Josh's progress thread

afcbjoshd

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Still fairly new to the forum but thought, like everyone, it's time to start a thread recording what I've been up to with the S3. Owned since mid April bought with 97500 miles on with FASH, a Ming Blue 02/52 S3 1.8T 225. Completely standard.

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As you can see, sitting like a tractor.

First mod was some RS4 Reps with new rubber, then some FK adjustable coilovers wound about half down, then Revo stage 1, and some German style pressed plates. Had it looking like this.

6240306594_9562b65dda_z.jpg
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However MOT time loomed and it failed. On those German plates, which I had forgot to remove - I had the others in the boot so swapped them over, passed no advisories, well pleased. However removing those German plates caused them to bend and look stupid and rather than risk getting pulled over and 60 smackers I decided to leave legal plates on from now onwards.

A few choice stickers and a detailing session and it looked like this.

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as you can see, I have suffered the usual camber issues associated with lowering 8Ls. Step up S3dave and his custom arms. the small sticker on the bottom reads 'this is not an unmarked police car' - seemed mildly humorous at the time. yes I am aware police do not use A3's S3's as police cars or unmarked ones but that being said, at least you can't call me a liar. (!)

Working in the trade has it's advantages, like useage of ramps n workshop facilities, and the technicians! (I am by no means a technician/mechanic and have a lot of respect for those that are, there are monkey's that could do it better than I can) but another main upside is the professional detailing side of it. Got it professionally done by an aquitance/friend through the trade, inc. mopping with a fast cut, then machine polish, then Autoglym HD wax, twice, fully polished etc etc and it came out gleaming like this.

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As you can see and hope you'll agree, the car looks 10 times better. Got such a depth of shine now. All i have to do is maintain it..! These pics still do not show the effect s3dave's custom arms have in bringing the camber back round and stopping adverse wear, i hope to have some before and after pics soon.

And this is where it's at so far, since day one flat eric has been riding alongside me on the dashboard. My future plans include, finally getting a cat back, along with this probably at the same time I'll decat with a 3" downpipe. Also, a Badger5 TIP and Jetex is on the cards very shortly. I have in my possession ready to fit an LCR front splitter, pics will be put up after this is on also, and soon to be arriving is the 8P S3 gearknob mod I've seen and heard so much about. Feel free to comment, good or bad, and also advice on anything I'm missing or should/could do is much appreciated, as it's all a learning curve and this is my first modded car. Thanks for looking, Josh. :)
 
Nice looking car mate, the detail has brought it up a treat!!!

New wheels seem a bit sunk in the arches thou, higher offset than the standard ones? Spacers might give them a nicer, wider look!
 
yeah i think they ae higher offset, but with the custom tie arms bringing the camber back round it has improved them somewhat, fitting the LCR splitter today so should have pics of all that later on
 
right so finally got pics of the difference s3 dave's custom arms make, and by the look of things I'll prob need spacers just to get the look right, but will this affect the handling in a negative way or won't there be much difference? I still need a 4wheel allignment n geo setup as so far they are done by eye.

6302888280_9f1e8a0bfa_z.jpg


6302888442_795f1ae094_z.jpg


and also now the LCR front splitter is on so here's some pics of that.

6302362327_237f7360ee_z.jpg


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Posted this up last week but in the wrong section so thought I'd put it in the right section. Still fairly new to the forum but thought, like everyone, it's time to start a thread recording what I've been up to with the S3. Owned since mid April bought with 97500 miles on with FASH, a Ming Blue 02/52 S3 1.8T 225. Completely standard.

6291302203_6fcf73713a_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

6291822356_e31c723e92_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

As you can see, sitting like a tractor.

First mod was some RS4 Reps with new rubber, then some FK adjustable coilovers wound about half down, then Revo stage 1, and some German style pressed plates. Had it looking like this.

6240306594_9562b65dda_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

However MOT time loomed and it failed. On those German plates, which I had forgot to remove - I had the others in the boot so swapped them over, passed no advisories, well pleased. However removing those German plates caused them to bend and look stupid and rather than risk getting pulled over and 60 smackers I decided to leave legal plates on from now onwards.

A few choice stickers and a detailing session and it looked like this.

6240307040_66f071d532_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

6240308018_4150980c5f_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

as you can see, I have suffered the usual camber issues associated with lowering 8Ls. Step up S3dave and his custom tie arms. the small sticker on the bottom reads 'this is not an unmarked police car' - seemed mildly humorous at the time. yes I am aware police do not use A3's S3's as police cars or unmarked ones but that being said, at least you can't call me a liar. (!)

Working in the trade has it's advantages, like useage of ramps n workshop facilities, and the technicians! (I am by no means a technician/mechanic and have a lot of respect for those that are, there are monkey's that could do it better than I can) but another main upside is the professional detailing side of it. Got it professionally done by an aquitance/friend through the trade, inc. mopping with a fast cut, then machine polish, then Autoglym HD wax, twice, fully polished etc etc and it came out gleaming like this.

6276595492_1419014b84_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

6276594872_3149f9656b_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

6276594448_4d88d15039_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

6276598150_1c02952aa6_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

6276597614_0818cacc0d_z.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

As you can see and hope you'll agree, the car looks 10 times better. Got such a depth of shine now. All i have to do is maintain it..! These pics still do not show the effect s3dave's custom arms have in bringing the camber back round and stopping adverse wear, i hope to have some before and after pics soon.

And this is where it's at so far, since day one flat eric has been riding alongside me on the dashboard. My future plans include, finally getting a cat back, along with this probably at the same time I'll decat/sports cat with a 3" downpipe. Also, a Badger5 TIP and Jetex is on the cards very shortly. I have in my possession ready to fit an LCR front splitter, pics will be put up after this is on also, and soon to be arriving is the 8P S3 gearknob mod I've seen and heard so much about. Also at a later date revo stage 2. Feel free to comment, good or bad, and also advice on anything I'm missing or should/could do is much appreciated, as it's all a learning curve and this is my first modded car. Thanks for looking, Josh. :)
 
right so finally got pics of the difference s3 dave's custom arms make, and by the look of things I'll prob need spacers just to get the look right, but will this affect the handling in a negative way or won't there be much difference? I still need a 4wheel allignment n geo setup as so far they are done by eye.

6302888280_9f1e8a0bfa_z.jpg


6302888442_795f1ae094_z.jpg


and also now the LCR front splitter is on so here's some pics of that.

6302362327_237f7360ee_z.jpg


6302887302_612dcae0c9_z.jpg


6302361367_489cfb96dc_z.jpg


6302361827_b357101143_z.jpg


6302887806_8f11f5c1d2_z.jpg


and on saturday it's booked in for a custom cat back, and at the same time the're gona look at different size spacers and we can see what looks best/doesn't make the wheels rub etc. Josh
 
Nice looking car there mate very similar to mine :)

Out of interest which FK Coilovers are you running? and whats the ride quality/handling like?
 
Cheers for that.

Am thinking of doing my suspension in the new year but as am not going to be tracking the car i dont need to go OTT with it so just want something that improves the handling lowers the car a little and still gives a good ride as its my daily driver.

So are those the same as these on the DPM website? FK AK Street Coilover Suspension Kit A3 8L 1.8T Quattro, 1.9TDi Quattro 01/99> - £225.00 : The premier online mail order VAG suspension and performance specialists. We offer a wide range of all the best branded suspension and performance parts for a
 
no worries. Yeah looks like they are mate, I got mine cheaper though as they were on sale when I got them for about 200 ish, so 225 is a good price. Your reasons for doing it are the same as mine really, not mad about going on track etc so didn't need to go too track focussed as also like yours mine is a daily.
 
Cool more mods for 2012 then.

Did you fit them yourself and if so how hard was it to do?

Also were the rear adjustable tie bar arms necessity?
 
Nice one, the car looks a minter....:icon_thumright: not sure on the splitter TBH maybe if it was detailed??

thanks dave, yeah that was just after it was done, still have dust and stuff all over it! i've washed it now and it looks black now!

Cool more mods for 2012 then.

Did you fit them yourself and if so how hard was it to do?

Also were the rear adjustable tie bar arms necessity?

the man above is who you want to speak to about rear tie arms, if you lower our s3s more than about 20mm you start to see the camber issue which can cause adverse wear on your tyres, so the custom tie arms bring the camber back round. simple! and no i didn't fit them myself i am utterly useless at this kind of thing, huge respect for technicians/mechanics as it's a skill i've always wanted to learn.. just a bit diffucult to mess with my car myself as its a daily and so if it was off the road due to me messing something up i wouldnt be able to get in to work etc. noticed ur in s'ton - u have any dealings with regal ? or dms automotive?
 
Well will add rear tie arms to the shopping list for 2012 then lol. I think 20mm would probably lower it enough for me as i dont want its **** dragging on the floor look.

Would probably give the Coilover fitting a whirl if its quite straight forward put would have to get some spring compressors.

Yeah Regal are my local tuners i have done a couple of rolling road days with my old S3 and they have done a few jobs for me but not used them for anything major but they have always been pretty good. not heard of DMS before so will have a google and see what they are like. The other Tuner i used recently for my Revo remap was JKM in pompey who were reccomended by a few peeps on here and they were very good.

Well if someone ever arranges a Southern meet i would be happy to come along and see some other cars and meet some fellow ASN`ers as seen a few peeps from these parts or nearby.
 
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haha well those coilovers min drop is 30mm mate! but that's not a massive drop really.. I've been trying to get a meet organised for ages but no one ever responds.. or they do respond but it just never happens... when you give those coilies a go i'll be happy to come and 'help' *cough* watch... lol
 
Well add me to the PM list if you try to arrange a meet as would defo be up for it. Some go karting action always goes down well plus a nice balst with some like minded car enthusiasts is defo good fun!

ok 30mm would be acceptable lol! Will defo keep you in mind if and when i attempt some suspension work :)
 
I'll start another thread on it inabit so keep an eye out for that then you'll get all the updates, what other people you know around the area then? and go karting?! sounds good but maybe we should just keep it simple and cheap for the first one eh?!!
 
Sweet :)

will defo keep my out for the thread as been on this forum for over 4 years now and never actually seen another ASN`er in real life lol.

There is defo some peeps around the pompey area cant remember specific names though. I think Prawn is basingstoke way so defo in the area as such.

Yeah maybe for the first one just a time and location might be worthwhile and then we can up the anti for subsequent meets. Done a few with another car club which are usually entertaining. Last year we did a firework meet (probably a bit short notice now) went to the cliffs over pompey and set off lots of fireworks and then went for a blast convoy style.

Just seen your old thread in the smaller (local) meets section which to be honest i have never been in before or even spotted. I would suggest that if you do make another thread in their that we also make one in here and link to the meet as alot of people like me may never view that section of the forum. We could also post in the 8P section plus maybe some others to get a few different peeps interested as i know there are some localish A4 B6 peeps as i was in that gang before getting back in my current S3.
 
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Right have posted i your thread in the small (local) events section and also posted a thread linking to it in the B6 and 8P sections as those are the places with the most people i have had contact with on here.

So will see what happens :)
 
Looks nice mate, sits very well. Ive got fk coilies on mine and they feel great, not that ive gave it any abuse yet though...
 
cheers fella, yeah i think the FKs are really good for the money - but like you i haven't given it any serious abuse yet.. hopefully will sit better with some spacers i'm gonna play with on saturday, whilst its booked in for a custom cat back. then i'll post some more pics of that...!
 
no time for spacers on saturday :( but the custom stainless cat back is on, now I'm no big fan of these huge exhaust tips so I asked for as similar to standard oem as pos. and they look almost identical, very slightly bigger in diameter, and of course more shiny.. pics as follows,

Before :

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After: :)

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comments welcome, Josh
 
Looks nice mate how does it sound?
 
it sounds louder than standard I won't lie, but then I don't particularly mind that as it's not overly loud, took it up to Southampton on the Motorway yesterday and at motorway speeds again it was louder, not too obtrusive though, overall I'm happy with it. It even feels ever so slightly quicker due freeing the gasses up more. they do their own custom sports cats there too, which I might look into at a later date, and again at around half the price of the miltek and other branded ones. This 'powerflow' one comes with a lifetime warranty with it too, seems alright to me.
 
Cheers fella I actually replayed this in the 8l section any chance you could
Merge them or something or just delete this one? It's called josh's progress thread and it has the latest updates in there. ! Sorry to be a pain!
 
Just had this fitted today by a tech at work for some beer tokens, pics to follow. But it looks good and now it kind of sounds as if I've fitted a dump valve which I'm unsure whether I like or not. Airflow sounds nicer though!
 
You will defo hear the air moving more with any sort of performance air filter over the OEM setup. You may also want to invest in a forge 007p DV as being Stage 1 etc you plastic OEM Bosch one may well not be up for the job anymore.

Keep us posted with what its like with the B5 Tip / Jetex setup results :)
 
Well it is sucking in unfiltered air so yes it is an issue... I must say Jetex are a great filter but WTF dont they leave a longer flange and the rubber is like chocolate....:think:
 
Pics look good, Shame he ripped the filter securing it as S3Dave says above yes it is a problem as the air is now bypassing the filter and heading straight for your turbo including any bits o crap it picks up.

So get the hole fixed pronto not sure how but just some duct tape for a temp measure at least.
 
good call. I'll do that for now. maybe get some sealant on there to try and fill the gap.. or some of the material the jetex flange is and superglue it up I don't know...! It's not a huge gap but obviously not good!
 
This is coming along nicely, what a shame about you're new filter dude.
I hope it's an easy fix

Pat
 
cheers guys, spoke to the tech today and he reckons we should (he should) be able to sealant it back up. So that should be done soon. Also ordered up some LED sidelights afer seeing vrbobs last month and loving how bright they were. So these should be on soon also. Might even get the Fog LED bulbs also as so I'm told this isn't too difficult either.
 

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