My S3 Build Thread

mechanic69 said:
To be honest Jay, this is the first turbo car I've had and I fitted the DV+ within the first week. I'm still getting used to the different ways and noises this car makes. All I can tell on limited mileage is the CAI adds another suite of noises to the turbo, DV+ and exhaust. But it does put a smile on my face.
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I used to love the snorts and bangs my old Escort Cosworth made and every time I add something to this car it brings the same silly grin back.

It's pure fun.
 
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Not really fair mate is it though! I hope you get it sorted asap must of been a right pain in the backside.

We will have to get our cars together for some pics as we only local! :beerchug:

Cheers
 
Me too!

It couldn't be the springs that are incorrect could it?
 
Muzza80 said:
Me too!

It couldn't be the springs that are incorrect could it?
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I'm running the stock shock with the eibach spring at the mo, the standard spring needs a compressor to get it on. On the Bilstein both fit without compressor and even the stock is loose! I don't elect to use the spring compressor with the eibach just a snug fit to prevent it moving.
 
Bilsteins went back today, heres hoping for a solution!!!!! If the weathers good this weekend ALKs and bottom arm uprated bushes to fit.
 
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mechanic69 said:
Bilstein have fitted shortened pistons by 30mm, get them on Friday, fingers crossed they will work.
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I'm sure they will, they will have tested them with a set of Pro-Kit springs no doubt.

Is that all the information you got? Clearly the catalogue pics on the Bilstein site show exactly the shocks you received, I'd have to assume they're all like that and it's a manufacturing error in which case why have they not all been recalled as there's no way you're the first person to buy a set of these......?

Kinda wondering where that leaves the rest of us tbh, I'm not up for buying a kit then having to have them sent back and modified to be correct....
 
Muzza80 said:
I'm sure they will, they will have tested them with a set of Pro-Kit springs no doubt.

Is that all the information you got? Clearly the catalogue pics on the Bilstein site show exactly the shocks you received, I'd have to assume they're all like that and it's a manufacturing error in which case why have they not all been recalled as there's no way you're the first person to buy a set of these......?

Kinda wondering where that leaves the rest of us tbh, I'm not up for buying a kit then having to have them sent back and modified to be correct....
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Only info I got via Damian at DPM. I was thinking the same as you is it a common issue or a fix for a manufacturing batch problem? They seem to have acted quickly with no fuss anyway, suggests its their fault or ****** good customer service. If they are sorted I don't mind either way.

Looking at this B8 sprint pic the top part is definitely shorter than mine was.

Bilstein B8 Sprint Damper / Shock Absorber Kit S3 8P / S3 8P Sportback 2.0T FSi Quattro (11/06-)
 
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Finally got my Bilsteins back withe 30mm shorter pistons today. Fit tomorrow:yum: Thanks to Damian at DPM and Bilstein for sorting me out free of charge, excellent customer service!!!!

Might as well fit the ALKs and Whiteline front lower arm bushes at the same time.
 
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mechanic69 said:
Finally got my Bilsteins back withe 30mm shorter pistons today. Fit tomorrow:yum: Thanks to Damian at DPM and Bilstein for sorting me out free of charge, excellent customer service!!!!

Might as well fit the ALKs and Whiteline front lower arm bushes at the same time.
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Finally the day has come and front Bilsteins are now on the vehicle

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Only drive round the town but you can immediately feel the difference, out for a drive tomorrow me thinks!!!

Many thanks to Damian at DPM and Bilstein for a hassle free solution.
 
Excellent mate glad you got there in the end.

Did you need to use a hub spreader tool in order to open up the hub in order to remove and refit the struts?

Do you find them quite stiff compared to the standard ones? I'm thinking comfort wise...?
 
Muzza80 said:
Excellent mate glad you got there in the end.

Did you need to use a hub spreader tool in order to open up the hub in order to remove and refit the struts?

Do you find them quite stiff compared to the standard ones? I'm thinking comfort wise...?
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Cheers, yeah got one of ebay for 6 or 7 quid, but the bilsteins come with a large tab on so only goes 3/4 the way in and you have to knock the hub on to the strut with a soft mallet to get it all the way home, not hard to do.

Ride wise they are not harsh at all, the stock dampers are crashy and make the front end jittery and these things soak up the bumps really well, quite comfortable really and feels really planted, need to take it for a good drive to really see but initial impressions are good.

Didn't get the ALKs on as I couldn't work out how to get the old bushes out, save that job until I've sussed that out!!
 
Finally took her out for a drive today the Billys are excellent, the car is so much more planted than stock dampers. Best few quid I've spent recently.What a great ride!!!!
 
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mechanic69 said:
How many miles would you recommend until I get the tracking sorted?
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Id do it at your earliest convenience.

Glad you got sorted in the end. But I am wondering, will every other person now find themselves in the same position as you, and need to return their shocks to Bilstein?
 
s3_trev said:
Id do it at your earliest convenience.

Glad you got sorted in the end. But I am wondering, will every other person now find themselves in the same position as you, and need to return their shocks to Bilstein?
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Never really got an answer to this, I just told them the problem and they replaced the pistons with shorter ones so I've no idea if it was a manufacturing issue or something else. Was quick with no hassle so can't complain much. Wonder if anyone else has had this issue?
 
mechanic69 how's the car feeling now that you've had the Billys on for a week? I am thinking of the same combo
 
Really pleased with them, no where near as hard as thought they be quite soft really. But eh difference over stock is very noticeable, so much more control, sure footed if you know what I mean. Suits me just fine
 
mechanic69 said:
Really pleased with them, no where near as hard as thought they be quite soft really. But eh difference over stock is very noticeable, so much more control, sure footed if you know what I mean. Suits me just fine
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That's good to hear as I've just ordered myself the same ones today.

I got them for £440 delivered from Germany and the fella at Bilstein UK is going to sort out the piston length for me as he did with yours should they need it.

Quick question for you mate, I've just ordered up front top mounts (RS3 versions, they're apparently heavier duty) , bearings and associated nuts/bolts, also ordered the strut top nuts for the rears too but didn't bother with new rear strut top mounts, did you replace the rears too?

Did the B8's come with their own strut top nuts?

Was only £33 from TPS for those bits anyway which I thought was really good but but rear top mounts are another £45 so if they don't need it with just 33k on the car I'll leave them however I'll order up the rear mounts too if you reckon it's advisable?

Cheers!
 
Muzza, did you order them from Bilstein directly or from somewhere else as that sounds a bargain.
 
OrkneyS3 said:
Muzza, did you order them from Bilstein directly or from somewhere else as that sounds a bargain.
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eBay mate, German seller.

I put in an offer of 500 euro and receiver a counter offer of 520 euro so total £440 odd delivered, I was sure to check the warranty status first with Bilstein UK and the tech guy there was very helpful and said no issues, at the end of the day it's a Bilstein product and he will support them no problems.

Saved £85 on the best UK price I could find and that's not the sort of money I can afford to disregard.
 
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Muzza80 said:
That's good to hear as I've just ordered myself the same ones today.

I got them for £440 delivered from Germany and the fella at Bilstein UK is going to sort out the piston length for me as he did with yours should they need it.

Quick question for you mate, I've just ordered up front top mounts (RS3 versions, they're apparently heavier duty) , bearings and associated nuts/bolts, also ordered the strut top nuts for the rears too but didn't bother with new rear strut top mounts, did you replace the rears too?

Did the B8's come with their own strut top nuts?

Was only £33 from TPS for those bits anyway which I thought was really good but but rear top mounts are another £45 so if they don't need it with just 33k on the car I'll leave them however I'll order up the rear mounts too if you reckon it's advisable?

Cheers!
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Good price mate. The B8 comes with the top nuts, but I also got new top mounts front and rear and used the nuts that came with them. You have to take the rear mount off anyway to change the shock so you might as well change it. Got febi mounts off eBay.
 


Great run out to the New forest today. Bilsteins are awesome. Tried DSG in S mode for long motorway/dual carriage way run and what a performer, instant power whenever I wanted it, even cruises in 6th which is something I haven't seen before.

Love this car more than ever, bring on the Loba for more mid range grunt :sm4:
 
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Awesome mate!!!! Great news!!!

Please let me know what you think with the pump fitted on your stage 1 map if its indeed better etc .....as its my next mod pump and down pipe.
 
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grchmason said:
Awesome mate!!!! Great news!!!

Please let me know what you think with the pump fitted on your stage 1 map if its indeed better etc .....as its my next mod pump and down pipe.
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Will do, not expecting much with the stage 1 map but will see if I can notice anything. Only BCS to add then, oh and maybe a turbo upgrade when funds allow lol
 
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Good stuff mate, just picked up Autotech internals built into a brand new OE revision K pump myself yesterday too.

I've heard even on stage 1 gains can be noticeable, differs from car to car though obviously.
 
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