AudiWorld Forums - AWE EXHAUST REVIEW ON MY S7 and S6

I would start out by saying . . . . I have owned a number of Audi cars S4, RS4, S5 and lately the RS5, S7 and S6. I have a car problem like many today and like some I do not stay in a car long. It got so bad I got a Dealer’s License. I have loved Audi products for years and also have had a number of other brands and love them all for different reasons. In the last few years I have had a number of AMGs, Ms and GM products. I am done with major mods and now have fun with minor mods and bolt-ons.

THE S7
I had the RS5 a few months . . . I liked it but sold for another car. A short time after that Tommy from Nemesis Autosport in Wilmington, Delaware called me on a S7. I scored it and sent AWE Tuning an e-mail to see if they wanted the car for exhaust development. I was contacted by Todd, the owner of the company, and a plan for an exhaust system was put in motion. I was excited as I have had AWE Tuning products before and found them to be of good quality.

When I picked the S7 up from AWE Tuning with the completed system on it, I was amazed at the refinement of the exhaust. It suits the car well. . . . there is zero drone . . . I read somewhere that the stock exhaust could not be heard in the cabin. . .I could clearly hear the AWE exhaust in the driver’s seat, even with windows up. I drive with all settings in Dynamic all the time and the down shifts sound like one of my manual cars. I would say that for guys that are looking for loud this is not it. I would say that they have named this product appropriately as a “Touring” system, though when you get on it . . . . it jumps up a level or two and lets you in on the game that’s afoot. Too many fast lux cruisers isolate you from the speed and road feel and the AWE Exhaust does a lot to add to the special feel of the S6. The AWE Tuning system is very refined (you can pull out of your neighborhood at 5:00 am for a workout without people putting you on their hate list) though closer to sport when you are at WOT. The refinement fits the car’s character.

In my opinion this system is perfectly suited for this car.

I currently have an E93 M3 with an AA exhaust and cutouts and it has some drone and rasp . . . as well as a Camaro SS Vert that has American Racing headers and catback . . . . this makes me really appreciate the time and effort AWE put in to this system. It is head and shoulders above stock set up.

The S6
Several months later, I had a shot at an S6. I sold the S7 and took my AWE Tuning Exhaust and put it on the new S6. Why would someone sell the S7 for the S6? The S6 felt slightly quicker to me and a little more tossible. It was real to me . . . . . so that was enough. The exhaust fit perfectly and sounds too close to the S7 for me to discern a difference. I love the sleeper aspect of the S6 and the AWE set up plays well into that sleeper mode till you get on it. The stock exhaust is way too quiet for me.

In Summary
The AWE Tuning Exhaust should be the first mod for both the S6 and S7. It suits both cars well and upon start up you know you have something special. The tone is smooth and the right note. It does get louder when you hammer the car. I told AWE Tuning I would be first in line for something louder when they have it - but now I am not so sure.

Sometime times Mods can be hard on the head so it makes a difference on the products and shops you use to install them. I was impressed with the tour I got of the AWE shop. A lot of research goes in to every single product. The sound canceling technology research is worth the time and money getting it perfected. I have bought their products in the past and will do so in the future. I find them to be very reputable and easy to deal with. Communication was excellent. Best of all I love the products.

I am now putting the system on another S6 and will pick it up shortly . . . .yeah I sold my Glacier White and will now be sporting a Estoril Blue one . . . but that is another story.

I logged about 1,400 on the S7 and about 500 on the S6. It does raise the question of noise level after break-in at about 5,000 miles or so. It may not vary much but I cannot say. Below is my take of +/- of the exhaust.

Plus Notes
Car at idles sound excellent
Exhaust tone is spot on (Touring Exhaust)
Exhaust sounds good on the downshifts
At tip in and WOT it is awesome (Closer to Sport)
No Drone!!!
Looks perfect and sits well (I have the black tips)
Quality work and construction
Reputable Company

Minus Notes
Could be louder (but I would reserve this comment after a longer period with the system)

The AWE Tuning Exhaust is worth the money in my opinion. I cannot compare it to other systems as it is the only one I have heard. It has a nice rumble that is noticed but would not raise an eyebrow until you open it up. It has a nice rich sound. My next step will be a tune and I am sure that will be a lot of fun. Anyone who is reading this made a choice on the S7/S6 and had several options available as far as new . . . . . . or a step up on a low mile used car. If you do not tune your car (I feel it is begging for it) you should definitely put an exhaust system on it. It is worth it. (down shifts!!!)

Thanks again Todd for the opportunity to do this with your Company. You clearly put a lot of time and effort into your products. I was a fan before and I am even more so now.

A lot of people do not go the extra distance needed and it is evident by your success that AWE Tuning does.

Hit Tommy Mihok up at Nemesis Autosport for more pics of the AWE Tuning Exhaust or to place an order. Tommy has been helping me mod my cars for years and loves what he does. Great Guy and a owns a hot S5 . . . .it is ever evolving and costs me money every time I see it . . . .Tommy put me in touch with AWE Tuning and I am glad he did.
Tommy@nemesisautosport.com

Anyone that wants a sound clip or a ride hit me up. I am right off I-95 in Delaware.
dcrowley@pettinaro.com

Questions are also welcomed . . . .sorry for the long ramble.

DC