Exhausts: AWE vs. Everyone Else

[XxSullyxX123]

EXHAUST WARS AGAIN!

I didn't want to start a new thread, but my post in the 'questions you thought were too stupid to ask' thread as a starting point didn't get much traction. Did a BUNCH of searching over the last few weeks, but everything was so dated at this point. The foregone conclusion to everyone now is AWE or nothing I feel like. So please don't just say "SEARCH" and waste mine and anyone else's time who may be wondering like me. While their products are top notch, I tried a bunch of combinations and just didn't LOVE it. I want to LOVE my mods for the amount of money they cost. I didn't want to revive old threads from the dead and hopefully this thread can be useful to others besides me. I'm Changing up my exhaust. Back on stock at the moment while I ponder what my next set up will be, or if it'll just be Fuse #5 LOL. I need opinions from people who have actually heard and/or experienced different set ups. Nearly anyone I know has an AWE Touring, so that's why I am asking.

I have tried:
-AWE Track on stock DPs (1 month) - Liked the tone and low rpms burble (better than touring), but disliked the highway drone even on my 6MT. Didn't love the WOT "exotic" rasp
-AWE Touring on stock DP's ( 3 months)- pretty much perfect for almost everyone, although I didn't love the weed whacker hiss coming off the line, and the WOT "exotic" rasp. Volume wise (both WOT and cruise) and drone wise (or lack thereof) I found it to be perfect.
-AWE Touring with non-res DP (1 day , just had to hear it) - LOUDDDDD. Didn't seem to drone though from my 1 day commuting to work with it. But too loud for me.
-AWE non-res DP with the stock exhaust for 10 minutes just to see. no noticeable volume increase at cruise, but RASPY at WOT. nope.

I'm most interested in opinions on the Stasis, Milltek resonated and Milltek non-resonated. Valvesonic is just too much $. Heard a Stasis last week really liked it, but I'll have to camp out in the FS forum to ever get one considering they're no longer manufactured. The Milltek resonated, on youtube, sounds too quiet and almost not worth it vs. stock. exhaust for me is about the sound, not the power it allegedly creates on this platform. Really like the tone (on youtube) of the non-resonated. Nice growl, and deep sound without the exotic rasp of the AWE. What I Wonder is how the volume and drone is on this. The placement of mufflers/resonators looks familiar to the AWE track that had a lot of drone which scares me. I also don't want something AWE Touring + non - res DP loudness. I'm looking for Touring on stock DP Volume and lack of drone ideally, with a deeper exhaust note. Does anyone have experience with the non-resonated Milltek vs. any of the AWE products that could rank the Volume/Drone for me?

Borla seems like its nearly the same as the AWE in terms of tone, in videos. Obviously I'm aware there are some other systems out there that nearly no one has, due to drone or whatever, Magnaflow, CTS, Unitronic, Neuspeed, or the cheap and decent X-pipe mod that I'm hesitant I will feel good about afterwards lol.

Obviously if anyone lives near me in Westchester, NY and has one of these setups I'd love to listen!!!!


EDIT 3/6/17:
Here's a quick up to date list of what I've tried, so you know before you read through everything-
AWE Track w/ Stock DP
AWE Touring w/ Stock DP
AWE Touring w/ Non-Res DP
Milltek Non-Res (includes a DP)
AWE Touring / Res DP - My set up until the car was sold June 2017.


EDIT 10/10/19:
Now that I have been back in a 2016 S4 for 6 months, gone Stage 1 ECU/DSG, 034 intake tube and AFe dry filter, it is time for an exhaust again. I have an AWE Touring with 90mm black tips in route, and I will be writing a review on stock downpipes (to start) from my perspective on my DSG car, after owning several set ups on my prior 6MT. In lieu of starting a new thread, I will simply add to this thread with new posts.

[BJYorko]

It seems to me that you missed trying a popular set-up when you had your AWE Touring on there... I've seen a lot of people go AWE Touring with Resonated DP's. it will take out a lot of that "rasp" at WOP you are talking about... If I were you, I'd check that out. Otherwise, I would look at Milltek set-ups as well as the quality on those is also very high.

[XxSullyxX123]

It seems to me that you missed trying a popular set-up when you had your AWE Touring on there... I've seen a lot of people go AWE Touring with Resonated DP's. it will take out a lot of that "rasp" at WOP you are talking about... If I were you, I'd check that out. Otherwise, I would look at Milltek set-ups as well as the quality on those is also very high.

True, and I had thought about this, but the underlying tone of the AWE (possibly created by the x-pipe smoothing the exhaust pulses out) wasn't my favorite. Too "GTR like" if that makes sense. Whereas the Milltek sounds more V8 rumbly it seems.

Do you have any experience with the volume level of the Milltek Non-res? Wondering if it is as loud as the AWE Track on stock DPs, or more like the Touring on stock downpipes.

[MrFunk]

Wow - talk about picky! LOL

I don't think you will find anything you love after reading your post and how many exhaust set ups you have gone through.
If you have not pulled that idiot fuze yet or if you had that in at the same time as the aftermarket exhausts then that is probably the reason you didn't like any of the set ups.
With a 6MT the AWE touring exhaust with stock DP's is about as perfect as you will get with this car. Adding res downpipes mellows it and if you want more mellow then dynamat your trunk (I recently did this and made a huge difference at highway cruise).

That being said - you sound like you won't be happy with anything so I'm not really sure what to suggest. Yeah - first step is to pull that fuze.

I'm not sure what you are talking about "weed whacker hiss coming off the line". That would be probably the most opposite description I would give this exhaust... I'd attribute that to your soudafakor (fuze) ruining the soundtrack.

Miltek is a nice system.
Maybe you need to buy a different car with a V8?

Good luck - glad I'm not the vendor dealing with you! LOL

[XxSullyxX123]

Wow - talk about picky! LOL

I don't think you will find anything you love after reading your post and how many exhaust set ups you have gone through.
If you have not pulled that idiot fuze yet or if you had that in at the same time as the aftermarket exhausts then that is probably the reason you didn't like any of the set ups.
With a 6MT the AWE touring exhaust with stock DP's is about as perfect as you will get with this car. Adding res downpipes mellows it and if you want more mellow then dynamat your trunk (I recently did this and made a huge difference at highway cruise).

That being said - you sound like you won't be happy with anything so I'm not really sure what to suggest. Yeah - first step is to pull that fuze.

I'm not sure what you are talking about "weed whacker hiss coming off the line". That would be probably the most opposite description I would give this exhaust... I'd attribute that to your soudafakor (fuze) ruining the soundtrack.

Good luck - glad I'm not the vendor dealing with you! LOL

Hahaha touché !! I actually tend to agree with most of what you said. I am super picky. The fuse has always been pulled btw. I actually popped it back in this weekend while back to stock just to hear how Much difference it made even on comfort mode.

Considering I've purchased each component for my setups, I think the vendors (mostly just AWE direct) aren't disappointed. Never returned anything to them or blamed them for my mistakes. I've sold the parts (or are currently selling them on here ). In fact I've spent more $$ this way hahah.

The hiss I refer to is well documented on this site and addressed by Josh. Just the nature of the touring rear resonators under low load. Backing into a parking space or starting out off of a stop sign it is the most prevalent. It's completely Normal, but bothered me. Stock doesn't do it. Not sure about other exhausts.


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[waxxonMTL]

your pickiness will cost you a lot of money down the road... If you want V8 sound.. get a V8 LOL ! I've heard countless of exhaust in my life ( including the uber expensive valve tronic on the 3.0T), Awe touring + Resonated DP can't get much better than that. I also added about 10sq feet of dynamat + fiberglass sound absorber in the trunk. Sound mean over 2.5krpm, under that, it's almost as quiet as oem. I hate raspy, if this is raspy to you. Honestly, forget it man lol you will NEVER be happy.

[SportVier]

It seems to me that you missed trying a popular set-up when you had your AWE Touring on there... I've seen a lot of people go AWE Touring with Resonated DP's. it will take out a lot of that "rasp" at WOP you are talking about... If I were you, I'd check that out.

Boom. Love mine.

[XxSullyxX123]

your pickiness will cost you a lot of money down the road... If you want V8 sound.. get a V8 LOL ! I've heard countless of exhaust in my life ( including the uber expensive valve tronic on the 3.0T), Awe touring + Resonated DP can't get much better than that. I also added about 10sq feet of dynamat + fiberglass sound absorber in the trunk. Sound mean over 2.5krpm, under that, it's almost as quiet as oem. I hate raspy, if this is raspy to you. Honestly, forget it man lol you will NEVER be happy.

Fair points. I don't want a V8 sound. I'm just talking about what the Milltek seems to sound like. not sure if i'd like it in person or not. Maybe rasp is a bad term for what I didn't love about the AWE. "Exotic tone" is what most people call it, and maybe this exoticness isn't my favorite. Seems out of character to me.

Again, what I'm trying to get away from is the " get the AWE or nothing" mentality that everyone seems to have on AZ. I KNOW they've earned the reputation and are perfect for 99% of people. I just didn't love it. Doesn't mean I wont like anything because I don't like the popular set ups. Frankly in person, I liked the Stasis a lot. Very OEM+ but not sure ill ever be able to get one

[turbo_junkie]

capristo? love their exhausts for my cayman but I could never afford one :(

I am having a hard time understanding what it is you don't like about the awe, so hard to recommend something that you would like

[SportVier]

Swapping the stock DPs for the AWE resonated DPs definitely adds some depth to the tone of the Touring system. But this is a V6 and wants to identify as such. It is half of a V12. For God's sake man, let it howl!

I'm not a total AWE fan boy, btw. I give the sound a 9 but the quality maybe a 5. There were some fit issues with my system after it settled in. Specifically, the flex joints on the downpipes ended up stretching over the first few thousand miles, causing some contact in the rear when the system was fully hot and lengthened. Had to chop and re-weld, but not a big deal.

[XxSullyxX123]

capristo? love their exhausts for my cayman but I could never afford one :(

I am having a hard time understanding what it is you don't like about the awe, so hard to recommend something that you would like

My complaints aren't major, they are minor. Part of me likes to change it up and try new things (clearly). Part of me just doesn't want to have the same exhaust as every other S4 I see on the road , all of my S4 buddies and everyone with an S4 I've met out at Cars and Coffee and the like.

If I could help you help me (lol): If you've heard any Milltek systems, how is the volume and drone on the non-resonated compared to the setups I've tried from AWE. I'm aware the resonated Milltek will be quieter than all I've tried. so I am going to be hearing it in person shortly when a friend installs his to see if it is a good OEM+ sound, while being loud enough to be worthwhile.

[turbo_junkie]

drone is insane on the non-resonated milltek I've heard - but it was on a dsg so that doesn't help. Headache inducing for me

[XxSullyxX123]

drone is insane on the non-resonated milltek I've heard - but it was on a dsg so that doesn't help. Headache inducing for me

That's helpful. The AWE Track on stock DP's were headache inducing for me while commuting to work on a 6MT while driving @ 65 - 75 on the highway . Loved it on the weekend around town though!

[waxxonMTL]

Fair points. I don't want a V8 sound. I'm just talking about what the Milltek seems to sound like. not sure if i'd like it in person or not. Maybe rasp is a bad term for what I didn't love about the AWE. "Exotic tone" is what most people call it, and maybe this exoticness isn't my favorite. Seems out of character to me.

Again, what I'm trying to get away from is the " get the AWE or nothing" mentality that everyone seems to have on AZ. I KNOW they've earned the reputation and are perfect for 99% of people. I just didn't love it. Doesn't mean I wont like anything because I don't like the popular set ups. Frankly in person, I liked the Stasis a lot. Very OEM+ but not sure ill ever be able to get one

Like i said, i heard lots of exhaust.. including that one at 6k$ on a S4 I had the chance to test-drive... i much prefered my setup. sounded much more raspy than mine.

[XxSullyxX123]

Like i said, i heard lots of exhaust.. including that one at 6k$ on a S4 I had the chance to test-drive... i much prefered my setup. sounded much more raspy than mine.

yea, some of the valved options sound super raspy, which makes sense since the more straight piped the exhaust is, the less ability there is to tune out that natural raspy tone.

My ideal exhaust would sound not a whole lot different from AWE. Maybe just a deeper tone, especially at low RPMs. the Stasis I heard was CLEARLY deeper than AWE at low RPMs. Milltek I haven't heard in person, but sounds to be deeper.

[Gusman1]

There will be a new exhaust option coming very soon from Dinan.

[XxSullyxX123]

There will be a new exhaust option coming very soon from Dinan.

Always liked Dinan on BMWs. But if "soon" is anything like APR's definition Ill be onto my next car by then! hehehe

Any idea of when? and price point? Can't see spending more than the current AWE/Milltek full systems in the $2500ish range.

[pudmyers]

I have the Stassis on my car, so far I like it, I've been keeping my eyes open tough, if really like to throw some DPs on there and see what the difference is... I thought about just cutting the factory one out and putting a magnaflow or borla unit in... It's very quiet until you lay on the skinny..

[XxSullyxX123]

I have the Stassis on my car, so far I like it, I've been keeping my eyes open tough, if really like to throw some DPs on there and see what the difference is... I thought about just cutting the factory one out and putting a magnaflow or borla unit in... It's very quiet until you lay on the skinny..

as far as I know, the newer stasis exhausts come with downpipes. the original ones back in 2010-2011 mated up to stock DP, but given drone complains they redesigned maybe in 2011-2012 or so I believe.

[pudmyers]

as far as I know, the newer stasis exhausts come with downpipes. the original ones back in 2010-2011 mated up to stock DP, but given drone complains they redesigned maybe in 2011-2012 or so I believe.

Ahhh ok I guess I have the older setup.. got it for a steal so I'm not complaining!

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[XxSullyxX123]

Ahhh ok I guess I have the older setup.. got it for a steal so I'm not complaining!

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Must be one of the ones ive seen in the FS thread over the last 6 months or so :)

[XxSullyxX123]

@Will@Griffin - you are the main US distributor of Milltek products right? Likely you've heard quite a few set ups over the years. Curious as to your opinion on the volume/tone/drone on the Milltek Non-Res or Milltek Resonated compared to the various AWE setups I've had. Also, do you sell a package of full Resonated and then an add on of rear pipes non resonated?

[Cooper993]

As an FYI I've had both the AWE with DP's and now the Borla.

When I first installed the Borla it did have a raspy sound. Over time it has mellowed. Comparing the two the Borla is more subtle and doesn't drone. The AWE makes noise all the time.

Just my .02 cents

[XxSullyxX123]

As an FYI I've had both the AWE with DP's and now the Borla.

When I first installed the Borla it did have a raspy sound. Over time it has mellowed. Comparing the two the Borla is more subtle and doesn't drone. The AWE makes noise all the time.

Just my .02 cents

Interesting, maybe I can't rule it out as being too similar to AWE.

[Pyromatic177]

I had the Milltek Res on my S4 and took it off because it was too quiet. Yes it had good tone and sound where there was sound but it wasn't enough. Then again I have the AWE track now with Stock DP's and love it. So I may not be helping lol.

I did record a cold start and rev's video on my Hero 4 of the Milltek if you want to hear it. Pretty good audio...

EDIT: IMHO the Borla sounds better than the Touring. I had Borla on my B8 and for the volume level it produced it was great. Great DD system. But since I don't DD my B8.5 the Track is awesome.

[XxSullyxX123]

I had the Milltek Res on my S4 and took it off because it was too quiet. Yes it had good tone and sound where there was sound but it wasn't enough. Then again I have the AWE track now with Stock DP's and love it. So I may not be helping lol.

I did record a cold start and rev's video on my Hero 4 of the Milltek if you want to hear it. Pretty good audio...

EDIT: IMHO the Borla sounds better than the Touring. I had Borla on my B8 and for the volume level it produced it was great. Great DD system. But since I don't DD my B8.5 the Track is awesome.

Id love to hear it. I'll PM you

I didn't mind the volume of the track, but the drone bothered me a lot. I'm a bit schizophrenic about whether I want loud or quiet. Mainly I know I don't want drone, and I want to like the tone especially if it'll be loud.

[SportVier]

When I first installed the Borla it did have a raspy sound. Over time it has mellowed.

This is going to be true of any new system. My AWE really mellowed after about 2k of carbon had built up.

[hyperunion]

Id love to hear it. I'll PM you

I didn't mind the volume of the track, but the drone bothered me a lot. I'm a bit schizophrenic about whether I want loud or quiet. Mainly I know I don't want drone, and I want to like the tone especially if it'll be loud.

I'd say simply get the resonated DPs,..... And keep the touring setup.. only setup I can see sounding better would be akrapovic!... And that's titanium

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[Pyromatic177]

Akrapovic FTW!

[Gusman1]

Always liked Dinan on BMWs. But if "soon" is anything like APR's definition Ill be onto my next car by then! hehehe

Any idea of when? and price point? Can't see spending more than the current AWE/Milltek full systems in the $2500ish range.

Hahaha no were near APR's definition. I should have the final production version on my car by the end of next week. They have been using my car for development.
They have moved things along pretty quick, even though they are developing exhausts for a lot of different cars right now.
Right now I don't know when but I will ask once I take the car back in. Price point should be on par with those systems.

[Badja05WB]

With regards to your AWE setup just curios did you give it time for break-in period Atleast 500-700 miles. Reason being I just got mine AWE touring with resonated DP and the sound did changed a bit after usage and has a much more deeper crisp tone. just my observation I too was a bit disappointed in the beginning until after but I also went the dyna Mat route my trunk.

[DannyDeez]

Thread reported

[minman26]

Akra doesnt make a system for this car. At least it isnt listed on their site.

[TappaNuKegga]

Thread reported

DannyDeez, stern but fair.

#DeezForPresident2020

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[XxSullyxX123]

With regards to your AWE setup just curios did you give it time for break-in period Atleast 500-700 miles. Reason being I just got mine AWE touring with resonated DP and the sound did changed a bit after usage and has a much more deeper crisp tone. just my observation I too was a bit disappointed in the beginning until after but I also went the dyna Mat route my trunk.

I had it on for 4000 miles, so yes it broke in.

- - - Updated - - -

Thread reported

Ill be blocked like Murat from Chipwerke for going against the grain. :)

[BJYorko]

Thread reported

^ This!

/thread and lifetime Audizine ban.




Definitely made me laugh out loud at my desk!

[BJYorko]

Akrapovic FTW!

I wish...

Akra doesnt make a system for this car. At least it isnt listed on their site.

That's what I thought as well... Would be my first choice of exhaust if they did. They make one for the S5 (but only the 4.2 V8 models) and some RS models but not the S4... There is someone with one of these on an RS7 around here that I've heard in person and it sounded absolutely perfect. I know it's a totally different beast of an engine for that car, but it was amazing! I'd love to see what they could do with our engine...

[XxSullyxX123]

Anyone have personal experience with what is louder and has more drone. AWE Track on stock DP or Milltek Non-resonated? I've experienced the Track, so I can use that as a starting point.

[XxSullyxX123]

Also, for the folks that have the Milltek Non-Resonated that say I likely wont like it....In the early days, in the "official" exhaust thread, The Milltek interior sound actually came in at lower decibels than the AWE Touring exhaust with stock DPs. Can that be right? If so, that may be the perfect exhaust for me. Similar volume (or slightly less) to AWE Touring on stock downpipes. Just with a more Roaring tone vs exotic.

[SportVier]

Anyone have personal experience with what is louder and has more drone. AWE Track on stock DP or Milltek Non-resonated?

Also, for the folks that have the Milltek Non-Resonated that say I likely wont like it....In the early days, in the "official" exhaust thread, The Milltek interior sound actually came in at lower decibels than the AWE Touring exhaust with stock DPs. Can that be right?

Also, for those who have worn both, which do you think is more comfortable with jeans, boxers or briefs?