Well I've finally found my way back to the forum!! It's been a while, due to the arrival of my daughter and a few holidays, not much progress has been made with the S3…..but there has been some, so let me bring you up to speed, then open the floor to answers for my questions I need answering!!
So the S3 has been a near daily runner, back and fore to work and socially. Hasn't really missed a beat. Just hitting 100k, I needed a service and wanted the tracslag charge pipe fitted. Added to this I wanted to purchase a silicone TIP and get the car health checked…so where else could I take it?!!? none other than Bill at Badger5. First off, let me say what a really top bloke Bill is and seems to have good guys around him too. I drove up to Gloucester from my home in Pembs (the day before we drove to Luton to go on holiday…probably should have planned that a bit better..), to be there for 9am sharp. My S3 booked in for service, health check, smoke test, dyno and the parts fitted. So off I went to wonder gloucester for the day….On returning…not all news was good. It appears the S3 has some ***** map on, the turbo is a bit tired, the fuel pump is similar and that Im down compression on one cylinder. Pushing out 224bhp was a nice surprise, but not at the expense of boosting 22psi and terrible fuelling etc down to the ***** map.
So, driving away slightly unsure of where to go next (Bill gave me sound advice, but never wanting to do too much to the S3, as it was only a run about..I couldn't decide what to do…).
I have made some decisions, so here is where I ask of the forum for advice:
Firstly…I'm getting the turbo refurbed. I've contacted a company called Midland Turbo. They've quoted prices between £185 - £270 + VAT with free pick up and delivery with a turn around of inside a week. Does anybody know if these guys are good, or anybody have any other recommendations?
I think I'll pick up a new fuel pump. I'm assuming an OEM will do?
Next, suspension. The Bilsteins that came on the S3 are shot. So I'm going to go for shocks a lowering springs. I was just going to go with H&R with a drop of around 30-35mm? Now, this is in possible conjunction with a set of 18" AVUS from an S4, spacers front (approx 10mm) and rear (approx 15mm)… can anyone tell me if this is a good idea..correct lowering height etc…as I'll be on the original 17's initially.
The current set up on my car chewed through the rear passenger tyre, heavily on the inside. Rear driver looks like its going the same way, but not nearly as bad….is this purely suspension, or do I need adjustable tie rods, bushes etc?
The idea is to get the turbo off and refurbed, get the new fuel pump. Book the S3 back in at Badger5, trailer it up there and get turbo back on, new fuel pump, remove ***** map and replace with new from Bill and the boys.
depending on funds, I may get them to check the lower compression on the cylinder also.
Any advice on any of the above greatly appreciated.
Cheers in advance! Hope everyone is well!
