New S3 Owner

[Trigger1002]

Hi all,

Always liked the old S3's so after selling my X5 and wanting something a bit more fun, I had a mooch through the trader and ended up getting a 2001 in Ming Blue. Had it a couple of months and as to be expected, I'm having a few little niggles and was hoping I could tap into a bit of the knowledge here to maybe steer me in the right direction.

First thing is a rattle on startup which I believe after a search is probably the cam chain tensioner? However, I have a bill for this being replaced last year so am I right in thinking this could be the oil pick up?

Second on the list of things to do is a click or clunk when pulling away or braking. It sounds like it's coming from the centre at the bottom of the bulk head.. I've had it in a garage and up on the ramps and besides some lower arms that'll need doing before too long, I was told it's all pretty tight under there... there's also a vibration around 3k revs which sounds like an exhaust on body kinda thing which may or may not be connected...

Lastly I have no cluster needle lights which is really annoying as I know the s3's have cool white ones! I've checked fuses and all the other lights, warning and backlights work fine. No dead pixels or anything so it just seems a bit strange that it's just that...

Other than these little bits I'm pleased as punch with it... would be good to get them sorted so I can enjoy even more. Would appreciate anybody's input as I've been on forums before and know there's a wealth of info and experience to be found.

Thanks in advance,

Jamie

 

[Trigger1002]

Oh, and also I have the cream leather recaros but missing the rear head rests... anybody have any knocking about or any ideas where to pick up a couple?

 

[Stuart B]

I won't make a joke about the headrests being removed by previous owners when they get in the way

Welcome to the money pit club - maybe the dog bone mount is not good enough and if the downpipe has already been changed to a 3inch it is hitting the body when the engine rocks forward and backwards?

 

[ayfreetee]

Yes I would suggest the dog bone mount too, I just changed from a poly bushed mount back to a standard one, the rear Ali mount had been fitted back to front, pushing the engine forward about an inch, the whole car would shake when the air con was on at tick over.

 

[Trigger1002]

Thanks for the replies fellas

Who needs to see behind them anyway?? Didn't think I'd have too much problem picking a couple of headrests up but looks like I'm gonna have to do a compete interior swap!!

After the X5, I was looking for a fun, cheapish runabout but I can see it getting quite addictive. Just installed a double din head unit and already looking at a remap and other possibilities. Car seems pretty standard so I'm not sure about the downpipe but definitely worth looking into. I did suspect the dog bone mount and was thinking about going poly but is OEM probably the best way to go you reckon?

 

[Erikn89nl]

cheapish runabout

Not sure a 15 year old S3 was a good choice in that regard
However, these cars do inspire a certain passion which can't be quantified with money

 

[<tuffty/>]

However, these cars do inspire a certain passion which can't be quantified with money

Amen brother...!

<tuffty/>

 

[Trigger1002]

Not sure a 15 year old S3 was a good choice in that regard
However, these cars do inspire a certain passion which can't be quantified with money

Ha ha... fair one! I'll palm the mrs off with that line when she starts questioning the expense!

 

[ayfreetee]

Standard mount was fine for me, but I now have poly bushed mount Surplus to requirements, will put it in the classifieds and gumtree when I have a chance.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Polybushed dog bone is recommended if you have a 3" downpipe fitted to prevent it catching the subframe/body and vibranting

<tuffty/>

 

[Trigger1002]

Ok, thanks for the input. I'll get underneath it and have a look n see what I can find.

Any ideas on why the needles wouldn't work?

 

[Erikn89nl]

Polybushed dog bone is recommended if you have a 3" downpipe fitted to prevent it catching the subframe/body and vibranting

Is this the circular bush at the front, or the blocks at the rear, or both?

 

[<tuffty/>]

Is this the circular bush at the front, or the blocks at the rear, or both?

Blocks at the rear... there is a lot of debate over the yellow bush vs the softer red bush (designed for diesels)... I used the yellow from day one (still the same actual bush some 7 years on) and while there is an increase in vibration it settles down after a while...

I run both currently along with vibratechnik engine mounts.... having driven standard(ish) S3's there is a noticeable change in noise transmitted to the cabin and vibration at idle... but... I hardly notice it at all and the whole setup feels much more connected... when cruising the only thing I notice is the exhaust note... which is quieter than most of the cars that come in without engine mounts fitted

<tuffty/>

 

[Erikn89nl]

I run both currently along with vibratechnik engine mounts....

Same here

there is a noticeable change in noise transmitted to the cabin and vibration at idle

Same here, though mine is quite noticeable and it causes rattles in the dash...

there is a lot of debate over the yellow bush vs the softer red bush (designed for diesels)...

Have tried both, rattles and vibration present with both.

Which has made me wonder if it's the round purple powerflex bush at the front that's causing the excessive vibration. Can the OEM rubber version be replaced, or does it come pre-installed in the mount?

 

[<tuffty/>]

Which has made me wonder if it's the round purple powerflex bush at the front that's causing the excessive vibration. Can the OEM rubber version be replaced, or does it come pre-installed in the mount?

Pre-installed... you would need to replace the dogbone itself...

I seem to recall that fitting the purple front bush did make a noticeable increase to the transmitted noise and vibration after I did it but I have long since accepted this all things considered...

Should also say that for others being put off by going down this route... while the increase in noise/vibration is noticeable 'if' you swapped between a std car and one fitted with mounts like these its not intrusive... you would have to really go some for that to happen like strip the car out etc.... as I said before... most peoples exhausts are loader than the noise the mounts in my car adds

<tuffty/>

 

[Erikn89nl]

I seem to recall that fitting the purple front bush did make a noticeable increase to the transmitted noise and vibration after I did it but I have long since accepted this all things considered...

Did it make an equal or greater difference in performance?

the noise the mounts in my car adds

Yeah, @Prawn kept saying how mine sounded exactly like yours cause of the Vibratechs

 

[<tuffty/>]

Did it make an equal or greater difference in performance?

Not entirely convinced it did anything noticeable other than increase the noise but then it does have to handle a little more power than most

<tuffty/>

 

[Erikn89nl]

Not entirely convinced it did anything noticeable other than increase the noise but then it does have to handle a little more power than most

If it doesn't make a noticeable difference at that power level, then I'm fairly sure I can go without replacing it thanks tuffty

Anyone ever had problems with the compression bolt on the rear dogbone bushes working loose?

 

[<tuffty/>]

If it doesn't make a noticeable difference at that power level, then I'm fairly sure I can go without replacing it thanks tuffty

Anyone ever had problems with the compression bolt on the rear dogbone bushes working loose?

Hijacking dude...

<tuffty/>

 

[ayfreetee]

I tried the standard front rubber mount with the yellow rear bushes, it made no difference at all, still vibrated on tickover with the air con switched on, so went back to standard, now no vibration at all, much more comfortable.

 

[Trigger1002]

Thanks all... just bought a new mount and click is gone...