S1 - Just great on paper?

[VeeFource]

I think I've read and watched every review out there on the S1 and whilst most think it's awesome bar the price, I'd say one in ten say it just lacks that necessary fizz.

Clarkson probably says it best (2/3rds down page):
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/the-clarkson-review-audi-s1-2014/amp/

I love the car but when I get to my destination after what was a cracking bit of road I can't help but shake the feeling he's right. It really bugs me because I'm usually good at pinpointing what's wrong with a car, but in this case I'm stumped.

I've improved the known bugbears being the sloppy gearshift & programmed the steering to always be in dynamic no matter the mode. But I still get that feeling of it being somehow disjointed. Maybe it's just because it's so accomplished it spoils you into always wanting more, who knows. Anyone else feel the same?

 

[Johnny 99]

I felt a little underwhelmed by my S1 for the 1st 1500 miles or so. I came from a Clio 200 with the Cup chassis which I regard as one of the finest hot hatches ever produced. Addictive naturally aspirated engine that encourages revving to find the power and a sublime chassis. It was after a weekend spent driving over 500 miles on Scottish back roads that I finally dialled into the car. The refinement of the S1 compared to the Clio did mean it felt less fun at first but it makes the car so much more usable daily or in a long run. Now I find that the S1 has got under my skin and I am enjoying it. I do miss the character of the Clio though!

 

[VeeFource]

Yeah, the S1 is definitely a much better car for long distance work than a typical hot hatch which to be fair is one of the reasons I went for it. But the numbness still left me wanting even on a long drive so I've since done some further reading to try and understand why. This article got me thinking along the right lines:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mini-john-cooper-works-versus-audi-s1-comparison

Particularly where it says "The more you drive the Mini, in fact, the more one-dimensional the memory of the Audi becomes, its lifelessness at low speeds a curable condition but only by continually operating at the opposite extreme."

It then occurred to me this numbness at lower speeds must come from the steering as it's not the sort of driving where you'd be getting much information through the seat anyway. So I've looked further into what can be tweaked on the steering (beyond having it set to dynamic in all modes) and found something on a French forum about altering the 'straight line running' setting with VCDS from the default 'Active' to 'Not active'. This function is intended to make the car automatically compensate for camber changes, cross winds and torque steer so the car stays steadfast in the direction you've requested with the wheel. The downside to this being less steering feel and therefore lacking a 2 way conversation with the car that enthusiasts usually enjoy.

So I changed the setting to 'Not active' this afternoon and what an absolute revelation! It's not lotus levels of feedback of course but all of a sudden the steering is now talking back and there is a whole new layer of interactivity. It may not be to everyone's tastes as the car can wonder from the straight ahead due to camber changes etc but to me this is all part of the fun. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of torque steer either so I'd have thought most S1 drivers would want this too. There also seems to me to be no issues with changing this and thankfully it retains the setting between key cycles. Quite why Audi chose 'active' as the default is beyond me as disabling it seems to address the very thing this car has been mostly criticised for.

 

[AGee]

VeeFource, The steering tweak sounds interesting. Could you write down the VCDS settings you changed?

 

[VeeFource]

For this change (I changed the steering to always be in dynamic first which are steps 8 - 10 but you may prefer not to & skip these):

(Ensure you have a backup of your original configuration before proceeding)

1. Select control module

2. Steering assist

3. Security

4. 17580

5. Do it

6. Adaptation

7. Channel

8. Characteristic curve

9. (Stored value > Driver profile selection button) New value > Dynamic

10. Do it (yes for VCDS to use default values)

11. Channel

12. Straight line running

13. (Stored value > Active) New value > Not Active

14. Do it (yes for VCDS to use default values)

15. Exit

Disclaimer: This worked for my car but obviously I can't guarantee it does for others.

 

[AGee]

VeeFource that’s awesome, thanks for the details, I will give it a go next weekend.

 

[Ian Whiffen]

I felt a little underwhelmed by my S1 for the 1st 1500 miles or so. I came from a Clio 200 with the Cup chassis which I regard as one of the finest hot hatches ever produced. Addictive naturally aspirated engine that encourages revving to find the power and a sublime chassis. It was after a weekend spent driving over 500 miles on Scottish back roads that I finally dialled into the car. The refinement of the S1 compared to the Clio did mean it felt less fun at first but it makes the car so much more usable daily or in a long run. Now I find that the S1 has got under my skin and I am enjoying it. I do miss the character of the Clio though!

I came from a Clio 197 that had be decatted and Miltek'd with a custom remap from Ktec. Used to spit flames and was great fun. I know what you mean. The S1 is brilliant but I miss that high revving engine and superb steering feedback that the Clio gave.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[VeeFource]

I came from a Clio 197 that had be decatted and Miltek'd with a custom remap from Ktec. Used to spit flames and was great fun. I know what you mean. The S1 is brilliant but I miss that high revving engine and superb steering feedback that the Clio gave.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Have to say I'm loving the steering tweak mentioned above. I was hesitant to write this on here in case you'd all be expecting it to become Lotus Elise like steering but it really is has changed the car for me

 

[AGee]

So it appears that the “Characteristic Curve” cannot be changed with OBDeleven but the “Driver Profile Selection” can be. I did stumble across “driver profile switch over” which I will play with latter but VW forums say it changes throttle response from non linear to linear.

VeeFource, does the Characteristic Curve in dynamic just affect the steering alone or does it work like the drive select button in dynamic? I always wanted heavier steering but I find the suspension to bouncy with drive select in dynamic.

 

[VeeFource]

I don't think the Characteristic Curve can be changed with VCDS from vague memory. The Driver Profile Selection purely effects the steering, so if you change this from the mode button to dynamic the steering alone stays permanently in dynamic. A definite improvement but for me, still not as great as the Straight Line Running deactivation which is the single best mod I've ever achieved with VCDS. It really has given me a new love for this car and I can't understand why Audi wouldn't have done this as the default settings for all their sporty cars.

I've also changed the Driver Profile Switchover based on what I'd read too. I think it has sharpened the throttle up so I've left it set as Direct but it is a very subtle change. It makes judging the clutch bite slightly harder but it's worth it for the more responsive feel.

 

[AGee]

So it appears that the “Characteristic Curve” cannot be changed with OBDeleven but the “Driver Profile Selection” can be.

Sorry, typo in my previous post which the forum won't allow me to edit. It should read...So it appears that the “Characteristic Curve” cannot be changed with OBDeleven but “Straight Line Running” can be.

I don't think the Characteristic Curve can be changed with VCDS from vague memory. The Driver Profile Selection purely effects the steering, so if you change this from the mode button to dynamic the steering alone stays permanently in dynamic.

Thanks for the reply. Though I'm a little confused, from your previous post below it looks like you changed the Characteristic Curve with VCDS to Dynamic? Also when you say mode button, you mean drive select button? Cheers.

8. Characteristic curve

9. (Stored value > Driver profile selection button) New value > Dynamic

10. Do it (yes for VCDS to use default values)

 

[VeeFource]

Thanks for the reply. Though I'm a little confused, from your previous post below it looks like you changed the Characteristic Curve with VCDS to Dynamic? Also when you say mode button, you mean drive select button? Cheers.

Apologies, it's been a little while since I looked into it which is why I was saying about vague memory. I was also a little confused by your earlier post (quoted below) so I was thinking of Support Power at the time which I didn't bother trying to change because seems every VWAG car reverts back to whatever the default is on the next key cycle anyway.

So it appears that the “Characteristic Curve” cannot be changed with OBDeleven but the “Driver Profile Selection” can be. I did stumble across “driver profile switch over” which I will play with latter but VW forums say it changes throttle response from non linear to linear.

I'm not sure what you mean by the above (in bold) as this is the section where the Driver Profile Selection Button can be changed (which you've said is possible with OBDeleven) to Dynamic? It could be that VCDS & OBDeleven use slightly different wordings which might be confusing things maybe?

 

[AGee]

Hey VeeFource, I agree, it can be a bit difficult if it’s been awhile.

Anyways about that confusion, my stupid typo that I tried to address in post #11 should clear things up

Looks like I will need to find a VCDS device as I can't get OBDeleven to work this mod. Anyways thanks for posting this VCDS change on here.

 

[beanoir]

Yeah, the S1 is definitely a much better car for long distance work than a typical hot hatch which to be fair is one of the reasons I went for it. But the numbness still left me wanting even on a long drive so I've since done some further reading to try and understand why. This article got me thinking along the right lines:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mini-john-cooper-works-versus-audi-s1-comparison

Particularly where it says "The more you drive the Mini, in fact, the more one-dimensional the memory of the Audi becomes, its lifelessness at low speeds a curable condition but only by continually operating at the opposite extreme."

It then occurred to me this numbness at lower speeds must come from the steering as it's not the sort of driving where you'd be getting much information through the seat anyway. So I've looked further into what can be tweaked on the steering (beyond having it set to dynamic in all modes) and found something on a French forum about altering the 'straight line running' setting with VCDS from the default 'Active' to 'Not active'. This function is intended to make the car automatically compensate for camber changes, cross winds and torque steer so the car stays steadfast in the direction you've requested with the wheel. The downside to this being less steering feel and therefore lacking a 2 way conversation with the car that enthusiasts usually enjoy.

So I changed the setting to 'Not active' this afternoon and what an absolute revelation! It's not lotus levels of feedback of course but all of a sudden the steering is now talking back and there is a whole new layer of interactivity. It may not be to everyone's tastes as the car can wonder from the straight ahead due to camber changes etc but to me this is all part of the fun. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of torque steer either so I'd have thought most S1 drivers would want this too. There also seems to me to be no issues with changing this and thankfully it retains the setting between key cycles. Quite why Audi chose 'active' as the default is beyond me as disabling it seems to address the very thing this car has been mostly criticised for.

Great post! Glad I read this!

 

[VeeFource]

Great post! Glad I read this!

Cheers beanoir. I'm still loving this steering tweak

Anyone else tried it?

 

[Labern]

I tired the steering changes today and very happy with the result.
Thanks for sharing the tweak @VeeFource

 

[mikael_eb]

Thank you so much for sharing this @VeeFource!
I was literally on my final google search to find an improved steering thread before giving up on the car... Now, I really want to try this out. Can you do this with an OBDEleven? VCDS is pretty expensive..
Anyway, it's been a while since you made your post, and was wondering if you have kept the settings you made since then? Also if you've had any complication after making the change?

Much appreciated/
Mikael

 

[VeeFource]

Thank you so much for sharing this @VeeFource!
I was literally on my final google search to find an improved steering thread before giving up on the car... Now, I really want to try this out. Can you do this with an OBDEleven? VCDS is pretty expensive..
Anyway, it's been a while since you made your post, and was wondering if you have kept the settings you made since then? Also if you've had any complication after making the change?

Much appreciated/
Mikael

Hi Mikael,

This change has made this car a keeper for me. Before the change I was considering selling it after less than 6 months whereas now I know I never will. Whilst still not as good as a decent hydraulic setup it takes the car back to being more like a car from the good old days when you're driving the car rather than these modern ones that drive you.
I've had zero issues since making the change either. I'm of the belief the setting exists as a way for Audi's Engineers to get around what was mandated by Audi's Marketing bods that think they know best and have the final say.
From what others have said I don't think it's possible using OBDEleven but I don't have it so can't confirm this. All I would say is VCDS is also great to have if you ever get any issues with the car as you'll be charged a significant portion of the cost by a dealer just for plugging theirs in anyway. Will be interesting to see what you think if you manage to get the mod done either way.

 

[mikael_eb]

Hi Mikael,

This change has made this car a keeper for me. Before the change I was considering selling it after less than 6 months whereas now I know I never will. Whilst still not as good as a decent hydraulic setup it takes the car back to being more like a car from the good old days when you're driving the car rather than these modern ones that drive you.
I've had zero issues since making the change either. I'm of the belief the setting exists as a way for Audi's Engineers to get around what was mandated by Audi's Marketing bods that think they know best and have the final say.
From what others have said I don't think it's possible using OBDEleven but I don't have it so can't confirm this. All I would say is VCDS is also great to have if you ever get any issues with the car as you'll be charged a significant portion of the cost by a dealer just for plugging theirs in anyway. Will be interesting to see what you think if you manage to get the mod done either way.

Thank you for your answer Veeforce! Im so happy to hear that.
I really love! everything about the S1 and I really want to keep it, but the steering was just killing the fun for me... So I was also considering selling it this summer.
But I have been convinced to give it go, and now ordered the VCDS adapter. Totaly worth the price if it makes the steering feel more responsive. If it doesn't ill still have the VCDS for future vehicles.
As soon as Ive made the change Ill get back to you.

 

[audisone]

Thank you for your answer Veeforce! Im so happy to hear that.
I really love! everything about the S1 and I really want to keep it, but the steering was just killing the fun for me... So I was also considering selling it this summer.
But I have been convinced to give it go, and now ordered the VCDS adapter. Totaly worth the price if it makes the steering feel more responsive. If it doesn't ill still have the VCDS for future vehicles.
As soon as Ive made the change Ill get back to you.

Please let us know how you got on!

For me personally this car could sway me from choosing a latest gen ford fiesta st, if the car is dynamic/fun enough.

 

[mikael_eb]

Please let us know how you got on!

For me personally this car could sway me from choosing a latest gen ford fiesta st, if the car is dynamic/fun enough.

Sorry for not getting back to the forum. But I haven’t had much time to test the car until a few days ago. Other stuff got in the way.
Unfortunately, my experience of the VCDS change is that it was too subtle. It did make the steering feel less “spongy” but in my opinion the feedback needed for it too be fun is still missing… I also have an mx5, and yesterday I took them both out for a difference test. First the S1 and then Mx5. I don’t know if it’s a fair comparison considering one is rwd and the other fwd/4wd. But its all I can compare it too from real experience. The difference in “joy of driving” is huge. The mx5 is fun all the time at all speeds, and the steering gives you a sense of full control. Whilst in the S1 you have to drive really fast before you can start to come close of the same feeling.

Im very torn about what to do with my S1. I love the engine, the design and the practicality, but the missing fun factor is unfortunately always bugging me. Im also considering a ford fiesta st, or a yaris GR...

This was my experience and I hope it helps. Obviously I would recommend a test drive before ruling the S1 out. Maybe it speaks to you in a different way.

 

[audisone]

Sorry for not getting back to the forum. But I haven’t had much time to test the car until a few days ago. Other stuff got in the way.
Unfortunately, my experience of the VCDS change is that it was too subtle. It did make the steering feel less “spongy” but in my opinion the feedback needed for it too be fun is still missing… I also have an mx5, and yesterday I took them both out for a difference test. First the S1 and then Mx5. I don’t know if it’s a fair comparison considering one is rwd and the other fwd/4wd. But its all I can compare it too from real experience. The difference in “joy of driving” is huge. The mx5 is fun all the time at all speeds, and the steering gives you a sense of full control. Whilst in the S1 you have to drive really fast before you can start to come close of the same feeling.

Im very torn about what to do with my S1. I love the engine, the design and the practicality, but the missing fun factor is unfortunately always bugging me. Im also considering a ford fiesta st, or a yaris GR...

This was my experience and I hope it helps. Obviously I would recommend a test drive before ruling the S1 out. Maybe it speaks to you in a different way.

I completely get what you mean.
I'm set on the fiesta either way, unless the sample im going to look at is in a disappointing condition - otherwise I'm almost certainly gonna buy it.
I think if you have an mx5 and can afford to keep the S1, I would say keep both.