Best Audi S5 Exhaust Systems (2008-2024) Buyer's Guide

The Audi S5 is one of the best-sounding grand tourers Ingolstadt has ever built — but the factory exhaust keeps most of that character locked behind a muffler. A cat-back exhaust is the single most satisfying bolt-on for any S5, whether you drive the original 4.2-liter V8 (B8), the supercharged 3.0 TFSI (B8.5), or the twin-scroll turbo 3.0 TFSI (B9). This Audi S5 exhaust buyer's guide compares five in-stock systems from AWE Tuning and MBRP across the 2008-2024 model years, so you can match the right sound, tips, and budget to your exact chassis.

Which Audi S5 Do You Have? B8, B8.5 and B9 Explained

Buying the right Audi S5 exhaust starts with identifying your generation, because the engine and exhaust routing changed three times. The wrong system simply will not bolt up. Here is the quick reference our Tampa, FL shop uses on the phone every day:

• B8 S5 (2008-2012): The original coupe ran the 4.2-liter FSI V8, rated at 354 hp and 325 lb-ft. It is the only naturally aspirated S5 and the one enthusiasts chase for its high-revving soundtrack.
• B8.5 S5 (2013-2017): Audi swapped to the supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 making 333 hp and 325 lb-ft, paired with a 7-speed S tronic. Available as coupe, Sportback, and Cabriolet.
• B9 S5 (2018-2024): A single twin-scroll turbo replaced the supercharger on the 3.0 TFSI, bumping output to 349 hp and a much fatter 369 lb-ft, backed by an 8-speed Tiptronic and quattro.

Because the B8 V8, B8.5 supercharged V6, and B9 turbo V6 all breathe differently, exhaust fitment is chassis-specific. Every product below is tagged to its exact year range so you order once and bolt it on.

Best Audi S5 Exhaust Systems Compared

Here are the five Audi S5 exhaust systems we stock and recommend, ranked by sound character and fitment. Prices below run from roughly $1,450 to $3,825 depending on generation and whether you want a fixed-volume or valve-controlled system. Each product name and price links straight to its page.

AWE SwitchPath: The Best All-Around Audi S5 Exhaust

The AWE Tuning SwitchPath is a valve-controlled cat-back that gives your B9 S5 two exhausts in one. In its default mode it flows through AWE's resonated Touring path for a quiet, drone-free commute; press the included SwitchPath Remote and electronic valves open the non-resonated Track path for full volume. That dual personality is why it is our top pick for anyone who dailies their S5 but still wants a proper soundtrack when the road opens up. It is a genuine 180 Technology, mandrel-bent T304 stainless-steel system built in Horsham, PA, and it carries AWE's lifetime warranty.

AWE Track Edition: The Loudest B9 S5 Exhaust

If you want the most aggressive fixed-volume setup without paying for valves, the AWE Track Edition is the answer. It deletes the resonators for a raw, race-inspired tone under throttle while AWE's Drone Suppression Technology keeps highway cruising livable. On the B9 S5 3.0T it wakes up the turbo V6 with deep mid-range bark and crackle on lift-off. At around $2,335 it is roughly $1,500 less than the valved SwitchPath, making it the enthusiast's value pick for coupe owners who are fine committing to one loud, glorious volume.

AWE Touring Edition: Refined Upgrades for B8 and B8.5 S5

Older S5 owners are not left out. The AWE Touring Edition is the daily-driver's choice: it opens up airflow and adds a richer tone while keeping cabin drone essentially at stock levels thanks to AWE's resonator design. For the B8.5 supercharged 3.0T (2013-2017), the Touring Edition runs about $1,995 with Diamond Black 102mm tips. For the sought-after B8 4.2-liter V8 (2008-2012), the Touring Edition unlocks that naturally aspirated wail for roughly $1,945 with polished silver tips. Both are the smart pick if you love your S5's factory manners but want more presence.

MBRP Cat-Back: The Best-Value Audi S5 Exhaust

Not everyone wants to spend AWE money, and that is where the MBRP cat-back shines. Built from 2.5-inch T304 stainless with a quad rear-exit design and carbon-fiber tips, it delivers a noticeably more aggressive tone than stock for around $1,445 — the lowest price in this guide. It fits the 2018-2021 B9 S5 Coupe and shares fitment with the B9 S4 sedan, and it carries an MBRP limited lifetime warranty. If you want a clean, durable, great-sounding upgrade on a budget, this is the value champ.

How Much Power Does an Audi S5 Exhaust Add?

A cat-back exhaust on its own adds only a modest amount of power to the Audi S5 — typically in the low single digits of horsepower — because it lives downstream of the catalytic converters. The bigger gains from a cat-back are sound, throttle response, and a small reduction in backpressure. On the B9 S5's 349 hp turbo V6, the real power story comes when you pair a cat-back with downpipes and an ECU tune: high-flow or catless downpipes plus a Stage 1/Stage 2 tune commonly push these cars well past 400 wheel horsepower. Think of the cat-back as the foundation you build a bigger setup on, and the piece that transforms how the car sounds today.

The B8 4.2 V8 responds to exhaust differently than the forced-induction cars: freeing up the naturally aspirated V8 is more about unlocking the high-rpm tone than chasing peak numbers, which is exactly what the AWE Touring Edition does so well. In our experience helping Tampa customers spec these builds, the B8.5 supercharged 3.0T tends to sound the most refined with a resonated system because the Eaton blower already contributes a distinct whine, while the B9 turbo car has the most room to grow once downpipes and a tune are added. Match the exhaust to your goals: sound-first buyers should start here, while power-first buyers should budget for downpipes and tuning on top.

Installation and What Else You Might Need

All five systems in this guide are cat-back exhausts, meaning they replace everything from the catalytic converters back. That makes them a straightforward bolt-on: most enthusiasts install these in two to three hours in a home garage with basic hand tools, a jack, and stands. Because the factory catalytic converters stay in place, a cat-back is emissions-friendly and keeps your S5 street-legal in most states. If you later add downpipes to chase big power, those move into off-road/race territory and should be paired with a supporting tune. For the AWE SwitchPath, the included remote controls the valves — no cutting into factory wiring and no tune required to run it.