2012 A6 3.0T Exhaust rattle, consistent at 12-1500 if held

[JerannX]

I know there has likely been a MILLION of these threads created but earlier as I was coming home and the cars RPM dropped to about 1200 around the turn leading into my road I hear a 'thumthumthumthum' in rapid motion, metallic, like movement that went away under the titles rpms and above it. So I got curious, I don't currently have a jack at my home that I trust to lift the car so I had my wife come out and help me while I looked a low level on the exhaust of the car.

Here is what I found:
The exhaust rattles continuously at 1200-1500 RPM, its consistent and doesn't ease off or increase in frequency.
When pressed with a steel mounting rod on the center section of the exhaust the rattle went away, but I could feel vibration, likely from the part moving initially and being held with enough force to alleviate full movement.

I've seen a few things, and yes I am new to these platforms being a former Z car owner who wanted a car with capabilities to carry my kids safely and my wife and myself, as well. I'm getting older but still wanted power if I needed it.

The car is a Audi service baby, having all its set service intervals being done at the dealership.
Car has been relatively well behaved its entire life, lacking any of the normal large issues.
I do not dog this car, I only use sport mode to pass people if traffic is correct.

2012 A6 Premium Plus Quattro 3.0T, 84000 miles.

I've seen numerous things coming back to Downpipe rattle, and while currently it is dark, I can assuredly take a video if needed for additional diagnosis ideas.

I've seen the BEST option is to replace the unit, ECS has a unit from CTS that they say will eliminate the issue.

Also, I know about cold start tensioner rattle, this is not it. Car is warm when it does this.

I'm more technically gifted than the average, so I can provide any more indepth things I've noticed on request, I just am looking for someone to potentially have shared this same experience, I know every car is different but a solid starting point will be nice.

No CELs.
Warm or Cold Idle it happens.
Goes away with pressure applied to DRIVER side exhaust unit.
Only in the 1200-1500rpm range.
Rattle sounds metallic, like its hitting something.

Thank you guys, this is my first post, sorry I didn't use search.

[JerannX]

Video for reference https://youtube.com/shorts/6elJ53NTbDQ?feature=share

[Valpo A7]

Typically its a problem with the flex pipe section on the front half of the downpipes or it could be loose debris in the case of the resonators on the downpipes.

Mine have been rattling like that for at for about 85,000 miles, could be longer but we have only owned it for the last 85,000 miles. New downpipes are $500 aftermarket for the set of 2, or $1000 to $1400 for the set from Audi.

CTS Turbo: https://www.ctsturbo.com/product/cts...-downpipe-set/

Audi Parts direct: https://www.partscolumbusaudi.com/p/...yABEgJfOPD_BwE

[JerannX]

Typically its a problem with the flex pipe section on the front half of the downpipes or it could be loose debris in the case of the resonators on the downpipes.

Mine have been rattling like that for at for about 85,000 miles, could be longer but we have only owned it for the last 85,000 miles. New downpipes are $500 aftermarket for the set of 2, or $1000 to $1400 for the set from Audi.

CTS Turbo: https://www.ctsturbo.com/product/cts...-downpipe-set/

Audi Parts direct: https://www.partscolumbusaudi.com/p/...yABEgJfOPD_BwE

Thanks! Funny story I seen your name when I checked the forum over my phone earlier and said, I betcha hes from Valpariso and lo and behold, you are.

I have family in Portage and Hobart! Hopefully we cross paths sometimes. Thanks for confirming my suspicions!

[Valpo A7]

Yeah grew up in Hobart and moved to Portage in 1978. Graduated from Portage then went to college. There were no plans to move back to DA REGION but I went were the job offer was.