Assuming that both are autos with switchable active exhausts, does the S actually sound better/louder/more raucous than a base V6? I've driven both, but not back to back, and my recollection is that the S sounded more epic....but that could be all in my mind. Asking for a friend in the market to buy a used F-Type

 

If they both have switchable active exhaust I very much doubt there would be any detectable difference in sound.
The S has 40 more GGs and 10 more torques so on paper not enough to make any real difference.
From memory the S also has a slightly shorter final drive ratio so it revs a little quicker and higher through the gears, which might make a tiny difference to the sound.
Either way if your friend is looking for a used V6 that is already out of warranty then if they want a fair bit more noise/sound a VAP crank pulley and tune is the way to go.
Or else he/she could go the whole hog like Bruce and fit a V8 rear muffler as well!

 

Lol I can say that I dont think that there is much difference between the exhaust characteristics of the R and the exhaust noise of the 6 with the VAP tune plus VAP exhaust on it save that the VAP exhaust is louder than anything I have heard. It reminds me of the noise I was getting from my XKR with the x pipe/resonator delete, but you couldnt hear it as well in the XKR.

 

Thanks, exactly what I was hoping to hear