Anyone running a S3 Sportback?
Discussion
I think I've figured it
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=115...
So it's the same engine as my wife's 2005 golf GTi? Just running a different turbo potentially and upgraded internals?
(Her car uses no oil)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=115...
So it's the same engine as my wife's 2005 golf GTi? Just running a different turbo potentially and upgraded internals?
(Her car uses no oil)
That's the unit it is more than just slightly upgraded however, new pistons, rods, block, head etc.
Oil wise I need to top up with 1lr in between every service since mapping never had the low oil light on, seriously uneconomical driving affects oil usage somewhat
Pre-mapping the dealers would report "low" oil on servicing but not below min. The difference between min and max is only 1ltr. A stage 2+ map is an aggressive map so the increased oil consumption doesn't concern me, I do however have the cam follower and lobe checked yearly. No signs of needing replacement currently.
My seal replacement was IIRC £450 and mostly labour.
EA113 units have a known issue with cam lobe wear which afflicts standard and mapped vehicles. linky.
Oil wise I need to top up with 1lr in between every service since mapping never had the low oil light on, seriously uneconomical driving affects oil usage somewhat
Pre-mapping the dealers would report "low" oil on servicing but not below min. The difference between min and max is only 1ltr. A stage 2+ map is an aggressive map so the increased oil consumption doesn't concern me, I do however have the cam follower and lobe checked yearly. No signs of needing replacement currently.
My seal replacement was IIRC £450 and mostly labour.
EA113 units have a known issue with cam lobe wear which afflicts standard and mapped vehicles. linky.
Apologies for the late reply....
Well, after 2 weeks and about 350 miles under the belt (A,B, M roads and around town/traffic) the S3 is proving to be absolutely brilliant. Exactly what we were looking for. Plan was to upgrade from our mini cooper to a slightly larger 4 door car, easy to drive with a decent boot and a bit more power. Preferably either FWD or 4 wheel drive for the winter months.
The S3 Sportback on paper looked like the perfect choice. After looking around for a long time at alternatives this sprint blue S3 Sportback came up for sale. On test drive it ticked all the boxes, easy to drive, good visibility and had all the power you really needed to go about your business. Build quality is excellent and has all the toys you could want. Ours has DSG gear box which is astonishingly smooth and responsive. In Manual Sport mode the shifts up and down are INSTANT, seamless and you can hold onto the revs if you like. In normal "D" mode car moves quickly through the gears for best economy, even at low speeds about town. Nonetheless you can feel the torque even at 2,000rpm and car pulls well even up in the high gears at low speeds.
Steering is very light at low speeds, so around town and parking its nice and easy. Once you pick up some speed the steering firms up. Steering rack speed is acceptable and turns in nicely.
The car we bought has the added bonus of the MAG ride. I drove it to Sunday service at Silverstone Porsche last weekend using the A413 in stead of the M40 on purpose. Half way with MAG ride disabled (normal driving mode) and the rest of the way MAG turned on. With the MAG ride dampers turned on car felt firm, well composed, direct and sporty. With MAG ride turn on suspension is not at all crashy. However on very bumpy roads you may consider keeping the MAG ride disabled.
On the way up to Silverstone the weather was atrocious with heavy rain and very wet roads. S3 handled the conditions and road surface beautifully even when hurried along by my friend behind me in a TVR cerb. At a standing start in the pissing wet the S3 should be able to see off most cars (within reason) as it lays the power down without breaking traction effortlessly. Even with your foot mashed down.
The sound of the S3's exhaust is non-offensive and can be hear discreetly in the back ground. Nice touch.
There are lots of people out there that poo poo Audi's for not being fun to drive and understeery, even the S and RS models. I disagree. Ok you wont get the feel of a GT3 but that's not what the S3 is about. Its stealthy fast, practical, v.comfortable and when you do what to have a bit of fun you can do so knowing it wont turn around an bite you. You can tell there is a good measure of safety dialed into the car.
MPG i would say is ok. when a little more vigorous with the throttle inevitably the car tends to drink. Average say 25-28 about town and 35-37 on motorway.
We also have a Smart car and Integra Type R in the fleet so this S3 was what was missing when is came to a "sensible and practical car"
We do not have kids yet but find the rear seats more than sufficient. I am 5.8" and have no problem getting in the back. Boot is surprisingly large and easy access. Dropping the rear seats gives you a good size pay load if you wish to go to IKEA.
Here are a few pic.
Hope you find what you are looking for! let me know if you have any questions.
Well, after 2 weeks and about 350 miles under the belt (A,B, M roads and around town/traffic) the S3 is proving to be absolutely brilliant. Exactly what we were looking for. Plan was to upgrade from our mini cooper to a slightly larger 4 door car, easy to drive with a decent boot and a bit more power. Preferably either FWD or 4 wheel drive for the winter months.
The S3 Sportback on paper looked like the perfect choice. After looking around for a long time at alternatives this sprint blue S3 Sportback came up for sale. On test drive it ticked all the boxes, easy to drive, good visibility and had all the power you really needed to go about your business. Build quality is excellent and has all the toys you could want. Ours has DSG gear box which is astonishingly smooth and responsive. In Manual Sport mode the shifts up and down are INSTANT, seamless and you can hold onto the revs if you like. In normal "D" mode car moves quickly through the gears for best economy, even at low speeds about town. Nonetheless you can feel the torque even at 2,000rpm and car pulls well even up in the high gears at low speeds.
Steering is very light at low speeds, so around town and parking its nice and easy. Once you pick up some speed the steering firms up. Steering rack speed is acceptable and turns in nicely.
The car we bought has the added bonus of the MAG ride. I drove it to Sunday service at Silverstone Porsche last weekend using the A413 in stead of the M40 on purpose. Half way with MAG ride disabled (normal driving mode) and the rest of the way MAG turned on. With the MAG ride dampers turned on car felt firm, well composed, direct and sporty. With MAG ride turn on suspension is not at all crashy. However on very bumpy roads you may consider keeping the MAG ride disabled.
On the way up to Silverstone the weather was atrocious with heavy rain and very wet roads. S3 handled the conditions and road surface beautifully even when hurried along by my friend behind me in a TVR cerb. At a standing start in the pissing wet the S3 should be able to see off most cars (within reason) as it lays the power down without breaking traction effortlessly. Even with your foot mashed down.
The sound of the S3's exhaust is non-offensive and can be hear discreetly in the back ground. Nice touch.
There are lots of people out there that poo poo Audi's for not being fun to drive and understeery, even the S and RS models. I disagree. Ok you wont get the feel of a GT3 but that's not what the S3 is about. Its stealthy fast, practical, v.comfortable and when you do what to have a bit of fun you can do so knowing it wont turn around an bite you. You can tell there is a good measure of safety dialed into the car.
MPG i would say is ok. when a little more vigorous with the throttle inevitably the car tends to drink. Average say 25-28 about town and 35-37 on motorway.
We also have a Smart car and Integra Type R in the fleet so this S3 was what was missing when is came to a "sensible and practical car"
We do not have kids yet but find the rear seats more than sufficient. I am 5.8" and have no problem getting in the back. Boot is surprisingly large and easy access. Dropping the rear seats gives you a good size pay load if you wish to go to IKEA.
Here are a few pic.
Hope you find what you are looking for! let me know if you have any questions.
Edited by zorba_the_greek on Sunday 20th October 14:10
dododo said:
Hmmm - I have a 2010 S3 Sportback and notice that our cars differ slightly, what plate is yours?
On mine, the cigarette lighter is in the same position but recessed slightly and under a spring loaded flap. And I don't have that button you do below it, what is that?
Its a 2009On mine, the cigarette lighter is in the same position but recessed slightly and under a spring loaded flap. And I don't have that button you do below it, what is that?
The button below the cigarette lighter is the "MAG" right button. Think it was a £800 - 1000 extra.
With the push of the button it firms up the suspension dampers. I believe its popular on the Audi TT's and R8.
Maracus said:
matts4 said:
I'd discounted the DSG as the potential for issues *might* arise as it gets older, well that was my thinking.
I presume a re map works ok with the DSG, it's not too much extra strain?
I guess there is not the issue of clutch burning out with DSG though? (my old 8L S3 did the clutch 2 weeks after the re map)
I spoke with Ed at APS about the ED30, DSG or Manual for a remap. He said the manual will soon need a new clutch whereas the DSG is more than upto the job.I presume a re map works ok with the DSG, it's not too much extra strain?
I guess there is not the issue of clutch burning out with DSG though? (my old 8L S3 did the clutch 2 weeks after the re map)
Good choice....very discreet and a certain classy mature well constructed feel to it.
Great prospect of turning it into a serious quick ickle car.
I run an Edition 30...manual box but same all be it de-tuned S3 lump. It is currently running Stage 1 custom software and other bits and bobs with 310bhp.
With the S3 you can do lots and run nearly 380+ bhp with APR Motorsport APRUK based at Milton Keynes who back the Audi Factory Race Teams and Koni challenge cars. They have just bought out a new map for stage 2+ running a high flow fuel pump. VWR intake and APR RSC exhaust system. If manual you'll need an uprated clutch running these levels of power but DSG box is fine. You can also run Haldex controller to run more power to the rear....great for track.....you'll need uprated pads and fluid though....or a big brake kit......in this form your S3 will worry some pretty exotic stuff....feels much quicker than a B7 RS4!!
Great prospect of turning it into a serious quick ickle car.
I run an Edition 30...manual box but same all be it de-tuned S3 lump. It is currently running Stage 1 custom software and other bits and bobs with 310bhp.
With the S3 you can do lots and run nearly 380+ bhp with APR Motorsport APRUK based at Milton Keynes who back the Audi Factory Race Teams and Koni challenge cars. They have just bought out a new map for stage 2+ running a high flow fuel pump. VWR intake and APR RSC exhaust system. If manual you'll need an uprated clutch running these levels of power but DSG box is fine. You can also run Haldex controller to run more power to the rear....great for track.....you'll need uprated pads and fluid though....or a big brake kit......in this form your S3 will worry some pretty exotic stuff....feels much quicker than a B7 RS4!!
Msportman said:
Good choice....very discreet and a certain classy mature well constructed feel to it.
Great prospect of turning it into a serious quick ickle car.
I run an Edition 30...manual box but same all be it de-tuned S3 lump. It is currently running Stage 1 custom software and other bits and bobs with 310bhp.
With the S3 you can do lots and run nearly 380+ bhp with APR Motorsport APRUK based at Milton Keynes who back the Audi Factory Race Teams and Koni challenge cars. They have just bought out a new map for stage 2+ running a high flow fuel pump. VWR intake and APR RSC exhaust system. If manual you'll need an uprated clutch running these levels of power but DSG box is fine. You can also run Haldex controller to run more power to the rear....great for track.....you'll need uprated pads and fluid though....or a big brake kit......in this form your S3 will worry some pretty exotic stuff....feels much quicker than a B7 RS4!!
In my experience the controller does little for the cars with Gen 4 Haldex (2008 +). The system already operates near 50/50 before slip in most situations where you'd want it to, and regularly does rear bias in slip situations. Save your cash.Great prospect of turning it into a serious quick ickle car.
I run an Edition 30...manual box but same all be it de-tuned S3 lump. It is currently running Stage 1 custom software and other bits and bobs with 310bhp.
With the S3 you can do lots and run nearly 380+ bhp with APR Motorsport APRUK based at Milton Keynes who back the Audi Factory Race Teams and Koni challenge cars. They have just bought out a new map for stage 2+ running a high flow fuel pump. VWR intake and APR RSC exhaust system. If manual you'll need an uprated clutch running these levels of power but DSG box is fine. You can also run Haldex controller to run more power to the rear....great for track.....you'll need uprated pads and fluid though....or a big brake kit......in this form your S3 will worry some pretty exotic stuff....feels much quicker than a B7 RS4!!
zorba_the_greek said:
Hay Matts4,
Have you taken the plunge?
Not yet. The one I had planned to drive was sold before I had chance, then I've been doing family stuff/running this last 2 weekends. Have you taken the plunge?
I'm probably going to have to wait till new year now. My S4 needs a service in the next 3-4 weeks, so will get that sorted prior to attempting to sell it.
I'm still looking out for the B8 S4, I've seen a couple around £19k in the last week or two, they've definitely started to soften in price and I reckon they'll only start to go quicker that way as more come into the market at 3-4 yrs old.
My wife is potentially looking to change her GTi too, so there is a possibility of her getting the S3 and leaves me in a nice position of driving both if I go B8 S4.
The S3 would deffo be DSG though, that's for sure.
I've set up an Autotrader search for both cars as well.....I've got my eyes out.
Right, I'm actively looking for a car.
My current car is sold, which leaves me with the MX5 (which is also potentially sold!) and my wifes MK5 Gti.
I need a DSG sportback with reasonable mileage around £17-19k. Ideally I'd like to buy privately from an owner who is looking to trade in and wants a better deal than PX or Webuyanycar.
I need to really find something in the next 2 weeks, or am going to have to buy a cheap old run around with 4 seats to tide me over.
My current car is sold, which leaves me with the MX5 (which is also potentially sold!) and my wifes MK5 Gti.
I need a DSG sportback with reasonable mileage around £17-19k. Ideally I'd like to buy privately from an owner who is looking to trade in and wants a better deal than PX or Webuyanycar.
I need to really find something in the next 2 weeks, or am going to have to buy a cheap old run around with 4 seats to tide me over.
Edited by matts4 on Tuesday 21st January 16:08
Edited by matts4 on Tuesday 21st January 21:38
Jim909 said:
Looks tidy, I love the rotor wheels.
I have a S tronic TTS, so same car with less room, as a day to day car it is great, so easy to live with, im doing about 20k miles a year in mine, it has been totally solid.
The wheels certainly help freshen it up a bit. There is no denying the car is now an older design, but they do help to keep it looking pretty stylish I reckon.I have a S tronic TTS, so same car with less room, as a day to day car it is great, so easy to live with, im doing about 20k miles a year in mine, it has been totally solid.
As for the drive, I'm genuinely blown away by just how quick it is in standard form, coupled to the DSG box.
I was concerned I'd miss the S4 grunt but not at all in reality. Even the exhaust sounds pretty sporty, so am not at all sad to have made the change.
Only gripe would be lack of cabin storage space compared to my S4, but a few retrofits are on order and will sort that issue in the next week or 2.
It's getting Revo'd stage 1 tomorrow, I don't think it really needs it, but you can't really have too much BHP or lbs ft of torque, can you?!
Great read, this thread 
Am taking the Mrs to test drive an S3 Sportback manual tomorrow morning to see what she thinks of it - will be the first manual she's driven since 2008!
Have a Scirocco R manual to try on Sunday as Mrs convinced this is her preference, but I'm making her ride in the back to see whether her head hits the roof when moving! I suspect it will....and that's where she sits on a longer run to keep sprog occupied and in his seat.
The B8 S4 values seem to be all over the shop, as I'm rather fond of V engines it's still on my shopping list. Seen a nice Avant s-tronic that's local but asking price is too steep for the age - depending how the small cars go this weekend will try to view in a week. Missed a lovely 09 saloon for under £19k with all the right bits being sold privately.
It'll be my wife's commuting car for a short urban drive but will also double as sensible family wheels when we don't have masses of stuff to lug about. My S8 is great when you want 5 bodies in the car but finding places to park it takes planning!
Am taking the Mrs to test drive an S3 Sportback manual tomorrow morning to see what she thinks of it - will be the first manual she's driven since 2008!Have a Scirocco R manual to try on Sunday as Mrs convinced this is her preference, but I'm making her ride in the back to see whether her head hits the roof when moving! I suspect it will....and that's where she sits on a longer run to keep sprog occupied and in his seat.
The B8 S4 values seem to be all over the shop, as I'm rather fond of V engines it's still on my shopping list. Seen a nice Avant s-tronic that's local but asking price is too steep for the age - depending how the small cars go this weekend will try to view in a week. Missed a lovely 09 saloon for under £19k with all the right bits being sold privately.
It'll be my wife's commuting car for a short urban drive but will also double as sensible family wheels when we don't have masses of stuff to lug about. My S8 is great when you want 5 bodies in the car but finding places to park it takes planning!
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