Better sounding exhaust for my B7 2011 Passat 3.6l V6

Hi Guys

This is my first post so looking forward to all your advice :)

I bought my Passat V6 earlier this year as a demo and absolutely love it. I know many people think its a bit boring looking, but I'm happy with the understated exterior because the performance and interior more than make up for it.

However, the other day, I drove my mates new Golf R...and it was a very nice drive. I've never been a fan of smaller hatches but driving this didn't feel like driving a small car. Compared to the performance the Passat, it was much more zippy and the handling seemed stiffer and more certain if that makes sense. Given it's a turbo, i preferred the immediate power I get in the Passat, but when the turbo kicked in, the R was awesome.

The thing I most enjoyed about the Golf R was the sound of the exhaust and engine in sports mode. It just made the driving experience that much better, especially the air pop when it changed gears. I know the Passat is designed to be quieter etc and on most days, I prefer the quieter cabin, but is there a way of improving the exhaust sound in the Passat without the cost of installing a new exhaust system?

My understanding is that the Passat has the same engine as the old R36, so I'm assuming there is potential to make it sound better. Anyone have any idea how? I would prefer if it wasn't noisy all the time, but when I push it, I would love to have that sound feedback in the cabin.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help :)

Only one we have done on the R36 has been supersprint. Nice sound, not too agressive

If your after more noise when under load maybe some for of intake mod. What sort of cold air intakes or airbox modifications are available for the V6?

So a friend of mine suggested removing the resonator...what are your opinions? Will it be too loud? Will that void my new car warranty?

I have a 2 1/2 inch electrically controlled exhaust cut out fitted after the cats and resonators on my R36. Can be quiet as standard, very loud or anything in between by the flick of a switch. Don’t think it gives any more power but sounds great on gear changes. Purchased from eBay for less than $220.00 delivered. The local dealer didnt get upset about it at the last service and warranty claim. EPA might not be so forgiving.
BadlanzHPE SS Electric Exhaust Cutout Cutouts 2.5 INCH | eBay

If you had to get rid of something, get rid of the muffler at the rear.

Leave the resonators in. They're a bit harder to put back to standard if you ever had to later on. Plus, I've had these cars running with the sleeve-joint disconnected after the resonators, and they sound quite nice.

As others have suggested, some work on the intake might help as well.

I've heard that the V6 can get quite droney with the resonator removed.

I would suspect as much.

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Originally Posted by Float Drop

I have a 2 1/2 inch electrically controlled exhaust cut out fitted after the cats and resonators on my R36. Can be quiet as standard, very loud or anything in between by the flick of a switch. Don’t think it gives any more power but sounds great on gear changes.

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Thanks for all your help guys...Float Drop, how much did they charge you to install it and is that the same as a flapper switch mod?

Sorry if I sound clueless....I'm a bit new to all this. :)

I fitted mine myself, a mate also fitted one to his R36 and got a exhaust place to fit it. I understand it was aprox $300.00, not including the fitment of the electric control rocker switch. The cut out is fitted at the slip joint behind the collector and can be removed and returned to original with little fuss. Ground clearance is slightly reduced, but has not caused me any issues. Dont know the flapper switch mod, you may be refering to a type of muffler that has a similar function?