Cazza's Avus Silver Ess

[CazzaVR]

Hi all,

Got my S3 two weeks ago. I've owned Corrados for 12 years and really felt it was time for a change. Needed something more modern with rear seats, yet still fun and withing budget. Initially looked at the Cupra-R, but was eventually won over by the build quality and Haldex of the S3. They also seem to be a touch cheaper than the Cupra as well.

Initially put a deposit on a local car. Black, AMK, private plate, chrome mirrors etc. Looked good and drove pretty well, although was crying out for a remap. Did the DVLA MOT check on it and wasn't impressed at all. It had only passed 2 of its MOTs first time. It had also been on longlife servicing all its life. The latest MOT had a whole raft of advisories that weren't present in the documents folder when I viewed the car. It just didn't seem as if it had been cherished. Too many alarm bells, so I decided to look at another that had just come up on Pistonheads. Not to far away either.

Went for a look and it was great. 2002 BAM in Avus Silver, 90k on the clock with full Audi history. Drove much better than the other one. Felt way quicker. I'm sure it's been mapped, although there is no documentation + there are no other telltale mods such as a recirc valve. Must get the boost checked to be sure...

Bodywork is superb and the colour is lovely. Never seen another in Avus silver. After some haggling, we agreed a deal and I drove it home there and then.

Absolutely love it and I'm not missing my VR6 Storm at all!

 

[CazzaVR]

Been steadily working through some jobs that needed doing:

Fitted 17" Anniversary BBS RC alloys that were on the Storm

Gave the interior a good hoover and the leather a clean and feed.

Next I removed the pop-out cup holder, which was no longer popping out. Gave it a good clean in warm soapy water, then realigned the runners etc and added a bit of grease- all working perfectly now.

Replaced the blown headlamp washer fuse- all working perfectly now, although it seems to like dumping all the screen wash from the n/s washer. Bumper off soon to investigate methinks!

Replaced the dipstick and guide tube. Really easy job. The guide tube was cracked at the top, but on closer inspection had completely crumbled away at the bottom. Good job I'm getting the sump cleaned and oil pickup changed, as I suspect there will be a few orange pieces of plastic in there!

Fitted a Badger 5 TIP and BMC twin cone filter. The TIP is absolutely massive compared to the restrictive original! Was easy enough to get into place on the turbo, but getting the recirc valve, N75 etc into the TIP was a royal PITA!

Lots of washing up liquid necessary

The coolant gauge was fluctuating all over the place, so changed the sensor. It was the original black sensor, which I believe are prone to failure. Replaced it with the new upgraded green sensor. It's steady now, but never reaches 90c. Thermostat needed!

Replaced pollen filter. How easy was this? Took about 2 mins

Fitted brand new S3 carpet mats

Fitted brand new headlamp protectors

 

[<tuffty/>]

Nice car and rare colour IIRC... welcome to the 'slippery slope' club

<tuffty/>

 

[CazzaVR]

Ha ha! Thanks mate- I'm well on my way down that slope already! Yep, done some research and apparently it was a special order colour. Love it- not seen another.

 

[Lavis89]

looks nice! so many new people popping up with S3's at the moment. good to see some nice clean examples

 

[CazzaVR]

looks nice! so many new people popping up with S3's at the moment. good to see some nice clean examples

Thanks mate

A little update from Friday-

Just had the following done on Thurs/Fri:

Cambelt
Waterpump
Aux belt
Thermostat + housing
Oil + filter + sump cleaned + new pickup pipe
Fuel filter
Powerflex dogbone mount

Did the plugs myself

Replaced all the wipers with Bosch aerotwin retroblades- thes have made a huge difference, especially the rear one.

Replaced the aerial gasket which was crumbling and the aerial itself with an OEM Polo stubby. It looks so much better and still has great reception.

Fitted the stainless heatshield for the air filter. Not a great fit at all, but got it on in the end after a bit of strategic bending lol!

Was also a little concerned at how the breather to the TIP was bent and squashed after fitting the new TIP. Obviously wouldn't be able to do its job properly. Found an old Samco hose in the garage, which turned out to be the correct bore. Chopped it down a bit and fitted it. Perfect! The extra rigidity has done the trick

Finally, won a headlamp switch + surround on Ebay for 99p. A lot of the soft touch plastic on mine had worn away- the new one is perfect.

Next up I need to fit the wheel spacers. Have got 10mm for the front and 20mm for the rear. Have decided to keep the RC's. They're such a nice wheel and they weigh nothing. They look too small at the mo, but the right profile tyres and spacers will hopefully sort that.

Also need to change the gearbox and rear diff oil, change the brake fluid and get wheel alignment done.

Phew!

 

[CazzaVR]

Well, my standard diverter valve has started honking/hooting on part throttle. Incredibly annoying! Have changed it for another, and it still happens just the same. Seems only to have happened since I fitted my heatshield. Will do some more investigating tonight. Wanted to keep the standard valve, but will end up buying a Forge if I can't sort it. It's certainly not the sort of noise you can live with!

 

[joiihn]

Finally, won a headlamp switch + surround on Ebay for 99p. A lot of the soft touch plastic on mine had worn away- the new one is perfect.

good find! i was looking for the same but ended up getting a buy it now for £40!! At least i have a spare switch...

 

[samurai]

Hi all,

... I've owned Corrados for 12 years and really felt it was time for a change ...

you still got corrado or did you sold? Nice S and wellcome to the club

 

[Jersey]

Well, my standard diverter valve has started honking/hooting on part throttle. Incredibly annoying! Have changed it for another, and it still happens just the same. Seems only to have happened since I fitted my heatshield. Will do some more investigating tonight. Wanted to keep the standard valve, but will end up buying a Forge if I can't sort it. It's certainly not the sort of noise you can live with!

hi Cazza, nice little thread and you seem to have done most the little jobs i have! I was wondering about your annoying noise, does it only happen at low revs? 3-4k? i have a really annoying noise, taken it to garages with no avail. Sounds like a crap flute / trumpet.

 

[s3Easty]

Nice car matey, Really clean and I really like the colour..wonder what my alloys would look like in that shade?

 

[CazzaVR]

good find! i was looking for the same but ended up getting a buy it now for £40!! At least i have a spare switch...

Yeh, you win some and lose some on Ebay! At least you got one though

 

[CazzaVR]

you still got corrado or did you sold? Nice S and wellcome to the club

Thanks bud. Nope, had to sell it I'm afraid

 

[CazzaVR]

hi Cazza, nice little thread and you seem to have done most the little jobs i have! I was wondering about your annoying noise, does it only happen at low revs? 3-4k? i have a really annoying noise, taken it to garages with no avail. Sounds like a crap flute / trumpet.

It's actually quite satisfying working through it all. Gives peace of mind for sure, although I've almost run out of budget for the time being

Re: the noise, yeh, sounds like the same thing. I did find a vid on here somewhere. I'll try to find it again. The guys said it was solved by changing to a Forge DV.

 

[CazzaVR]

Nice car matey, Really clean and I really like the colour..wonder what my alloys would look like in that shade?

Thanks mate. It is really nice. More depth than normal silver with a good amount of flake in the paint. Looks a touch blue in certain lights. Good idea re: the alloys!

 

[CazzaVR]

One little question- should the diagnostics port have a little plastic cover? If so, does anyone have the part number or a spare?

Ta!

 

[CazzaVR]

Fitted spacers today- 15mm front & 20mm rear. Very pleased with the results, although I still need the correct profile tyres to fill the arches better. If that doesn't do the trick I'll have to move on to 18's.

 

[Vex182]

One little question- should the diagnostics port have a little plastic cover? If so, does anyone have the part number or a spare?

Ta!

Never had one on mine, I don't think there is one for it.

 

[s33nyboy12]

18" wheels FTW looks wise.

Sean

 

[CazzaVR]

Never had one on mine, I don't think there is one for it.

Thanks dude. My old vRS used to have one, so it made me wonder. Don't like things to be incomplete!

 

[CazzaVR]

Some pics with the wheels after a quick wash today

 

[CazzaVR]

Quick update! The dv noise was doing my head in, so fitted a 007p. All fine now

Also decided that 17s are just too small, so got myself a set of oem RSTT 18's. Having them delivered tomorrow and will get them fitted at the weekend. Shame about the RC's as I love them, but they are just too small

Got some Heko deflectors for Christmas. Driver's one was broken, so am in the middle of sorting out a replacement. The seller says I need a courier report whatever that may be...

Got a gauge pod and just need a stack gauge to fit into it.

Not sure what to go for next tuning wise. Front mount? Exhaust?

 

[CazzaVR]

Update! Genuine TTRS alloys fitted. 2 could do with a refurb- thinking of going anthracite. Any thoughts? Also have the wind deflectors fitted. Have bought the dash command app and a wifi dongle- much cheaper than the Liquid I was gonna go for. Have also decided to get a Wellycooler fairly soon, but the thought of fitting it is a little scary!

 

[<tuffty/>]

Only problem with anthracite on RSTT's is the alloy of the centre cap stands out like a sore thumb and looks out of place....

I had mine done recently in 'silver' and the results are pretty good tbh... its a little darker than they were but don't look out of place...

<tuffty/>

 

[Lavis89]

im doing mine anthracite, going to do the center caps myself, one of the center caps is a crapper anyways thanks to someone stealing the old one

 

[CazzaVR]

Lol Lavis! Scumbags indeed Tuffty, they look pretty good- surprised you didn't do them yourself! Was going to do the centre caps in black- that should hopefully work. There's a place near me who do a very good job for £150. He paints them rather than powdercoats.

 

[CazzaVR]

Getting some rattling from the front end. Top mounts look very tired, so I'm taking the opportunity to do a bit of a front end overhaul. Parts bought: lemforder top mounts and bearings, power flex arb bushes, Meyle HD drop links, Lemforder R32 wishbone bushes and Powerflex rear trailing arm bushes. Got an ex- Audi trained tech mate who's offered to help and he has the use of a ramp at the weekend, which will come in very handy! Also need to replace a split cv boot, gearbox oil, rear diff oil and Haldex oil/filter. Doubt very much we'll get it all done in a day!

 

[BoonS3]

Where did you get your headlight covers mate ?

 

[Nilz]

Car look sweet mate!!

Love the Avus Silver

 

[CazzaVR]

Boon, managed to find a brand new set on eBay. Unfortunately, one cracked when I fitted a heatshield for my air filter. Didn't fit well at all and caused the bonnet to shut unevenly, cracking one of the clips. Will be getting some lamin-x

Nilz, cheers mate!

 

[CazzaVR]

Got a lot done today, well, my mate did! Huge thanks to Lew, who gave up most of his day to sort out the front end of my car, which sounded like it was about to fall off. Thanks also to Kevhaywire from the Corrado Forum for the torque settings. It now has new R32 rear wishbone bushes, front bushes, ball joints, drop links, Superpro ARB bushes and driver's CV boot. The car feels so much firmer and more solid, knocking has completely gone.

One of the front wishbone bushes was a nightmare to remove, but thankfully came out in the end. They initially looked ok, but on close inspection, all had splits and wear.

Just need to get the alignment done now. Any recommendations for Gloucestershire?

Top mounts, rear trailing arm bushes, gearbox oil, rear diff oil and a Haldex service next on the list, followed by a trip to Bill for a proper remap.

 

[Vex182]

Got a lot done today, well, my mate did! Huge thanks to Lew, who gave up most of his day to sort out the front end of my car, which sounded like it was about to fall off. Thanks also to Kevhaywire from the Corrado Forum for the torque settings. It now has new R32 rear wishbone bushes, front bushes, ball joints, drop links, Superpro ARB bushes and driver's CV boot. The car feels so much firmer and more solid, knocking has completely gone.

One of the front wishbone bushes was a nightmare to remove, but thankfully came out in the end. They initially looked ok, but on close inspection, all had splits and wear.

Just need to get the alignment done now. Any recommendations for Gloucestershire?

Top mounts, rear trailing arm bushes, gearbox oil, rear diff oil and a Haldex service next on the list, followed by a trip to Bill for a proper remap.View attachment 29065View attachment 29066View attachment 29067View attachment 29069View attachment 29070View attachment 29071

Excellent, lots of work similar to what I have just done in this last week. That colour does look amazing.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Just need to get the alignment done now. Any recommendations for Gloucestershire?

Chris Mullins Tyres along the Bristol Road in Gloucester

<tuffty/>

 

[CazzaVR]

Thanks Vex, nice to get it all sorted. Never really been a fan of silver, but the Avus has such depth to it 8)

Tufters, have heard good things about them. Have they done yours? Hopefully they've done plenty of S3's before.

 

[<tuffty/>]

I have had my car done there a few times... they did do the initial setup inc rear tie bar and toe adjustment... they did need a little prompting when I went as they hadn't done one before but they took what I said on board and sorted it...

Chris is a nice bloke

<tuffty/>

 

[CazzaVR]

Tuffty, do you know what the geometry settings are? Standard ride height.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Tuffty, do you know what the geometry settings are? Standard ride height.

The machine they use at Chris Mullins should have factory data in it but just in case..



<tuffty/>

 

[CazzaVR]

Brilliant! Thank you

 

[Marshall878]

Looks mint in that colour with the TT wheels.

 

[CazzaVR]

Looks mint in that colour with the TT wheels.

Thanks chap! 8)