When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
UPDATE: After about 1.5 years, I had to get a warranty exchange as the exhaust was making a metal to metal rattling. Drove me crazy!! AWE immediately took care of the situation and now the car is back to just the exhaust noise! Still very happy with the exhaust, and when it settles, it sounds even better! With a Non-resonated DP as I have now, the car is a beast! Video of the metal sound below if you should get the same thing.
ORIGINAL POST: Got the exhaust installed and liking it thus far. Am happy with the sound, its not too loud, but just loud enough when driving the car hard.
Price: 6.8/10
Most exhaust are in this range, so its pretty average, but they should lower the price to better compete with the Magnaflow $850 pricepoint - which was my first option.
Build: 9/10
Its built solid, welds are perfect. Significantly lighter than the stock exhaust. Its a nice gigantic 3 inch tubing.
Installation: 9/10
It took me roughly 30 minutes to uninstall the stock exhaust and put this one in. The most time spent was adjusting the height of the tips and adjusting the exhaust to be in the middle of the actual rear valance.
Overall Impression
Pretty happy with it and its exactly what I was seeking for the sound of the car. I didn't want a super loud obnoxious exhaust, just something that put a little more growl from the engine. I was always disappointed in the stock system from completely wiping out any of the engine noise. Can really hear the "fart" noises which are really prominent now. <strike>I'm concerned about some drone noise happening at about 3K RPMs on the highway, which I wasn't expecting</strike>. Hopefully this wont be an issue when the exhaust has been "broken-in" and settles. To compliment the 3 inch from the catback, the next logical step is a catted downpipe. Man I need to stop this addiction lol.
I have some additional before and after videos for sound.
Great review mroberte!, I recently purchased a monsoon grey A3 like yours. I'm thinking about upgrading the muffler to the AWE system probably this coming spring so I'm glad you reviewed it. I also am interested in making my A3 a little loud but not too distracting. I can't really tell from the photos but you mentioned in another thread you were going to paint the muffler to take some glossiness away (to go under the radar), did you? Also did you go with chrome or diamond tips? thanks
I got the black diamond tips and think I might readjust the tips so the logo sticks out some. Currently the tips are flush with the valence.
I was going to paint the exhaust, but forgot the paint at home, but since the car is pretty low (about S3 height) you can't really see the exhaust at all from the rear, that only if you are literally on the ground.
Think you'll be happy with this exhaust as its not super loud, but just loud enough. At idle inside the car, it sounds pretty stock. This system eliminates the stock resonator that quiets things down quite a bit.
Ok cool, Yeah it sounds awesome from your videos. In the AWE startup video you immediately hear the difference from the stock muffler, sounds so good! I agree showing the logo on the tips will look nice, like on the awe website.
Wanted to give some feedback after about 2000 miles of driving.
The system is pretty quiet inside the cabin, its not super loud still which I like. However at first I was thinking it was TOO quiet. But then you get out of the car and stand in the rear of the car and it makes you just smile.
One of the days I valet parked my car and the driver took the car and sped off. It sounded AMAZING.
As for the droning I mentioned before, there is absolutely none.
And before I use to keep the car in comfort almost all the time, now I'm about 90% in sport mode just to hear the "Farting" noise.
I just purchased a downpipe and looking forward to the extra power and the noise it will produce. Very happy with this purchase and do recommend it if looking for something that isn't crazy loud. A friend has the Fiat Abarth and that thing is LOUD, this plays goldilocks syndrome well, its just right between stock and that fiat in terms of "burble/gurgle" at normal driving and really loud at WOT.
I'm concerned about some drone noise happening at about 3K RPMs on the highway, which I wasn't expecting. Hopefully this wont be an issue when the exhaust has been "broken-in" and settles.
Hey Robert I overlooked this the first time I read your review. Did this problem go away with your AWE exhaust?
Hey Robert I overlooked this the first time I read your review. Did this problem go away with your AWE exhaust?
Hey, went away after initial break-in period. Now have an USP catted DP on the system and really changed EVERYTHING. Really enjoy the car so much more, power because of the DP also changed everything. The sound is just beautiful, pops/gurgles and dsg are so much more prominent at hard acceleration. Haven't tested any 0-60 times, but unofficially the car is around 4.4 second which is crazy considering stock is 5.9.
I recommend this exhaust if you are looking for a little more sounds from the engine on the very quiet and docile A3. But if you are looking for power and sound, definitely pair this with a catted DP, read quite a bit of users with CEL problems with non-catted DP's.
Hey Robert I overlooked this the first time I read your review. Did this problem go away with your AWE exhaust?
Hey, went away after initial break-in period. Now have an USP catted DP on the system and really changed EVERYTHING. Really enjoy the car so much more, power because of the DP also changed everything. The sound is just beautiful, pops/gurgles and dsg are so much more prominent at hard acceleration. Haven't tested any 0-60 times, but unofficially the car is around 4.4 second which is crazy considering stock is 5.9.
I recommend this exhaust if you are looking for a little more sounds from the engine on the very quiet and docile A3. But if you are looking for power and sound, definitely pair this with a catted DP, read quite a bit of users with CEL problems with non-catted DP's.
08-09-2016, 11:13 AM
REVIEW: AWE Touring Exhaust System on A3 2.0T
lol. 
