s3 cat-back exhaust how much!?

cam87

cam87

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I've been looking at these and cant understand why they are 3 times the price of an 8p cat back.
The milltek sounds amazing from a video I've seen but I don't think I would be able to justify the price. A turbo back cost me £1350 on my 8p, its going to be around another £1000 for the 8v.
I know you have 2 extra tailpipes but what's the cause for the crazy price? Anyone know?

Rant over haha
 
Yeah, the prices are a joke.

I think the 8V Milltek sounds crap compared to the 8P system. I've just bought a full non-res Cobra system for mine and it should be fitted on Friday :).

I believe the ramp in cost is due to the incorporation of the valves and obviously more materials used.

Scorpion or Cobra is what I'd opt for in your shoes!
 
CCWS3 said:
Yeah, the prices are a joke.

I think the 8V Milltek sounds **** compared to the 8P system. I've just bought a full non-res Cobra system for mine and it should be fitted on Friday :).

I believe the ramp in cost is due to the incorporation of the valves and obviously more materials used.

Scorpion or Cobra is what I'd opt for in your shoes!
Click to expand...

I agree the prices for 'valved' systems are mental, but I still like the idea of keeping them, as it would stop my other half complaining about excessive noise if she's driving. I'm keen to hear your view on the cobra system once it's on, I've seen GNJ's on Youtube but it's hard to get a clear listen over the induction whistle of the intake kit. Any chance you could post a video after Friday?

I'm looking at a res system, Remus might be an option, cost looks to be about mid way between the Cobra and the Milltek.

Haven't heard the Scorpion, but prior experience is that these are pretty loud.
 
BCS Offer a valved system of sorts from what I can see. I watched a video of a Scirocco system and sounded very nice. Worth investigating??
 
Steph67 said:
I agree the prices for 'valved' systems are mental, but I still like the idea of keeping them, as it would stop my other half complaining about excessive noise if she's driving. I'm keen to hear your view on the cobra system once it's on, I've seen GNJ's on Youtube but it's hard to get a clear listen over the induction whistle of the intake kit. Any chance you could post a video after Friday?

I'm looking at a res system, Remus might be an option, cost looks to be about mid way between the Cobra and the Milltek.

Haven't heard the Scorpion, but prior experience is that these are pretty loud.
Click to expand...

I like the idea of opening the valves for the added volume but I won't miss them too much with the Cobra system.

Sure thing! Depends if I get back from offshore on Thursday or not, lol!!! Will be fitted the following week if I can't manage Friday.

My mate has the non-res Scorpion catback and his is quite loud, albeit a "nice" loud. Hoping the full non-res Cobra sounds exactly as I want it to sound.
 
AndyB-S3 said:
BCS Offer a valved system of sorts from what I can see. I watched a video of a Scirocco system and sounded very nice. Worth investigating??
Click to expand...

Thanks for the 'heads up', I'll have a hunt on line this evening.

Cheers
 
CCWS3 said:
Yeah, the prices are a joke.

I think the 8V Milltek sounds **** compared to the 8P system. I've just bought a full non-res Cobra system for mine and it should be fitted on Friday :).

I believe the ramp in cost is due to the incorporation of the valves and obviously more materials used.

Scorpion or Cobra is what I'd opt for in your shoes!
Click to expand...

I think the Cobra system is the way forward at £1500 for a full turbo back non res from a retailer and £1655 on cobra site. Makes you think how milltek can charge an extra £1000 for theres unless the cobra has no valves
 
Correct, the Cobra has no valves.

I'd pay £1850 tops for the Milltek. Anything above is bordering on a joke.
 
Steph67 said:
That could be a shout, will look at pricing. Thanks.
Click to expand...
they are pretty much the same price as the cobra from what I saw but didn't have a cat back only option
 
CCWS3 said:
Correct, the Cobra has no valves.

I'd pay £1850 tops for the Milltek. Anything above is bordering on a joke.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info, I would pay the same for the milltek too but they only thing that would put me off the cobra is the they sit and the tailpipe designs :(

still at £865
 
According to the BCS Powervalve website, they don't have an exhaust yet for the 8V S3, but I've emailed them anyway to see if there's one on the way any time soon. Meantime, I've just had a price from my local tuner for a Remus catback (resonated) at £1,200, which is slightly cheaper than buying it direct from Remus in Europe. Still really pricey compared to the Cobra, but cheaper than the Milltek, even including the 10% discount against list I'm being offered.

Ideally, I'd like a Milltek with oval tips to keep the look as stock as possible (matter of taste I know) but even with a discount that's north of £1,500, which is crazy money. Not sure which way to go now.... :jaded::3sadwalk::shrug:
 
How bout this.. probably a pretty ££ but cool fob!!

 
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Another thing is that if the cobra cat back doesn't have valves which make the system more expensive then why do they charge £432 for the 8p and £959 for the 8v? More than double,really?!
surely its pretty much the same except for 2 extra pipes? It's certainly not double the material.
With me I prefer the non Standard look of the miltek black tips.

I think I might wait until a second hand one comes about in a year or so.
 
AndyB-S3 said:
How bout this.. probably a pretty ££ but cool fob!!

Click to expand...

I wanted that too... but the price of it makes the Milltek look like a bargain

I've got the Milltek with the 'GT1000' tail pipes, matt black and look very mean
 
alijnclarke said:
I wanted that too... but the price of it makes the Milltek look like a bargain

I've got the Milltek with the 'GT1000' tail pipes, matt black and look very mean
Click to expand...


Is your res or non res? I can find a few videos with non res systems, but nothing decent with resonated. I'm trying to get an idea on volume, how do you find yours? Any drone or resonance? Intrusive or irritating on long journeys?

Cheers
 
Mine is non res as the resonated version sounds very very similar to stock (according to milltek). Mine is just right on the volume, it doesn't drone at all (you can't even hear it on the motorway in comfort mode) and i've never found it irritating.

Not sure what it would sound like with the rest of the system added, but at the moment the volume is spot in imo. Noise is there when you want it and virtually non existent when you don't. The best part is the sound of the gear changes.... :kissmyrings::racer:
 
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alijnclarke said:
Mine is non res as the resonated version sounds very very similar to stock (according to milltek). Mine is just right on the volume, it doesn't drone at all (you can't even hear it on the motorway in comfort mode) and i've never found it irritating.

Not sure what it would sound like with the rest of the system added, but at the moment the volume is spot in imo. Noise is there when you want it and virtually non existent when you don't. The best part is the sound of the gear changes.... :kissmyrings::racer:
Click to expand...


Thanks, I'm swithering between res / non res. I wouldn't want to spend all that for little difference, but I don't want anything too full on. Decisions decisions....... :banghead:
 
I was the same.. you can actually get the res / non res part separate if you do get the wrong one.

I'll try and get some videos tomorrow

Edit: I had the resonated system on my cooper s and that was plenty noisy enough.. i think it really does depend on the car, i love the sound the non res gives. With the valves closed it's a nice low burble
 
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alijnclarke said:
I was the same.. you can actually get the res / non res part separate if you do get the wrong one.

I'll try and get some videos tomorrow

Edit: I had the resonated system on my cooper s and that was plenty noisy enough.. i think it really does depend on the car, i love the sound the non res gives. With the valves closed it's a nice low burble
Click to expand...


Thanks, a vid would be really helpful, and much appreciated. Will give Milltek a call tomorrow also.

Cheers
 
Rick @ Unicorn Motor Dev. said:
I'd go fro the res system - non res i boomy.
Click to expand...

I spoke with Milltek today. Their res system is only 3db louder than the standard system, due to EU regs and although it has a deeper note the volume difference is negligible.

Their non res is 11db louder than standard.

What has yet to be publicised is that they have developed a 'half res' system that is in stock and available now that sits bang in the middle at 7db louder than standard. It's the same price as the full res system and will be up on their website in a couple of weeks. You'll need to get your tuner to ask for it, as they won't know about it yet, but as per above, they have them in stock and ready to dispatch now.

I've also been in touch with Nige at BCS Powervalve today, and while they haven't yet finalised their 8V system, it looks like they'll do me a cat back. I may have to pop down to St Helens, but am fine with that. Final details to be agreed tomorrow, but after today's discussions and looking at videos and reviews this is looking like my preferred option.

I'll feedback with confirmed costs tomorrow.
 
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It's not about the db's necessarily it's about the 'in car' frequency (drone) don't take a chance unless you have it 100% that there is none as it will spoil your car totally...
If in doubt have a test drive if possible first you'll soon know :no:
 
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BCS Nige said:
It's not about the db's necessarily it's about the 'in car' frequency (drone) don't take a chance unless you have it 100% that there is none as it will spoil your car totally...
If in doubt have a test drive if possible first you'll soon know :no:
Click to expand...

Morning Nige, thanks again for your time yesterday

As per my email yesterday evening, give me a shout (or PM me on this site) once your system's ready and you'll have my order. If only you had a flat bed or a trailer.......

Cheers mate :D
 
Anyone buying after market exhaust systems should really do their homework and seek to actually hear the system in action before they buy. The only reason I say this is because all the different systems available sound very different to each other. A friend of mine bought a cobra system for his S3 and it made his car sound like a tractor! The exhaust note was horrible and over the top loud! He decided to keep it on and see how it sounded after it had lined itself with soot and quietened down a bit but still after 6 weeks it still sounded like a tractor and although it was slightly quieter than when it was first fitted it was still over the top loud and sounding like a tractor and loads of cabin drone. Thinking it might be fitted incorrectly or a defective system he took a trip up north to cobra and they tested it, they said it was fitted fine and sounded normal, not happy with that he had them replace the entire system, it sounded exactly the same! He's since removed it and now has a Miltek fitted, a bit more expensive but sounds so much nicer, smoother and not over the top loud. It's only slightly louder on tickover and calm driving but really roars on boost. Gained around 15 bhp too according to the Dyno we use (never tested with the cobra). Both systems Turbo back and resonated with sports cat.
 
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I think based on what people have said above I will be going with a bcs cat back exhaust when mine arrives, ive had a milltek before and loved it but think they are a little bit expensive this time compared to other companies.
 
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