Spin140
Registered User
My S3 goes on Thursday next week so today I arranged for the Guys at Statller in Sheffield to remove all of the cars hardware in readiness to return the car in standard form.
As I made my way up the M1 enjoying the immense performance and wonderful noises a tuned S3 makes I had plenty of time to reflect on my S3 ownership experience, I can honestly say that I would follow exactly the same route with all the hardware modifications, not many cars I can think of offer the same level of power, refinement and enjoyment, the S3, in tuned form, is a very under-rated stealth car which for me ticks every box. In standard form I'd give the car 6/10 but once tuned to this level it raises to 9/10 imo.
I arrived at Statller with a sense of sadness as this has been one enjoyable car ownership experience, it almost felt sacreligious to strip the car of much of its potential.
I was given the usual warm welcome and the guys, Jnr and Kirky ,set about expertly removing all the hardware....Milltek Turbo back, Autotech HPFP, Evoms intake and H&R anti roll bars proceeded by the removal of the Bucket interior, at this point I must comment that anyone considering ordering a factory fresh S3 really must spec this option, the look, comfort and performance are well worth the premium.
The beauty of using Statllers is that you can watch all the work being carried out and as the Guys are real VAG enthusiasts there plenty of car related banter accompanied by several brews
They currently run an Edition 30 each, one DSG and one monster manual, both at stage 2+ with similar hardware to my S3 so all the tasks are familiar yet each car has its own unique feel to it.
Approx 3.5 hours later all the oem equipment is back on my car, it starts first time and settles into a gentle hum, I had forgotten just how quiet the standard S3 is, oh bless !!
The drive home was un-eventful with the familiar Audi refinement on the motorway but the car has lost much of its personality, I'm not saying it's no good just feels strange to drive away from Statller with a slower and less dynamic car.
The point of this post ?
To re-iterate that in my opinion Audi S3 ownership should include all of these modifications every time, own the car it should be from day one
As I made my way up the M1 enjoying the immense performance and wonderful noises a tuned S3 makes I had plenty of time to reflect on my S3 ownership experience, I can honestly say that I would follow exactly the same route with all the hardware modifications, not many cars I can think of offer the same level of power, refinement and enjoyment, the S3, in tuned form, is a very under-rated stealth car which for me ticks every box. In standard form I'd give the car 6/10 but once tuned to this level it raises to 9/10 imo.
I arrived at Statller with a sense of sadness as this has been one enjoyable car ownership experience, it almost felt sacreligious to strip the car of much of its potential.
I was given the usual warm welcome and the guys, Jnr and Kirky ,set about expertly removing all the hardware....Milltek Turbo back, Autotech HPFP, Evoms intake and H&R anti roll bars proceeded by the removal of the Bucket interior, at this point I must comment that anyone considering ordering a factory fresh S3 really must spec this option, the look, comfort and performance are well worth the premium.
The beauty of using Statllers is that you can watch all the work being carried out and as the Guys are real VAG enthusiasts there plenty of car related banter accompanied by several brews
They currently run an Edition 30 each, one DSG and one monster manual, both at stage 2+ with similar hardware to my S3 so all the tasks are familiar yet each car has its own unique feel to it.
Approx 3.5 hours later all the oem equipment is back on my car, it starts first time and settles into a gentle hum, I had forgotten just how quiet the standard S3 is, oh bless !!
The drive home was un-eventful with the familiar Audi refinement on the motorway but the car has lost much of its personality, I'm not saying it's no good just feels strange to drive away from Statller with a slower and less dynamic car.
The point of this post ?
To re-iterate that in my opinion Audi S3 ownership should include all of these modifications every time, own the car it should be from day one
