Top Tips Please

41YN

41YN

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Hi All,

Newbie here, and advice wanted please.

I collect my new S3 saloon on March 1st, and would really appreciate your 'Top Tips', i.e. what you think I should do/don't to really enjoy the car, and get the most out of it.

It is my first new Audi, so I have no experience of the marque, and only other new cars I have owned like this are an R32 in 2008, and a Focus RS in 2010 (had Kuga's since, but don't hold it against me!).

So, if you were in my shoes, what should I be doing/getting? Anything that may seem obvious to you, may not be to me, so I will take on board any suggestions from you guys

I have considered stage 1 (son has an 'R' that was stage 2, but I don't want to go to that extent on this), and things like Gtechniq etc, but if you could give me any great suggestions, I would appreciate it very much.

(If I am duplicating similar threads, I apologise, and please point me in their direction)

Cheers
 
Personally I'd get out and enjoy the car first when you get it for the first couple of thousand miles and then think about what you might want to do to it. I think you'll be more than pleasantly surprised at how well it performs in the first instance. Mods in any case I think are always down to personal taste.
 
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Welcome...

As Hawkeye has said, enjoy the car as it is. Get used to it before u make any decisions about any alterations / adaptions. The pocket rocket segment has moved on quite a bit over the past 5 years and these cars really do offer huge amounts of performance, tech and a certain amount of luxury.

I love mine.

Remember forums are usually a place where people go if they have problems. However this forum is a decent balance / mix with some good banter thown in as well. So enjoy that as well !

Ok below are some quick info bits and a list for you.

VCDS adaptions -

Basically software and a special cable that allows access to the cars systems. There are already threads on VCDS adaptions should u want to tweak items such as alarm churp or exhaust flaps always off or Oil temp gauge etc and I believe a top 10 list of most popular tweaks:

Top VCDS tweaks here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/top-5-or-10-vagcom-options.260995/

Main thread here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/8v-vcds-mods.206515/


Tuning

Not everyones cup of tea and the stock cars are certainly quick enough. Those on here who have dabbled with their cars think it makes the car a new anainal though.

You will see that these cars have decent scope for tuning straight out of the box for relatively small outlay and stage 1 can be had with a tuning box or map etc. You will note however that Mid 2015 cars onwards have a tweaked ECU that companies like Revo and APR continue to work on. But are yet to crack. Apparently close but nothing official yet. Other options include tuning boxes from companies like ABT, DTUK or JB. Stage 1 is a good increase over stock making between 50BHP - 75BHP and upto 150NM increase in Torque. It goes without saying if thats a route you take in the future, warranty would generally be voided on related conponents- turbo, gearbox etc.

Lots of threads, fitting guides etc in the sticky threads.

Sticky here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/forums/new-a3-s3-8v-chassis.244/


Main tuning thread is here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/8v-s3-tuning-thread.201845/


So to make it easy for future reference here is a list of top tips.. i'll start and let others add to it for you.

Top tips straight out of the box

1) Turn off Start stop - press buton on dash.
2) Regularly clean exhaust tips as they are prone to pitting
3) Oil Temp - Scroll through menu screen to Lap timer for oil temp - allow car to warm up before pushing on and ofcourse allow car to cool before shut down. - VCDS mod can put oil temp on all menus.
4) Alloys - Mind those alloys- S3 alloys are easy to kerb/ scuff. Even the most careful of drivers have been caught out. As they are Diamond cut they can be both expensive and trickier to repair. So take care !
5) Paint Protection - Adding something like Gtech or other similar paint guards / protectents will make future cleaning easier. They do not last forever though, generally 1-3 years at best. You can add your own barriers and ofcourse top up, but that comes down to personal experience / taste and ofcourse time and money etc.

Lets see what others add....

Enjoy your car!
Jungle
 
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6) Add dashcam front and rear
7) Give the car 1 minute to warm up before setting off, everytime
 
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Bear in mind a remap might lose you your warranty.
In my opinion I would rather buy a car with the performance I want and not tune up a car with a lower bhp. So think about an RS3 or AMG or even a new Focus RS. But that's just my thoughts. As far as I'm aware there havent been many issues with remapped engines.

Agree with stop start being turned off, the S3 has quite a big turbo and constant stopping and starting may not be good for longevity. It also helps to let the turbo cool down for a minute or so when stopping after a long or hard. Engine manufactureres generally advise not to let car warm up at low idle but to drive steadily for a short while.

But whatever you decide to do I hope you thoroughly enjoy your new car, I'm sure you'll just love it.
 
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Hi and welcome to the forums :)
  • As above enjoy the car, it's quicker than most people think (standard)!
  • Keep it in dynamic mode ;)
  • I always turn stop/start off, easy to push a button when you get in!
  • If I remember correctly I did low revs for the first 500 mile, after that :):p ;)
  • Dashcam at least in the front, if you insure with AXA they give 10% discount for having one. My quote from them with protected no claims, upgraded hire car, legal protection, £50 compulsory excess and I added £250 voluntary, came in at £284 (Aviva last year was £302). Add another older 'safe' driver to bring your quote down a little, I added my sister but she will never drive the car lol.
  • Also get GAP insurance and start it from day one, some say your normal insurance covers the first year, check with your insurer on this! Aviva told me last year "If they can't find the same spec car already built in the UK they revert to book price". So basically if it goes missing or gets written off at 11 months, they go to book price for an 11 month old S3, which could mean you are a few grand short for the replacement!!!
  • Don't buy the dealership GAP or paint protect, their GAP will be around double. Try GAP123.co.uk
  • Use Shell V-Power, I tried Sainsburys high octane once and thought I'd but the wrong fuel in!!!
  • You don't need breakdown cover, Audi do this for 3 years. A few people miss that and buy their own cover after 12 months.
 
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Possibly a professional detail.....keep you pride and joy looking in tip top shape?
 
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jungle650 said:
Welcome...

As Hawkeye has said, enjoy the car as it is. Get used to it before u make any decisions about any alterations / adaptions. The pocket rocket segment has moved on quite a bit over the past 5 years and these cars really do offer huge amounts of performance, tech and a certain amount of luxury.

I love mine.

Remember forums are usually a place where people go if they have problems. However this forum is a decent balance / mix with some good banter thown in as well. So enjoy that as well !

Ok below are some quick info bits and a list for you.

VCDS adaptions -

Basically software and a special cable that allows access to the cars systems. There are already threads on VCDS adaptions should u want to tweak items such as alarm churp or exhaust flaps always off or Oil temp gauge etc and I believe a top 10 list of most popular tweaks:

Top VCDS tweaks here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/top-5-or-10-vagcom-options.260995/

Main thread here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/8v-vcds-mods.206515/


Tuning

Not everyones cup of tea and the stock cars are certainly quick enough. Those on here who have dabbled with their cars think it makes the car a new anainal though.

You will see that these cars have decent scope for tuning straight out of the box for relatively small outlay and stage 1 can be had with a tuning box or map etc. You will note however that Mid 2015 cars onwards have a tweaked ECU that companies like Revo and APR continue to work on. But are yet to crack. Apparently close but nothing official yet. Other options include tuning boxes from companies like ABT, DTUK or JB. Stage 1 is a good increase over stock making between 50BHP - 75BHP and upto 150NM increase in Torque. It goes without saying if thats a route you take in the future, warranty would generally be voided on related conponents- turbo, gearbox etc.

Lots of threads, fitting guides etc in the sticky threads.

Sticky here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/forums/new-a3-s3-8v-chassis.244/


Main tuning thread is here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/8v-s3-tuning-thread.201845/


So to make it easy for future reference here is a list of top tips.. i'll start and let others add to it for you.

Top tips straight out of the box

1) Turn off Start stop - press buton on dash.
2) Regularly clean exhaust tips as they are prone to pitting
3) Oil Temp - Scroll through menu screen to Lap timer for oil temp - allow car to warm up before pushing on and ofcourse allow car to cool before shut down. - VCDS mod can put oil temp on all menus.
4) Alloys - Mind those alloys- S3 alloys are easy to kerb/ scuff. Even the most careful of drivers have been caught out. As they are Diamond cut they can be both expensive and trickier to repair. So take care !
5) Paint Protection - Adding something like Gtech or other similar paint guards / protectents will make future cleaning easier. They do not last forever though, generally 1-3 years at best. You can add your own barriers and ofcourse top up, but that comes down to personal experience / taste and ofcourse time and money etc.

Lets see what others add....

Enjoy your car!
Jungle
Click to expand...

The MTM Cantronic tuning box come with a warranty...
 
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Just been looking at some of my cam videos from over the weekend, this shows you how quick a standard car is off the lights, I pulled off quickly, but not red lining it :)

I didn't realise how far in front I was and how fast I got there until I watched this back!

 
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Top tip: Drive it to Wales or Scotland and drive around on deserted mountain roads.
 
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Thanks for the warm welcome folks, and your advice is much appreciated. The links to the other threads are great, cheers.

Hadn't considered switching the start/stop off, so that is a handy one, cheers. As far as re-mapping goes, I will probably leave it as standard for a while, I am sure it will have enough 'go' (after the Kuga's anyway). I had considered a dash cam, I will probably go front & rear. I seem to remember a thread on here about a recommendation for one, but can't find it.

I will take on board your other comments/top tips, particularly about the warm up/warm down. I had thought about GAP a while ago. I ordered it ages ago and had actually forgot about that, so cheers!

I am getting the S-tronic, are there any particular do's/don't with these?

S32B mentioned low rev's for the first 500 miles, are there any additional running in procedures you guys recommend (I read the thread asking if it was a good idea to buy an ex demo RS3, and the consensus was that they had been worked harder, so were quicker than non ex demos; what route should I go down?)

Many thanks, and (I hope I don't appear too greedy) keep them coming
 
Depends on who you believe about running in. Some say take it easy for 500-1000 miles others say floor it from day one, after its warmed up. I have always done the latter and never faced any problems. Audi say there's no need to run them in. Guess it's up to you.
As for GAP, go to someone other than Audi and you'll get it at a fraction of the price.
 
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@jungle650
Seen your post about let the engine cool down before turning it off, every time after driving it normal or driving it fast I just park up and turn the engine off straight away. Is this wrong then?
 
Chris5 said:
@jungle650
Seen your post about let the engine cool down before turning it off, every time after driving it normal or driving it fast I just park up and turn the engine off straight away. Is this wrong then?
Click to expand...

I do the same - I shouldn't worry about it too much (or at all really) although it's probably a nice to have our lifestyles make this very difficult with time at a premium. Think what stop/start does!
 
Chris5 said:
@jungle650
Seen your post about let the engine cool down before turning it off, every time after driving it normal or driving it fast I just park up and turn the engine off straight away. Is this wrong then?
Click to expand...

Hi Chris5,

If its driven hard / in a spirited manner you should always drive off boost for the last few miles or let your engine idle for a few minutes. If driven normal its not quite as important but wont do any harm to let it tick over for 15-30 secs or so. We all have times where its just not possible to sit about for 3 mins after every journey.

Your turbo heats up to about 900 degrees Celsius under hard driving conditions. When you shut off the car, You suddenly take away the heat source and the ambient temperature falls to around 100 - 115 degrees (the normal operating temperature for an S3 that has been driven hard). This causes the turbine housing to experience thermal shock. Cars heat shielding etc have improved over the years but its still the same principle.

To be fair, it would probably take a long time for this thermal shock to actually cause real significant damage, but you never know and you're definitely reducing the turbo's life by putting it under stress unnecessarily. If you let the car idle for a minute or so, you allow the exhaust gas temperatures to gradually cool down to 800, 600, 400, etc, thats got to be better for the car. A phrase comes to mind..." Mechanical symphahy."

Everyone has seen the Audi R8 advert of the exhaist manifold glowing red. Well in our cars the turbo is bolted onto the manifold so you can imagine how hot it gets. Infact take a look at some of these you tube clips of just how hot a turbo gets and u get the idea.





It's not necessary or always practical to let the car idle for ages but if you simply drive normally for the last 2 or 3 miles before you shut off the engine, thats fine for most situations.

Just never shut the car off immediately after doing a hard / spirited drive. Thats where the couple of minutes idle really comes into play and machanical sympathy springs to mind.

Jungle
 
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I will take that all on board thanks for the info. I'll start to do this now it makes sense to do so after reading that
 
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