S3 MY12 Panther Build thread: The End; it's been emotional!

[warren_S5]

that's sexy warren!! lowered will be perfect.

hm...what's after the rs3 grill?? 5pot engine?

I wish! Enough power to fool me it's a five cylinder, but without the glorious tune!

 

[FranA3]

And rolling on RS3 19" rims looks like this:

oh my days warren that looks amazing buddy fair play

 

[warren_S5]

oh my days warren that looks amazing buddy fair play

Cheers mate; mucho arm ache!

 

[Shadowman]

The Speedlines will be around for a while yet just because of funds Tuomas, sorry )

So Warren, I'm still not sure if you are selling your 18inch BE wheels.......lol !!

If/when you do fit the RS3 grille, I think your car will easily be the best one here and on any other forum.....beautifull !!

 

[lil_coz]

Never be SUCH SURE about modding & mod bug mate!

lol Thou shalt not tempt! I know the sort of reputation this place has when it comes to un-planned modifications!

 

[paddy]

The Speedlines will be around for a while yet just because of funds Tuomas, sorry )

So Warren, I'm still not sure if you are selling your 18inch BE wheels.......lol !!

If/when you do fit the RS3 grille, I think your car will easily be the best one here and on any other forum.....beautifull !!

It will be without doubt a beauty, but the best ?...what does Paullie have to say about that ....Gotta love that engine cover , matching twin take and those mirrors..and that grill and the colour

"FIGHT"

 

[samsonite]

8) Audi RS3 Alloy Wheel Upgrade

Right then dawgs, I'm pleased to say that due to working with a very ethical seller I now have my RS3 rims.

Seems once they were sold (to me), that he received a barrage of people who were suddenly interested and prepared to pay up, but the guy was an absolute top man and said the shake of his hand is bond! Full of win.

Anyhooooo, back to the plot.

Rolling on 18's looked something like this:

And rolling on RS3 19" rims looks like this:

And who says an inch can't make a difference!!

The 19's just look right.

There is very little difference other than the extra inch, but I've taken a few side shots to give some further perspective of the change.

Here are the 18's side on

And the 19's

Granted, again it's a subtle difference, but one that takes it from looking like the wheels are just slightly to small, to making them right. The touch of extra dish just removes the slight flatness from the cars side on profile.

So I've spent a wodge of cash, and am I happy? To be fair I am. Other than the 25mm front lowering to be done at APS in the next couple of weeks it is about right cosmetically. I have one further little mod to make in the next couple of weeks to the looks, but I'll keep that in the bag for now!!!

OEM+ all the way!

18 & 19 side by side: hard to tell a big difference, but the perspective of the 18 being closer to the camera doesn't help

Hi Warren, Jason here, firstly i must say that it was a great pleaseure doing business with you, and secondly "OH MY GIDDY GIDDY GOSH - SO MUCH DIFFERENCE", glad to say they have gone to a good home, i will pop down some time and show you the RS when i get it back, and il give you the heads up on the RS3 grill

I better get back to work to save up for that Fezza I was telling you about

All the best, keep in touch

 

[amar06fbr]

A LIKE!! your car is looking ******, big diffrence with the 19's. i like the mirrors i think that next on my list.

 

[audigex]

I can barely tell the difference between the 18s and 19s, if I'm honest, even with the pictures side by side and when I'm looking for it. I suppose the difference could be that every now and again someone may come up and say "your wheels look a little bit small" with the 18s, but they won't with the 19s.

Unless someone offered me a free switch I wouldn't bother, but I'm glad you're pleased with it.

 

[Kelza]

Ohh yeah you can tell the difference and the grip is a different story ...235/35/19 rock...

 

[warren_S5]

It will be without doubt a beauty, but the best ?...what does Paullie have to say about that ....Gotta love that engine cover , matching twin take and those mirrors..and that grill and the colour

"FIGHT"

Paullie, Virdie, RicoS3 to name but a few have amazing cars on here so to be up there in the same sort of company would be nice, but I'm missing a key element (buckets).

Hi Warren, Jason here, firstly i must say that it was a great pleaseure doing business with you, and secondly "OH MY GIDDY GIDDY GOSH - SO MUCH DIFFERENCE", glad to say they have gone to a good home, i will pop down some time and show you the RS when i get it back, and il give you the heads up on the RS3 grill

I better get back to work to save up for that Fezza I was telling you about

All the best, keep in touch

Thanks so much for hooking me up Jason, the man who made the RS3 mod possible; you're an absolute star! Look forward to seeing the garage grow!

A LIKE!! your car is looking ******, big diffrence with the 19's. i like the mirrors i think that next on my list.

Thanks mate, appreciated. Be interested to see your next mod. Another monumental car on the forum!

I can barely tell the difference between the 18s and 19s, if I'm honest, even with the pictures side by side and when I'm looking for it. I suppose the difference could be that every now and again someone may come up and say "your wheels look a little bit small" with the 18s, but they won't with the 19s.

Unless someone offered me a free switch I wouldn't bother, but I'm glad you're pleased with it.

Fair shout mate. Respect your view. As I'd been running 19's on the 8P2 for 3 years 18's never cut it once we got 8P3. Even the missus agreed they needed to change but it's what you get used to. To mirror your comment I stood looking at the car yesterday with the bloke who sold me the car from at Audi and he didn't notice either. It's subtle but looks so right you don't see it straight away.

 

[coxy16]

That car is a thing of beauty mate..

 

[tcardio]

One of my favorite cars on the forum next to N8's. Absolutely pure sex. 19's have such an impressive visual impact. Was wondering if you considered putting the chrome trim on the door handle. I was tinkering with different color combinations for the wheel caps and lug nut covers. I'm trying the TTS cap cover in gloss black with black lug covers. Not sure if it will look right

 

[warren_S5]

One of my favorite cars on the forum next to N8's. Absolutely pure sex. 19's have such an impressive visual impact. Was wondering if you considered putting the chrome trim on the door handle. I was tinkering with different color combinations for the wheel caps and lug nut covers. I'm trying the TTS cap cover in gloss black with black lug covers. Not sure if it will look right

Thank you very much fella. Not really considered doing anything on the internals beyond the LED's.

Be interested to see what your caps/ lug covers look like when they're done, good shout.

N8's car is immense, mine won't ever be on a par with his. One of the best A3/S3's full stop.

 

[Gavin0478]

Are these the same width and offset as the BE wheels on the A5's do you know?

 

[warren_S5]

Are these the same width and offset as the BE wheels on the A5's do you know?

No, the A5 wheels are 8.5J and 42ET from memory, these are 8J ET50 (I was originally considering the A4 rotors but it would have been a very close call as to whether they fitted without stretch tyres).

 

[dean_watford]

V nice car - the 19"s look spot on!

 

[dave_garnz]

looks awesome mate.

 

[Boosted]

Lovely car

I didn't pick it up through the thread but did Revo need to open up your ECU in order to remap it?

If so, does that mean your warranty is void now?

Reason I ask is I may well be movin into an identical car to yours trading in my TTS

 

[warren_S5]

Lovely car

I didn't pick it up through the thread but did Revo need to open up your ECU in order to remap it?

If so, does that mean your warranty is void now?

Reason I ask is I may well be movin into an identical car to yours trading in my TTS

No they didn't. Just plugged in via ODBC and it was done in about an hour.

Cheers

 

[RedDejavu]

the only thing they open up is your deep wallet and yes it voids warranty but not to be worried if you have STS device it can put map back to stock settings when needed

 

[*Müllërz]

Those wheels really suit a black 3 door
hope you enjoy them warren
Still cant decide on them or the s6,c63,lambo,bently wheels 19" or 20" as i am getting a new a4 soon so would like to take the wheels with me
Warren would you say the difference from 18 to 19 is vast in terms of ride quality and comfort?

 

[Paullie]

It will be without doubt a beauty, but the best ?...what does Paullie have to say about that ....Gotta love that engine cover , matching twin take and those mirrors..and that grill and the colour

"FIGHT"

Hehe, there will be no fighting on here, Pad. I absolutely love Warren's beautiful new S3, every last little thing he's done to it and the sound of the plans he has for it. It's totally EPIC! My 'mellow yellow peril' is more than happy to be a li'l sis to the big boys of the forum. xx

OMG I can't believe what you've put in your sig, Paddy. Did I really say that, lol? xx

 

[PaulAr]

Like this very much
Tasteful, and nicely thought out.

Superb

Wouldnt do the RS3 grill though....

 

[BUNZ11]

hello sorry to bother all just hoping for some advice, in september i bought the a3 170 tdi s line its an automatic, i never boguht it from an audi garage and so it has no warranty would anyone reccomend me buying a warranty from audi? and has anyone ever heard many faults with this model? would really appreciate anyones opinion....

 

[warren_S5]

Those wheels really suit a black 3 door
hope you enjoy them warren
Still cant decide on them or the s6,c63,lambo,bently wheels 19" or 20" as i am getting a new a4 soon so would like to take the wheels with me
Warren would you say the difference from 18 to 19 is vast in terms of ride quality and comfort?

I chose my tyres based on ride quality / suitability, and Uniroyal Rainsport 2 aren't what you'd choose for the track, but for British wet weather and gnarly roads they have a very slightly softer sidewall which offsets the loss of sidewall depth.

Another S3 owner has been in the car and he didn't think it was any more uncomfortable.

 

[Boosted]

I thought there were problems with flashing the new ECU's?

Or does it only affect a few?

 

[RicoS3]

Lovely, lovely motor Warren. 19's make all the difference; ride's not that bad and I'd even argue it's better than stock S Line! It already looks more squat even without the springs.

I'm being lazy and haven't read which springs, but I'm sure I remember Eibach's being mentioned? I had the front only ones and after dropping the front I had to drop the rear; felt too nose down. Changed to all VWR springs at a touch over 20mm drop as opposed to 25mm for H&R's and I have been very, very impressed with them. Just thought I'd say.

This car, those rims and that colour. That is all.

 

[*Müllërz]

I chose my tyres based on ride quality / suitability, and Uniroyal Rainsport 2 aren't what you'd choose for the track, but for British wet weather and gnarly roads they have a very slightly softer sidewall which offsets the loss of sidewall depth.

Another S3 owner has been in the car and he didn't think it was any more uncomfortable.

So you would say the wheels size does not effect the ride quality much if the right tyres are chosen?

Have you done or got any plans for the suspension to cater your newly gained inch? lol

 

[tcardio]

:sign_plug: It is a pleasure to read this thread! You have an attention to detail and that car is SO clean! N8 is ready as always to help you sit in buckets!!

 

[warren_S5]

Changed to all VWR springs at a touch over 20mm drop as opposed to 25mm for H&R's and I have been very, very impressed with them. Just thought I'd say.

This car, those rims and that colour. That is all.

Cheers for the heads up mate, interesting that the Eibachs turn the issue on its head, I'll look into the VWR's.

And thanks again for the kind words!

 

[warren_S5]

:sign_plug: It is a pleasure to read this thread! You have an attention to detail and that car is SO clean! N8 is ready as always to help you sit in buckets!!

Might take him up on it next year, I keep looking at them on the Internet and I'm not getting any younger! Clients can kiss it, I've had enough of putting them off for the sake of others!

 

[Gavin0478]

just get one for your *** then.

 

[warren_S5]

9) NGK PRF7S8EG Spark Plugs

Bit of an update as it's been a bit quiet on the western front with respect to progress as January is the longest, coldest, dampest, poorest and generally most unpleasant month of the year!

So what's Uncle Nobhead been treating himself to on the FleaGay this week? Some of those 'orrible little overpriced fire-sticks the S3 8P community know and love all too well as they cause us as much problem as anything other than clutches!

Thanks to Paddy for his insight helping us to look beyond the Iridiums which seemed to have become the default choice given the performance claims of the material used for the centre electrode. However it turns out from speaking to NGK that whilst the iridium electrode will last longer, this plug has 'some' inferior materials in the construction by comparison to the Laser Platinum, and is more focussed on durability than quality running.

For those who don't do anything as uncouth as pick up a spanner, here's a picture of an NGK plug with labels so you can see whats what:

After 5 years of S3 ownership I'm bored sh1tless of keeping a deep spark plug socket and a wrench to hand, and I'm trying a different tac to the one recommended to Audi UK (a plug gapping of 0.8mm which is what the plug is delivered with).

If you want to know more detail about OEM plug settings for S3 look here: LINKY

I splashed out on a Laser Model 2481 Feeler Gauge (32 blade imperial / metric) from Amazon for a fiver and decided I'm going to try regapping the plugs down to 0.7mm as NGK suggested some cars with increased boost perform better from a lower gapping (although they categorically state they can only recommend running manufacturer gapping and cannot be held responsible if you do otherwise - same old...)

So how do I gap a plug. Carefully!!! If you damage the ground electrode or the tip the plug will under perform, or worse still break and fall into the engine causing SERIOUS damage to the car. I'm making no recommendations of approach here, so watch this and my conscience can be clean:



I've noticed there is the slightest imperfection in idle at COLD START until engine gets up to temp. What do I mean by this? The idle is just slightly inconsistent whilst the car is warming up. It will run clean for 5-6 seconds and then it just wobbles slightly. I know these TFSi engine misfire slightly anyway, but the older the plugs get the more it seems to accentuate the issue. It's barely noticeable having covered 3k miles, I'm just being a pedant!

Some photos of the plugs and the new gap I've set:

£31 from the Bay!

Part numbers:

The plug

The business end of the plug

Setting the gap to 0.7mm

The blades used (0.38 & 0.660; together makes 0.698 in my book or very close to 0.7!)

As soon as the car starts to misfire or play up (which I'm pleased to say after a 1250 miles of Revo Stage 1 there is absolutely no issues so far) these buggers will be getting planted beneath the pitiful engine cover and given 2/3's of a rotation of extra turn with the wrench after they are finger tight.

If there is ONE thing I can't recommend enough to S3 8P owners is ALWAYS have a set of spare plugs kicking about IF you have the tools / skills / know-how to change your own as it just saves a lot of hassle.

Once they're in later in the year I'll do a detailed review of whether the car feels different with the new gap.

 

[warren_S5]

10) A bit of detailing action - A big thanks to Juicy Detailing

Mwahhhhhh, nom nom!!

Seeings that so many of you have been waxing lyrical about spraying your foam in the high streets of Britain, like the easily goaded sheep I am I decided to follow the crowd and make it snow in Berkshire.

So what's in the box??????????? (Said in a Brad Pitt Se7en film kind of way)

1) A karcher fit snow foam lance and 5 litres of their home grown foam
2) Chemical Guys Wheel Guard - Alloy wheel sealant
3) Chemical Guys Hybrid V7 High Gloss Sealant Spray - Quick detailing spray
4) Chemical Guys Black Light Radiant Finish - Paint sealant (supposedly very good on blacks)
5) Valet Pro Dionysus Trim Glitz - tyre Shine
6) Dodo Supernatural Glass sealant - A bit like Duxback I guess for your windscreen
7) Eurow sheepskin wash mitt
8) Dodo supernatural finger mitt wax applicator
9) Eurow shag weave buffing cloths (x3)

As I blew over 100 sheets I got a free drying towel which was very gladly received as my Meg's waffle towel has seen better days and can now be used to dry my wheels.

Why Juicy? I've always used Clean Your Car in the past, or Amazon for 3M Leather care spray, but since rocking up on the forum the guys at Juicy seem to be proactive, helpful and have some really good recommendations on product. On top of the site sign up discount you also get additional freebies for passing spend levels (£50/£100), and you get a free sweet whatever time of year it is which for a bloater like myself is always welcome!

So given they have the competition on for that mental wax they're giving away next month once the clouds roll back and the sun comes out I'll be straight outside spraying, buffing then cracking out the camera to get a submission in.

My thanks to both Daryl and Jen who helped me decide which would be the best products for the colour of the car, if you're in any doubt about product I really recommed giving them a bell. Photos of the results to follow....

Edit: big thanks to my wonderful missus for buying the lance & foam for this years birthday; shame i can't wait until May to use it!

 

[RedDejavu]

amazing Warren as per usual

 

[warren_S5]

amazing Warren as per usual

Cheers Matt, got to try and keep the old girl running and looking sweet now she's knocking on a bit!

 

[Chris93]

Does the non s3 2.0t have this issue or is it only when you remap it?

Chris

 

[warren_S5]

Does the non s3 2.0t have this issue or is it only when you remap it?

Chris

I think the issues are accentuated by remapping as your pushing nearly 100bhp more from the same basic engine. Wear rates go up significantly as parts are pushed harder. The TFSi system isn't perfect (as seen when S3 engines are cracked open valves are caked from early mileage). Mapping just accentuates issues hence the need to 'over-service' to keep things running optimally.

 

[Farhan]

Warren, great purchases bro

im telling you this now

Hybrid V7 - Puts my whole collection to shame.

SO So easy to use mate, I love it.

Genuinely doesnt smear up, Its like spraying water on your car which beads but you just wipe off with a towel. No staining no clouding nothing.
Shines up amazingly well. Also the Eurow towels are amazing i have around 9!

Get a little write up of your wash when you can look forward to your write ups mate