracks, jaws drop, Big Gulps fall from hands, babies cry... lip reading now yields "omg sweet jeebus", "have my baby" and "you're such a dooshbag" (can't win em all[:)])

YMMV [;)]


Lol!

[SilveR316]

^this^ (I have stock DP's btw)

IMO....What the AWE does best is transform from:

1. LOW RPMs = Rumble rumble - heads nod, people smile, give thumbs up

2. MID RPMs = growls and start to wail - heads turn, people can be seen mouthing "dayum, "holy sh*t" and "bada$$"

3. HIGH RPMs = full screaming wail - people stop dead in their tracks, jaws drop, Big Gulps fall from hands, babies cry... lip reading now yields "omg sweet jeebus", "have my baby" and "you're such a dooshbag" (can't win em all[:)])

YMMV [;)]


AWE should put this in the description on their website. [:D]

[fesmail]

^this^ (I have stock DP's btw)

IMO....What the AWE does best is transform from:

1. LOW RPMs = Rumble rumble - heads nod, people smile, give thumbs up

2. MID RPMs = growls and start to wail - heads turn, people can be seen mouthing "dayum, "holy sh*t" and "bada$$"

3. HIGH RPMs = full screaming wail - people stop dead in their tracks, jaws drop, Big Gulps fall from hands, babies cry... lip reading now yields "omg sweet jeebus", "have my baby" and "you're such a dooshbag" (can't win em all[:)])

YMMV [;)]

Bahahaha love it!

One question that should be considered is, how is the vibration factor between the different dp setups? I've read that res dps smoothen out the seat vibration which is a big win factor for me personally, but to each their own......

[staticuxo]

non-res ftw! you guys who complain of drone on res downpipes are crazy.. i have none with my non-res setup, and i have an s-tronic.

i ran non-res with a missing cat also, and it was much louder.. but still no drone.

[JmlrS4]

non-res ftw! you guys who complain of drone on res downpipes are crazy.. i have none with my non-res setup, and i have an s-tronic.

i ran non-res with a missing cat also, and it was much louder.. but still no drone.

X2 , had res DP's but swapped out for non res with my s tronic , little drone but so worth it. Heads turn everywhere Nd people are always saying that thing must be fun lol.

[AKPS4]

The DPs certainly give the exotic sound. The non-res for 6MT is the way to go. Whoever says its not exotic def has not have good experience with exhausts.

I've had exhausts on my Tahoe, silverado, stock z28, 3000gt vr4, current build z28, 99 cobra and others. If you think the non res AWE is not exotic I don't know what to tell you. Have you heard a lambo or Ferrari? We don't have V12s and what AWE has done with the V6 is amazing.

If anyone wants to hear my non-res setup PM me. I'm on Long Island. Nassau.

[AKPS4]

LOL

Non-res DPs is loud. You are not wasting money if you keep stock DPs. It all depends on what you want.

Lol I was so excited about the exhaust. Still love how it came out. Much more impressed than any other exhaust I ever purchased before.

[C14 Rider]

Drone means different things to different people, I agree with one of the above posts you need to hear it for yourself...

Anybody else still waiting for their AWE exhaust ??

I ordered mine almost a month ago from a forum vendor, starting to get a little pissed off.. [mad]

[Spartan26]

Lol I was so excited about the exhaust. Still love how it came out. Much more impressed than any other exhaust I ever purchased before.

I may have to take you up on that offer. I should be getting my S4 early august (DSG). I am on the fence right now.

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Drone means different things to different people, I agree with one of the above posts you need to hear it for yourself...

Anybody else still waiting for their AWE exhaust ??

I ordered mine almost a month ago from a forum vendor, starting to get a little pissed off.. [mad]

Hmmm, I just ordered mine this past week as well. I was under the impression that AWE build time was down to less than 2 weeks. Hope your experience is not indicative of how long orders are taking to be fulfilled at AWE or I am going to be disappointed as well.

[audi021]

Drone means different things to different people, I agree with one of the above posts you need to hear it for yourself...

Anybody else still waiting for their AWE exhaust ??

I ordered mine almost a month ago from a forum vendor, starting to get a little pissed off.. [mad]

You might be getting scammed. I ordered 2 in 4 weeks received them both in less than 1 week from ordering. What vendor?

[C14 Rider]

Hmmm, I just ordered mine this past week as well. I was under the impression that AWE build time was down to less than 2 weeks. Hope your experience is not indicative of how long orders are taking to be fulfilled at AWE or I am going to be disappointed as well.


You might be getting scammed. I ordered 2 in 4 weeks received them both in less than 1 week from ordering. What vendor?

I won't call the vendor out just yet but I am calling AWE first thing Monday morning to find out where the hell my H&R springs that I ordered from them directly thru that sale on this site are....While I have them on the phone I will find out what is up with the exhaust that is suppose to drop ship from them..

It wouldn't take much for me to cancel the spring order from them, then cancel the exhaust from the other vendor, and order a Stasis exhaust instead.. [=(]

[Todd/AWE]

I won't call the vendor out just yet but I am calling AWE first thing Monday morning to find out where the hell my H&R springs that I ordered from them directly thru that sale on this site are....While I have them on the phone I will find out what is up with the exhaust that is suppose to drop ship from them..

It wouldn't take much for me to cancel the spring order from them, then cancel the exhaust from the other vendor, and order a Stasis exhaust instead.. [=(]

Yikes. Our lead times on this exhaust are well under a week. Not sure what the hold up is from your reseller.

H&R shipping is dependent on stock on hand, if we run out replenishment comes from H&R on our weekly freight stocking order. When you call us, we'll get to the bottom of it.

[AKPS4]

I won't call the vendor out just yet but I am calling AWE first thing Monday morning to find out where the hell my H&R springs that I ordered from them directly thru that sale on this site are....While I have them on the phone I will find out what is up with the exhaust that is suppose to drop ship from them..

It wouldn't take much for me to cancel the spring order from them, then cancel the exhaust from the other vendor, and order a Stasis exhaust instead.. [=(]

I wouldnt go that far.. stasis exhaust sounds like crap IMO... would be a total wasted effort and waste of money to jump ship like that. I received my exhaust within a couple days when I ordered from TAG. I also spoke with AWE directly to handle my DPs and they got me a set in less than a week as well. I'd make a few phone calls first.

[C14 Rider]

I wouldnt go that far.. stasis exhaust sounds like crap IMO... would be a total wasted effort and waste of money to jump ship like that. I received my exhaust within a couple days when I ordered from TAG. I also spoke with AWE directly to handle my DPs and they got me a set in less than a week as well. I'd make a few phone calls first.

Waiting for a call back, I'm on it brotha ! [:D]

[Josh/AWE]

^this^ (I have stock DP's btw)

IMO....What the AWE does best is transform from:

1. LOW RPMs = Rumble rumble - heads nod, people smile, give thumbs up

2. MID RPMs = growls and start to wail - heads turn, people can be seen mouthing "dayum, "holy sh*t" and "bada$$"

3. HIGH RPMs = full screaming wail - people stop dead in their tracks, jaws drop, Big Gulps fall from hands, babies cry... lip reading now yields "omg sweet jeebus", "have my baby" and "you're such a dooshbag" (can't win em all[:)])

YMMV [;)]

Nailed it.

[staticuxo]

I wouldnt go that far.. stasis exhaust sounds like crap IMO... would be a total wasted effort and waste of money to jump ship like that. I received my exhaust within a couple days when I ordered from TAG. I also spoke with AWE directly to handle my DPs and they got me a set in less than a week as well. I'd make a few phone calls first.

i'd like to also reiterate this. i wouldn't go as far and say STaSIS sounds like crap, but it's not even comparable to burbly low end and the high pitched exotic note that AWE produces up top. STaSIS has a more raw and raspy sound, IMHO. it's nice, but once i heard AWE i sold my STaSIS right away, lol.

i am in love with the AWE exhaust note + supercharger whine with the roc-euro intake. [up]

[AKPS4]

i'd like to also reiterate this. i wouldn't go as far and say STaSIS sounds like crap, but it's not even comparable to burbly low end and the high pitched exotic note that AWE produces up top. STaSIS has a more raw and raspy sound, IMHO. it's nice, but once i heard AWE i sold my STaSIS right away, lol.

i am in love with the AWE exhaust note + supercharger whine with the roc-euro intake. [up]

we're going to have a loud pair of S4's next time we go to a meet somewhere.. lol

[staticuxo]

we're going to have a loud pair of S4's next time we go to a meet somewhere.. lol

haha, yep. to be honest, now that i got my cat replaced my car sounds quiet, even with non-res AWE.. lol. it's much more refined though, which is good!

[C14 Rider]

Hmmm, I just ordered mine this past week as well. I was under the impression that AWE build time was down to less than 2 weeks. Hope your experience is not indicative of how long orders are taking to be fulfilled at AWE or I am going to be disappointed as well.


You might be getting scammed. I ordered 2 in 4 weeks received them both in less than 1 week from ordering. What vendor?

*UPDATE*

AWE got everything worked out and my exhaust is on its way they did a great job..