Hello fellow Audi-Sporters - new 2012 S3 owner :)

richmcveigh

richmcveigh

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Alright?

Just thought I'd say hello! I joined this site back in May 2011 just before buying my S4 B6, which I sold a couple of weeks ago before buying a Phantom Black S3, Black Edition with 4,100 miles on the clock.

It came from an Audi dealer in London, and they were good enough to retrofit cruise control for no extra cost.

Its SUCH a different animal to the S4 - the V8 S4 had so much torque and the amount of power on tap right from the very instant you pushed the loudy pedal was just amazing. The S3 engine has to be worked and the lag takes some getting used to - there have been a couple of times at roundabouts and junctions when I've almost been caught out when she will just not 'get going'.

The Bose system is good, but isn't as good as what I was used to. The bass seems to lack a little bit, and the RNS-E seems to randomly hiss when on the phone and during quiet sections of music (I listen to a lot of classical...).

I truly believe that she looks amazing from every angle, and the build quality of the interior is just beautiful - that white stitching...!!!

Bottom line is - I love my new car, very very much, but the audio on the RNS-E is a bit hit and miss and the lag is a bit of a shame. I know I know, its a turbo powered car so I should expect it, but it seems to worry me at busy junctions.

Here are some pictures, followed by some questions....

2012 12 18 13

2012 12 18 135451

2012 12 23 141131

2012 12 23 141254

The outgoing S4...
2012 12 18 130155

My Dad taking over the cleaning...
2012 12 27 120842

Here are a couple of questions:

1) I'd like to get her on to Stage 1 - should I wait until the engine is more 'worn in'?

2) Would a Stage 1 modification get rid of the turbo lag?

3) Are there any ways to get rid of that hiss? I'm sure its to do with the fact that the RNS-E likes to automatically adjust the volume depending on the speed I am travelling - the S4 did this but I could turn it off...??

Looking forward to getting to know her more and getting used to her quirks. I'm also looking forward to chatting and being involved more on this board :)

Best wishes, and happy Christmas!!

Rich
 
Last edited:
Ref busy junctions, thats what the 'S' bit is for :icon_thumright:

Q1&2 = no
Q3 I believe some guys have fixed this with VCDS

welcome, awesome choice
 
Awesome motors. I have a Milltek turbo back decat exhaust for sale if u do decide to go stage 1
 
Congrats on the new purchase......you'll love it.

Q1. Definately NO
Q2. Not entirely but it will make the car easier and more enjoyable to drive. As some put it....it's like night and day comparing standard to remap.
Q3. I believe its VCDS tweak or turn down the GALA level manually on the RNSE unit itself.
 
Welcome!
As Brodster has said,I agree that Stg1 is a generally safe and easy step,and whilst it won't remove lag,it does release a lot more torque,and makes the car a LOT easier to drive.
Remember to change oil and plugs more regularly than Audi's service schedule,especially on a new engine if you're remapping it.
Treated properly,and done properly,these engines are very strong,and capable of pretty big power levels,but treat them badly,and you know what will happen.
 
S3Alex said:
Welcome!
As Brodster has said,I agree that Stg1 is a generally safe and easy step,and whilst it won't remove lag,it does release a lot more torque,and makes the car a LOT easier to drive.
Remember to change oil and plugs more regularly than Audi's service schedule,especially on a new engine if you're remapping it.
Treated properly,and done properly,these engines are very strong,and capable of pretty big power levels,but treat them badly,and you know what will happen.
Click to expand...

I think the same could be said for any sports car really. Especially with power upgrades. I know on my vxr I used to change plugs every 5k for peace of mind.
 
richmcveigh said:
Alright?

Just thought I'd say hello! I joined this site back in May 2011 just before buying my S4 B6, which I sold a couple of weeks ago before buying a Phantom Black S3, Black Edition with 4,100 miles on the clock.

It came from an Audi dealer in London, and they were good enough to retrofit cruise control for no extra cost.

Its SUCH a different animal to the S4 - the V8 S4 had so much torque and the amount of power on tap right from the very instant you pushed the loudy pedal was just amazing. The S3 engine has to be worked and the lag takes some getting used to - there have been a couple of times at roundabouts and junctions when I've almost been caught out when she will just not 'get going'.

The Bose system is good, but isn't as good as what I was used to. The bass seems to lack a little bit, and the RNS-E seems to randomly hiss when on the phone and during quiet sections of music (I listen to a lot of classical...).

I truly believe that she looks amazing from every angle, and the build quality of the interior is just beautiful - that white stitching...!!!

Bottom line is - I love my new car, very very much, but the audio on the RNS-E is a bit hit and miss and the lag is a bit of a shame. I know I know, its a turbo powered car so I should expect it, but it seems to worry me at busy junctions.

Here are some pictures, followed by some questions....

View attachment 9259

View attachment 9260

View attachment 9261

View attachment 9262

The outgoing S4...
View attachment 9263

My Dad taking over the cleaning...
View attachment 9264

Here are a couple of questions:

1) I'd like to get her on to Stage 1 - should I wait until the engine is more 'worn in'?

2) Would a Stage 1 modification get rid of the turbo lag?

3) Are there any ways to get rid of that hiss? I'm sure its to do with the fact that the RNS-E likes to automatically adjust the volume depending on the speed I am travelling - the S4 did this but I could turn it off...??

Looking forward to getting to know her more and getting used to her quirks. I'm also looking forward to chatting and being involved more on this board :)

Best wishes, and happy Christmas!!

Rich
Click to expand...

hi Rich, lovely car !! I know what you mean about the turbo lag especially at junctions, I've a bluefin on mine and it does make a difference to performance plus it can be taken off easily for service work.
the rns-e does seem to have a mind of its own doesn't it, the volume going up and down does my head in, when I get time I'm going to do the Mod that cures the volume up and down issue (there is a service bulletin that details what needs doing)
welcome to the site.
sean.
 
DickosS3 said:
I think the same could be said for any sports car really. Especially with power upgrades. I know on my vxr I used to change plugs every 5k for peace of mind.
Click to expand...
True...but these seem to be especially prone to the plugs getting a bit tired....stock plugs are fine even for the power I run,but do need regular changes.
 
Good news that I don't have to wait for the engine to be worn in to get it remapped. Leading on from the remapping idea... will a remap of the ECU void my warranty with Audi?

She already has to go back for a bit of work as the front passenger speaker crackles at certain frequencies, and the car ever so slightly pulls to the left.

As gorgeous as the alloys are - they make me ever so nervous about catching them on a curb or the like :gun2:
 
Veneeringman said:
hi Rich, lovely car !! I know what you mean about the turbo lag especially at junctions, I've a bluefin on mine and it does make a difference to performance plus it can be taken off easily for service work.
the rns-e does seem to have a mind of its own doesn't it, the volume going up and down does my head in, when I get time I'm going to do the Mod that cures the volume up and down issue (there is a service bulletin that details what needs doing)
welcome to the site.
sean.
Click to expand...

Hello mate - where's this bulletin then?
 
Afew on here have kept their map on and the garage are fully aware of this. It all depends on what is being done to the car but seeing as its stereo related I very much doubt they will plug it in and find out its remapped. If it was having ECU problems or engine trouble then this would be a different story. My 2012 S3 was mapped after about 250 miles and I upload the original map when it goes into the garage as I keep original maps for customers when I remap them. I do this solely to be on the safe side even though the majority of the guys in the garage know it has been remapped.
 
richmcveigh said:
Hello mate - where's this bulletin then?
Click to expand...

Guys, there is no way to disable audiopilot through coding.. the only way is to cut the wires on the bose amp to disable the bose mic (housed in the front map light unit).. Don't ask me which wires - I don't know! I know that Paddy had his disabled by his local Audi... I have VCDS and you cannot disable the bose mic.. Bringing up the GALA and DSP thing only really works if you do NOT have BOSE.... It's pants, and I have told Audi that it had better be done in advance for my new car, otherwise I shall refuse delivery until they sort it out!
Whoever put Audiopilot into the cars shoudl be put in front of a firing squad - it is a thoroughly badly thought out crap piece of tech that has no place in an Audi whatsoever...


Ok so I know out there somewhere in the WWW is an Audi TSB that relates specifically to disabling Audiopilot on the A3, but all i can find is their one that relates to the A4... I would think it's very similar though.. hope this is of some help Mr Blob! http://www.dejong947.com/audi/tsb/audi.tb.91-04-17.pdf


You can see it clearly tells you that there is no way of disabling the Audiopilot with just VCDS...
Last edited by quattro81; 8th June 2012 at 19:07.
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S3Alex said:
True...but these seem to be especially prone to the plugs getting a bit tired....stock plugs are fine even for the power I run,but do need regular changes.
Click to expand...

Can dirty/tired plugs lead to bad fuel consumption??
 
Veneeringman said:
Guys, there is no way to disable audiopilot through coding.. the only way is to cut the wires on the bose amp to disable the bose mic (housed in the front map light unit).. Don't ask me which wires - I don't know! I know that Paddy had his disabled by his local Audi... I have VCDS and you cannot disable the bose mic.. Bringing up the GALA and DSP thing only really works if you do NOT have BOSE.... It's pants, and I have told Audi that it had better be done in advance for my new car, otherwise I shall refuse delivery until they sort it out!
Whoever put Audiopilot into the cars shoudl be put in front of a firing squad - it is a thoroughly badly thought out crap piece of tech that has no place in an Audi whatsoever...


Ok so I know out there somewhere in the WWW is an Audi TSB that relates specifically to disabling Audiopilot on the A3, but all i can find is their one that relates to the A4... I would think it's very similar though.. hope this is of some help Mr Blob! http://www.dejong947.com/audi/tsb/audi.tb.91-04-17.pdf


You can see it clearly tells you that there is no way of disabling the Audiopilot with just VCDS...
Last edited by quattro81; 8th June 2012 at 19:07.
Share
Click to expand...

I'd probs prefer not to be cutting any wires just yet! Maybe when things get a bit desperate...

I can't seem to get that link to work, although I am on my iPhone and it may not work on here.

I had a 180 mile trip in her last night and I must say I was rather impressed with the sound - I had an album called Welcome Reality by Nero which is largely a dubstep disk and the sub finally got off its **** and did something!

At a speed set at 79 mph on the cruise control, I only managed 27.1 mpg with barely any traffic. I hope this will improve when the engine loosens and when I get stage 1. It's a long way from the 41.1 claimed figure set by Audi!?
 
richmcveigh said:
I'd probs prefer not to be cutting any wires just yet! Maybe when things get a bit desperate...

I can't seem to get that link to work, although I am on my iPhone and it may not work on here.

I had a 180 mile trip in her last night and I must say I was rather impressed with the sound - I had an album called Welcome Reality by Nero which is largely a dubstep disk and the sub finally got off its **** and did something!

At a speed set at 79 mph on the cruise control, I only managed 27.1 mpg with barely any traffic. I hope this will improve when the engine loosens and when I get stage 1. It's a long way from the 41.1 claimed figure set by Audi!?
Click to expand...

41.1 mpg??? Which engine is it??
 
richmcveigh said:
False advertising much??
Click to expand...

poetic licensing I think its called. PERFECT road conditions, probably with a slight decline @ 56.6 MPH

but we all know what real road conditions return, your 27 @ 80 MPH is relatively good.
 
Epic new car, Lag at junctions you guys must have forgotten how it feels to be in 'normal' cars lol

I would be interested to know if you can get rid off the hissing sound in the interior as mine is driving me crazy (2006 Audi A3 3.2 with bose system Audi Concert) it does it when the headunit is switched off also. Please advise, thanks
 
Boo!
The finance situation may impede you though. It would put me off.
 
Fantastic looking motor m8.Deffo getting one for my next car :)Just 1 question did the mpg consumption get better as the engine freed off as I see ur getting 30,s now? :)
 
RobbieWebs said:
Fantastic looking motor m8.Deffo getting one for my next car :)Just 1 question did the mpg consumption get better as the engine freed off as I see ur getting 30,s now? :)
Click to expand...

Its hard to tell, because the MPG seems to get higher with the warmer weather, and having bought her in December its hard to know whether the MPG is improving due to the engine loosening up or whether its the warmer weather. 38mpg isn't too shabby though ;)
 
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Surprising that as I thought ur mpg would be less in the warmer months using air con more :)
Late 30,s is good for an S3 I thought :)
 
Finance should be fine sold my Astra Vxr with finance on it last year. From my experience though I had to ask finance companies permission otherwise i was in breach of contract and the payment had to be from my account so buyer had to pay me in full then I paid them. It does prolong sale I found, not an easy situation for buyer to be put in.

Good luck with sale looks a beauty, ever get to bottom of the pulling to the left slightly?
 
Avantsline said:
Finance should be fine sold my Astra Vxr with finance on it last year. From my experience though I had to ask finance companies permission otherwise i was in breach of contract and the payment had to be from my account so buyer had to pay me in full then I paid them. It does prolong sale I found, not an easy situation for buyer to be put in.

Good luck with sale looks a beauty, ever get to bottom of the pulling to the left slightly?
Click to expand...

Yes - Audi realigned the wheels for me and it is better now :) Might try to convince the other half to carry on renting for longer hehehe! I don't want to be S3less...
 
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