S3 Resonator Delete

I've done about 500 miles now with the resonator delete done (straight pipe) with the exhaust valves permanently open on PFL. No difference in any driving modes.

General driving around town with gentle throttle there's not much difference, it's a bit deeper maybe, however full throttle, 3k rpm upwards, and DSG farts it's much much louder. Unfortunately on the motorway at medium acceleration from 2.5k - 3.5k rpm there is a pretty horrible drone.

Getting my exhaust valves shut again soon so hopefully that'll lessen the drone somewhat but still allow full noise at full throttle and in dynamic mode.
 
cnahamilton said:
Not really what I wanted to hear as I’ve had the BCS powervalve res delete earmarked for the new year purely because I don’t want any drone! Is yours a manual or auto?
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I've got this and have absolutely no drone (valves stock). Do it!
 
BCS are having a Black Friday deal for the anti drone pipe. Massive saving of £7. Just emailed them. :expressionless::expressionless:
 
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I pick up my FL on Sat and I really want to do this having heard the difference it makes - but I sometimes have to see clients, or even pick them up and I just can't see it working for me...
 
Tej13 said:
I pick up my FL on Sat and I really want to do this having heard the difference it makes - but I sometimes have to see clients, or even pick them up and I just can't see it working for me...
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It's fine honestly, it's only anti social when you put your foot down a bit.

The valves soften it a lot. Do it, mine was absolutely silent when the box went back on.. so boring.
 
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Got mine fitted today.... flaps promptly closed when home as was ridiculous! Hasn’t made that much of an improvement....

Not sure if I like the sound but will see what like for a bit. Bit of drone when under load and at different times through rev range. On full WOT it’s pretty epic but for day to day maybe too much. Even in comfort mode, still pretty intrusive in cabin and as I use my car for work and clients might be a bit ott, let alone when my sons in the back!

Time will tell if I keep it or put back to standard.
 
If you do a lot of motorway driving the drone will drive you nuts, you may get use to it, but passengers will notice it. If you like everything but the drone, get the BCS delete....way cheaper than a full cat back system.
 
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LiamRS said:
Got mine fitted today.... flaps promptly closed when home as was ridiculous! Hasn’t made that much of an improvement....

Not sure if I like the sound but will see what like for a bit. Bit of drone when under load and at different times through rev range. On full WOT it’s pretty epic but for day to day maybe too much. Even in comfort mode, still pretty intrusive in cabin and as I use my car for work and clients might be a bit ott, let alone when my sons in the back!

Time will tell if I keep it or put back to standard.
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Is yours just the pipe or BCS version?
 
LiamRS said:
Just the straight pipe. :grumpy:
As i say will see what like over next week. Checked for leaks and all ok so not that.
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I'm getting my valves closed next Friday, so will report back on the BCS version after then. Otherwise it's coming off and going up for sale...
 
Mark_86 said:
I'm getting my valves closed next Friday, so will report back on the BCS version after then. Otherwise it's coming off and going up for sale...
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Is yours the proper BCS version with anti drone pipe on it??
Is it still that bad? I was really hoping for a thumbs up from you. My valves are all still plugged in and programmed as they should from factory.


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cnahamilton said:
Is yours the proper BCS version with anti drone pipe on it??
Is it still that bad? I was really hoping for a thumbs up from you. My valves are all still plugged in and programmed as they should from factory.


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Yeah its the anti-drone model from BCS. I'm not actually sure closing the valves will make a difference, as when it's in Comfort or Auto, the drone is still there under load. On the motorway, its very quiet like standard, but it's just under acceleration that it's a bit much. It's more of a drone than a nice sound aswell. In full Dynamic, it sounds mega! Gonna see how it is after Friday and if it's not good still, I'll be having it off the car as I don't like it much.
 
Mark_86 said:
Yeah its the anti-drone model from BCS. I'm not actually sure closing the valves will make a difference, as when it's in Comfort or Auto, the drone is still there under load. On the motorway, its very quiet like standard, but it's just under acceleration that it's a bit much. It's more of a drone than a nice sound aswell. In full Dynamic, it sounds mega! Gonna see how it is after Friday and if it's not good still, I'll be having it off the car as I don't like it much.
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Where in the word are you? I’d be tempted to hear it for myself if possible?? If you do decide to get rid I’d might be interested. One persons opinion may be different to another and all that lol


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I've had my valves closed today by @DJAlix and I've just got a straight pipe in place of the resonator. It's definitely better with valves closed. The drone is still there under load but not that bad.

Good thing is in full dynamic it's still a beast and sounds great, but in comfort around town it's quiet if you need it to be. Barely noticeable from stock. Live in west London if anyone wanted to hear it before they go for it.
 
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cnahamilton said:
Where in the word are you? I’d be tempted to hear it for myself if possible?? If you do decide to get rid I’d might be interested. One persons opinion may be different to another and all that lol


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Click to expand...

Hi mate, I'm around Southampton...
 
ohmyaudi said:
I've had my valves closed today by @DJAlix and I've just got a straight pipe in place of the resonator. It's definitely better with valves closed. The drone is still there under load but not that bad.

Good thing is in full dynamic it's still a beast and sounds great, but in comfort around town it's quiet if you need it to be. Barely noticeable from stock. Live in west London if anyone wanted to hear it before they go for it.
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Doe's it drone under load still in the other modes?
 
Turns out my pipe was blowing at the rear join.

Fixed now with some paste and re tightened ....still nae sure about the overall noise and the drone between 2.5 - 3.5k!

Find I’m having to drive around in comfort mode which isn’t ideal.
 
LiamRS and ohmyaudi. You both have straight pipes don’t you?


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cnahamilton said:
The BCS has an anti drone pipe on it which Mark-86 has on his car. They’re supposed to stop all drone...


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It’s not so much the drone, albeit it is there; but the overall noise that’s the problem. It’s unrefined in my opinion. Feel it’s money down the drain and will likely just pay again to revert back to stock then go order an RS3. Haha
 
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I drove a PFl S3 as a demo with the resonator delete prior to ordering my 2017 S3. My opinion was it did not sound that great. It was not a nice tuned exhaust sound, it was just like some of those badly designed exhaust systems you see/hear on Japanese cars with a huge exhaust tip. The drone, as I have said before was very noticeable at motorway speeds.
If you really want a nice tuned sound buy a cat back exhaust system, which a resonator delete can not reproduce.
 
Had mine switched back to standard today, now back to a bit quiet but much more bearable. I may try fitting a bigger downpipe to get a deeper note. I had the standard exhaust on my Focus ST deresonated and it was great, no drone. Does anyone know the diameter of the standard S3 exhaust?
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
I drove a PFl S3 as a demo with the resonator delete prior to ordering my 2017 S3. My opinion was it did not sound that great. It was not a nice tuned exhaust sound, it was just like some of those badly designed exhaust systems you see/hear on Japanese cars with a huge exhaust tip. The drone, as I have said before was very noticeable at motorway speeds.
If you really want a nice tuned sound buy a cat back exhaust system, which a resonator delete can not reproduce.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is probably what I'll do next. The wife would kill me if I swapped the S3 in for an RS3...
 
LiamRS said:
It’s not so much the drone, albeit it is there; but the overall noise that’s the problem. It’s unrefined in my opinion. Feel it’s money down the drain and will likely just pay again to revert back to stock then go order an RS3. Haha
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Give it some time, the first week I was seriously regretting it but you get used to it and it sounds incredible. Savour the pops...
 
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AudiNutta said:
Give it some time, the first week I was seriously regretting it but you get used to it and it sounds incredible. Savour the pops...
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Will give it a week or so. :tearsofjoy:

Now starting to think that as it has had a leak already that it still has another.... ***! How is it different to the clamps audi used to join them from factory!?
 
LiamRS said:
Will give it a week or so. :tearsofjoy:

Now starting to think that as it has had a leak already that it still has another.... ***! How is it different to the clamps audi used to join them from factory!?
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Longer!! My S3 sounded a bag of balls when it went back.

Don’t have it clamped, mine leaked. Have it welded!
 
sent a message to BCS powevalve, possibly getting the ball rolling.....only on 2k miles so im not even at the true stock sound
 
Well, mine's coming off. I decided today, it's just not what I'm after and I'll save up and get a cat-back. BCS powervalve de-res will be going up in the classifieds this week if anyone is interested.
 
Does everyone have their cars on PCP while doing all this? My S3 leaves me a little flat I must admit... what I'm wondering is, if I get a cat back is it going to bite me on the ***?
 
SamP97 said:
Does everyone have their cars on PCP while doing all this? My S3 leaves me a little flat I must admit... what I'm wondering is, if I get a cat back is it going to bite me on the ***?
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Mine was done while on PCP, throughout multiple warranty claims Audi never mentioned it.

A catback wouldn’t give you any issues. Apparently it doesn’t matter what you modify within sensible limitations, if it’s returned in original condition.
 
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Yep. I handed back my TT to them. Was lowered and had spacers. Debadged all around. They knew about it all but I returned to standard before giving it back to them.
 
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So had my valves closed by @DJAlix today, such a big difference. Sounds much better now and not as much drone or boom in the cabin. Whilst I was with him, had the Mag-Ride re-calibrated and it's like night and day... can't believe Audi let them leave the factory the way they do. Always good to see Alex and a top bloke! Thanks mate.
 
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What difference is there having mag ride re-cal'd?

BCS Anti Drone pipe here and no drone with flaps open through the rev range.
 
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S15THM said:
What difference is there having mag ride re-cal'd?

BCS Anti Drone pipe here and no drone with flaps open through the rev range.
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feels more planted, when I had mine done by Alex it gave me more confidence when taking it into a corner
 
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S15THM said:
What difference is there having mag ride re-cal'd?
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Less crashy, better response and removes some of the 'double' bounce that you can get from speed bumps or motorway expansion joints. Basically how Audi should set up it up from the factory. Fro what I understood, Audi just programme generic settings and don't actually confirm the suspension heights etc. It's much smoother and feels more controlled. I've yet to drive her in anger (a worn rear set of tyres and proving the S3 has a playful side), but the motorway trip home was much better.
 
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Mark_86 said:
Less crashy, better response and removes some of the 'double' bounce that you can get from speed bumps or motorway expansion joints. Basically how Audi should set up it up from the factory. Fro what I understood, Audi just programme generic settings and don't actually confirm the suspension heights etc. It's much smoother and feels more controlled. I've yet to drive her in anger (a worn rear set of tyres and proving the S3 has a playful side), but the motorway trip home was much better.
Click to expand...
better explained than what i typed out LOL
 
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Right..... decided on way home from work tonight that it’s coming off tomorrow if possible.:bye:

Yes the volume of the pops and bangs are awesome and it’s how it should have been from the factory but the overall volume inside the cabin is awful and I’ve had cars with full systems before!! Maybe it’s just me showing my age now but really regret ever cutting the exhaust to fit the straight pipe. Let alone paying for the pipe and fitting / now the removal costs!

The horrible noise just resonates all around the cabin and is such an unrefined tone, it’s almost embarrassing for such a quality car.

Now need to find where I can get another Audi sleeve clamp or will a garage likely have something similar they would use, to couple the resonator box pipe join back onto the back box section?
 
LiamRS said:
Right..... decided on way home from work tonight that it’s coming off tomorrow if possible.:bye:

Yes the volume of the pops and bangs are awesome and it’s how it should have been from the factory but the overall volume inside the cabin is awful and I’ve had cars with full systems before!! Maybe it’s just me showing my age now but really regret ever cutting the exhaust to fit the straight pipe. Let alone paying for the pipe and fitting / now the removal costs!

The horrible noise just resonates all around the cabin and is such an unrefined tone, it’s almost embarrassing for such a quality car.

Now need to find where I can get another Audi sleeve clamp or will a garage likely have something similar they would use, to couple the resonator box pipe join back onto the back box section?
Click to expand...

I threw mine out a couple of days ago, might still be in the bin bag actually.... pay postage and it’s yours.
 
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