My ming blue S3

I have been away on holiday to Ibiza for a week and now (in between the showers) trying to get some work done on the car. The car did the 240 mile round trip for the airport perfectly at least and averaged 41mpg. Lifted the car up and started to take off the rear brakes and remove the tie arms ready to fit new OEM upper and Cookbot adjustable rears. New OEM bolts all around. Even though the car is on OEM 1 year old springs and shocks, it’s nice to give it some adjustment to get everything perfect. Also ready to change the 3 rose bushes still in the car for the later bonded bush. At least my rose joints were not seized though! Disks and pads ready to match the front setup too.

I also took the time before I went away to remove the “lower strut brace” on the car as it was looking very tried and resprayed it satin black, just need to put some foam back where it originally was. New OEM bolts too.

 
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41mpg?! Holy cow.... that’s got to be the most economic S3 on here mate ;) mines doing 29mpg on a good day


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S3AMJ said:
41mpg?! Holy cow.... that’s got to be the most economic S3 on here mate ;) mines doing 29mpg on a good day


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I did just over 240 miles and still have over 1/2 tank, I am very gentle with it. Usually cruise on a motorway at 60mph. When I took my last one to Belgium and back, it did 46mpg and over 500 miles to a tank.
 
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Vex182 said:
I did just over 240 miles and still have over 1/2 tank, I am very gentle with it. Usually cruise on a motorway at 60mph. When I took my last one to Belgium and back, it did 46mpg and over 500 miles to a tank.
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How are you calculating that mate? I’m just trying to do the maths and at 500 miles per tank (62 litres) that would work out at 36.6mpg. You sure it’s not secretly got a PD Diesel engine in it :p


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S3AMJ said:
How are you calculating that mate? I’m just trying to do the maths and at 500 miles per tank (62 litres) that would work out at 36.6mpg. You sure it’s not secretly got a PD Diesel engine in it :p


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Just gentle driving at 60mph on cruise control.

 
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I managed in between the showers to get the o/s tie arms swapped over. Adjustable fitted to the bottom and a new OEM top. Rose bushes now swapped over on this side for the newer bonded bush version.

Also fitted my new disk and pads and did a quick spray over on the brake caliper to tidy it up. All new OEM bolts fitted for the brake carrier and tie arms. Just waiting on new lower shock bolts as I never replaced them last time I had them off.

Hopefully if the weather is ok this week I can get the other side done! Will clean up the arch liners before the wheels go back on.

 
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Cleaned up the wheel arch and primered, painted and lacquered it all to make it look fresh. Also replaced the upper spring rubber seat as the original had seen better days! Now this wheel is back on the ground, I will make a start on the other side.





 
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So finished off the rear suspension work and replaced all bolts for new and ended up with a collection of old bits! Sent the car in for a alignment afterwards which made a great difference to the handling.







I then decided to paint the dog one mount as looking under the car, it was letting that area down, my subframe is pretty much rust free which is nice. Cleaned the corrosion off the mount and some Hamerite later, it looked better. Also refitted the painted lower strut brace from a few weeks ago back on. Used new bolts for the dogbone and lower strut brace of course. Both front wiper arms could do with a blow over of satin black so will try and get them whipped off this week and sorted. Only driven the car 400 miles this year so will have to start using it next year a bit more now I am pretty happy with it.



 
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Great work there mate. This is exactly what I’m hoping to get done on mine at some point this year.
I’m just starting to collect parts for when I come to do it.


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Daniel M said:
Great work there mate. This is exactly what I’m hoping to get done on mine at some point this year.
I’m just starting to collect parts for when I come to do it.


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Nice one. I’m just replacing parts as and when is needed or look like they are starting to fail. Mostly OEM or similar standard rather than modified parts is what I am after. Anything that needs a lick of paint I’ll do too. Keeping everything tidy.
 
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Well, its been 6 months since I updated this. I’ve done a few other jobs on the S3 since then. I decided to take the plunge and buy a Milltek exhaust new when I was on holiday, non res system so that was waiting for me when I got back from Vietnam at the start of the year.



The standard system is still is very good nick so I have kept that aside in the shed. The car as expected did not feel any different on the road apart from a very slight extra noise on boost which was nice. Still quieter than my Mountune Fiesta that has a similar exhaust setup. While on holiday, I had also been looking at 3” downpipes, I certainly wanted a good fitting setup and certainly wanted a CAT too. After looking into a few setups, BAF motorsport had a good deal on a custom downpipe fitted so I booked in for early February. I sourced a middle exhaust hanger as it was missing on my middle too.



Had the downpipe fitted and sports CAT. Car feels more torquey now and sounds great under boost but no light on from the second O2 sensor which is nice. Only problem I had was a power steering pipe had been moved when the subframe had been dropped and it had split. It was a ticking time bomb when I found the corrosion on the part of the pipe. Once home, I ordered a genuine replacement pipe, fitted and bled the system and all was good.

Next I purchased a replacement rocker cover that had been sand blasted, gave it a little sand and painted it. I know you don’t see it because I have the covers on but it is nice to know it I there!



The only other things done since the “lockdown” has been on is that I decided to sound proof the S3 a bit more. Added Dynamat and the foam to the front doors and just Dynamat to the rear 1/4s and boot sides.





Then I did a full service inc, all oils and filters inc. the rear diff as I never did that when I first got the car. The jar has the Haldex oil in and the bottles show the diff fluid before and after.

 
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Just be aware with AwesomeGTi they never have anything in stock, I’ve ordered a load of things from them recently and they pretty much order on demand and with that, they get it delivered to them, then send it out to you. If there’s anything coming from abroad, expect delays.


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Hi @Vex182

Those BAF downpipes caught my eye. You say it is custom, I was under the impression they are all made from a jig? You say there is no light, but has it been through a MOT yet?

If I lived closer I'd pay for BAF to fit. As I don't, I'm considering this as well as a Pipewerx. The Pipewerx is known to be a good fit and quality. Just costs a bit more :(

Keep up the good work!
 
vanilla_ice said:
Hi @Vex182

Those BAF downpipes caught my eye. You say it is custom, I was under the impression they are all made from a jig? You say there is no light, but has it been through a MOT yet?

If I lived closer I'd pay for BAF to fit. As I don't, I'm considering this as well as a Pipewerx. The Pipewerx is known to be a good fit and quality. Just costs a bit more :(

Keep up the good work!
Click to expand...

Yeh the downpipe is done a jig and then he added the cat which I asked for and adjusted it for the system on my car for me. They will custom the system for the pipe size you have, the miltek is smaller than 3”. For me, it was a 210 mile round trip. It’s not been through a MOT yet, it is due in 7 days but can’t get one of course.
 
I always enjoy seeing your thread updates bud. Motivates me to tidy my car up. Like the sound deadening! I intend on doing this in my boot once I’ve sorted a new methanol tank, etc.


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Love this thread!!!! What polish or wax you use on body? Looks show shine condition
 
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I came across a photo on Instagram of a stereo with the later style knobs on it but was unable to get more details on how it was done as the owner would not reply to my messages. I traced it back to the later models with power button in the centre lower console. (PN: 4F0919070].

I had to trim the centre part down and the silver knob a bit to get a good fit, ended up damaging one so had to order another! I do think it adds a little to the stereo though. Fit is good and it sits in as snug as the originals once fettled with.





 
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This thread is helpful on so many levels, thank you. There's so much info and with great pictures and it's all really clear. I can't say enough good things things. Very motivating!

A few questions, having purchased an '03 S3 this spring with similar mileage:

1. Where did you source the LCR Brembos? I'm in Canada so we don't have the Leon Cupra here. Is there a more general name or part number for these calipers? Or anything you'd recommend instead?

2. Where's the sports cat from? BAF as well?

3. In your personal opinion, do you think the H&R arbs (25mm & 21mm) are overkill for no more than stage 1 power? I know these aren't what you're running, just curious if you can hypothesize about going another size up given you've tweaked the rear already.

Thanks, I'll probably end up with more questions. I really appreciate how comprehensive this is; if everybody's S3 got the same attention yours does, they'd all be mint.
 
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