Dre's S3 adventure :)

[dre_S3]

The car is all booked in at unti18 in milton keynes on thursday for all the above to be fitted also got hold of some adjustable rear tie rods for a good deal should be here tomo, so i will get them fitted to as im getting the 4 wheel hunter alignment done with the other bits to.

picked up some GL5 Oil for the rear diff will get that done soon, also got some 5mm spacers for the rears when i fit my BBS CHs back on when the weather gets better, and i got some philips hid lights 6000k white should look alot better then the 4200k that are on there so got a few bits to do including fitting the FMIC

dre

 

[S3_NDJ]

Looking smart loving the heko's

 

[dre_S3]

cheers Nick

Got all of this fitted at Unit18 and im very happy with the results was a long as i need to wait but well worh it

Ali and the crew there done a great job at a really good price, did not have time to do 4 wheel hunter alighnment so going to get that done next week sometime, but the car feels great round corners now the r32 arb and powerflex trailing are bushes make a big difference for sure.

I ordered some rear adjustable tie rods but they did not come in time to get them fitted on the day but it works out i dont need them as the tie new rods i fitted were slighty longer then the ones that come off the top plus i fitted the super pro camber bushes and its made my camber spot on

There were a few problems the rear brake lines to the callipers had seen better days so they replaced them the rose bushes were that seized the hubs had to come off and get them pressed out, they did have the special tool to do it on the car but they would not budge 3 of the rose bushes went back in nice and tight but 1 could be pushed in and out by hand as the old bush corroded some of the hub it sat nice and flush just not tight enough in the hole so they had to spot weld it in place which done the job otherwise its a new whole rear hub

some pictures from yesterday

hubs off

the old brake lines

old trailing arm bush

new rose bushes in

the rose bush that i could slip though

new tierods in the top one with super bro camber bushes which done the job

 

[dre_S3]

powerflex trailing arm bushes in

new brake lines fitted

R32 arb and super pro bushes fitted

and i checked my camber today and happy days

drivers side

near side

 

[Sam_]

Surely you want a little bit of camber?

 

[dre_S3]

Maybe a little Sam but its so much better then before I'm still waiting for my adjustables to come through as the dumb courier driver sent them somewhere else as Ali at unti18 said he could wack them on when he does the hunter alighment next week and if I change my set up one day it will make sense to have the adjustable a on

 

[Jason.s]

Glad you're happy with the work. Been there today having my coilovers and alignment done and was chatting about yours. He said about the bush falling through the arm and having to weld it lol.

 

[dre_S3]

Glad you're happy with the work. Been there today having my coilovers and alignment done and was chatting about yours. He said about the bush falling through the arm and having to weld it lol.

yeah cheers mate glad I found someone who can do the jobs I hate or can't do. Always something goes wrong aswell seems all ok that rose bush do all good lol

 

[dre_S3]

at last i got my tie rods through seem very good quality quite heavy and solid

today i am going to attempt fitting the FMIC kit i have

will post up later when all done if the weather holds out the weather said yesterday bright all day and it was snowing about half hour ago

dre

 

[dre_S3]

Didn't get to do my FMIC will get it done this weekend coming hopefully it will be a warmer day, then I will be booking it in for a remap in the near future. All the bushes have now been changed on the car and she is running with no faults so I think the car is ready not sure if I should go custom map or not though ?

 

[dre_S3]

Managed to fit the FMIC today not a bad job but took for ever to finish, fitted all new silicone hoses including the top boost hoses to and painted the grill surround gloss black. i just managed to fit the bumper back on it was a very tight fit and does push out on the bottom a little but cant tell unless you trying to line up the screw holes around the arch Big thanks to my mate Steve for giving me a hand to


first took of the bumper and took out the grill

udone the lights

cut the crash bar

took tray and battery out

SMIC out

top hoses off

cut the bracket and painted fit at the front of the lock

lined up th fmic

new top boost hoses on

 

[dre_S3]

made a bracket for the horns

and keyed and primed my grill surrond

everything is back on now
i will take some pictures tomo when its light

dre

 

[Westy]

You might find your grill will chip. Ive found that wrapping it has been the best solution.

 

[dre_S3]

did key it up well and give it 3 coats of high build primer Westy so hopefully last awhile, took some pictures love the look of the intercooler through the bottom grill

dre

 

[s3dave]

Loving the work mate, your attention to detail pays off for sure...

 

[dre_S3]

Cheers Dave :icon_thumright: Glad It's all done now, got my insurance and road tax over the next month so I have got to put getting the car tuned till after that as Its gonna skint me out for awhile

 

[dre_S3]

got myself a few new bits i sold my Forge 007 DV awhile back and i have been using my standard bocsh Dv which is fine but im going to get the car tunned soon so i got a forge 008 DV feels well built and more heavy then the 007

also got a great deal on a set of Koni FSD s in perfect working order for £150 delivered got some 30mm apex springs to go with them that should be here tomo

dre

 

[dre_S3]

got my 30mm Apex springs today going to get these fitted with the shocks and adjustable tie bars soon then take it for a 4 wheel hunter alignment

 

[S3_NDJ]

Hey
Could you tell me all of the bulb sizes and exactly what make ur interior bulbs are as im interested in buying everything u bout on the interior lights ! ?
Did u buy them as a set ???? Cheers

 

[Sidey]

new tierods in the top one with super bro camber bushes which done the job

Excellent update mate, Car is going to feel better than brand new.

Quick question, on the super pro camber bushes, does it still use the stock bolts? So all it basically does is move the control arm out slightly to get rid of the camber.

 

[dre_S3]

Hey
Could you tell me all of the bulb sizes and exactly what make ur interior bulbs are as im interested in buying everything u bout on the interior lights ! ?
Did u buy them as a set ???? Cheers

i have all my receipts when I have time I will have a look I got them of ebay worked out around £40 I think

 

[dre_S3]

Excellent update mate, Car is going to feel better than brand new.

Quick question, on the super pro camber bushes, does it still use the stock bolts? So all it basically does is move the control arm out slightly to get rid of the camber.

thanks mate car feels solid now with the camber bushes you still use the stock bolts yes and what you have said above is correct

 

[S3_NDJ]

Yea let me know when u have the sizes would be a gr8 help but thanks .... also ur car lookin sweet m8

 

[dre_S3]

Nick i cant seem to find the recipts i got them on ebay and im sure someone on here was doing a deal on the lot and there should be a list on what you need to somewhere ?



I manged to fit my koni shocks LCR Top mounts and apex springs on the weekend the ride is a little harsher but still a nice drive i did just do a right up but the site decided to sign me out so i have to do it again with less detail as i cant be f**ked to do it again

some photos my rear shocks were f**ked push them down and took about an hour to raise back up

OSR SPRING AND SHOCK CHANGE

All fitted

NSR Shock and spring change

LCR Top mounts and part number

NSF shock, spring and top mount stripped and fitted

OSF

Going to let it settle for a couple of weeks then i will take a picture of the stance of the car

 

[dre_S3]

All booked in for tomorrow for a 4 wheel hunter alignment it really needs it after changing the suspension set up and having the rear hubs off when the rose and trailing arm bushes were changed should feel nicely setup when done

 

[s3dave]

Makes a massive difference mate, enjoy the twisties...

 

[dre_S3]

Yeah looking forward to it Dave I need to pass about thousand roundabouts to get back from Milton Keynes so will give it a good test drive lol

 

[S3_NDJ]

No worries m8 iol ifnd them somewhere thanks for lookin

 

[dre_S3]

The car is all done and feels nicely set up now I really pushed it on the way home and even though it 0 temp outside she did not disappoint and stuck to road like glue really happy with the car at the mo and I feel the time has come to get it mapped soon. Got my mot this weekend so hopefully that pasts then I will give Bill a ring for a custom map

 

[dre_S3]

Unit 18 having my alighnment done

and my rear camber is set up just under 1 neg on both sides now

otherside

also took of my front bumper and raised my FMIC and trimmed the inside of the bumper as i was not happy with the fitment i adjusted the pipes to, seems alot better now

also fitted my Philips 600k bulbs

much better fitment now

dre

 

[dre_S3]

got my R8 oil cap through and drained my oil catch can was quite dirty this time round

 

[hp3soj]

great thread and nice work
i will be looking to get myself an s3 in a couple of months i cant wait

 

[dre_S3]

just been going over the car as i have an MOT tomo and the front hid level bracket had undone from the lower arm (wishbone) so sorted that just pushes back on hopefully stays, eveything else seems to be in tip top shape so hopefully passes. I also manged to find a exhaust rubber that fits just behind the back box and fitted that make the system more sturdy

dre

 

[dre_S3]

Just got back from the Mot garage and it flew through not 1 problem he even said every bush looks new lol

 

[hp3soj]

great news this topic has made me very wet to get my s3 just about 2 months more saving to do.
i have an 03 a3 tdi 130ps atm and im going to replace it with an s3 of similar age
many of the things you have done i will be trying to do
i am not a mechanic and will be learning as i go following guides online and asking for help here
getting and putting some brembos on will be my first task
would you say that replacing the calipers will be hard for an amateur?

 

[dre_S3]

Cool mate hope you find a good un when the time comes.
changing the brakes Is quite an easy job, I found bleeding them after and getting a decent pedal more of chor

 

[dre_S3]

fitted my Forge 008 Dv today and a new N75 valve as i have had a fault code come up a couple of times seems to be holding boost much better now. Got the car booked in at Bills next month for a tune up so need everything to ok as its quite a drive there and back.

Forge 008 DV and new N75 Valve

fitting a shim and green spring to the 008 dv

old Bosch dv and n75 out

new dv and n75 on

tomo im going to give the car a good clean and wax and fit my 18" BBS CH s and rear spacers now the weather seems to be getting better

dre

 

[dre_S3]

Fitted my 18" BBS chs gave them and good clean and wax before fitting them, wax the car and cleaned and re sprayed my brembos and rear breaks also fitted my rear spacers. The car has seemed to settle a little more since putting the Apex 30mm springs on a couple of weeks ago liking the look now .

my drivers side headlight has steemed up since i washed the car may have to take it out ? i may have moved something or not put it back right when i had them out to do the intercooler or changed the bulbs ?

BBS out of the garage

cleaned and waxed

OSF

OSR

spacer on

NSF

NSR

Few pics of the car now

dre

 

[Jason.s]

Certainly been busy lately lol. Looks good!

 

[dre_S3]

Thanks Jason been very busy with cars lately its not the only one I'm working on, trying to get my clio Williams ready for the summer to