S3 Understeer, Mermaids and Unicorns
- Thread starter Flatoot
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Lol...Forgot about AAT(Audi added tax)...Good call mate - bet Eibach are cheaper though?!
Anyone know if the RS3 arb's are bigger in diameter or for that matter fit the S3's ?
Also more importantly are they interchangeable between the sportback and saloon?
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I think the RS3 ARB should fit all since the support frame are the same for all.. But according to ETKA, it's the same 21.7mm as the S3s, only 3.6mm wall thickness instead of 3mm. Doubt it's worth the money for the upgrade and the reason I went with H&R, the H&R is 25mm and solid..
My original plan was 034Motorsports thinking it's 22.2mm would be better suit for rear sway only upgrade, but the shipping costing more than the sway itself to Hong Kong, I gave up.. 25mm H&R seems a little drastic for rear only application, it's almost twice as stiff as the stock but I'm glad I went with H&R at the end, it turn in and handles beautifully for the way I drive at least...
And you guys seen the RS3 Sedan's testing video right?? I bet it has the same 21.7x3.6 ARB and TBH, I wouldn't want that ARB with all those Mermaids and Unicorns seen in the video... And this is RS3 with better suspensions and Haldex! There was another video where the RS3 was being chased by a W213 E63, and the E63 caught up with the RS3 in just a turn or two (NOT STRAIGHT), again... too many Mermaids and Unicorns in the video...
My original plan was 034Motorsports thinking it's 22.2mm would be better suit for rear sway only upgrade, but the shipping costing more than the sway itself to Hong Kong, I gave up.. 25mm H&R seems a little drastic for rear only application, it's almost twice as stiff as the stock but I'm glad I went with H&R at the end, it turn in and handles beautifully for the way I drive at least...
And you guys seen the RS3 Sedan's testing video right?? I bet it has the same 21.7x3.6 ARB and TBH, I wouldn't want that ARB with all those Mermaids and Unicorns seen in the video... And this is RS3 with better suspensions and Haldex! There was another video where the RS3 was being chased by a W213 E63, and the E63 caught up with the RS3 in just a turn or two (NOT STRAIGHT), again... too many Mermaids and Unicorns in the video...
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Thought V8 had made a guest appearance when I saw this old thread resurrected!!
Paid £367 for my EIbach ARBs front & rear which included new poly bushes that are linen lined to eliminate any squeaks.
Paid £367 for my EIbach ARBs front & rear which included new poly bushes that are linen lined to eliminate any squeaks.
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Definitely, the R32 was an understeery mess with that big engine up front, but the stiffer rear ARB helped enormously. Turn in and front grip really was improved. I used to get this geezer in an E350 Merc chase me on my way home from work now and then, but he backed right off one day when I took a left hand corner at breakneck pace and his car ended up on the wrong side of the road when he tried the same thing!
One thing I did notice was that the rear wheels could skip if the car hit a mid corner bump. Didn't happen often, but tightened the ole ringer when it did! Nothing to worry about though, just needed a little steering correction to counteract it.
Difficult to say mate my front and tears went on together and in combination with the springs it corners incredibly flat now so you can drive it round the corners rather than just holding on whilst covering the brake.
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Gotcha mate....If you're going to do it you might as well go the full hog...lol
This thread inspired me to go to my local Renault.
They have two of the last RS Megane Cup-S, with all the options.
Sorely tempted, but think I'd be facing divorce.....
They have two of the last RS Megane Cup-S, with all the options.
Sorely tempted, but think I'd be facing divorce.....
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I'm sure you'll miss her, but it will be worth it. Better soundtrack too?
S3 Turbo
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After having driven the S3 for over half a year my opinion on this topic has changed and it is certainly not due to changes in my way of driving or senses...
In the beginning the car did indeed have good turn in (by my standards) and the back easily went out in sharp turns when the road was a little bit wet.
After a few months it started to feel more under steering, more like an average car.
Still feels safe and able to handle some inspired driving by my standards but the feeling of 'sporty handling' is not there anymore...
Don't know if it perhaps handled better with the winter wheels used then (will see in a few months...), or if the dealer perhaps had way over/under inflated the back tires, or as V8 suggested once that bushings, etc on these cars are under dimensioned and wear very quickly...
In the beginning the car did indeed have good turn in (by my standards) and the back easily went out in sharp turns when the road was a little bit wet.
After a few months it started to feel more under steering, more like an average car.
Still feels safe and able to handle some inspired driving by my standards but the feeling of 'sporty handling' is not there anymore...
Don't know if it perhaps handled better with the winter wheels used then (will see in a few months...), or if the dealer perhaps had way over/under inflated the back tires, or as V8 suggested once that bushings, etc on these cars are under dimensioned and wear very quickly...
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Matty - you definitely move in different circles....
slightly OT, but I'll give a hint as to the relationship with my dealer - warning light goes on for low coolant level and other warnings of Armageddon. Ring dealer, they okay sir, bring your car in 2 weeks time, no advice, maybe just top it up in the mean time and see how it goes (no obvious water leaks), or bring car in straight away to check and repairs needed we will give you loan car or any variations of the above.a quick call to Audi Australia, had the car at the Audi Centre in Sydney the following day, so that describes my relationship with my ex-dealer from the Shire
Last December, I spent a couple of days punting a RS265 Hertz rental around the Western Australian countryside, after 2 days I said to my wife, if we didn't need 4 doors, this was my car. My son, just got one the last new RS275 Cup Premium, as a drivers car brilliant for the money.
At least this thread has inspired me. to look at changing the rear ARB. Currently need new front brake pads and rotors, so looking at something better before the next track day. Then the rear ARB...
should stay off this forum... was getting the slotted rotors and ceramic pads installed today and the workshop showed me a 034 Motorsport rear bar and links.. They commented they were fitting one S3 or R a week with the bar, so added mine to the list
should stay off this forum... was getting the slotted rotors and ceramic pads installed today and the workshop showed me a 034 Motorsport rear bar and links.. They commented they were fitting one S3 or R a week with the bar, so added mine to the list
How much is the 034? Now that I have H&R 25mm rear, I'd think the 034 might be too thin, I got that H&R for like 189 euro plus shipping from Germany...
The bar is US$265 + US$225 for the links plus shipping, its is a solid bar and they claim 50% stiffer than standard, haven't had a chance to see how it goes yet
The 034 was designed to work with the standard front ARB, in order to reduce understeer, which is what I wanted to do. My mechanic happened to have a 034 in stock, so I took the opportunity to get it done. I also got the links, which cost almost as much as the bars, to ensure the bar is more effective.
So in terms of research not much, didn't want to replace both ARBs as I wanted to get rid of understeer.
Yeah.. That's what I'm saying.. I originally wanted 034 coz I was doing rear only, but ended up with H&R and super glad I did, and that's why I'm saying 034 might be too thin to get rid of the unicorns...
And IMO, you don't need rear end links.. It has no real benefits, the front end links yes, when you upgrade the front sway especially with adjustable, because the added stiffness might twist and bent the skinny long OEM links. But the rear end links are short and fat anyway, I doubt anyone would be able to bent or break the OEM even with upgraded sway, the only time when you need to replace them would be when the bushings are bad and you hear knocking sounds going over bumps, but even then, I'd just go OEM. The rear end links is more or less a marketing scam IMO...
sorry, bit slow on the uptake, we'll see how we go, got a track day coming up in December.... as for the links, I'll just say I got them for the track days and leave it at that......
sorry, bit slow on the uptake, we'll see how we go, got a track day coming up in December.... as for the links, I'll just say I got them for the track days and leave it at that......
Oops.. I just reread the whole thing, I thought you're still considering, didn't realize it's a done deal.. Sorry...
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