Trying to decide between AWE track vs Milltek non-resonated

[JOBJOB]

Hi, anyone can comment based on their real life experience? Watched a few youtube vids but I know it doesn’t mean anything.

I’m stock (maybe going stage 1) with de-cat midpipes and sport exhaust. I plug the valves opened too.

My thoughts :
AWE
- cheaper
- basically straight piping with no resonator or muffler
- obvious it’s not stock if police bothers me
- worried it might be way way too loud

Milltek
- has a backbox so looks oem
- worried it might not be that much louder than stock

[o1turbo30v]

Awe is super raspy/tinny, uncomfortably loud, sounds like sh*t to be honest. Milltek is the better option if you want to go non-resonated.

[KMPRSSD]

My AWE track was way to loud/raspy for me at WOT. I opted for the touring conversion and it is way better at mid rpm's and has a great burble. Still barks nicely at WOT. Milltek I believe is a better made exhaust as I have heard AWE doesn't stand up very long. I only put on about 3k miles a year and I don't drive my car in the rain or the snow, so I am not concerned.

[Domino_z]

Milltek non res gave me a headache with the drone driving it home from workshop

I bought the res mid pipe but ended up going back to oe catback, it just wasn’t a quality item and not the sound profile I was after

Given akra stopped making the catback under audi sport brand (there are a handful of sedan versions still floating around) if I was to try again, I’d only consider Remus resonated

Remus have a multi million dollar sound lab and tune their exhausts like a doctor

[gellis10]

I picked up the AWE track exhaust in 12/2019 and the sound was unbearable (like the AWE warning stated). I like rasp and I like loud, but this exhaust is hearing loss loud. To add some perspective - In the last 10 years I've owned 4 cars: 370z long tube headers + hks exhaust, B8 S4 AWE track exhaust w/downpipes, MK7 Golf R Milltek catless downpipe + milltek non resonated exhaust and my current RS3. The former 3 are mute compared to the RS3 awe track exhaust. I picked up the awe switchpath conversion kit and am good now. It sounds great w/the values open and my Iroz DP.

[signde]

i have the AWE switchpath and have no idea how someone could stand the car with wide open straight pipes of the track exhaust all the time. i love the sound when i want it to rip but on the interstate driving for more than 20 mins i would be ready to get rid of the car if i had no option to calm it down. it's not just the loudness it's a resonance you can feel all throughout the car.

if i had it to do all over again i would have considered the bullx more but with the awe switchpath and a valve controller, i am completely happy with it. personally i don't find the switchpath very raspy but compared to stock with the valve open it is 5x more visceral. with the valve closed it's just a touch louder than stock with a tiny bit of drone over 75mph.

[B4YM4X]

i have the AWE switchpath and have no idea how someone could stand the car with wide open straight pipes of the track exhaust all the time. i love the sound when i want it to rip but on the interstate driving for more than 20 mins i would be ready to get rid of the car if i had no option to calm it down. it's not just the loudness it's a resonance you can feel all throughout the car.

if i had it to do all over again i would have considered the bullx more but with the awe switchpath and a valve controller, i am completely happy with it. personally i don't find the switchpath very raspy but compared to stock with the valve open it is 5x more visceral. with the valve closed it's just a touch louder than stock with a tiny bit of drone over 75mph.

I'm not sure if you have heard the track in person but from what I can tell the track is just straight through to both sides equally.

With the switchpath the left side closes and it is only straight through to the right side correct?

Would this make the track still louder compared to the switchpath (when in dynamic)? And I'm guessing in comfort mode exhaust gases are flowing part through the muffler and part straight pipe out the right side?

[Porra46]

Milltek non res gave me a headache with the drone driving it home from workshop

I bought the res mid pipe but ended up going back to oe catback, it just wasn’t a quality item and not the sound profile I was after

Given akra stopped making the catback under audi sport brand (there are a handful of sedan versions still floating around) if I was to try again, I’d only consider Remus resonated

Remus have a multi million dollar sound lab and tune their exhausts like a doctor

You one of the first I hear of complaining about drone with a Milltek.

The Milltek is compatible with the stock flap adjustment. In comfort, even the non res system is meant to be quiet. Didn't you drive home in Dynamic mode?

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[brobst]

As a previous awe track now turned switch path owner, its loud in the cabin. You can feel it between your ears from like 1800rpms to 2800rpms. Never got to test it with windows down but I am 100% sure it was going to get me a sound ticket

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[catalyst686]

I think the track sounds awesome, especially just cruising around below 4k rpms. The drone is bad though, it's constant above 70 mph. I've learned to live with it. I had installed the touring conversion a few thousand miles after I installed the track but it took away the throaty sound at slower speed as you'll hear in the first video here. There's a WOT clip in the second video, I've never heard any raspy or tiny sounds, I've received a ton of compliments at car meets/ random cars on the road etc. It is insanely loud though, and you will have drone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erpuRTvnLWg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyohCN5aAdA

[JOBJOB]

Ah I remember watching your other videos over and over lol. Do cops give you trouble at all?

[catalyst686]

Ah I remember watching your other videos over and over lol. Do cops give you trouble at all?

No, I've got a few neighbors that aren't incredibly fond of me though.

[Fixeroh]

Installed the Milltek cat back non resonated system on my 2018 about 1 month ago. Absolutely love it! Not had a chance to put a lot of miles on it but the sound is way better than stock and I can switch to Comfort mode as necessary. Well worth the money to me. Love the tailpipe tips as well. So much better than stock. Another plus vote for Milltek.

[OE2]

stock exhaust with valves open all the time is my vote.

[signde]

I'm not sure if you have heard the track in person but from what I can tell the track is just straight through to both sides equally.

With the switchpath the left side closes and it is only straight through to the right side correct?

Would this make the track still louder compared to the switchpath (when in dynamic)? And I'm guessing in comfort mode exhaust gases are flowing part through the muffler and part straight pipe out the right side?

have not heard the track but yes the track is the same only without the muffler, so it would be like switchpath but probably even louder.

with the switchpath the passenger side valve is what controls access to the muffler which is on the drivers side. passenger side valve closed, everything goes out the muffled driver’s side. valve open it goes out both sides, the straight pipe and the muffled side, though most of it takes the path of least resistance out the passenger side straight pipe.

the passenger side valve does not stay open all the time, even in dynamic. it opens and closes based on hot start, throttle position, and rpm. the drivers side is the one that does stay open in dynamic. this is the reason i got a valve controller. the oem valve behavior of the passenger side valve is dumb.

[B4YM4X]

have not heard the track but yes the track is the same only without the muffler, so it would be like switchpath but probably even louder.

with the switchpath the passenger side valve is what controls access to the muffler which is on the drivers side. passenger side valve closed, everything goes out the muffled driver’s side. valve open it goes out both sides, the straight pipe and the muffled side, though most of it takes the path of least resistance out the passenger side straight pipe.

the passenger side valve does not stay open all the time, even in dynamic. it opens and closes based on hot start, throttle position, and rpm. the drivers side is the one that does stay open in dynamic. this is the reason i got a valve controller. the oem valve behavior of the passenger side valve is dumb.

Oh that makes sense. And since the passenger side will make the most difference in sound between open/closed compared to the drivers side I can see why people would complain with this exhaust.

The APR tune doesn't keep the flaps open while in dynamic? I think Unitronic does this?

[Domino_z]

You one of the first I hear of complaining about drone with a Milltek.

The Milltek is compatible with the stock flap adjustment. In comfort, even the non res system is meant to be quiet. Didn't you drive home in Dynamic mode?

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What’s the point of having a dynamic mode if you have to leave the car in comfort because the exhaust is painful to listen too

I also have a sportback, which with an open hatch is completely different sound stage

[Porra46]

What’s the point of having a dynamic mode if you have to leave the car in comfort because the exhaust is painful to listen too

I also have a sportback, which with an open hatch is completely different sound stage

Honestly the Milltek is the better sounding even in dynamic. And if you want to complain about drone cause you want to cruise on the road then get the resonated system.

But if I hoon around, I drive in dynamic. What's the point of driving in dynamic if you are cruising on the motorway?

And, by the way. My exhaust system is still stock. I have the RS Sport exhaust and I still drive in comfort on the motorway. Gear changes are also optimized and the car uses less fuel. As I said. Pointless cruising at partial throttle in Dynamic. Save that for spirited driving.

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[brobst]

I think at highway speeds like 75mph the passenger valve follows the same logic in D and S. Maybe its different in comfort. Idk

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[Domino_z]

Honestly the Milltek is the better sounding even in dynamic. And if you want to complain about drone cause you want to cruise on the road then get the resonated system.

But if I hoon around, I drive in dynamic. What's the point of driving in dynamic if you are cruising on the motorway?

And, by the way. My exhaust system is still stock. I have the RS Sport exhaust and I still drive in comfort on the motorway. Gear changes are also optimized and the car uses less fuel. As I said. Pointless cruising at partial throttle in Dynamic. Save that for spirited driving.

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Re-read my original post bloke before you go and get yourself all triggered

[Porra46]

Re-read my original post bloke before you go and get yourself all triggered

Lol! Me triggered???

This is exactly what you said....


""What’s the point of having a dynamic mode if you have to leave the car in comfort because the exhaust is painful to listen too""

No a Milltek is not painful to listen to. You just have issues. LMAO...

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[B4YM4X]

Lol! Me triggered???

This is exactly what you said....


""What’s the point of having a dynamic mode if you have to leave the car in comfort because the exhaust is painful to listen too""

No a Milltek is not painful to listen to. You just have issues. LMAO...

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On car forums like this I always appreciate the opinions of car owners whether it is on one side or the other. The problem is that your response sounds very one sided. People have many different opinions on how they want to drive and what settings they want to use. You saying it's pointless to drive in any but Comfort mode and "D" shows that. Even though that is MY preferred settings to use while on the highway, I do realize that is not how ALL people want to drive.

Now you also say you're still on the RS sport exhaust right? Which means, perhaps you don't have actual experience with living with the Milltek exhaust day in and day out.

To me you need to read between the lines. Domino_z makes a point about drone. To me this means this exhaust has some drone, most likely at a lower rpm range. He also mentioned he didn't like the sound profile. So it either sounds too deep or maybe too raspy. Again all opinions on how people like the sound of their cars.

[signde]

The APR tune doesn't keep the flaps open while in dynamic? I think Unitronic does this?

apr does not, at least with the stage 1 tunes. unitronic does, at least for 1+, maybe stage 1 too.

[Porra46]

On car forums like this I always appreciate the opinions of car owners whether it is on one side or the other. The problem is that your response sounds very one sided. People have many different opinions on how they want to drive and what settings they want to use. You saying it's pointless to drive in any but Comfort mode and "D" shows that. Even though that is MY preferred settings to use while on the highway, I do realize that is not how ALL people want to drive.

Now you also say you're still on the RS sport exhaust right? Which means, perhaps you don't have actual experience with living with the Milltek exhaust day in and day out.

To me you need to read between the lines. Domino_z makes a point about drone. To me this means this exhaust has some drone, most likely at a lower rpm range. He also mentioned he didn't like the sound profile. So it either sounds too deep or maybe too raspy. Again all opinions on how people like the sound of their cars.

It can sound one sided just as you feel. I haven't done the Milltek exhaust yet, but it is by far the best sounding one especially when it comes to drone. I have mates with RS3s with custom and various exhausts, and the fact that Milltek uses the exhaust valves really makes it a bonus.

OP asked for difference in drone between Milltek and AWE. There is no way the Milltek will drone like the AWE. I have ridden in them both and the Milltek is by far the quieter one. Milltek have insane options too. If you go with the sport cat option as well as the resonated system, the car is practically as quiet as a stock system. You just hear a deeper growl.

But the majority go full 80mm decat with non resonated system. Yes it is pretty loud on dynamic. But no ways raspy and it is 100% acceptable when cruising on motorways as long as you set the exhaust valves to comfort. Which is another epic feature of Milltek.

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[B4YM4X]

It can sound one sided just as you feel. I haven't done the Milltek exhaust yet, but it is by far the best sounding one especially when it comes to drone. I have mates with RS3s with custom and various exhausts, and the fact that Milltek uses the exhaust valves really makes it a bonus.

OP asked for difference in drone between Milltek and AWE. There is no way the Milltek will drone like the AWE. I have ridden in them both and the Milltek is by far the quieter one. Milltek have insane options too. If you go with the sport cat option as well as the resonated system, the car is practically as quiet as a stock system. You just hear a deeper growl.

But the majority go full 80mm decat with non resonated system. Yes it is pretty loud on dynamic. But no ways raspy and it is 100% acceptable when cruising on motorways as long as you set the exhaust valves to comfort. Which is another epic feature of Milltek.

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Again my point is simply this, we are not going to have the luxury of being able to hear all of these exhaust back to back. I, myself have only heard the IE exhaust and AWE Switchpath in person.

During my research I too have heard that the Milltek had fitment and quality issues and also had drone. Just because I can quiet things down in comfort doesn't give the exhaust the excuse to sound too drony in dynamic. Again this is MY opinion.

Domino was simply stating his opinion on what he thought his Milltek sounded like TO HIM.

[Porra46]

Again my point is simply this, we are not going to have the luxury of being able to hear all of these exhaust back to back. I, myself have only heard the IE exhaust and AWE Switchpath in person.

During my research I too have heard that the Milltek had fitment and quality issues and also had drone. Just because I can quiet things down in comfort doesn't give the exhaust the excuse to sound too drony in dynamic. Again this is MY opinion.

Domino was simply stating his opinion on what he thought his Milltek sounded like TO HIM.

Fitment issues on these cars have come from the various options and guys choosing the wrong ones. There's the Sportback option. Saloon option. Non OPF and OPF models on each too.

Quality? Yeah the welds aren't the best. But compared to the competition they are on par. Unless you can source an Akrapovic system which will break your wallet.

If the quality of welds does bother you the best option will be a custom tig welded fabricated exhaust by someone that really knows their welding. But unfortunately those tend to drone even more. Local guys here by me actually do quality custom fabrication and have actually released their own custom valvetronic backboxes too. You can adjust the volume with a remote or even your phone!

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[JOBJOB]

Thanks for the help guys. Went with the Milltek because it looks like OEM so less stressed with cops. Also was lucky to have a 15% sale. Installation was easy and no issue with fitting. Sound is absolutely nuts with plugged valves opened and decat midpipes. Drone is a bit higher than stock, but since I’m tuned the car cruises at lower rpm than stock. I think the drone with a stock car would be annoying.

The AWE track must be something else but I don’t think I could go with a louder system then the Milltek.

[ThunderGatti]

Did Miltek address this stuff already?

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...onated.392119/