A3 1,8t quattro (150bhp) questions
07-11-2000, 01:37 PM
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Re: I have a 180 Quattro, but spend your money on getting better brakes first!
Maybe the S3 has a better Haldex setup than the 1.8TQ ?. Having owned a Uk Impreza at the same time as the S3 the haldex IMHO wasnt bad. I went out on a slightly damp Donnington the only non Jap car there and mixed it with the Scoobies. Expected to get murdered in the corners,but was quite impressed. Maybe the bigger wheels helped ?. Found the car very predictable, with no nasty suprises. S3 was as quick as the UK Scoobies around Donnington but outdone by the 280bhp versions. The worst part of the setup is not enough feel through the wheel and a little too much roll. Nothing AMD couldnt sort out.
Re the brakes, a first step might be pagid pads, with uprated fluid and hoses. Hard to find pads for the S3 last year, but that should of changed I hope by now.
Jonathan
Re the brakes, a first step might be pagid pads, with uprated fluid and hoses. Hard to find pads for the S3 last year, but that should of changed I hope by now.
Jonathan
07-11-2000, 09:50 PM
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Haldex is "crappy"?? - have you actually driven one hard on track??
Read EVO magazine issue 11 (S3 in Greatest 4x4 of all time) and issue 8 (S3 vs Impreza RB5) - pitted against the best AWD cars available it doesn't win (too little power) but it is very highly rated - third ahead of 911 C4, Skyline GTR, and original URq 20V. Read some of the glowing descriptions of the S3 handling in issue 8 and then come back and tell us Haldex is "crappy". That's an uninformed throwaway line IMHO. I accept Haldex "may" not be as good as quattro but your dismissal of it as crappy is OTT and not supported by evidence. I drive a quattro A4 with 190hp which I love. About to get S3 with 250hp - personal opinion on Haldex will follow after I get chance to really try it out.
BTW journos are not the last word on car assessment but EVO is a huge cut above everything else.
Cheers<p>Greg Spark
New Zealand
BTW journos are not the last word on car assessment but EVO is a huge cut above everything else.
Cheers<p>Greg Spark
New Zealand
07-11-2000, 11:49 PM
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Re: Haldex is "crappy"?? - have you actually driven one hard on track??
Nice to see some words of wisdom. EVO mag is a cut above the rest. I spent a day with them when they tested my STI V against the first EVO VI in the UK. John Barker is a great driver, I struggled to keep up with him in a Honda CRV and then followed him in my STI with him driving the EVO.
The RB5 Prodrive was infact a better drivers car than the S3, but most of that was down to the lack of outright grunt. With a remap the S3 is a different beast. If it came as std with 250bhp and the new price tag it might win.
Jonathan
The RB5 Prodrive was infact a better drivers car than the S3, but most of that was down to the lack of outright grunt. With a remap the S3 is a different beast. If it came as std with 250bhp and the new price tag it might win.
Jonathan
07-12-2000, 03:21 AM
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Re: A3 1,8t quattro (150bhp) questions
Thanks for your answers and opinions so far, especially you David R helped me out a bit already.
Do you guys have any experience on ABT or MTM tuning?
And those of you who have a standard A3 1,8t with tuned 200+ bhp engine, have you had any clutch, gear or other transmission problems?
What's the use of getting bigger wheels despite the fact that they give more air for brakes? Is it for looks only or does it better the chassis? Because if it is for the looks only, I am not interested. Standard size is 15" I think. How big
wheels do you reccommend and why? How big wheels fit under the fenders if the car is lowered a bit? Will it affect the speedometre or other devices?
And finally, what would be your choice between V6 30V 4motion Golf and A3 1,8t quattro? Is VW 6V engine tuneable more than about +10 bhp?
I want a 4WD and above 220 bhp with enough durability for the engine. The money is an objet too, so S3 and Subaru Impreza is out of the question. The choices are the Audi or the VW.
Share your opinions and views,
Dan
Do you guys have any experience on ABT or MTM tuning?
And those of you who have a standard A3 1,8t with tuned 200+ bhp engine, have you had any clutch, gear or other transmission problems?
What's the use of getting bigger wheels despite the fact that they give more air for brakes? Is it for looks only or does it better the chassis? Because if it is for the looks only, I am not interested. Standard size is 15" I think. How big
wheels do you reccommend and why? How big wheels fit under the fenders if the car is lowered a bit? Will it affect the speedometre or other devices?
And finally, what would be your choice between V6 30V 4motion Golf and A3 1,8t quattro? Is VW 6V engine tuneable more than about +10 bhp?
I want a 4WD and above 220 bhp with enough durability for the engine. The money is an objet too, so S3 and Subaru Impreza is out of the question. The choices are the Audi or the VW.
Share your opinions and views,
Dan
07-12-2000, 04:09 AM
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Re: Haldex is "crappy"?? - have you actually driven one hard on track??
Guess it depends on your definition of "crappy" - remember this is only my opinion and I don't, as such, regard it as "throw-away". Remember, I almost bought an A3Q.... Forums are based on opinions and I'm not going to follow a crowd when what I feel is needed is an honest view - you sound as if you are offended by it - please don't be. EVO mag is great, I agree, and they liked the S3 haldex system - i don't - just letting you guys know. I haven't driven it on track but then that is irrelevent for me - i drive my cars on the road. You drive your car and tell me what you think too - I'll be interested to hear your view.