Looking to upgrade the exhaust on your Mk8 Golf R? Whether you’re chasing more sound, power, or just a better look — choosing the right system can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through the options, explain the differences, and help you decide what’s right for your build.
Why Choose Milltek?
Milltek is one of the most trusted names in performance exhausts, and for good reason. Here’s why many MK8 R owners choose Milltek:
- 80mm (3.15″) Pipework for maximum flow and performance
- High-grade stainless steel construction (T304L)
- Made in the UK with precision welds and proven performance
- Lifetime warranty for the original purchaser
- Direct bolt-on fitment — no cutting or welding required
Milltek systems are designed with both performance and daily drivability in mind — making them a popular choice for tuned Mk8s and factory cars alike.
Choosing the Right Exhaust System
Downpipe Only
Replaces the restrictive factory catalytic converter with a high-flow option. Essential for stage and beyond builds and requires a supporting tune. Offers the biggest gains in power and spool, but also the most emissions implications.
Cat-Back System
Replaces the system from the factory GPF back — no change to the downpipe or cat. Great for sound improvement, road legal, and no tune required.
Turbo-Back System
Includes the downpipe + full cat-back. The most complete upgrade for maximum power and sound. Ideal for serious builds and track focused cars. Typically road legal when optioned with a compliant catalytic converter.
Catalyst Options
Milltek offers a range of options depending on your goals and legal requirements:
- De-Cat (Cat Delete): Maximum flow and turbo response. Track use only. Will trigger CEL without a tune.
- Race Cat (200-cell): High-flow metal catalyst. Reduces emissions but may still trigger CEL. Meets legal requirement in Queensland.
- HJS Sport Cat: ECE-approved and road legal in many countries. Minimal restrictions, no CEL, and high durability.
- Full HJS Downpipe: Premium option for road cars whether tuned or not. Keeps you compliant while supporting big power.
Does Your Mk8 or Mk8.5 R Have an OPF?
Wagon? Yes — Australian-delivered Mk8 Golf R Wagons come fitted with a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF/OPF) from factory. It’s located just after the downpipe and acts as a second major restriction in the exhaust system.
Hatch? No — Australian-delivered Mk8 Golf R hatches did not come fitted with a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF/OPF) from factory.
MK8.5 R? Yes — Australian-delivered Mk8.5 Golf R come fitted with a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF/OPF) from factory. It’s located just after the downpipe and acts as a second major restriction in the exhaust system.
While it helps reduce fine particle emissions, it also significantly reduces sound and flow — especially on tuned cars. That’s why most aftermarket downpipes either remove or replace the OPF to unlock the full potential of your exhaust setup. Read a more in depth article about particulate filters?
💡 If you’re upgrading your downpipe, it’s usually recommended to remove or replace the OPF at the same time — otherwise you’re only removing half the restriction.
Valved vs Non-Valved Systems
- Valved Systems: Integrate with your Mk8 R’s factory exhaust valve control. Quiet in Comfort, loud in Race mode. Best of both worlds.
- Non-Valved Systems: Always open for maximum sound. More aggressive but louder all the time — great for track or weekend builds.
Resonated vs Non-Resonated vs Race
- Resonated: Includes midpipe resonators for a smoother, quieter tone. Good for daily drivers.
- Non-Resonated: Louder, more raw sound. Allow more of the car’s natural exhaust character to come through — especially on overrun.
- Race: The loudest option — minimal silencing for a full racecar tone. Not suitable for all drivers or areas.
Tip Options
Milltek offers five different tip styles so you can customise the look of your rear end:
- Polished GT-115
- Cerakote Black GT-115
- Titanium GT-115
- Carbon Fibre JET-115
- Burnt Titanium (Blue Tint) GT-115
All tips are interchangeable, so you can change the look later without replacing the whole system.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading the exhaust on your Mk8 Golf R is one of the best mods you can do — for performance, sound, and driving engagement. Whether you’re chasing Stage 2 power or just want more presence on the road, there’s a Milltek system that fits your build.
Our Experience
The Milltek Cat Back exhaust system was one of the first mods we carried out upon receiving our demo MK8 R at the start of 2022. We fitted a Non-Resonated system and found it was louder than stock but wasn’t quite where we wanted it. We were considering changing to the Race system but before we knew it RacingLine released their tuning packages. We immediately fitted a Milltek Downpipe with a 200 Cell Race Catalyst along with the other supporting stage 2 modifications. This combination of the 200 Cell Downpipe and Non Resonated Cat Back put the noise exactly where we wanted it.
The standard catalyst was obviously the primary noise restriction. When we removed the downpipe, we found it had 2 large canisters incorporated into the downpipe after the catalyst. They looked identical to the OPF/GPF on vehicles like the Audi S3, T-Roc R etc. However, they clearly weren’t particulate filters as they didn’t have any lines or wires for sensors. We assumed they must be secondary catalysts until we cut ours open and found they were in fact hollow.
Our demo vehicle has since gone to stage 3 with a large Garrett turbo.
If you’re in Brisbane and would like to hear it, feel free to stop by our Coorparoo based showroom. Just call ahead so we can make sure the vehicle is here.
Notes: The Australian delivered MK8 Golf R Hatch does not have a gasoline particulate filter (OPF/GPF) but the Wagon does. Milltek are yet to release a Mk8 Wagon cat back. We also recently got to take a peek at a customer’s MK8.5 Golf R and found they now come with an OPF.
Need help choosing the right setup? Contact us — we’re happy to recommend a system based on your goals, daily use, and tuning plans.