APR Stage 1 -

[TomBlueS3]

Hi all I am a first time poster!

I currently own a S3 8v Saloon - having carried out a few minor mods I’ve now started to get the ‘bug’ ...

I think the car is fanastic and it is certainly quick but I can’t help think it’s doesn’t feel that quick...I think it may be down to the smooth linear power/torque curve and Quattro. I’ve driven cars in the past with much less BHP but they’ve felt much quicker and really shoved me back in my seat.

I’m extremely tempted in a APR Stage 1 map in a hope to improve torque and the push you back in the seat feeling - anyone with a Stage 1 able to advise how much better things are?

Is the TCU map necessary alongside it? (I have a DSG).

I don’t think my car has any issues/boost leaks as it is fast it just doesn’t feel fast. I drove an S1 recently manual transmission and that car was an animal, it really shoved me back in my seat and accelerated very quickly (I think the weight difference of this S1 and my S3 Saloon played a big part in the driving experience).

I enjoyed the S1 so much I considered swapping cars! Also for a car around the 30k mark I find the ride particular harsh and not very forgiving, I don’t think I have mag ride but I have had previous cars with coilovers so I’m used to harsh rides I just thought the Audi would be comfortable but I understand its on 19” and has low profile tires which doesn’t help things.

So if anyone can offer any comments, thoughts or advice as to whether they find other cars with less power faster or anything to do with a APR map I’m all ears

 

[Martinbanshee]

S3 Saloon here, I did the APR Stage 1 map a few months ago and wish I did it sooner. The car is now much more fun and the launch control is nuts.
It behaves so well when cruising through town at slow speeds you’d hardly know it’s mapped but now has the acceleration I expected when I bought the car. 100% recommended.
I haven’t done the TCU map yet, probably do it early next year.

 

[Marky-s3]

Well worth it and think it will feel fast enough and give the shove that you need would advise the tcu tune for peace of mind and go for the hi output stage 1 till your going for stage 2

 

[selleym]

Is it PFL or Facelift? Im pretty sure all PFL saloons had magride as standard due to the 19" wheels. Can't comment on Facelift but I'd assume it's the same. You can tell by going to the individual mode in the drive select on the MMI. If you see suspension then you have it

 

[Terminator x]

Is it PFL or Facelift? Im pretty sure all PFL saloons had magride as standard due to the 19" wheels. Can't comment on Facelift but I'd assume it's the same. You can tell by going to the individual mode in the drive select on the MMI. If you see suspension then you have it

PFL for definite as the wife owns one.

TX.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk

 

[Lehn]

If it’s a facelift and you only plan to do a stage 1 tune then a TCU flash is not necessary (wouldn’t heart though). Take a look at this thread for more information: https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/dsg-dq381-torque-capacity.379475/

If it’s a PFL the dq250 gearbox won’t be a problem either with stage 1. There’s a lot of info about stage 1 and the dq250 box longevity out there.

 

[Damo S]

Part of the reason it doesnt feel that quick (I know what you mean btw) is because it limits the boost in 1st and 2nd. I always find 2nd gear acceleration rather disappointing to be honest. Where as 3rd gear always feels pretty torquey and pulls fairly strong all the way up. Any remap sorts this out for a start so the car will feel a bucket load quicker to 60 with that plus additional boost too.
Im sure that is why 0-60 figures go from ~5 seconds to < 4 with a remap (from what people have quoted). I'm assuming Audi have done this to make the step up to the RS3 feel more worth while, otherwise people might wonder what exactly the extra 20 grand is for.

 

[Invicta]

Just make sure you go to a proper company who'll do a fully suited map for your car, heard a lot of horror stories about people mapping their S3's

 

[TomBlueS3]

Thank you everyone for the replies! Just toying between a reputable custom map or a generic APR/Revo one.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks the car doesn’t ‘feel’ as fast.

Cheers!

 

[s5joe]

Try unicorn for the map he did have some dealers around the uk but i could be wrong