[Audi A3/S3] Is Quattro much better than 1.8T Sport?

[Gren]

Sure one of the guys posted a video of him doing doughnuts in the snow/ice in his TT (not a 3.2) on the TT forum a couple of years ago.

Not sure how much handbrake was involved?

[Daemon]

It's sort of like asking whether a chip for a NA motor is

worth it. What it does isn't dramatic, it's not going

fundamentally change the nature of the car, but it has

measureable performance benefits. I feel that it's

worth it because I'm constantly striving to eliminate

the last remnants of FWD handling feel in my R32. It definitely

acheives that in the snow and rain, and it helps a little

bit in the dry. *If* I owned an A3/S3 or TT225, and if

this new Haldex ECU and master valve works on these cars,

then I'd absolutely get it, just to get away from the

more re-active programming of the older Haldex system.

Might be worth calling these guys up to verify that it's

compatible with the older Haldex units.

ian

[Daemon]

Is it worth it? Yes.

But it's like asking if a chip for a NA motor is worth it.

It's not such a dramatic change that it's going to fundamentally

change the nature of the car, but it certainly has measureable

performance benefits. It's worth it to me, because I'm

constantly striving to eliminate any handling traits that

remind me of a FWD car. To that end, the PreX mod absolutely

does that in snow and on wet roads it produces dead neutral

handling. In the dry, you can tell it's there, but not

fundamentally different. The R32's handling in the dry is

pretty good as it is though.

However, if I owned an A3/S3 or TT225 with the older Haldex system

I suspect the difference between that and the PreX version would

be quite a lot more dramatic. Assuming it's compatible (certainly

worth asking that company if it is), I'd definitely go for it.

ian

[Daemon]

Stupid forum software. I replied.. and then it showed nothing had

been added to the thread at all.. So I replied again. Now I see

both replies made it, and neither can be deleted. Oh well.

Oh well. EIP finally announced they'd be selling this

update Haldex unit.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1726315

ian

[benafia]

Well that sparked an interesting thread! The good news is I've found another quattro, picked it up yesterday. Hurrah! Had an inspection done this time and seems a really good example. Couple of questions though:

1. It had been de-badged, so I asked for badges to be put back on. The back ones have been placed too high. Can anyone tell me how to move them down without damaging the paintwork?

2. And how do I fit the front quattro badge?

3. Any links or tips on driving a four-wheel drive. It's my first time you see.

thanks, and what a great forum ;o)

Mr Ben

[quattroboy]

I've read on here before that dental floss can slice of the badges without damaging the paint work. The grill badge pushes in; there are a couple of clips at the back but I don't think you can reach with the grill/bumper in situ. I found this out because I was fiddling with my grill badge the other day, took it off and the two clips on the back fell down somewhere underneath the radiator never to be seen again and haven't tried putting it back on yet but I think the rear clips just stop it sliding left to right.

[poox]

im very intrested to know if the PreX unit is going to be avail in the UK and how easy it would be to put in an S3. looks like an ace mod, would eliminate that 'pause' before delivery on quick throttle change.

[StephV6]

[ QUOTE ]

3. Any links or tips on driving a four-wheel drive. It's my first time you see.

Mr Ben

[/ QUOTE ]

well for sure you need to adapt your driving style

i know that i found my 3.2 more understeering than my previous 190bhp FWD at first.

I changed my driving style a lot and now cant fault it as much as before

thing is as soon as you get front grip (slow in) then you can put your foot down fully (fast out) but dont try too early as you would in a FWD

i needed to practice for a while but now it's very impressive

i even find that the ESP very rarely kicks in (only once in a few attempts) so dont need to switch it off

[quattroboy]

If I want a quick getaway with the wheels turned then I do switch it off. I do find that when the ESP kicks in it does hinder one's progress somewhat.

[benafia]

Quattroboy, the Audi bodyshop tell me you have to get the bumper off, to get to the rear of the grill, to fit the quattro badge... ouch!

[quattroboy]

I'm not surprised. I think I'll stay in 'stealth' mode for the time being.

[rmmacauley]

[ QUOTE ]

If I want a quick getaway with the wheels turned then I do switch it off. I do find that when the ESP kicks in it does hinder one's progress somewhat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely agree - my S3 would hesitate changing from first to second under full power in the wet with ESP on. Switching it off resulted in seamless progress.

I reckon there must have been a miniscule amount of wheelspin when the clutch was let out in second which triggered the ESP.

[Gezza]

I've had this too, it seemed to dump all the drive to the rears on a very wet exit to an island in Scotland. The back came around - poored on the lock, it bit and fishtailed as I corrected the other way - then sadly it changed ends and we left the road BACKWARDS! Finished up between two trees on a 45deg wet grassy bank. Mad that - but it pulled straight off the bank - no wheelspin ??????

(Knackered wheel & bearing - oh and 4 week trackin)