Brand New Ibis White S-Tronic S3...Remapped With Shark Performance

[andywaddy]

Hi all,

Been knocking around on the Forum for quite a while now and decided late last year to order a brand new S3 after not much self persuasion as I'd always wanted one. After being told it would be delivered in March 2012, I was fairly disappointed but decided to wait as I knew it would be worth it! It fortunately turned out that I must have gotten somebody's build slot as it was built and delivered on the 21st December...which as you can imagine, was the best Christmas gift I've ever received in 23 years!

Anyway, it got delivered at 7am and I couldn't wait for the delivery driver to shut up telling me about how the S-Tronic gearbox worked, what switch did what and how lovely it was to drive...but after 20 minutes of me pretending to be interested I finally got to sit in it and start her up. I fell in love with it there and then and that feeling still hasn't changed 2500miles down the road!
I must admit that I don't come from a long exotic list of previous cars....only a 1.8 Corsa, 1.4T Punto and 2.5 V6 Jag so this beast is like a world apart.

I ended up clocking up a 1000miles within the first week...and that was without a daily commute. I just cannot stop driving the thing! I even ended up ignoring my girlfriend for that week...which as you may expect...she wasn't too happy about!
Any spare time I have, I just end up driving around annoying the neighbours and passers-by with the exhaust note...

In essence, what I'm saying is....I ****** love this car haha

I ended up rattling up another 500miles and then decided to get it remapped by Shark Performance...and I have to say what a difference! Rob (W8 Performance - can be found on the Forum) sorted me out with a good deal on the STS unit and got Ben at Shark HQ to tailor my map within the same day. I requested an 'aggressive' map and that's exactly what I got...it's a world apart from what it was at stock and as the engine continuously loosens up it just seems to be getting faster and faster! So I'd just like to say thanks to all those at Shark for a job well done.
The thing I'm most enjoying is the noise...I don't know whether it's just a placebo effect or what but the exhaust note seems to have gotten considerably louder and I'm loving the extra whoooosh from the turbo running more boost. I keep trying to find roads with tall buildings just so I can hear the noise bouncing off....it's like I've reverted back into a 17-year old!

I was a bit 50/50 about getting it mapped due to all the hesitation nightmares that have been occuring lately with the MY11 cars...but I can happily say I've had no such problems and have done just short of a 1000miles with the remap. I did swap out the stock plugs (Bosch) for NGK PFR7S8EG's at the same time as doing the map.

I've now become greedy for more power and will be looking to go Stage 2+ at some point this year...

Anyway, I've probably bored you enough so here's a mix of photos...I got a bit camera happy so forgive me.

Sat at the dealers:

Thanks for reading/looking!

Andy

 

[Paullie]

That's beautiful, Andy! Glad to hear you're enjoying your Shark Performance map too, ..Shark + DSG FTW!!! xx

 

[N8]

Beautiful car Andy, glad you went with Shark and got some proper software on there

 

[Rob W8]

Thats does look lovely. I need an S3 in my life.

Glad you are enjoying it Andy. I have some HPFP internals arriving this week to help out with the stage 2+.....

 

[Chris93]

What is that button down by the cigarette lighter for?

Chris

 

[Silky-S3]

What is that button down by the cigarette lighter for?

Chris

Mag ride?

Those buckets are epic!

 

[Rob W8]

I really want it to be guns or missiles but think it might be something to do with the suspension?

 

[Chris93]

Oh right, i thought that button went up on the dash with all the others?

Chris

 

[andywaddy]

That's beautiful, Andy! Glad to hear you're enjoying your Shark Performance map too, ..Shark + DSG FTW!!! xx

Thanks Paullie! By far the best present I've ever bought for myself...and the most expensive come to think of it lol. But...it's worth every penny. The map just keeps getting better and better the more in settles in...I have NO complaints whatsoever and the DSG box is just awesome, so effortless! Do you know if it's possible to hit the limiter with a DSG? Mine feels like it does it at the end of 2nd gear when in sport mode and being hammered down a straight.

Beautiful car Andy, glad you went with Shark and got some proper software on there

Haha...I had my heart settled on Shark even before I'd ordered the car...I'd heard nothing but good things and decided that was the way to go and I definitely don't regret it!

Thats does look lovely. I need an S3 in my life.

Glad you are enjoying it Andy. I have some HPFP internals arriving this week to help out with the stage 2+.....

Thanks and thanks again for the top service...I think we can safely say you've got a returning customer!
Oh god...don't tempt me haha...my girlfriend would kill me seeing as we've just booked a couple of holidays! But....just out of interest, what is required for stage 2/2+?

What is that button down by the cigarette lighter for?

Chris

It's for the magnetic ride...I was a bit dubious about it at first but you can definitely feel the difference whilst cornering. You have to remember to switch it off down a bumpy road though or it'll punish you!

Mag ride?

Those buckets are epic!

Right you are sir!

They were a must, I love them. Even if they are ridiculously difficult to get in and out of haha. Anybody know what leather care products I should use on them to keep them looking as new? I really don't like leather when it goes all 'shiny'...is that avoidable?

Oh right, i thought that button went up on the dash with all the others?

Chris

Me too but for some reason it's there and it works so I can't complain. Think I prefer it there though...within touching distance when you're on the arm rest.

 

[Gops]

Looks gorgeous! Congrats on getting it! Love the interior!

 

[Shadowman]

Very nice Andy, and that is some spec' you've got !!

That smooth talking devil 'N8' has talked me into having the Shark map on my 2012 S3 next month, so i'll report back after it's done.

Bit nervous as mine is a manual and i'll probably keep the plugs standard, so fingers crossed

 

[cubby]

Lovely mate. simply lovely.

 

[Juicy Jen]

Lovely looking motor and good to see another happy customer from Shark seeing as I'll be doing mine soon

For the leather recaros I usually clean with APC (plus small detailing brush) and then rinse with a damp clean microfibre, wipe dry. To protect and keep supple I use Aerospace 303 which can be found on our site

 

[andywaddy]

Looks gorgeous! Congrats on getting it! Love the interior!

Thank you! Me too...it's such a nice place to be, I never get bored of it, I especially like the red ambient lighting at night.

Very nice Andy, and that is some spec' you've got !!

That smooth talking devil 'N8' has talked me into having the Shark map on my 2012 S3 next month, so i'll report back after it's done.

Bit nervous as mine is a manual and i'll probably keep the plugs standard, so fingers crossed

Thanks Shadowman! I think the only thing I missed off the list was Auto lights/wipers as I've never been a fan but...that means I'm missing the coming home/leaving home lights function

Haha...I'm sure he won't disappoint! I look forward to your write up. I think if anything, you'll 'feel' the map more as I believe the DSG does limit the torque somewhat compared to the manual.

Lovely mate. simply lovely.

Thanks cubby! Hopefully I can get some better photos when the weather picks up a bit. Whilst I like the white, it's a NIGHTMARE to keep clean!

Lovely looking motor and good to see another happy customer from Shark seeing as I'll be doing mine soon

For the leather recaros I usually clean with APC (plus small detailing brush) and then rinse with a damp clean microfibre, wipe dry. To protect and keep supple I use Aerospace 303 which can be found on our site

Thanks for the info Jen, much appreciated that.
I think it's safe to say I'll be having a nosey around on your site again for some more cleaning products! Just like to say thank you for the service and super-fast delivery last time as well!

 

[mjr901]

What sort of price are shark performance offering stage 1? do they also remap the dsg too to deal with the torque?

 

[warren_S5]

Another beauty, there's some lovely / well specced S3's surfacing on the forum of late. Great choice.

 

[Rob W8]

What sort of price are shark performance offering stage 1? do they also remap the dsg too to deal with the torque?

Hi, At the moment I am offering £100 off the RRP on Shark Performance remaps as an introductory offer on the forum. I have been running this for a while and the last day is today, the 31st. After this it will revert back to the standard 10% forum discount.

The normal price for the S3 map is £399, so it would be £299 or £449 if you wanted to add the STS unit as Andy did with his so you can upload the map at your convenience.

There is a DSG remap available, but you would need to travel to see Shark in Mansfield, Notts to get it done.

Thanks,

Rob

 

[mjr901]

Hi, At the moment I am offering £100 off the RRP on Shark Performance remaps as an introductory offer on the forum. I have been running this for a while and the last day is today, the 31st. After this it will revert back to the standard 10% forum discount.

The normal price for the S3 map is £399, so it would be £299 or £449 if you wanted to add the STS unit as Andy did with his so you can upload the map at your convenience.

There is a DSG remap available, but you would need to travel to see Shark in Mansfield, Notts to get it done.

Thanks,

Rob

What's involved with doing the map? rolling road before and after etc?

 

[S3RYE]

nice car Andy! im growing on sportbacks more and more every day...

 

[Rob W8]

What's involved with doing the map? rolling road before and after etc?

No rolling road unless you head to Shark. But it will have no bearing on the map loaded via the OBD port. All it would give is a power before and after.

If you come to me I would upload the file. If you get the sts unit then you are able to upload the file yourself.

Thanks

Rob

 

[andywaddy]

Another beauty, there's some lovely / well specced S3's surfacing on the forum of late. Great choice.

Thanks Warren! Means a lot

 

[S.]

lovely car. love the buckets!

 

[andywaddy]

nice car Andy! im growing on sportbacks more and more every day...

Thanks man, I'm liking the action photo in your sig...I kind of wish I'd gone with black now seeing as the white doesn't stay white for long...especially in these months!

I have nothing against the 3-door but I was always a fan of the sportbacks...for me, there's just something about the rear lights that just freshen it up a bit and take a few years off the ageing platform.

 

[andywaddy]

lovely car. love the buckets!

Good if you prefer looks over practicality! Lol.

 

[S.]

Good if you prefer looks over practicality! Lol.

we can arrange swap