Difference in exhaust notes between DSG CUPRA 280,290 & 300

[Lmbarrett83]

Evening all,

Yep another thread about exhaust notes.

Never really seen many comparisons between the standard 280, 290 and 300.


I came across a post on YouTube which has a decent attempt. Unfortunately the video isn't in English but after the initial 20 sec intro it doesn't matter as it's just comparing the sounds under different scenarios.

Enjoy

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[Jaco2k]

The 300 SC sounds so much better than the 300 ST - only thing I really don't like about my car is the sound.

 

[jka]

I have the 300 SC not much better tbh, and all the clips with sound from the outside is quite useless. its when you are inside that matters.

 

[whiteyrfc92]

All 3 don’t sound good to be honest, Cobra sport cat-back exhaust fitted and disconnecting the sound actuator on my 280 has fixed this though.


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[Lmbarrett83]

All 3 don’t sound good to be honest, Cobra sport cat-back exhaust fitted and disconnecting the sound actuator on my 280 has fixed this though.


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A number of CUPRA drivers like me lease and aren't all that keen on the idea of messing with the exhaust.

As the far as the standard systems go the 290 and 300 don't sound too bad imho.

Then again I am coming from a stock manual 280 which seems virtually silent apart from the actuator.

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[whiteyrfc92]

A number of CUPRA drivers like me lease and aren't all that keen on the idea of messing with the exhaust.

As the far as the standard systems go the 290 and 300 don't sound too bad imho.

Then again I am coming from a stock manual 280 which seems virtually silent apart from the actuator.

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This is true, i can’t say i have heard a 290 or 300 in person so i can’t really comment other than from what i have heard from YouTube videos which obviously sounds far worse.

It’s a shame when compared to the Golf R etc. which sound a lot better IMO.




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[Jaco2k]

It’s a shame when compared to the Golf R etc. which sound a lot better IMO.

That one sounds shwwwwweeeeeeet - I heard one revving on the town a couple of weeks ago and it had this nice gurgly roar.

 

[Lmbarrett83]

It’s a shame when compared to the Golf R etc. which sound a lot better IMO.




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Yeah both the S3 and Golf R have a more warbly/bassy sound track to the exhaust and I much prefer those in DSG transmission.

Instead the 290 just seemed to have a loud upshift crack.

The Hyundai I30N has been the best manual hot hatch I've heard in recent years.

 

[razmeister]

I've got a 280, and at full acceleration (approaching red line) - the engine note is quite nice, not sure how much of it is the actuator though. Agree the exhaust is a bit tame / lame.

Am considering a mod, but don't want it to be too shouty all the time, i.e. in comfort mode, would still want it to be quiet-ish...is that character retained if swapping for an aftermarket exhaust? Some of the later ones (290 etc) seem to be too "farty" which also sounds a bit fake I think. I've seen many people go for a backbox delete option, but wouldn't that affect the emissions come MOT time?

Looks wise, the standard exhausts look quite piddly also, from a distance they are barely noticeable. I've seen some with Audi RS style exhausts which look the business, IMO how it should have looked from the factory!

 

[Blowski]

I've got a 280, and at full acceleration (approaching red line) - the engine note is quite nice, not sure how much of it is the actuator though. Agree the exhaust is a bit tame / lame.

Am considering a mod, but don't want it to be too shouty all the time, i.e. in comfort mode, would still want it to be quiet-ish...is that character retained if swapping for an aftermarket exhaust? Some of the later ones (290 etc) seem to be too "farty" which also sounds a bit fake I think. I've seen many people go for a backbox delete option, but wouldn't that affect the emissions come MOT time?

Looks wise, the standard exhausts look quite piddly also, from a distance they are barely noticeable. I've seen some with Audi RS style exhausts which look the business, IMO how it should have looked from the factory!

If you want a bit more growl but don't want it too shouty etc then have the centre silencer removed. Cheap to do and makes it's more sporty without any of the drone you can sometimes get with other exhaust modfications

 

[razmeister]

Thanks. Will look into centre silencer removal. Anyone know of any garages with experience in doing this? Also hoping it doesn't affect MOT?

Regarding tips, I've seen some replacement Audi RS style ones on eBay (here)....looking at the stock ones, they look like they are just bolted on too, i.e. not part of the actual pipe itself so hoping replacement is easy!

 

[Blowski]

Thanks. Will look into centre silencer removal. Anyone know of any garages with experience in doing this? Also hoping it doesn't affect MOT?

I took mine to an independent exhaust centre local to me in Kent, simple job to take the silencer out and weld a new piece of pipe in. It cost me £96 if I remember correctly and I had no issues with getting my MOT from a SEAT main dealer.

 

[razmeister]

Brilliant! Do you have a recording of the sound by any chance?

 

[Blowski]

Brilliant! Do you have a recording of the sound by any chance?

I do but I'm logged in on my work laptop at present and it's on my phone. Video's don't really do it justice as the quality of the audio is generally poor but it gives you some idea. You only really appreciate it when letting someone else drive your car down the road whilst you're outside.

The best thing I did to improve the sound was turn off the sound aktor

If you are on Instagram look at my profile (Blowski83) and you'll find a video from January time of me launching my car.

 

[razmeister]

Thanks will check it out!

 

[LouG]

FWIW. I queried doing a resonator delete with my Service Manager, he said it would not affect warranty, unless there was an issue directly related to the exhaust. He specifically referred to NVH issues.

 

[AndyP]

Has anyone else noticed the small holes on each of the back boxes on the Cupra 300? If so what are they for.

 

[Blowski]

Has anyone else noticed the small holes on each of the back boxes on the Cupra 300? If so what are they for.

Unsure but I hope someone knows as it might answer my question in another thread of what is physically different on the exhausts between the 280 and the 290/300 (apart from the centre silencer) as the idling sound is much deeper. Maybe the holes in the back box are the reason.

 

[AndyP]

Unsure but I hope someone knows as it might answer my question in another thread of what is physically different on the exhausts between the 280 and the 290/300 (apart from the centre silencer) as the idling sound is much deeper. Maybe the holes in the back box are the reason.

I know that when the engine is running they blow gasses out.

 

[Blowski]

I know that when the engine is running they blow gasses out.

But two of the models do it with a much more pleasant sound

In all seriousness though, someone must know, my life feels incomplete... not really but I'd still like to know