Uprated Haldex controller for Audi S3 (8P)

[coxw]

I am sending my Audi S3 to QST in March when it arrives to have an MTM remap.

I'm also considering asking them to fit a uprated Haldex controller to bias more of the power to the rear wheels.

I have always driven FWD cars in the past, so 4wd is going to be a new one on me. Could anyone with any experience of an uprated Haldex system provide me with any insight as to whether:

a) its worth the spend?
b) how differently the car is lightly to handle (eg - will I feel any different in daily driving, or will it just feel different on the limit)?
c) could the money be better spent elsewhere?

Cheers

Warren

[MarkB]

Is this on a brand new car?

I'd wait to get used to the car before doing any mods.

[GrahamS4]

Is the MTM work honoured by Audi in terms of warranty?

[david7m]

Have they done an uprated Haldex for the new S3 already?

I think people who have fitted one to the 'old' S3 have reported little difference for normal road use, but rank them highly on the track! Normal road use for me probably doesn't even use the rear wheel drive......

Dave

[david7m]

Coxw, a silly question, but you do know that the S3 isn't permenant 4WD dont you

Dave

[coxw]

Hi

Yes, this is a brand new car - it will be going to QST with little more than delivery mileage on it. I appreciate its a bit of a risk, but hopefully being Audi build quality it should stand up to it!

As per the 4wd system, yes I know its mainly 2wd (until traction is lost), but with the remap I was expecting there to be even less front wheel traction (310bhp/400Nm), so wondered whether it would be worth fitting the uprated haldex unit to redistribute drive.

Would I need to adjust brake bias with the Haldex upgrade on it (assuming constant drive would be going to rear wheels)?

[david7m]

Brake biased should be fine, afterall its the front that does most of the braking!

Where abouts are you Coxw? (add to profile ) Would love to have a look at your car!

Dave

Dave

[david7m]

Hi



As per the 4wd system, yes I know its mainly 2wd (until traction is lost), but with the remap I was expecting there to be even less front wheel traction (310bhp/400Nm), so wondered whether it would be worth fitting the uprated haldex unit to redistribute drive.

I dont think its when traction is lost that transfers grunt to the rear, its engine torque/throttle position/acceleration! (please feel free to correct/abuse me about this statement )

Dave

[DuncS3]

There is a different haldex controller for the later gen haldex cars - apparently you get a sport mode, race mode etc. I have an original S3 with the haldex controller fitted and I didnt really think it made much difference to be honest. My S3 has modified suspension and roll bars, so handles very well anyway - maybe the haldex makes more difference on standard cars perhaps. I have read internet reports where some people rave over the haldex controller for the original R32 and S3/TT, but for me I did'nt really think it made enough difference for road use. I have tracked my car and it handles so well anyway, very neutral, that I dont really see much difference there either.

PS regarding this non permanant awd thing - I have a UR quattro thats has the torsen diff so I reguarly compare the two and the S3 with haldex feels pretty much the same anyway so lets not undersell our haldex cars with not being 'proper' 4wd. The biggest difference to FWD is you will never ever wheelspin. I came from a Golf 1.8T and the biggest difference for me in terms of traction was that in the S3 I coudl actually accelerate on a roundabout in the wet without the front completely washing out and you can of course give your car full beans from pull away in the wet.

PPS Dave - your S3 will be using its rear drive a lot more than you think - it reacts to throttle inputs as wheel as wheel speed differences

Dunc

[coxw]

Is the MTM work honoured by Audi in terms of warranty?

No, but MTM offer 2yrs on their own work.

[coxw]

Where abouts are you Coxw? (add to profile ) Would love to have a look at your car!

Dave

Dave

Hi Dave

I never publish my whereabouts on internet forums. Part of my job revolves around data security, and the measures to take to avoid your private data being used for criminal activity! When i get the car in March your more than welcome to come and see it when its back from QST.

cheers

Warren

[david7m]

Where abouts are you Coxw? (add to profile ) Would love to have a look at your car!

Dave

Dave

Hi Dave

I never publish my whereabouts on internet forums. Part of my job revolves around data security, and the measures to take to avoid your private data being used for criminal activity! When i get the car in March your more than welcome to come and see it when its back from QST.

cheers

Warren

OK, cheers, but it depends where you are

Dave

[coxw]

There is a different haldex controller for the later gen haldex cars - apparently you get a sport mode, race mode etc. I have an original S3 with the haldex controller fitted and I didnt really think it made much difference to be honest.

PPS Dave - your S3 will be using its rear drive a lot more than you think - it reacts to throttle inputs as wheel as wheel speed differences

Dunc

My new S3 will be on stock suspension / ARB's so will not handle as well as yours. Plus mine is heavier so will be less balanced.

I'm coming from a Leon Cupra R225 with Stage 2 Revo, Forge FMIC, Milltek exhaust / race catalysts / Dynatwist induction / Forge DV / uprated engine & gearbox mounts / uprated fuel pressure regulator (285bhp/335lb-ft 0-100 13.1s, 0-60 6.1s), and all that goes through the front wheels, so the S3 will be a very different driving experience. The back end is also snatchy on the LCR, and in anything other than dry weather its a bloody handful. I chose the S3 specifically because its like an LCR but with 4wd.

Interested to hear there is not a massive difference with the upgrade Haldex, but its worth a try if its only £400 odd quid.

I couldn't have lived with the S3 as standard, its just too slow. Yes it gets off the line quicker than my LCR, but the 30-80mph just isn't close. Roll on 1st of March, can't come soon enough.

[david7m]

Time will fly by...

Dave

[coxw]

I've just spoken to someone (admittedly a BMW owner), who has recommended I don't put the uprated Haldex controller on the car.

He says that as the clutch on the 4wd system will be set up to accommodate OCCASIONAL use (eg. when the front wheels lose grip), rather than continuous use as per the uprated Haldex controller set up that it will wear the clutch for the haldex system out very quickly (and potentially upset the ESP system).

Is there any truth in this?