Review: AWE Tuning Track Edition Exhaust

[GramCracker]

I’ve been a fan of AWE Tuning ever since I heard my friend’s B5 S4 with a Twin1 and catless downpipes. No exhaust sounded that raw and exotic to me. Somehow it reminded me of a baby F40. Shortly after that, I ended up with a Twin1 on my S4… and a Twin1 on all my subsequent S4’s. Other than the sound, what really got me was the overall quality, fitment, and build of their exhaust – probably can be chalked up to being hand built here in the US.

Unfortunately, as time passed, my situation changed and I found myself out of B5 S4 Avants (how I miss them so) and into my current MQB S3. Pretty much since the moment I drove the car out of the dealer show room, I’d been pestering Jesse and Josh over at AWE about when I could get my hands on their S3 exhaust. After months of waiting, the official release finally rolled around and I wasted no time placing an order for a Track Edition catback with 102mm tips in polished silver. Coming from multiple Twin1’s, I opted for the track edition as I’d prefer a bit of a louder sound at all times, versus minor muffling from the valves. After what can only be described as what felt like an eternity of waiting, the catback arrived.

Everything was packaged extremely neat and tight for the journey from PA to CT. Once I had everything laid out on the garage for installation, I took some time to go over the exhaust and see how the new generation compared to my “old school” generation Twin1. I was very pleased to see that nothing had changed, and in my opinion, AWE’s quality was still very much present.





Install was very straight forward and simple – fitment of the catback was absolutely spot-on and of OEM quality. The worst parts were probably suspending it in the air while I bolted the hangars back onto the underside of the car (I didn’t have something to support it at the time) and aligning the exhaust tips to be perfect. My OCD was really getting to me after a half hour of incredibly minor adjustments to get each side perfect! Not the best photo, but this gives you a general idea of the 102mm tips:



Mated to the OEM downpipe, I’d say that this exhaust provides just the right amount of added noise for a daily driver. It’s not overly loud, doesn’t drone, and provides just enough additional sound that the factory catback doesn’t. The following video was recorded with my GoPro using the open backing to try and give you an idea of how the cold start sounds, acceleration from 0 inside the cabin, and , of course, a bumper exhaust clip.



Overall, I’m extremely pleased with my purchase from AWE – from Jesse and Josh’s fantastic communication, to the final catback exhaust product itself.

11/10 – would recommend to any S3 owner.

[ModdedEuros]

Nice review. They really do make some awesome systems. If you are ever in PA should check out their facility. We are not far from them and I live around the corner from them. Really cool facility

[GramCracker]

Nice review. They really do make some awesome systems. If you are ever in PA should check out their facility. We are not far from them and I live around the corner from them. Really cool facility

Thanks! Agreed! I was fortunate enough to go down to their old location in the late spring right before they finished the new facility - unbelievable move they made going into the new space, it's truly a mega step up!

[Sean@TAG]

As a heads up guys, we have these systems in stock ready to go at an UNHEARD OF Discount!! Give us a shout!!

[ModdedEuros]

Thanks! Agreed! I was fortunate enough to go down to their old location in the late spring right before they finished the new facility - unbelievable move they made going into the new space, it's truly a mega step up!

Yea their new bender also is really cool. Crazy how fast it bends.

We are glad to work with those guys directly now

[will13k7]

awesome video, better promo material than the AWE videos! sounds fantastic.

[coolwater]

Sounds great! Time to get the AWE downpipe and go stage 2. :)

-cW

[ModdedEuros]

Sounds great! Time to get the AWE downpipe and go stage 2. :)

-cW

do it you will never look back

[XLR8 Craig]

AWEsome Graham. Thanks for stopping in and was great meeting you, the car is clean and sounds way better now! Let us know if you need anything and don't be a stranger.


click the image to view this product on the website

[Kevin quattro]

Thanks for the review man. I think I'm going to order it this weekend. I was worried about drone since this is my dd and I have the IE downpipe already. Anyone else have the awe track exhaust?

[donot521]

I am going to the same route, but I have res delete on mine right now, just wondering what's the sound difference between res delete and awe track exhaust

[mmm def]

Thanks for the review man. I think I'm going to order it this weekend. I was worried about drone since this is my dd and I have the IE downpipe already. Anyone else have the awe track exhaust?

I have it. There’s a little bit of drone/boominess but it goes away after 1000 miles and it’s perfect. I’m really sensitive to that.


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[mmm def]

I am going to the same route, but I have res delete on mine right now, just wondering what's the sound difference between res delete and awe track exhaust

I had red delete first and went to the awe track. The res delete has more of a farty thinner sound if that makes any sense. Don’t get me wrong for $100 it’s a great mod and well worth it. The track exhaust is very full and deep sounding and has a bit of a burble. If you have the cash for it, it’s worth it.


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[Kevin quattro]

I have it. There’s a little bit of drone/boominess but it goes away after 1000 miles and it’s perfect. I’m really sensitive to that.


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Awesome! That's exactly what I needed to hear. Cant tell you how many exhaust clips I've listened to over and over again. Problem is they dont give you an accurate noise level even if compared to stock and I've never heard it in person. I'm all for a good rumble just dont want it to be too loud and annoying while cruising. I would pony up for switchback if I knew it would be too loud sometimes, but I like noise. I want to hear the car always if it sounds good. My main draw to awe is I know the build quality is top tier. Everyone who has it loves it. Black diamond tips are exactly what I want. And it's on sale right now. What size tips did you get? I can't tell if bigger is better

[mmm def]

Awesome! That's exactly what I needed to hear. Cant tell you how many exhaust clips I've listened to over and over again. Problem is they dont give you an accurate noise level even if compared to stock and I've never heard it in person. I'm all for a good rumble just dont want it to be too loud and annoying while cruising. I would pony up for switchback if I knew it would be too loud sometimes, but I like noise. I want to hear the car always if it sounds good. My main draw to awe is I know the build quality is top tier. Everyone who has it loves it. Black diamond tips are exactly what I want. And it's on sale right now. What size tips did you get? I can't tell if bigger is better

I went with the 102mm. They’re big! Almost too big for the car but it looks decent. Now that they’re a little dirty they don’t even show that much from the rear, kind of stealthy. Also-I has my shop push them in so they are flush with the valence. They don’t stick out at all.


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[donot521]

With the track exhaust, do I need to get the AWE Electronic Valve Simulators? Or not necessary
Thank you

[Kevin quattro]

I went with the 102mm. They’re big! Almost too big for the car but it looks decent. Now that they’re a little dirty they don’t even show that much from the rear, kind of stealthy. Also-I has my shop push them in so they are flush with the valence. They don’t stick out at all.


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That looks good with them pushed back. Like OEM+ which I like. Every cosmetic mod I do, I try to make it seem like it could have come from audi that way, it just looks/performs better. Those 102's just fit in there. How much did your shop charge to install? I can't imagine it's a whole lot. I would do it myself if it wasn't winter or if I had a lift.

[Kevin quattro]

With the track exhaust, do I need to get the AWE Electronic Valve Simulators? Or not necessary
Thank you

From what I read, you can clear the code and get rid of the check engine light if you have something to do that, but it will still read when scanned. They called it a "soft code". I don't entirely understand the simulators unless you didn't have a way of clearing codes. Maybe for those who are more ocd about stuff too.

[mmm def]

From what I read, you can clear the code and get rid of the check engine light if you have something to do that, but it will still read when scanned. They called it a "soft code". I don't entirely understand the simulators unless you didn't have a way of clearing codes. Maybe for those who are more ocd about stuff too.

There is no cel. The soft code is stored but you’d never know unless you pull codes. Save the $ and don’t get it.


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[mmm def]

That looks good with them pushed back. Like OEM+ which I like. Every cosmetic mod I do, I try to make it seem like it could have come from audi that way, it just looks/performs better. Those 102's just fit in there. How much did your shop charge to install? I can't imagine it's a whole lot. I would do it myself if it wasn't winter or if I had a lift.

Thanks. Yeah it’s a tight fit. My shop installed for free since I purchased the exhaust through them.


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[Kevin quattro]

Ah nice. Idk why there's no performance shops in my area. I live in grand rapids, mi. Were the second largest city in the state. Just in the city over 1,000,000 people. We have 1 apr shop in town and that's it for audi.

[donot521]

There is no cel. The soft code is stored but you’d never know unless you pull codes. Save the $ and don’t get it.


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So the code will not come up on the dash?

[mmm def]

So the code will not come up on the dash?

Nope.


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[Kevin quattro]

Well I would def save the money. You can always get them later too if it bothers you.

Anyone have a clip of interior highway cruising?

Mmm def you said drone went away after 1000 miles. Is it quieter all together after some time?

[donot521]

I would love to know the sound when just normal cruising around. I hope it's loud

[Kevin quattro]

I would love to know the sound when just normal cruising around. I hope it's loud

It is. I just spoke with a vendor and he advised against getting it if I don't want full loud all the time. Now I'm considering the switchpath. I want increased noise, more pops n bangs, etc. I just don't want it to be obnoxious. I wish I could hear one in real life.

[donot521]

It is. I just spoke with a vendor and he advised against getting it if I don't want full loud all the time. Now I'm considering the switchpath. I want increased noise, more pops n bangs, etc. I just don't want it to be obnoxious. I wish I could hear one in real life.

Even with switchpath I would have the valve open all the time. Therefore I will go with track first. However there is a kit that you can convert track to switchpath if it is too loud for you