2013 AWE Stronic with downpipes vs. 2010-2012....not good

[Seinsmeld13]

I love my AWE with resonated downpipes, however, my neighbours hate me. This car at start up can wake the dead. I had this exhaust transferred from my 2010 to my new 13. There is a vast difference between the two based on the 13's transmission gearing. This exhaust is great in the city but very annoying with extreme drone on the highway. I say pass on this exhaust if you have a 13 or 14 model year S4. I find myself downshifting to 6th to avoid drone at 75 mph or 120 km/h. AWE have said there are no issues but I beg to differ. Buyers beware.

[QuattroRocket]

I am not sure whats wrong with your car/exhaust but I run a 2013 with AWE on res downpipes and had the factory down pipes for a couple weeks mid install and have not experienced drone and find the exhaust mellow most of the time. There is that stupid cold start for the first 60 seconds or so when the car dumps gas and revs high but that doesnt last long and really isnt that loud. I think your neighbors are a bit too particular if this bothers them that much.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my AWE !

FWIW if your car is really that noisy I would take it in to the shop that did the install and have it checked for leaks. It is a slip on and can get jarred lose, I have done it once already. If thats the case then you can have it spot welded to keep it tight and closed.

[JmlrS4]

Yeah I have a 13 dsg with AWE non res and it's loud as hell but I love it.
I had the res DP's but swapped them out.

[13S4]

I love my AWE with resonated downpipes, however, my neighbours hate me. This car at start up can wake the dead. I had this exhaust transferred from my 2010 to my new 13. There is a vast difference between the two based on the 13's transmission gearing. This exhaust is great in the city but very annoying with extreme drone on the highway. I say pass on this exhaust if you have a 13 or 14 model year S4. I find myself downshifting to 6th to avoid drone at 75 mph or 120 km/h. AWE have said there are no issues but I beg to differ. Buyers beware.

Thats why AWE always recommends the resonated downpipes on S-tronic models.

[rocque]

OP, any sound clips? I'm in the process of deciding on an exhaust for my 2013, and I was leaning towards AWE...

[Seinsmeld13]

Thats why AWE always recommends the resonated downpipes on S-tronic models.

It is resonated.

[Seinsmeld13]

FWIW if your car is really that noisy I would take it in to the shop that did the install and have it checked for leaks. It is a slip on and can get jarred lose, I have done it once already. If thats the case then you can have it spot welded to keep it tight and closed.[/QUOTE]


I had my car thoroughly inspected. The installation is sound.

[Seinsmeld13]

OP, any sound clips? I'm in the process of deciding on an exhaust for my 2013, and I was leaning towards AWE...

If you are located near me I'll let you take it out. I have a GoPro, I'll post up a video.

[sgroer]

as for the drone, did you out the soundaktor fuse? Makes a world of difference.

[thedollardoctor]

I have same setup as OP and he is correct that on the highway at a constant 70-75mph "under load" there is drone. It is noticeable, and if you have to drive a long distance at that constant speed, it can be annoying.

That being said, leaving it in Dynamic or Manual and keeping it on 6th gear, completely eliminates it. Also, going 80+mph in 7th there is no drone.

I would go as far as OP and warn people not to buy this exhaust, personally I LOVE IT. But you have to take the good with the bad with this setup on a DSG car. Most of my driving is city and around town, which is probably why I'm not that bothered by it overall

[afig367]

I have the Res DPs on a 2013 DSG, and I love it. At certain speeds and rev ranges, it drones a little, but nothing that annoys me or would cause me to reconsider. IMHO, it's a fantastic system, even if it was designed and tested for a car with different gearing. I've only ever received compliments about it..... from people who are diehard petrolheads as well as those who don't know a thing about cars.

My only regret is that I can't drive behind me all the time :)

It is pretty loud on cold starts, and FWIW, I deliberately park so that the tailpipes face away from the neighbors. But if they complain, screw them. Their dogs are loud too.

From time to time, as another poster said, you do need to get the installation checked because it does have a habit of developing vibrations here and there when something rubs up against something it shouldn't (or you get a leak). I'll have mine in for the second time later this week. Huge deal? No. Would I prefer not to have do that? Yeah. Would I make the same decision and get this exhaust? Yup. Sound and performance gains aside, even the appearance and profile of the tips are perfect for this car.

Note that I made this video with the stock downpipes on, and switched to the resonated DPs a month later.

[4R1NGS]

I have same setup as OP and he is correct that on the highway at a constant 70-75mph "under load" there is drone. It is noticeable, and if you have to drive a long distance at that constant speed, it can be annoying.

That being said, leaving it in Dynamic or Manual and keeping it on 6th gear, completely eliminates it. Also, going 80+mph in 7th there is no drone.

I would go as far as OP and warn people not to buy this exhaust, personally I LOVE IT. But you have to take the good with the bad with this setup on a DSG car. Most of my driving is city and around town, which is probably why I'm not that bothered by it overall

+1

[dparm]

The 2013 is not geared differently.

[MrFunk]

Are you sure they didn't send you non resonated by accident?

[dygital]

The 2013 is not geared differently.

The 2013 is indeed geared differently. Not by much but on the DSG models, they are a smigen slower for a bit of an improved fuel economy. I can't remember who posted the diagram, but there was a diagram out there showing why the tunes were different for 2012 and 2013 and why the shifts might not be as crisp.

[4R1NGS]

I have the same symptoms as Seinsmeld13....I have giant resonators on my down pipes...so something else is at play here.

[rocque]

Is this a common observation regardless of the aftermarket exhaust make, on a B8.5 even with resonated DP's?

[Josh/AWE]

I love my AWE with resonated downpipes, however, my neighbours hate me. This car at start up can wake the dead. I had this exhaust transferred from my 2010 to my new 13. There is a vast difference between the two based on the 13's transmission gearing. This exhaust is great in the city but very annoying with extreme drone on the highway. I say pass on this exhaust if you have a 13 or 14 model year S4. I find myself downshifting to 6th to avoid drone at 75 mph or 120 km/h. AWE have said there are no issues but I beg to differ. Buyers beware.

Seinsmeld,

Let's figure out what is going on here. What you are describing is not typical of our systems. PM sent.

[staticuxo]

sounds like something is off. i run AWE non-res on my DSG and it's loud, but not over the top by any means. i can still hold a conversation on the parkway as there is no drone. my STaSIS droned a lot!

i actually ran the non-res with one cat melted and it still wasn't bad..

[Seinsmeld13]

as for the drone, did you out the soundaktor fuse? Makes a world of difference.

Fuse was pulled months ago. Yes it a mad a huge difference.

[Seinsmeld13]

That being said, leaving it in Dynamic or Manual and keeping it on 6th gear, completely eliminates it. Also, going 80+mph in 7th there is no drone.


I'm not driving my car in sixth. I spend approx $7-800 a month on gas. I do a lot of highway driving in sixth gear at 120 km/h 2400 rpm's seventh 1,800 rpm. That would have a huge effect on highway mileage. This isn't a city driving issue. I love the exhaust in the city. Our traffic across the province moves right at that sweet spot 120km/h. At 90 km/h in seventh, no issue at 150 km/h no issue. Maybe I should pack up and head to Germany or crawl along in La La land.

[Seinsmeld13]

[QUOTE=afig367;8880230]I have the Res DPs on a 2013 DSG, and I love it. At certain speeds and rev ranges, it drones a little, but nothing that annoys me or would cause me to reconsider. IMHO, it's a fantastic system, even if it was designed and tested for a car with different gearing. I've only ever received compliments about it..... from people who are diehard petrolheads as well as those who don't know a thing about cars.

My only regret is that I can't drive behind me all the time :)

It is pretty loud on cold starts, and FWIW, I deliberately park so that the tailpipes face away from the neighbors. But if they complain, screw them. Their dogs are loud too.

From time to time, as another poster said, you do need to get the installation checked because it does have a habit of developing vibrations here and there when something rubs up against something it shouldn't (or you get a leak). I'll have mine in for the second time later this week. Huge deal? No. Would I prefer not to have do that? Yeah. Would I make the same decision and get this exhaust? Yup. Sound and performance gains aside, even the appearance and profile of the tips are perfect for this car.

REPLY

Before I posted this I had the exhaust thoroughly inspected at my local Audi dealer in Hamilton . I had this exhaust transferred from my 2010 S4 to my 13 by Oakville Audi dealer. Given the droan on the 13 I thought for sure Oakville Audi neglected to install the downpipes. That's how bad this droan is. I instructed Hamilton Audi to take pictures of the downpipes as I was convinced they were going to find the stock pipes. Wen I picked up my car Hamilton Audi said their competition did an excellent job on the installation. Needless to say I was disappointed but happy to hear the install was done correctly.

[rocque]

That being said, leaving it in Dynamic or Manual and keeping it on 6th gear, completely eliminates it. Also, going 80+mph in 7th there is no drone.


I'm not driving my car in sixth. I spend approx $7-800 a month on gas. I do a lot of highway driving in sixth gear at 120 km/h 2400 rpm's seventh 1,800 rpm. That would have a huge effect on highway mileage. This isn't a city driving issue. I love the exhaust in the city. Our traffic across the province moves right at that sweet spot 120km/h. At 90 km/h in seventh, no issue at 150 km/h no issue. Maybe I should pack up and head to Germany or crawl along in La La land.

Seinsmeld, any way you can capture this in a sound clip? (btw, thanks for the offer, but sadly I'm not really conveniently located in your part of the province)

[Seinsmeld13]

The 2013 is not geared differently.

Really? Do you own a 13? Believe me the gearing is different.

[Seinsmeld13]

Seinsmeld,

Let's figure out what is going on here. What you are describing is not typical of our systems. PM sent.

I will reply to your pm. I'll keep you guys posted.

[Seinsmeld13]

Are you sure they didn't send you non resonated by accident?

I have no idea. I didn't do the installation.

[Seinsmeld13]

Seinsmeld, any way you can capture this in a sound clip? (btw, thanks for the offer, but sadly I'm not really conveniently located in your part of the province)

I'll have to get my teenage son to help. He's away for a week. I have a GoPro that I use for work. My son does all my editing. It's one of his part time jobs. Sound quality of the GoPro isn't the best. I use the GoPro to film auto accident I investigate.

[Seinsmeld13]

Since my last post I can say AWE is working with me on a possible fix. I've been dealing with flood damage claims in Toronto so I haven't had time to do a video. My son does my editing for my accident reconstruction videos. He's away until tomorrow, hopefully I can post something then.

[JUICINBIMMER]

Sorry to hear your having problems, but awe is a great company im sure they will work with you. That being said i'll be calling them soon to get my '13 in for NonRes DP's and Exhaust along with the vented boost gauge!

[rocque]

Since my last post I can say AWE is working with me on a possible fix. I've been dealing with flood damage claims in Toronto so I haven't had time to do a video. My son does my editing for my accident reconstruction videos. He's away until tomorrow, hopefully I can post something then.

Thx Seinsmeld for the followup. The outcome of all this will probably decide whether I commit or not to an AWE (or any aftermarket) exhaust on my B8.5 DSG.

Also, it's quite heartening to see AWE's involvement in trying to solve this issue. Kudos to them for that level of customer service!

[myazforumname]

I love my AWE with resonated downpipes, however, my neighbours hate me. This car at start up can wake the dead. I had this exhaust transferred from my 2010 to my new 13. There is a vast difference between the two based on the 13's transmission gearing. This exhaust is great in the city but very annoying with extreme drone on the highway. I say pass on this exhaust if you have a 13 or 14 model year S4. I find myself downshifting to 6th to avoid drone at 75 mph or 120 km/h. AWE have said there are no issues but I beg to differ. Buyers beware.

Why would you do that in the first place? It makes your car sound ghetto.

[slammedR8]

I have the AWE Resonated system on my 2013 (B8.5 S4) and I don't have this issue. There is a tiny tiny tiny bit of drone, nothing to complain about it and I don't like drone like most others here. I would say something is up with your system.

[rocque]

Hey Seinsmeld, any update on the video? Curious as to what this possible fix entails?
Thanks!

[RickFLS4]

Seinsmeld, did this issue get resolved?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Josh/AWE]

We are still waiting for a video. Seinsmeld notified me that with some unforeseen events, this is an extremely busy time for him so it may be awhile before any video is received.

As soon as that happens, we will be able to diagnose, and fix the issue quickly.

[RickFLS4]

We are still waiting for a video. Seinsmeld notified me that with some unforeseen events, this is an extremely busy time for him so it may be awhile before any video is received.

As soon as that happens, we will be able to diagnose, and fix the issue quickly.

Ok. Figured he got busy and was just checking in. Thanks.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[LakeShow]

I just ordered an AWE with stock DP's set up. I have a question, if I opt for the Resonated DP's does that just decrease interior cabin noise or exterior noise as well?

[1MORLAP]

I just ordered an AWE with stock DP's set up. I have a question, if I opt for the Resonated DP's does that just decrease interior cabin noise or exterior noise as well?

Yes, resonated DPs muffle both interior and exterior volume as well change the sound a bit.

[LakeShow]

Yes, resonated DPs muffle both interior and exterior volume as well change the sound a bit.

Thanks, I guess I'll see how stock DP's work on my 13' and give some feedback.

[Seinsmeld13]

Guys I'm still extremely busy. 350 billable hours in July so I'm making lots of cash. Anyway, I made a video using my gopro, unfortunately the sound is terrible. I'll use my Canon HD camera and try and get her done this weekend then I'll post it up.