And So It Begins

LSPIII

LSPIII

LSPIII

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Joined
29 Jan 2003
Posts
1,063
Location
Surrey
Right, so I've now had the S3 for about 15 months and I have to say I've enjoyed some good times in it so far (Stelvio Pass, Nurburgring) but it's time to mend some of the flaws.

So normally most people start off with a remap and work from there. I've been forced into a different approach as the most recent service was kind enough to point out. I needed new bushes on the front lower suspension arms and new a new Anti-Roll Bar up front to boot. I could have replaced these with stock items, but there's no fun in that. Cue the first upgrades to the car.

Here's the collection of items I'm about to have attached (I'm too much of a woman to do it myself :p):

all.jpg


1. Up first we have the new Anti-Roll Bar kit. In case you can't guess already, it's the H&R front and rear kit. Why upgrade one, when you can upgrade both!

roll.jpg


2. Next up we have the bushes. I got a bit carried away here too. I only needed parts to cover the front lower suspension arms. Naturally I got the following:

bushes.jpg


Top to bottom, left to right we have:
  • Steering Rack Mount
  • Engine Dog Bone
  • Front Wishbone Front Bushes
  • Rear Wishbone Inner Bushes
  • Front Wishbone Rear Bushes
  • Rear Wishbone Front Bushes

3. Well it would be rude to stop there wouldn't it. I knew that the Diverter Valve supplied with the car was original (now at 65k) and with a remap coming later in the year it wasn't a bad idea to contemplate a replacement. The OE DVs are made of plastic and as such are rubbish. Simple as that really, so I've purchased an aluminium replacement. The most popular version of which is the Forge DV007. This is NOT an ASBO hunting "dump" valve for those not in the know. It's a much more acceptable recirculating valve :)

dv.jpg


The car goes in on Thursday and is likely to not be back with me until Friday so I get the pleasure of my mum's Toyota X Plated RAV4 for a couple of days to tide me over.

Apparently the "suspension" work will really help neutralise some of the built-in understeer and improve the ride feel and steering feel, which is let's face it, not the greatest in Audis, though to be fair the S3 has a HUGE amount more than it's more docile siblings. I shall find out at the weekend and report of course!

And you thought I'd finished...

Here's a sneak peak at the second upgrade coming shortly (next couple of weeks). I'm waiting for the rest of the parts to get delivered so pics will follow accordingly. For now you'll have to make do with this:

fluid.jpg


:D

Posting this has of course reminded me that I'll need to notify the insurance company. This could be interesting :rolleyes:
 
Dogbreath said:
Good luck with the poxy polybushes, personally I will never be fitting them to another road car.
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I helped my friend polybush his car completely.

We were replacing used and in some cases presumed original rubber so the difference over new OEM is unknown.

But the difference before and after was night and day, much improved wheel feel and gave excellent confidence in the car. I drove it before and after and at that time I had my own car to compare to also.

However it is a pain of a job, it took the two of us a complete weekend to do that is knowing the car inside out (Rover 220T) although in this case there are a LOT of bushes which need doing.

The main problem being pressing the new ones in, the majority were fine, but a couple required the use of a proper press rather than just a vice.

Burning the old ones out is a bit manky too :o
 
Yes, I personally wouldn't try and get away with it. You would only have to get in an accident and have a knowledgable inspector come round, to have your insurance voided. Not worth the risk imho.

Nice mods though by the way, I'm sure it will make the car much more enjoyable to drive.
 
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Why? Because you've replaced your antiroll bars or suspension bushes or brake fluid? I'd doubt it

I guess I'd better inform Admiral that I've fitted Philips Xtreme Power headlamp bulbs, by that logic.
 
Say he makes these modifications, then sells the car to someone honest, yet less car-savvy than him, who is unaware of the modifications? Does that make them liable? Or if he bought the car like that, unaware? Bit harsh IMHO. Things like wheels, obvious power mods, massive brakes etc sure, that does pose an increased risk
 
I've heard of people even declaring stickers and things on their car, although that is a bit OTT. Its up to you really at the end of the day. But if your planning to modify your car then you should be with an appropriate insurer really, one that doesn't charge you an arm and a leg for the slightest mods.
 
Howard said:
Say he makes these modifications, then sells the car to someone honest, yet less car-savvy than him, who is unaware of the modifications? Does that make them liable? Or if he bought the car like that, unaware? Bit harsh IMHO. Things like wheels, obvious power mods, massive brakes etc sure, that does pose an increased risk
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Very VERY grey area, and if the car were stolen or written off it could be a nightmare to resolve.
 
Poweflex bushes make my Saxo rattle like crazy but the difference on the road is awesome. Everything feels much more precise and the lower gearbox mount kills almost all the swing of the engine coming off the throttle etc. :)

No doubt you'll experience less rattles with a well built german interior though. I draw the line at declaring suspension bushes though, it's a bit like 'uprated' brake pads and I wouldn't consider those worth declaring either.
 
I'll find out about insurance tomorrow. I'll post my findings. I'd have thought that the bushes would probably not make any difference, but the Anti-Roll Bars might. I can't imagine they'll care at all about the DV.

Incidentally, the brake fluid won't be changed yet and I have no intentions of informing the insurance company about brake fluid when it does get changed. You'd have to have some pretty intense equipment to be able to tell the difference between various used brake fluids. The other items will be much more noticeable!

I'm hoping it will all be worth it, it's cost me a small fortune!
 
The bushes are a worthy investment dude, you will be pleased with them. Don't be too alarmed if you gain a rattle or two though. Is that the full setup they do for the S3?

I've not declared my bushes as they're not really 'performance enhancing', just improve the feel of the car.
 
Dogbreath said:
Good luck with the poxy polybushes, personally I will never be fitting them to another road car.
Click to expand...

NVH?

Poly ARB mounts give the least benefit and massive NVH problems. They are the ones to get rid off if you find the vibrations to be too much.
 
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