S3 exhaust sound - improves with age?

[jaypers777]

Ok, so I don't do massive mileage in my baby. Now 19 months old and covered around 8,000 miles. What's really surprised me is how much the exhaust sounds have improved over time. I realise that this is no V6 but the sound coming from my pipes now is absolutely tremendous. Others have also commented on it........I have an addiction to making a few pops when I drive through the barrier at work as it echoes quite nicely there. And as for tunnels.......brilliant. Am I imagining this or is it a case that as parts wear in and maybe the changes with the interior exhaust coating causes this effect?

 

[batch]

No you're definitely on to something here. Mine did the same. And also noticeably improved when I fitted my CTS inlet elbow as well.

 

[WarwickL]

Started from a low base so doesn't take much to get that placebo effect

It's a little 4 pot, it tries, but really, it's not that good.

 

[RAF_S7]

There is a break-in period for new exhausts, so its not unusual for the exhaust note to change after a couple of thousand miles.

 

[batch]

Started from a low base so doesn't take much to get that placebo effect

It's a little 4 pot, it tries, but really, it's not that good.

Ok let's put things in perspective - it sounds good for a 4-pot.
That better?!

 

[simonali]

It's a little 4 pot, it tries, but really, it's not that good.

But look how many tail pipes you get!

 

[Simon L]

Ok, so I don't do massive mileage in my baby. Now 19 months old and covered around 8,000 miles. What's really surprised me is how much the exhaust sounds have improved over time. I realise that this is no V6 but the sound coming from my pipes now is absolutely tremendous. Others have also commented on it........I have an addiction to making a few pops when I drive through the barrier at work as it echoes quite nicely there. And as for tunnels.......brilliant. Am I imagining this or is it a case that as parts wear in and maybe the changes with the interior exhaust coating causes this effect?

Completely agree mate. I've only covered about 4.5k but it's noticeably throatier than new

For me, like everything else about the car, it's the perfect compromise. Quiet and refined round town and nice and lively sounding when yer giving it welly!!

Was creeping along the M25 the other week next to a brand new Mustang. I'm not gonna lie it sounded fantastic but around town with the missus I think it would start to p1ss me off after a while....................and I know it would p1ss her off!! lol

 

[pburv]

Completely agree mate. I've only covered about 4.5k but it's noticeably throatier than new

For me, like everything else about the car, it's the perfect compromise. Quiet and refined round town and nice and lively sounding when yer giving it welly!!

Was creeping along the M25 the other week next to a brand new Mustang. I'm not gonna lie it sounded fantastic but around town with the missus I think it would start to p1ss me off after a while....................and I know it would p1ss her off!! lol

I think once the exhaust starts to get sooted up it will change the character of the exhaust note...
Well it makes sense in my mind ..lol

 

[jungle650]

I agree mine is louder: need to get a tunnel bit recorded as its great through them, but here is mine. Its no RS3 but it has its own charm.

Jungle

 

[RO65ERS]

I find it very hit and miss.
sometimes I'm in love with the noise, and then others I'm thinking it needs turning up, a lot.

all I know is I'm moving away from 4 pots for noise.

 

[simonali]

Many years ago when I was younger and stupider I had a Xsara VTS with a RamAir foam induction kit and Jetex Laser exhaust (remember them?!) and that combo used to have TVR drivers looking around to see what was drowning out the sound of their car!

 

[batch]

Many years ago when I was younger and stupider I had a Xsara VTS with a RamAir foam induction kit and Jetex Laser exhaust (remember them?!) and that combo used to have TVR drivers looking around to see what was drowning out the sound of their car!

I tell you what, Jetex were (are) very high quality systems. Swedish I believe? Had one on a Golf VR6. Superb piece of kit.

 

[simonali]

Maybe I'm stupider now because I never really made the point that was I was intending to ie that the engine in that car was one of the nicest sounding inline fours that I can recall and that those bits I put on it enhanced that noise considerably. Only when it wasn't broken down, though. That happened rather a lot!

I did see one of the few that haven't been scrapped the other week and still thought it sounded really good.

 

[pburv]

Many years ago when I was younger and stupider I had a Xsara VTS with a RamAir foam induction kit and Jetex Laser exhaust (remember them?!) and that combo used to have TVR drivers looking around to see what was drowning out the sound of their car!

I know it's off topic ..lol but after reading your post it brought back memories from back in the 90's when I was looking for a car and one of them was the vts....

It was similar to this one...lol The other car I was after at that time was a renault 19 16v...

..Had many test drives in both cars but ended up buying anAstra SI 1.4....go figure...
l

Apologies for going slightly off topic ...lol

 

[simonali]

Probably a lucky escape from the rollercoaster known as French car ownership! This would be a very long post if I made a list of the things that went wrong with that pile o' shyte.

 

[pburv]

Probably a lucky escape from the rollercoaster known as French car ownership! This would be a very long post if I made a list of the things that went wrong with that pile o' shyte.

Lol...

 

[Simon L]

Probably a lucky escape from the rollercoaster known as French car ownership! This would be a very long post if I made a list of the things that went wrong with that pile o' shyte.

............emmmm, I second that. Had a Citreon once...............dear oh dear, what was I thinking??!! lol

 

[........]

Right l don't like my S3 for the reasons most know on here,so l won't go into that,but....coming home from work today cracking day by the way....l had the pano-roof open and l went under bridge....that l go thousands of times... Really l was kicking it's derriere.... As l hit under the bridge... I heard this awesome sound...****...l thought that's my car making that...noise it sounded very RS3.... Lol

But it probably sounds like that all the time..... What l know fact is the car...really loosens up around 8/9k miles...so Simon you've another year to wait for that
.....lol

 

[jungle650]

I know it's off topic ..lol but after reading your post it brought back memories from back in the 90's when I was looking for a car and one of them was the vts....

It was similar to this one...lol The other car I was after at that time was a renault 19 16v...
View attachment 98361 ..Had many test drives in both cars but ended up buying anAstra SI 1.4....go figure...
l View attachment 98362
Apologies for going slightly off topic ...lol

Of the many cars I have had. The R19 16v cham was a cracker. Blue with black leather, sunroof etc. Loved it. Then moved onto Jap turbo cars!! Rear wheel fun and a lot to learn!

Aah those were the days when circa150-200bhp were big numbers.!

Aah fond memories.....

Jungle

 

[........]

Completely agree mate. I've only covered about 4.5k but it's noticeably throatier than new

For me, like everything else about the car, it's the perfect compromise. Quiet and refined round town and nice and lively sounding when yer giving it welly!!

Was creeping along the M25 the other week next to a brand new Mustang. I'm not gonna lie it sounded fantastic but around town with the missus I think it would start to p1ss me off after a while....................and I know it would p1ss her off!! lol

There's a job on the next series of Top Gear...if your interested.....lol

 

[4K]

I've definitely noticed it. Done 13K in mine now, after purchasing last October, and I make it roar through coveted and populated areas, just to give the local yocals something to enjoy, and smell.

 

[4K]

Started from a low base so doesn't take much to get that placebo effect

It's a little 4 pot, it tries, but really, it's not that good.

It sounds better than the 4 pot in the A45 AMG. That sounds like artificial garbage IMO.

 

[jaypers777]

Went through the tunnels on the A55 into North Wales today. Windows open and goosed it in dynamic. Spits and pops sounded awesome.

 

[pburv]

Went through the tunnels on the A55 into North Wales today. Windows open and goosed it in dynamic. Spits and pops sounded awesome.

Your lucky mate every time I go through them there is always to much traffic.

 

[jaypers777]

Your lucky mate every time I go through them there is always to much traffic.

All about timing..........slow down to about 40 after leaving a big enough gap so you don't p*** anyone off and then put your foot down. 70 limit through those tunnels. Childish but fun!

 

[pburv]

All about timing..........slow down to about 40 after leaving a big enough gap so you don't p*** anyone off and then put your foot down. 70 limit through those tunnels. Childish but fun!

Lol Like it...
What were you up to around my neck of the woods..?

 

[jaypers777]

Lol Like it...
What were you up to around my neck of the woods..?

Couple of weeks away in gorgeous North Wales (Anglesey). Holiday time.......sitting in great rented cottage by the sea drinking beer right now.

 

[davc]

20k on mine now, flaps deactivated with vcds and the noise is grrrrrrrreat lol.

A few peeps have asked if I changed my exhaust system.

 

[pburv]

Couple of weeks away in gorgeous North Wales (Anglesey). Holiday time.......sitting in great rented cottage by the sea drinking beer right now.

You do realise that at this present time you and me have the only S3 white saloons for miles around...Since I got mine back in November I have not seen another one around...
Where on Anglesey are you holidaying?
Edit......
I read the wrong avatar info above davc's lol
He's not with you on Anglesey is he?...lol
Either way hope you have a great time....

 

[jungle650]

So a slight tangent on the thread.... saw this on Carthrottle Instagram this morning and it made be Chuckle, even brought a smile on Mrs Jungle's face ... so guys n girls what do you think best mimics the S3 and RS3 exhaust / engine sounds.. @batch , @pburv , @Rob2k68 , @jassyo06 , @jaypers777 use your imagination... what u got!... Example 2 is a classic!

Example 1

Example 2


Jungle

 

[pburv]

So a slight tangent on the thread.... saw this on Carthrottle Instagram this morning and it made be Chuckle, even brought a smile on Mrs Jungle's face ... so guys n girls what do you think best mimics the S3 and RS3 exhaust / engine sounds.. @batch , @pburv , @Rob2k68 , @jassyo06 , @jaypers777 use your imigination... what u got!... Example 2 is a classic!

Example 1

Example 2


Jungle

Can't even think of doing anything this early in the morning...But did a little search and came up with this dude...lol

 

[batch]

Love it! There's a great one doing the rounds on Facebook at the moment but I can't figure out how to share it here.