I'm after an Audi s3 s tronic 3/5 door with few questions????

[s33nyboy12]

So I'm looking to buy an s3 s tronic with a budget of £19k and I have a few questions for you guys in the know!

anyone who's gone stage 1 do you love it what are 0-60 times ect is it noticeable improvement....?
anyone who's gone stage 2 can the car handle it, clutch ect, again 0-60 times ect.....?
anyone had dsg software upgrade with launch control ?
Stage 1 cost?
stage 2 cost inc hardware and labour?

The reasoning behind my questions and my purchase choice is I want a stupidly quick off the mark car , or as quick as possible without spending mega money . I have the most fun IMO doing mid range bursts , or standing starts I'm not a top speed kind of guy. I will be looking to do a few track days in my new car.

The other cars I'm considering are a 2010 focus RS , 2007 Audi rs4, 2008 BMW m3, or 2008 Audi s5.....

all opinions and and inputs are welcome , any recommendations will be listened to. Cheers in advance

Sean

 

[s33nyboy12]

Cheeky bump

 

[PaulAr]

I did a 4.9 at Gti International with SHARK Stage 1 and launch control.

Didnt bother with the DSG map as you cant switch it off for dealer visits as the `box has to be flashed at the tuners.
Like the idea and it sounds like a nice mod but not for me, especially with a warranted car.

The car is better again with Milltek TBE + Sports Cat so recommend that to compliment Stage 1. In fact I reckon the 0-60 could see a tiny improvement.

IMO its a good halfway house as its plenty quick enough but the chassis and brakes cope fine and car can returned to stock in an hour and not too many bolt-ons to scare the dealers when it in for servicing and warranty etc..plus the car runs sweet as a nut as it is.


Thats it for me as the S3 wil probably be replaced early next year anyway.
Stage 2+ is always tempting however...

 

[RPB]

I have Shark stage 1 and Shark DSG map. The car has already got launch control so not sure what you are referring to there but the DSG map did not add this feature.
Why DSG on stage 1? Full torque and power capability as i had mine done before the ECU 'patch' was released to do the same thing
2 - Nottingham ring road is 30 / 40 mph with specs cameras. standard car is 6th gear at 30 mph and so ridiculous. Mine now stays in 5th at 30 mph and wont hit 6th until 40 mph, ergo a lot more drivability as it does not have to drop down the instant i want more oomph and am driving at 30 mph.
3 - True 'manual' mode. Takes out the kickdown so with gear lever in M mode, foot to floor means i can control what power i want and not have it kick down when i dont want it to
4 - increased 'soft' rev limit from standard. TBH this is not necessary. 'Hard' rev limit still in force and will limit the revs at that point. Manual mode means a manual gear change as it will not upshift automatically either.

For me the improved drivability and other 'features' were worth the money for how I spend my time and where I spend a hell of a lot of time driving. 6th gear at 30 mph is nothing short of unreal and silly.

 

[RPB]

Thats it for me as the S3 wil probably be replaced early next year anyway.
Stage 2+ is always tempting however...

Noooo! LOL. What you thinking of getting?

 

[PaulAr]

Noooo! LOL. What you thinking of getting?

Not sure mate.
The S3 is on a 2 year PCP so I can return it or keep it one for a bit longer and go daft with Stage2+ and chassis mods.

Recently been thinking about a weekend toy like an 80s retro hot hatch and a maybe C Class smoker for a daily as they are cheap as chips on Lease/PCPs.
Or go up a size to 3 series/C Class/A4 with one of the current 6 cyl dervs.
Or new 8V S3 SB as that is due early 2014.
Keep looking at BAM engined Corrados and MK2 Golfs too.

Not much not considered!

 

[s33nyboy12]

I have Shark stage 1 and Shark DSG map. The car has already got launch control so not sure what you are referring to there but the DSG map did not add this feature.
Why DSG on stage 1? Full torque and power capability as i had mine done before the ECU 'patch' was released to do the same thing
2 - Nottingham ring road is 30 / 40 mph with specs cameras. standard car is 6th gear at 30 mph and so ridiculous. Mine now stays in 5th at 30 mph and wont hit 6th until 40 mph, ergo a lot more drivability as it does not have to drop down the instant i want more oomph and am driving at 30 mph.
3 - True 'manual' mode. Takes out the kickdown so with gear lever in M mode, foot to floor means i can control what power i want and not have it kick down when i dont want it to
4 - increased 'soft' rev limit from standard. TBH this is not necessary. 'Hard' rev limit still in force and will limit the revs at that point. Manual mode means a manual gear change as it will not upshift automatically either.

For me the improved drivability and other 'features' were worth the money for how I spend my time and where I spend a hell of a lot of time driving. 6th gear at 30 mph is nothing short of unreal and silly.

i too live in Nottingham so I can see your point with the ring road but I have a nice 85 bhp tranny van as a daily, an Audi a3 8v coming as a run around, my Mini Cooper s for lols and just looking for a toy for the weekend really , something to thrash as I see fit. I do like the idea of a stage one running sub 5 seconds 0-60 ! Impressive......

Would anyone recommend the manual over the s tronic , I've heard of clutch and gearbox issues even at stage one ????

Sean

 

[s33nyboy12]

Not sure mate.
The S3 is on a 2 year PCP so I can return it or keep it one for a bit longer and go daft with Stage2+ and chassis mods.

Recently been thinking about a weekend toy like an 80s retro hot hatch and a maybe C Class smoker for a daily as they are cheap as chips on Lease/PCPs.
Or go up a size to 3 series/C Class/A4 with one of the current 6 cyl dervs.
Or new 8V S3 SB as that is due early 2014.
Keep looking at BAM engined Corrados and MK2 Golfs too.

Not much not considered!

I wonder what the bch/pcp deals will be available on the new 8v s3...... None listed online, not even a rrp yet on Audi website.

 

[PaulAr]

I wonder what the bch/pcp deals will be available on the new 8v s3...... None listed online, not even a rrp yet on Audi website.

Hoping 8V S3 SBs will be available on a (sensible) PCP by then.

 

[Reload]

So I'm looking to buy an s3 s tronic with a budget of £19k and I have a few questions for you guys in the know!

anyone who's gone stage 1 do you love it what are 0-60 times ect is it noticeable improvement....?
anyone who's gone stage 2 can the car handle it, clutch ect, again 0-60 times ect.....?
anyone had dsg software upgrade with launch control ?
Stage 1 cost?
stage 2 cost inc hardware and labour?

The reasoning behind my questions and my purchase choice is I want a stupidly quick off the mark car , or as quick as possible without spending mega money . I have the most fun IMO doing mid range bursts , or standing starts I'm not a top speed kind of guy. I will be looking to do a few track days in my new car.

The other cars I'm considering are a 2010 focus RS , 2007 Audi rs4, 2008 BMW m3, or 2008 Audi s5.....

all opinions and and inputs are welcome , any recommendations will be listened to. Cheers in advance

Sean

I'll try and answer these as best I can:

Stage 1 makes the car much more (cliche alert) like it should be from the factory, a noticable improvement in power, torque and even slightly better fuel economy. Caveat: Do please declare it on insurance, not worth not doing that. 0-60 times already mentioned.
Stage 2, absolutely the car can handle this, but the suspension and possibly brakes (depending on driving style) will be starting to show their flaws, you will notice more pitch and roll. If you're going DSG the clutch is not an issue, if manual it's time to budget for a new clutch. 0-60 will likely shave a couple of tenths off the stage 1.
DSG has launch control as standard as already stated
Stage 1 cost is £4-500 from a reputable tuner. You may also have to budget for a diverter valve if there is a Rev C or G on your car, the OEM Rev D one is fine and is about £60.
Stage 2 will require some sort of cold air intake (£200-400) plus a full sports exhaust (£1200ish) with an additional map (£50-100 extra if you already have the stage 1). This will get you around 330bhp, with the addition of a high pressure fuel pump (£350-£600) you will get around the 360bhp mark. By this stage you really want to be looking at suspension and brake upgrades of some kind.

Hope this helps

 

[RPB]

i too live in Nottingham so I can see your point with the ring road but I have a nice 85 bhp tranny van as a daily, an Audi a3 8v coming as a run around, my Mini Cooper s for lols and just looking for a toy for the weekend really , something to thrash as I see fit. I do like the idea of a stage one running sub 5 seconds 0-60 ! Impressive......

Would anyone recommend the manual over the s tronic , I've heard of clutch and gearbox issues even at stage one ????

Sean

DSG all the way for me! I came out of a modified Subaru that I had 'tweaked' over the 8 years I owned it from new. In terms of everything, the Audi wipes the floor with my Subaru. The power may be similar overall from them both, however the DSG is just so damn awesome its unreal. Torque is better, power delivery is better.

 

[s33nyboy12]

If I budget this correctly then, the few hundred quid difference between the manual and s tronic is worth paying if I'm thinking of going stage 2 as the standard dsg system can handle the power but the standard manual clutch cannot?

Im torn...... As I was thinking of creating a track car sort of 56 plate or 07 plate but then I really want an 09 facelift sport tronic

from what I've read on here , a stage 1 sport tronic s3 will run around 4.7 seconds 0-60 times. A stage 1 manual will run 5 seconds approx 0-60 times .... Now are these really noticeable in everyday driving . The reason I ask is I might aswell save a few grand and stick with plan A ( track car) and when the clutch goes, tuff titty it's gone suck it up and replace / upgrade..... Sachs or similar upgrades expensive ?

This isn't planned to be a fad , Iam planning on keeping it for 2-3 years.

Thanks for all replies and advice already, appreciate it!

Sean

 

[Reload]

If I budget this correctly then, the few hundred quid difference between the manual and s tronic is worth paying if I'm thinking of going stage 2 as the standard dsg system can handle the power but the standard manual clutch cannot?

Im torn...... As I was thinking of creating a track car sort of 56 plate or 07 plate but then I really want an 09 facelift sport tronic

from what I've read on here , a stage 1 sport tronic s3 will run around 4.7 seconds 0-60 times. A stage 1 manual will run 5 seconds approx 0-60 times .... Now are these really noticeable in everyday driving . The reason I ask is I might aswell save a few grand and stick with plan A ( track car) and when the clutch goes, tuff titty it's gone suck it up and replace / upgrade..... Sachs or similar upgrades expensive ?

This isn't planned to be a fad , Iam planning on keeping it for 2-3 years.

Thanks for all replies and advice already, appreciate it!

Sean

I'm a dyed in the wool manual guy, I test drove a DSG once, don't get me wrong, the gearbox is fantastic and the changes smooth and instantaneous but for me it lacked the involvement I want from my cars and felt a bit 'playstation generation'. Each to their own of course and yes, I have a playstation!!

I'd be surprised if you really noticed the 0-60 time difference, although I'd say its a couple of tenths slower 0-60 at stage 1 than you've quoted (around 4.9 DSG, 5.1 manual).

If you're running stage 2 the clutch is very likely to start slipping, unfortunately Audi in their infinite wisdom just didn't buildtheir clutches with any spare in them, the extra power is okay but the torque will kill it. I currently have a stock clutch on my stage 1 which is generally fine (can slip a bit in the cold at max torque) but this is getting swapped for a sachs organic (550nm) and LOBA SMF before I take the car to 2+ level.

My advice would be to test drive the manual and DSG and see what you're happier with, as you'll have to live with the car

 

[S3Alex]

I'm a dyed in the wool manual guy, I test drove a DSG once, don't get me wrong, the gearbox is fantastic and the changes smooth and instantaneous but for me it lacked the involvement I want from my cars and felt a bit 'playstation generation'. Each to their own of course and yes, I have a playstation!!I'd be surprised if you really noticed the 0-60 time difference, although I'd say its a couple of tenths slower 0-60 at stage 1 than you've quoted (around 4.9 DSG, 5.1 manual).If you're running stage 2 the clutch is very likely to start slipping, unfortunately Audi in their infinite wisdom just didn't buildtheir clutches with any spare in them, the extra power is okay but the torque will kill it. I currently have a stock clutch on my stage 1 which is generally fine (can slip a bit in the cold at max torque) but this is getting swapped for a sachs organic (550nm) and LOBA SMF before I take the car to 2+ level.My advice would be to test drive the manual and DSG and see what you're happier with, as you'll have to live with the car

I'd agree,having been through all of the stages now!
.
The stock manual clutch is fairly poor,and may cope with Stg1,but won't deal with Stg2 or above,and for anything less than a big turbo setup,either the stock DMF and a Sachs organic clutch,or the Loba SMF setup,will work very well.
.
For a manual or DSG,going to a big turbo will require a new clutch,or in the case of the DSG,a clutch pack rebuild,and both are expensive.
A track car is likely to take a fair bit of abuse on all levels,so a tough clutch,plus suspension and brake upgrades would be essential.

 

[elrao]

If going DSG the make sure you check for error codes on the box!

Am in the process of buying a 58 S-Tronic and as part of the pre-delivery inspection they picked up on a faulty mechatronic unit via fault codes.

Hate to think how much it would have cost to fix if they'd not picked it up as its been nearly three weeks since I paid my deposit and still no car...mainly due to first replacement unit also being faulty, meaning they've swapped it twice!

 

[s33nyboy12]

Elrao, what was the fault code causing problem wise then? Running poorly?
Sean

 

[elrao]

Not sure. They did the diagnostic and decided it needed a new unit. Am sure a google for mechatronic failure codes would tell you what to look out for.