S3 8p S-Tronic Stage 1 map experiences

[Dr_Rick]

So, new to me S3 8P S-Tronic and I'm thinking a Stage 1 tune from the off.

Previous car history includes: Lotus Elise S (220bhp), B8 S4 (333bhp), Lexus ISF (417bhp), Lotus Evora (275bhp). I'm not a strangers to left field cars, or a little more power than is absolutely necessary.

A little market research has yielded the following potential contenders for a Stage 1 tune, and I'd value peoples opinions / pointers. In terms of my usage, it'll be commuting mostly with the occasional blat, but no track work. Also, mostly just me in the car, but occasionally school drop offs.

- Revo (up to 308bhp / 326lbft / £499)
- APR (310bhp / 311lbft / £538.80)
- Shark (310bhp / 310lbft / £399)
- Rebellion (331bhp / 296lbft / £500.34)
- TDI Tuning (321bhp / 310lbft / £329.99)

Until I saw reference to TDI Tuning, I was pretty set on an APR product, plus they have a local installer. However, the TDI Tuning is going to give me more top end, equivalent torque but be cheaper by £200. Which isn't to be sniffed at.

There's always MRC for a custom map, but they're quite a way away from me, which is a pain. I'd like somewhere local to Edinburgh if possible.

Anyone have any experiences to share, pointers?

[ruggedscotty]

https://www.facebook.com/brotektuning/

try this car, pretty decent chap and knows his audis

[cuprabob]

If you are in Edinburgh, I would have a chat with Jim Curley over at Star Performance in Kirkcaldy.

http://www.starperformance.co.uk

[Dr_Rick]

ruggedscotty said:

https://www.facebook.com/brotektuning/

try this car, pretty decent chap and knows his audis

I've heard of BroTek on a couple of forums. Will give them a shout next week. Ta.

[Dr_Rick]

cuprabob said:

If you are in Edinburgh, I would have a chat with Jim Curley over at Star Performance in Kirkcaldy.

http://www.starperformance.co.uk

Never heard of them. What's been your experiences with them?

[cuprabob]

Dr_Rick said:

Never heard of them. What's been your experiences with them?

I've not used them personally but they are well respected in the VAG community. In the past I have spoken to Jim and found him very knowledgeable and helpful.

[Dr_Rick]

cuprabob said:

I've not used them personally but they are well respected in the VAG community.

Fair enough, another one to call. Although there's an APR tuner closer to me in Dalkeith, so it'd need to be worth it to cross the river

[Dr_Rick]

cuprabob said:

I've not used them personally but they are well respected in the VAG community. In the past I have spoken to Jim and found him very knowledgeable and helpful.

Just spoken to him and as you suggest, he sounded very helpful.

To paraphrase:
- I do rolling road based remaps
- I won't even fit a tuning box if someone brings it to me
- An honest target of 310bhp, not a presumed end figure, as it's based on the actual car
- Don't bother with the gearbox mapping for Stage 1
- Stage 2 is going to be: exhaust, intercooler, intake and then gearbox tune
- Couple of hours to do inc dyno time
- £350 inc VAT

If I'm honest, I'd be more comfortable with a rolling road tune than a box. I'd consider MRC if they were closer to me. But they're not, and Star Performance are cheaper too. Time for some more review-digging.

[MattS5]

I had the Revo stage 1 on mine when I had it.
Made for a fun car, pretty lively but I always ended up driving it quite like a hooligan!

Relatively compact, it just seemed to urge you to push on

[Stakeknife]

If your willing to travel (and some do from Scotland) R-tech Performance map these cars/engines daily with very impressive results. Unicorn motorsport in Manchester is also a good shout. I’m at stage 2+ myself, but kinda wish I stayed stage 1 with no other mods because the sound/power can be a bit addictive.

[Dr_Rick]

Stakeknife said:

If your willing to travel (and some do from Scotland) R-tech Performance map these cars/engines daily with very impressive results. Unicorn motorsport in Manchester is also a good shout. I’m at stage 2+ myself, but kinda wish I stayed stage 1 with no other mods because the sound/power can be a bit addictive.

I'm tempted to start simple:

• Stage 1, probably from Star Performance as he's rolling road tuning
• Intake, can't decide between Revo and VWR (probably go Revo as it's cheaper and still well regarded)
• Change the head unit for an Android based one as I'm out on the road a bit and can't have the maps fall too far behind.

Then I'll start looking at a little more noise from the back end. Either a custom exhaust from a local fabricator, or I like the idea of a PowerValve Exhaust that is quiet when I leave the house in suburbia first thing, and then opens up when pressing on.

[MattS5]

My Revo was dyno’d at 328 bhp, obviously have to take that with a pinch of salt but it did make it feel lively.