Thinking about an S3.

[nickelvery]

Hi everyone,

Some of you know who I am but those who don't.... hello.

I have recently written my car off due to an incident with a deer. Very sad day!!!





I'm now looking at a new car and due to my insurance sky rocketing after my crash I don't think another RS is an option. This made me think about the S3. I started my Audi life with a remapped 1.9TDI A3 which I loved. Then I moved to a remapped 8L S3 which again I loved. Then to the RS4 which as you can see is a little bit bent!!

I know from my 8L S3 that to get the full potential a few things needed to be tweak like the breaks, remap, ARBs that sort of thing. What I am really asking in a very long winded way is have you guys experienced anything on the 8P that you would or have got upgraded?

Thanks in advance.

Nick
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[Norrs2]

I've had a bog standard A3 1.9TDI as a courtesy car the past couple of days and whilst the performance is "adequate" for a small diesel, I'm most impressed with the handling and general feel of the car. So much so, I was playing with the Audi web site to see how much the S3 was. After listing all the thing I would like on it, I got the price up to £33k

No intention of selling the RS4 but I am considering getting one of these as well at a later date. I don't know what it is but there's something in me that makes me really want one.

They are without doubt too the best looking small hatchback ever!

PS Sorry to see your RS4 in that state, hope your ok!

[pablos007]

I think the standard S3 is pretty good straight out of the box but mine is much improved with a KWv3 coilover kit, plus I've been in one with a turboback Milltek exhaust and it felt quicker again.
Damn, my shopping list is getting bigger!!

[jamiekip]

Nick,

Not been in here for some time and I'm sorry to hear about your RS4..... at least you're OK!

With regards the new S3. In all honesty it's pretty damned good out of the box, way better than the 8L ever was.
However, since playing with my car I can recommend:

Remap - GIAC or REvo are the maps of choice - both giving good gains on stock hardware. The GIAC from rolling road days appears to be smoother and a little more driveable. Revo has more of a wallop when the turbo kicks in if that;s your thing. I went GIAC for mine and have had no issues with 314bhp and 310lbft . Facelift models had some changes to the downpipe and some have had mis-fire issues after maps..... I think the map companies are working on a fix, but replacing the zorst cures it.

I'm hoping to add a Evoms CAI and custom Milltek (in discussion on this one at the moment) and with the GIAC map it'll adapt to about 350bhp or revo stage 2 at around 340bhp.
To get better torque you'd need the HPFP updating as the standard fuel pump struggles through the mid range.

Suspension - I've dropped mine on H&R springs (25mm drop), H&R ARB's and H&R Hub centric spacers 10mm at each corner. The ride is actually slightly suppler around town, but definately firmer at speed. Direction changes are far better, understeer is pretty much eliminated and the car feels far more alive. If you have the funds the H&R coilovers have been recommended too.

Brakes - standard items are fine, even for occassional track use. Uprated pads and braided hoses are all you'd need to do.

I'm actually getting the engine and gear box mounts updated tomorrow to improve response and the lower arm bushes uprated to improve steering response.

It's a great car and will have it for another 12 months then ponder what to change too.
I'm tempted in the econimic doom and gloom to capitalise and get a good price on an RS4 (V8), but a big part of me wants another S3!!!

HTH

J

[lynchy]

i took a new S3 for a test drive before i got my rs4 and it is a great car and quick but the only reason i did`nt buy it was with the extras i wanted the price came to just over 30k and i needed a more practical car as i just became a dad so i went with the rs4 . however at the time the sportback S3 was`nt available but if it was at the time i would of chosen that as its a stunning car with the bucket seats and flat bottom steering wheel you cant beat it and its about the same size inside then the B5 .