Akrapovic exhaust for RS6 - thoughts?

[familywagon]

Have started looking into exhaust options for my RS6, as I don't love the stock sound. Last car was a '16 RS7 that had the performance package added, so the exhaust had a lower/rumbly (?) tone to it compared to the RS6.

Thoughts on Akrapovic? Have a seen a video of one recently installed, and it sounded great. What other options should I be looking at? I don't want crazy loud, especially in normal driving conditions/highway.

[GR8VTen]

I had a C7 RS7 with an Akra, and have a C8 RS7 with an Akra, and sadly the C8 Akra doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the C7. The C7 was raucous with plenty of overrun pops and bangs, but the overly refined C8 engine together with the car's excessive sound insulation makes it quite disappointing. Outside of the car when it starts up cold it sounds Mopar great, but inside as a driver there just isn't the drama you'd expect from $12k's worth of exhaust. Perhaps that's why the RS6/7 Performance has had 18 lbs of sound insulation removed from it to liven it the experience up.

[S4V8]

I've heard the Akra, too quiet in my opinion. I went with the Milltek non-res and it's perfect.

[ooljima]

I have the Akra on the C8 RS6. If you want 20% louder than stock sound + weight savings + the looks, it's the way to go. Note that you will have to get the exhaust and the link pipe set (two separate purchases).

If you want the extra extra (overruns, subtle but pronounced pops, and awesome sound @ WOT), the overpriced sound kit needs to be the 3rd purchase. It's the remote that controls the X-valve in the Akra exhaust.

The price is a bit ludicrous, I will admit.

[KRS Aaron]

The GTHaus Meisterschaft system sounded really good to me in person. AWE should be releasing theirs any day now too.

[familywagon]

I had a C7 RS7 with an Akra, and have a C8 RS7 with an Akra, and sadly the C8 Akra doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the C7. The C7 was raucous with plenty of overrun pops and bangs, but the overly refined C8 engine together with the car's excessive sound insulation makes it quite disappointing. Outside of the car when it starts up cold it sounds Mopar great, but inside as a driver there just isn't the drama you'd expect from $12k's worth of exhaust. Perhaps that's why the RS6/7 Performance has had 18 lbs of sound insulation removed from it to liven it the experience up.

That's interesting to hear. I loved the sound of my C7 RS7, but was nearly immediately underwhelmed with the sound of the RS6. I'm looking for something that sounds more like the RS6 should, without being over the top loud and affecting noise level when cruising too much. Dealer sent me a video of a cold start with the Akra and it sounds so good, like a V8 should.

[familywagon]

I have the Akra on the C8 RS6. If you want 20% louder than stock sound + weight savings + the looks, it's the way to go. Note that you will have to get the exhaust and the link pipe set (two separate purchases).

If you want the extra extra (overruns, subtle but pronounced pops, and awesome sound @ WOT), the overpriced sound kit needs to be the 3rd purchase. It's the remote that controls the X-valve in the Akra exhaust.

The price is a bit ludicrous, I will admit.

"20% louder than stock sound + weight savings + the looks" is about exactly what I'm looking for. What did it cost you, approx., for all three?

[sdaudiguy]

I know its not a popular opinion but I went milltek over the akra. It was less than half the price, the valves work off the stock sport/rs/auto modes and to me it had a deeper tone. I have been building cars since I was 12 and have always loved the deep tone of my chevys and mopars. The Akra was just to bright for me if that makes sense. I will say that if you want to drive 100% of the time in RS full valves open its not quiet in the car. That being said when I am not driving the dog and the wife around its how I run and I love it. When they are in the car auto for full quiet and its like stock or sport for a bit more pep.

I know vid clips dont relay the sound well but Tag took 2 while doing the shoot for my car last time that sound good. If you want them they are large but shoot me a pm with an email and Ill try to get it your way. I mean large like one is 40mb.

[familywagon]

Thanks! I'll shoot you a PM.

I think that a low rumble coming from a wagon with (in my case) bike racks on the roof and car seats in the back is as good as it gets.

[ooljima]

"20% louder than stock sound + weight savings + the looks" is about exactly what I'm looking for. What did it cost you, approx., for all three?

Just under $12K for the Exhaust + Link Pipes + Sound Kit. The install isn't a walk in the park so would budget another $1K for labor (depending on where you live).

[familywagon]

Thanks, that sounds very similar to the budget I got from the dealer. Install is far beyond my ability.

[Maitre Absolut]

I think the safer bet is start with mid pipe and if you need more go milltek.

[Nsd991]

I have it and I love it. It’s just enough without being obnoxious. I followed a thread on here that showed me how to unplug an item in the control box that essentially leaves it open almost all the time. I don’t recall the details but I found the information on here somewhere.

[familywagon]

I have it and I love it. It’s just enough without being obnoxious. I followed a thread on here that showed me how to unplug an item in the control box that essentially leaves it open almost all the time. I don’t recall the details but I found the information on here somewhere.

That's pretty much spot on the description I heard from a shop I was at yesterday. Sounds like the best fit for what I'm looking for. Thanks!

[Nsd991]

That's pretty much spot on the description I heard from a shop I was at yesterday. Sounds like the best fit for what I'm looking for. Thanks!

I promise you it’s worth the price, the build quality is exceptional. It also is a nice touch having the carbon tips which look very aggressive. Roll your window down and get it in a parking garage and you’ll understand that this is not just OEM plus. It puts a smile on my face every time.

[Jimminez]

That's pretty much spot on the description I heard from a shop I was at yesterday. Sounds like the best fit for what I'm looking for. Thanks!

The Akrapovic system isn't the loudest but definitely provides a bump in volume and a great change in tone. Milltek, Capristo, and others will have a deeper note due to full stainless steel (vs titanium back end) and are louder.
I've had the Akra for a while now and enjoy it. It's more OE++ vs the other systems, having sufficient volume in Comfort/Auto that can easily make calls without any issues, but then really changes when in Dynamic and pushed. It was right for me as I planned ahead in potentially swapping cats to HFC and didn't want it to be over the top.

Bypassing controller definitely makes the system louder but you miss out on the benefits you pay for by having the middle valve be controlled independently than the two rears.

The RS6 is overly insulated so to hear any exhaust inside, windows need to be down or a really loud exhaust. Those sound great but not for everyone if concerned with external volume (waking up family or neighbors that like to complain).

[familywagon]

The Akrapovic system isn't the loudest but definitely provides a bump in volume and a great change in tone. Milltek, Capristo, and others will have a deeper note due to full stainless steel (vs titanium back end) and are louder.
I've had the Akra for a while now and enjoy it. It's more OE++ vs the other systems, having sufficient volume in Comfort/Auto that can easily make calls without any issues, but then really changes when in Dynamic and pushed. It was right for me as I planned ahead in potentially swapping cats to HFC and didn't want it to be over the top.

Bypassing controller definitely makes the system louder but you miss out on the benefits you pay for by having the middle valve be controlled independently than the two rears.

The RS6 is overly insulated so to hear any exhaust inside, windows need to be down or a really loud exhaust. Those sound great but not for everyone if concerned with external volume (waking up family or neighbors that like to complain).

Thanks, that's great feedback. It sounds like what I'm looking for, though I'm moderately hesitant now that I'm seeing post on glitchy valve control, which would definitely be annoying.

[pwdrskr]

I promise you it’s worth the price, the build quality is exceptional. It also is a nice touch having the carbon tips which look very aggressive. Roll your window down and get it in a parking garage and you’ll understand that this is not just OEM plus. It puts a smile on my face every time.

Add me to the list of those with the Akrapović exhaust. I already had a CETE AVC, so didn't get the Akrapović control kit. Still cost a pretty penny, though. The tips look amazing IMO. I particularly like that the two, large oval tips are retained as opposed to conversion to four smaller round ones. I'd do it again without any reservation.

I have it and I love it. It’s just enough without being obnoxious. I followed a thread on here that showed me how to unplug an item in the control box that essentially leaves it open almost all the time. I don’t recall the details but I found the information on here somewhere.

yes, there are some who use this method to keep the flaps open at all times. I prefer the CETE AVC module that enables control of the exhaust flaps via a phone app.