balancing cost effective/well engineered performance considerations
I'm a big supporter of both AWE and APR. I've used several of both of their products for years. In fact, I currently run their exhausts on our 3 VAG cars. (2 AWE exhausts and 1 APR). I've enjoyed Arin and his APR colleagues' support on several VAG cars' enthusiast boards, as well as Todd, Alex, & co from AWE. Used to drop by the old AWE garage when I lived in the area. Todd and Co. run a very respectable operation. It's always better when board vendors simply explain their product engineering and testing and not hammer on a competitor, though the urge is quite understandable at times.
On the mk6 GTI (aka "bada$$ commuter") I have a combination of their products, with a competitor of both in between.
My observations: APR's stage I software is absolutely fantastic, without reservation. APR hardware beyond this point, *IMHO* is representative of their usual technical excellence, but overpriced. Sure, you get what you pay for, but for someone trying to balance cost and performance, carbon fiber, expensive proprietary mufflers, and oversized piping on this car is a bit too much. Literally. Competitors offer the same or better gains with simpler, less costly systems for intake, exhaust, and downpipe. Countering a dyno sheet that shows 3" piping is a bit too much with a stock turbo, and maybe even a little counterproductive, with a demonstration that golf balls can pass through does little to stir my credit card. Cat backs on this car are really just for sound anyway, and they should be made more cost effective. Since my car is mostly for go, and only a little for show, I found both companies' carbon intakes a bit of an overkill. Insulated plastic is fine with me, why not at least make it a less expensive option?
The mk6 is quite well sound insulated, and the AWE cat back on my mk6 does *not* introduce freeway drone into the cabin, if you need an independent voice, sounds great, and has a muffler that doesn't hang down. Some of the piping hangs down a bit much for my clearance tastes, though. (Working with AWE now to determine if that's installer error, as my installer didn't get the tips right either. ) At this point I can recommend it without reservation, and really see no need to spend significantly more on an APR exhaust without additional benefits.
I chose another company's downpipe, though both AWE and APR's appear of fine quality, because cost *is* an object for me, and most others. Given the choice on DP irrespective of cost, AWE's looks like a winner to me with the innovative cat matrix. If I was spending any significant time at the track with this car, I'd probably choose AWE. Since I'm not, I've spent a couple hundred less, and am still enjoying the same stage 2 APR goodness. Cheers really to both companies, to good engineering, and to putting it to proper use on a track. For the best driver mod of all, hope to see all of you at a drivers' school or event (with some proper brakes/fluid).
. Hats off to you for keeping a very professional view and a 
