Facelift Finally picked up S3, now has to be returned and exhaust sounds meh!

Son of the liberty

Son of the liberty

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Hi folks,

I finally picked up my new Ara blue S3 last weekend and when I picked it up the salesman mentioned they had an issue with a parking sensor that morning but they cleaned it and cleared the code and it was fine now.

Well, I got it home and it's not, as soon as I put the car in reverse the sensors are fully on as if I'm backed right up to something.

Audi have been good to be fair and are collecting the car on Monday and delivering it back on Friday (I'm away with work so won't require it)

Still not great from a car with delivery mileage I feel.

Anyway I have to say I'm also somewhat disappointed with the exhaust note, my friends 2018 Golf R sounds so much better and theirs is standard too.

Is this something to do with it having a particulate filter?

Can it be overcome with a res delete and if so will my warranty be voided?

Thanks

Mike
 
I believe a res delete improves the sound but I think it will void your warranty on the exhaust. Have mooch over to Youtube or search on here for vids.

I'm in a 68plate S3 Saloon which has done about 9.5k miles, I've noticed recently that the exhaust note has improved when warm, more depth to the sound and slightly more overrun type grumbles and pops, sounds quite nice if I'm honest, not in your face but just enough.
 
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You'll have a post WLTP car, while your mate Golf will be pre WLTP.

All post WLTP cars are more muted. Any mods `could` potentially void your warranty. Best to speak to the dealer, as some are better than others when it comes to these things.
 
I’ve a wltp S3 also and I’m waiting for a way to open the exhaust valves. Putting it into S mode sounds nice to me. Not too OTT. Some nice burbles when backing off the gas and downshifts. No massive cracks and bangs. Of course running in S mode all the time isn’t that comfortable in traffic and the valves will only open over 3k rpm anyway even in S mode.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Res delete is the best 'pound for pound' mod you can do on an S3. Mine is a FL 66 plate and it sounds superb.

Exhaust warranty no doubt voided, but not exactly a part that often goes wrong so happy to take the risk.
 
PHutch33 said:
Res delete is the best 'pound for pound' mod you can do on an S3. Mine is a FL 66 plate and it sounds superb.

Exhaust warranty no doubt voided, but not exactly a part that often goes wrong so happy to take the risk.
Click to expand...

the exhaust from turbo to tailpipes is pretty much one piece nowadays.
It’s not the exhaust going wrong, it’s if thing like the cat or gpf or sensors goes wrong it’s not going to be cheap to replace/fix. The warranty for all those will be out the window when you cut a section out to replace with a straight through pipe even though we all know it shouldnt affect those bits but Audi can’t warrant one part without the other as it’s all one piece.
 
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I had put on an Audi res delete pipe, which does not void the North American warranty, but it was drony, boomy and sounded dreadful on engine run down from high revs. The solution was the BSC Powervalve res delete kit with a helmholz device.....all of the above defects gone and sounded great to my ears. For the UK market all that will be warranty voided is the exhaust system and not much to go wrong there, apart from the valve actuators and I have never heard of them failing.
The exhaust system is not one piece
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
I had put on an Audi res delete pipe, which does not void the North American warranty, but it was drony, boomy and sounded dreadful on engine run down from high revs. The solution was the BSC Powervalve res delete kit with a helmholz device.....all of the above defects gone and sounded great to my ears. For the UK market all that will be warranty voided is the exhaust system and not much to go wrong there, apart from the valve actuators and I have never heard of them failing.
The exhaust system is not one piece
Click to expand...

gpf is part of the exhaust system. New expensive tech and if it’s anything like diesels dpf then I wouldn’t risk losing the warranty on that.
 
The GPF/OPF is a filter and upstream of the res delete, as is the cat converter and can not see how that filter would be affected by the res delete. The GPF and Cat converter are part of the emissions system and I have not heard of any issues with the cat converter and res delete or cat back exhaust system installations. Also a 3" cat back exhaust system will increase the HP that was lost to the GPF filter. Downpipe mods are another matter and can cause error codes etc. If I am wrong in my assumptions, please correct me.
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
The GPF/OPF is a filter and upstream of the res delete, as is the cat converter and can not see how that filter would be affected by the res delete. The GPF and Cat converter are part of the emissions system and I have not heard of any issues with the cat converter and res delete or cat back exhaust system installations. Also a 3" cat back exhaust system will increase the HP that was lost to the GPF filter. Downpipe mods are another matter and can cause error codes etc. If I am wrong in my assumptions, please correct me.
Click to expand...

Sorry it probably me not being clear. I was meaning it’s all one piece so regardless upstream or downstream if anything does go wrong with anything attached to the exhaust system Audi most likely won’t pay up.
 
I guess I am lucky to live in Canada, as a res delete does not void the Audi 4 year warranty on the exhaust or any warranted component.

Here is drawing of a 2017 S3 exhaust and details the clamps (7 and 9) that separate the system. 6 is the resonator.

EXHAUST SYSTEM. EXHAUST COMPONENTS. (1/1)
This Fits Your 2017 Audi S3 Premium Plus Sedan 2.0L A/T
1312415.png
 
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Based on the videos on some of the fitting of the res delete there’s no clamp 9 and it’s all one piece.


Can’t see clearly in this video but looks like it’s all welded up to the gpf with no clamps.
 
You are looking a the front end which is cut to suit the resonator delete pipe there is a factory sleeve clamp part #9 at the rear of the original resonator, that seperates the balance of the exhaust. It shows it clearly on the video install. Part #7 is used to replace a new resonator or when a res delete pipe is installed.
 
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Thanks, guys,

I guess the only solution is a new exhaust then :(

Not sure I want to go down that route so early on tbh.

In your experience does the sound get better with age?
 
Son of the liberty said:
Thanks, guys,

I guess the only solution is a new exhaust then :(

Not sure I want to go down that route so early on tbh.

In your experience does the sound get better with age?
Click to expand...

I’m not saying don’t don’t do it. Res delete might give you a bit more sound you are looking for. I’m just saying be aware of potential Audi warranty issues as there’s so much going on in the exhaust system nowadays and none of it is cheap to fix if Audi doesn’t cough up for warranty. It’s not just a bit of pipe anymore
 
I would talk to your dealer and ask him specifically, what parts of the exhaust system would be voided. Do not ask a service advisor, talk to the service manager and show him the drawing of the exhaust system. Another route to go is put on a res delete and try it, if it is not up to your satisfaction, you can remount your resonator. Also, do not listen to the videos as they give no idea of what it really sounds like. The pipe only res delete sounds awful, the BSC system is :icon thumright: . As I stated before Audi have a designated res delete part number and it does not affect any warranty claims. Audi UK are full of you know what, if they voided a cat converter etc. warranty replacement.
 
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Son of the liberty said:
Thanks, guys,

I guess the only solution is a new exhaust then :(

Not sure I want to go down that route so early on tbh.

In your experience does the sound get better with age?
Click to expand...

I have a 19 plate s3 and the sound got a bit better around 5k miles but still quiet compared to the pre gpf cars .
 
I had the dreaded pump failure on my Haldex system after JUST 2 MONTHS of S3 ownership (the car was a brand new 67 plater). Got the BSC Powervalve Res Delete fitted before the car went in for fixing at my local Audi stealers – visited twice and not one person, even the lead engineer, at the dealership bat an eyelid at the mod.

The car was thoroughly checked and test drove before/after the Haldex pump was replaced and touch wood the car has been immaculate in terms of performance and getting the full power down albeit I've had a JB1 fitted since then.

Now, that's a different matter and my warranty is probably invalidated with the piggy box on.

Anyway, the BSC Res Delete is awesome; it's been two years and I still love hearing the big bangs, pops and crackles (ok, it's not an RS3, but still sounds ****** good!) as the car does more miles – highly recommend it! I'm also fortunate to have a pre-WLTP S3.
 
I'm waiting on delivery of my 2019/2020 S3 and i've been searching everywhere to find someone that has fitted a res delete on their OPF model S3. My car is leased from audi uk. My thought process is to install the res delete and upon returning the car simply restore the original resonator back to how it was, (it seems with an additional clamp due to having to cut the exhaust, but hopefully go unnoticed). Does anyone know if there are any issues with warning lights coming up after the res delete has been install on the 19/69 plate models? Also, if there would be any issues with putting original resonator back on?
 
The dealership my S3 came from offer milltek exhausts so one would assume if you get the work done there it will not affect your warranty.
 
I was going to say, i've never heard of a dealership offering milltek exhaust. Fortunately i'm from Manchester and progressive parts are local so i'm going to see them tomorrow and see what i can find out from them!
 
Stree said:
I was going to say, i've never heard of a dealership offering milltek exhaust. Fortunately i'm from Manchester and progressive parts are local so i'm going to see them tomorrow and see what i can find out from them!
Click to expand...

I'am also from Manchester . When is your car due to arrive .
 
Not sure yet mate next couple of months placed my order November. Supposed to be Feb but we'll see
 
Yeah, i think i'm going to give it till at least 5k miles before i get the res delete done. By then maybe there will be a few more people that have put one on a PPF model S3
 
Stree said:
Yeah, i think i'm going to give it till at least 5k miles before i get the res delete done. By then maybe there will be a few more people that have put one on a PPF model S3
Click to expand...

They do have a lot more of a deeper note when you rack up a few miles but I wouldn't mind a res delete myself
 
I just want the 'DSG farts' to be honest! A lot of my mates have S3's Golf R's GTI's etc and i love the sound of them! Just everything i've read is like 50/50 with people saying they're too quiet or they're still good! Just got to wait and see really
 
Stree said:
I just want the 'DSG farts' to be honest! A lot of my mates have S3's Golf R's GTI's etc and i love the sound of them! Just everything i've read is like 50/50 with people saying they're too quiet or they're still good! Just got to wait and see really
Click to expand...

A res delete won't bring back the Dsg farts you will need a cat back system unfortunately which aren't cheap .
 
No worries once i've got it and done a few k miles i'll start having a look at different mods! See what everyone recommends
 
Stree said:
I'm waiting on delivery of my 2019/2020 S3 and i've been searching everywhere to find someone that has fitted a res delete on their OPF model S3. My car is leased from audi uk. My thought process is to install the res delete and upon returning the car simply restore the original resonator back to how it was, (it seems with an additional clamp due to having to cut the exhaust, but hopefully go unnoticed). Does anyone know if there are any issues with warning lights coming up after the res delete has been install on the 19/69 plate models? Also, if there would be any issues with putting original resonator back on?
Click to expand...
I hope you realise that by modifying a car owned by Audi you are breaking the terms of your lease agreement which could land you in trouble.

If they found any mods they could take the car off you and bill you for returning it to factory spec. In your case that would be a full exhaust system, which won't be cheap.

If you want to modify a car, buy it outright and then fill your boots.
 
Son of the liberty said:
Thanks, guys,

I guess the only solution is a new exhaust then :(

Not sure I want to go down that route so early on tbh.

In your experience does the sound get better with age?
Click to expand...
It depends what year s3 you picked?? if 2018 or 2019 exhaust is quieter .. older S3 like 2014 or 2015 16 are much louder .. I probably will be getting 2014 or 2015 S3
 
Stree said:
Yeah, i think i'm going to give it till at least 5k miles before i get the res delete done. By then maybe there will be a few more people that have put one on a PPF model S3
Click to expand...

This is mine 2019 PPF s3. I got my res delete the first week because the sound was so bad...

I'm happy with the res delete it gives back the dsg farts en some pops but it isn't really "louder". For me personally its not loud enough and I'm searching for a downpipe for the moment.

 
That WLTP must remove a lot of the sound. My BCS res delete on a 2017 S3 is just right in non sport mode and in S mode plenty loud around town. A downpipe and a res delete would be way too noisy and sound a bit chavvy to my ears. I had just a straight pipe res delete and took it off after one week, as it was nuts loud with awful overrun sounds, done and obnoxious cold start. The BCS version removed all those negatives.
 
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Son of the liberty said:
Thanks, guys,

I guess the only solution is a new exhaust then :(

Not sure I want to go down that route so early on tbh.

In your experience does the sound get better with age?
Click to expand...
I was also a bit disappointed with the exhaust note and my system had to be replaced at 5k miles as something went wrong. Luckily under warranty.

I have noticed the sound got a little bit better after 10k miles but very marginally.
 
Just received my downpipe today.

bye bye OPF :rockwoot:
 

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