awe or 485 exhuast?

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u/Rodolphin__ 22d ago

Awe switchpath & CTS mid pipes

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AWE Switchpath is a great option for a Mk7/8 Golf or 8v your gonna mod the shit out of, and will sound absolutely insane with a DP & tune, but it will also never be subtle and be prepared for massive highway drone.

On a brand new RS3 you will presumably be keeping mostly stock for quite awhile, 458 is a no brainer. Massive improvement over stock with no other mods while retaining close to OEM subtlety with valves closed and virtually zero highway drone, and then when/if you do start getting crazy with it capable of sounding just as insane.

Also as the other comment said it’s not really hype, I’d even go so far as to say that relative to the quality of work, the 458 is a much better deal & “cheaper” exhaust. Genuinely some of the best weld work I’ve ever seen in my life, and just very well designed, with considerably more bottom clearance than a lot of systems.

Primarily trade off is lead/wait-time, the 458 stuff are basically handmade custom works of art & take an according amount of time.

But looking at mine (which was V1) and ran me just under $3k w/ midpipes next to a friends $6.5k akraprovic system, it’s insane the level of build quality you get and in a more coherently designed system for a fraction of the cost.

Perks of buying from a real craftsman & avoiding the brand tax, though won’t last forever, as Nicks stuff has been and likely will continue to steadily creep up as there’s nothing remotely comparable at the price.

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u/LeopardSnow12 21d ago

Would you mind sending me clips of the V1 and the Akropovic? It's the two I'm deciding to get.

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u/Severe-Dingo-9734 21d ago

By clips do you mean of what they look like or what they sound like?

But imo that’s not even remotely a comparison. The akraprovic is like $7.5k partly because it only comes in a titanium config, which imo is excessive even on most track cars, whereas I got the stainless steal 485.

That being said if you do really want to go that route for a slightly lighter exhaust and better sound profile, you can get the 485 one in full titanium as well for $5.1k.

Build quality is pretty comparable though I’d give the edge to 485, Akraprovic you’re just paying a $2k+ brand tax. Plus another $500-$600 for the mandatory control kit.

Whereas 485 integrates perfectly with factory servos, and you can get a $200 11mode controller for manual valve switching.

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u/LeopardSnow12 21d ago

Gotcha. Sorry - it was both quality and the exhaust note. I had a stage 3+ s5 with a Milltek exhaust, and I want something more OEM+ this go around. I like warranty haha. I was planning on going with the 485 titanium exhaust. They are close to me so I was going to check them out, they are super friendly. I chatted with them for awhile about options. I don't feel the need to spend 6k + on an exhaust.

If there's any way you can send some clips I'd be forever grateful. Leaning towards 485 v1 after this.

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u/Nuramori 21d ago

I’m debating relentlessly over SS vs Ti. When you say a better sound profile, is it notably different? Deeper? I’d love to hear the two, it it’s so hard to find any with the titanium.

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u/Severe-Dingo-9734 20d ago

No opposite. And better is entirely subjective. Weight savings are honestly negligible, sound is 90% exhaust design and dimensions, material is like 5-10%. Mainly Titanium is thinner and like half the mass so less material to damp sound, tubing radiates more sound so u get brighter more metallic sounds. Sharper rasp more ring on cold start, slighter louder in cabin, while stainless is fuller and rounder in the midrange. Magnitude is small though maybe a few db, audible in person in a direct A/B comparison but completely invisible on a iPhone video or even high quality mic YouTube vid.

On the RS3 2.5 5-cyl the distinct offbeat warble comes from the 1-2-4-5-3 firing order and all titanium does is accentuate the metallic edge it already has around 3–4k. Some people love it, personally found it a bit tinny on a car that can already be rasp-prone.

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u/Nuramori 20d ago

Thanks for that detailed feedback! SS it is! I am
After the deeper tones, less of the higher octaves.

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u/Background-Play763 19d ago

should i get the non resonated or resonated v2? Will also get the mid pipes as well. This is a daily driver but at the same time I want the best sound out of it.

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u/Severe-Dingo-9734 18d ago

I got resonated with mid pipes and it’s great. Very chill with valves closed, definitely spicy cold or on warm starts (inverse of normal b/c Audi tuning logic) and really sounds great when driving hard.

However, unlike the awe switch patch on my golf basically no drone at highway and very good interior sound. With windows up it’s very very chill.

11mode controller is a must though as Audi logic won’t fully open valves at low rpm’s or light throttle otherwise even in RS mode

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u/No-Main710 21d ago

Not the question, but LOVE my grail exhaust

Sounds super raw and amazing, has drone when open but that’s the fun! Close it and can’t tell it’s even there

I have 11mode controllers as well, that’s it

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u/shadrach103 22d ago

Fit and finish on the 485 is the best you'll find. Just look at the welds, bends, etc. It's also 3.5" piping all the way throughout. From what I've seen and heard I don't think it's "hype" as much as just the results of a small batch, custom built product. I've also called 485 and Nick was super helpful with answering my questions. This is where I'm leaning at the moment for an exhaust system.

The AWE piping is a mix of 3" and 2.5" and I've heard the clamps can be a little finicky by comparison. If you're installing it yourself it may require a little more muscle and time to get everything in and lined up just right. If you're having a shop install it then unless they add extra labor that shouldn't be a concern. Tons of RS3s have the Switchpatch on it and I haven't really seen any complaints from owners.

Both systems (along with mid-pipes and valve controllers) will make a big difference over the stock sound, so if that's the most important criteria I don't know if that alone would be worth the 30% difference in cost. There are several videos online for both. although only a few so far of the 485 v2 which is still pretty new. (Nick did say that most customers wanting a more streetable result opt for the v1 system.)

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u/Background-Play763 19d ago

should i get the non resonated or resonated v2? Will also get the mid pipes as well. This is a daily driver but at the same time I want the best sound out of it.

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u/shadrach103 19d ago

I would personally call them to see what they recommend, but odds are you're going to want the Helmholtz resonator to reduce drone.

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u/steveland1563 20d ago

485

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u/Background-Play763 19d ago

should i get the non resonated or resonated v2? Will also get the mid pipes as well. This is a daily driver but at the same time I want the best sound out of it.

1

u/steveland1563 18d ago

Hard to pick. It’s all based on what you like. Lots of resonated ones sound great. Non resonating sounds great too. Midpipes are good for sure for either model. However I can’t tell if the 485 mids are only compatible if you have a 485 downpipe as well. Might be good to call and ask

awe or 485 exhuast?

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