CrypticS3 - An Audi misadventure

[CrypticS3]

Well I've been around for a little bit now so guess I should make a start with a proper thread and an introduction to the car I should've walked away from.

The short version of events were a need for another car and the impatience that comes with having to do a complete house move in two and a half weeks. After listing everything that needed doing and fitting it around the better half's work schedule it quickly became clear that I had to have another car (Subaru was stored awaiting a gearbox rebuild) and I began looking at cheap cars that I could flip at the end of the move but as usual I began looking at other cars on the "want' list instead of the 'it'll do' list. So long story short I saw an S3 local to me and as soon as I landed back in Aberdeen after my trip I arranged to see the car. Now my gut feeling was saying 'Yes it's cheap but this doesn't look too good..... WALK AWAY!!!' but my impatience got the better of me. I knocked a good chunk off the already cheap asking price and drove it home.

Managed to get the house move completed and went back offshore for 5 weeks. In that time I decided that I liked the car and made the decision to put the car right and enjoy it. Another bonus was the better half likes it (she hates the scooby) and she can drive it which is great as it keeps the corrosion off the brakes when I go away on long trips.

So what is wrong with it.

For starters and the biggest thing that got my walk away shoes on was unknown brand tyres. This is always a big clue to how well looked after a car is. Cheap tyres on a performance car usually means the maintenance has been done on the cheap if at all. I was however proved kind of wrong in this respect as it does have a nice Audi Service history and it had a fresh MOT, new front disks and pads, haldex service and health check a week before my purchase. But that's about it. For me that's bare minimum effort. Other things were the good old hunting idle, scabby wheels, slipping clutch and paintwork that is beyond saving. The interior is not in the best condition either but it does have wingbacks . Also has a Milltek Cat-Back but the pipes are a bit scabby. Need to polish them up if I get round to taking the rear diffuser off.

Anyway. On with the show.

With summer at an end I've decided that a respray can wait until next year but in the mean time I can do a few mods and give it some much needed love and attention.

First things first was to give it a good wash and see what I'm dealing with.

So as can be seen the paintwork is tatty, wheels are tatty and the interior could be better. Paint hasn't seen a polish in what seems like since the day it was new and looking at the battle scars it looks like a confirmed car/jetwash queen. It didn't look anywhere near as good as the camera makes out when they were taken. Paint was dull and far from shiny. Sad times

Well from here the only way is up. Started to get some parts together and make a start on some mods.

Offside rear cluster seal had gone so was full of condensation. Enter obligatory MY11 tails

Then a set of Team Heko wind deflectors

And a full EM Tuning LED kit off t8ups. Still waiting on the LED DRL/Side lights coming through with a replacement for the boot light board and also have a set of white fog lights to fit and silver coated indicator bulbs for the front when I have the bumper off. No photo's of them fitted yet but will get those when I get round to doing the puddle lights, fogs etc

Now we get to today where I spent most of it properly cleaning the car and getting a couple of coats of polish onto it. I didn't take any pics of the process as i had a lot to do and it had been threatening to rain all day. Any way it was snow foamed, G101'd the shuts, panel gaps and tyres, wheels done with Wolfs Chemicals De-Ironizer, two bucket wash, decontaminated the paint with Iron-X and Tardis, clay bar, a coat of Blackfire gloss enhancing polish and for speed 2 coats of Auto Glym Super Resin Polish. I then cleaned the glass with Auto Glym Fast glass in preparation for putting the glass sealant down but then the heavens opened.... guess I'll do that the next dry day. This also put an end to the interior clean but again, next dry day.

Nice to see some beading on the paint for a change and it has a nice shine to it now but you'll have to take my word for it.

Anyway that's as far as I've got with the car now but I still have a bunch of stuff to do and fit.

Revo Ceramic CAI, Forge DV to Intake hose, GFB DV+, new PCV and gasket and a TTS engine cover.

Drivers door card armrest

New Michelin PSS tyres 225/35R19 and new MTM centre caps all the way from Germany (Thanks for excellent customer support MTM). That's everything in place for the custom wheel refurb I have planned. Forgive the mess. Still sorting the new place out.

SportShifter kit arrived today too. Black Ultrasuede with red stitching and weighted knob with red pattern.

Also have a nice new Black Grill to fit too.

So there we go. Got some stuff done and a lot of stuff that I can get on with. Still have many plans and items either needing ordered or in transit but it's a long way from where I want it to be in the long run. Hoping to get most of this on before I go back offshore but that's looking like next week so not sure how far I'll get.

Apologies for the pic heavy thread opener and if you made it this far thanks for putting up with my waffle

 

[S3Alex]

You've done a great job in restoring the car to how it should be.

My own experience of cars is that if you're willing to throw enough money at it,just about anything can be done,and yours is actually in pretty good nick,even if a bit tatty cosmetically at the start,but you've fixed that.

Car just needs a bit of TLC,which you're giving it.....enjoy.

 

[BurgoS3]

Welcome, seems like you know exactly where you want to get the car up to and are going the right way about it, best of look getting it sorted before going back offshore. Im away overseas a fair bit with work and know what its like trying to get stuff sorted before departure

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

 

[Sandra]

@CrypticS3 fantastic read. You have done an amazing job. I look forward to future instalments on this thread.

 

[HansfishS3]

Great job so far A few questions, where abouts did you get the black grill, MY11 lights and drivers armrest from?
Coincidentaly I'm looking to replace them all!

 

[CrypticS3]

@HansfishS3

I got the MY11 rear clusters from http://www.eurocarparts.com/rear-light. Got them during the 30% off bank holiday sale so saved a fair bit.

I got the Armrest and TTS engine cover with fixings off @mjr901 (Mike) on here using the on site parts request. Also have a centre console armrest lid coming from him too. Hopefully be here by the end of the week.

And I managed to find the brand new grill on German eBay for €250. Even came with the factory protective transit bag.

@Sandra @S3Alex @BurgoS3

Thanks for the kind words though my inner perfectionist says different. Yes the car is clean and what's left of the paint is protected but until I get a respray it will always bug me. But at least I can move forward and get the wheels refurbished when time allows. Also need to keep an eye out for some winter shoes. Then it's wait for the new clutch and flywheel to arrive and get them fitted then I can think about a stage 1 map which will do me until I get the Bushes, Mounts, Brakes and Coilovers bought and fitted.

 

[Ben2487]

Good job with the car

My arm rest is the only think that lets my interior down, where did you get a replacement?

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[S3Alex]

@Sandra @S3Alex @BurgoS3

Thanks for the kind words though my inner perfectionist says different. Yes the car is clean and what's left of the paint is protected but until I get a respray it will always bug me. But at least I can move forward and get the wheels refurbished when time allows. Also need to keep an eye out for some winter shoes. Then it's wait for the new clutch and flywheel to arrive and get them fitted then I can think about a stage 1 map which will do me until I get the Bushes, Mounts, Brakes and Coilovers bought and fitted.

You should see mine....it gets loads spent on the engine etc,but usually looks like it's been rallycrossing.....

 

[CrypticS3]

@Ben2487

As above. Contact @mjr901 (Mike) using the parts request form on site.

 

[CrypticS3]

Well mother nature isn't playing ball so still can't get under the bonnet. Luckily however the car is watertight so managed to tick something off the list today.

Got my SportShifter fitted. Bit of a faff getting the OEM one off due to the clamp being a pain but fitting the SportShifter kit was quick and easy. Sorry for the poor iPad pics, really need to rescue my camera from the better half.

 

[Hookmonster]

You know the jobs being done properly when your wearing blue latex gloves

Great thread. Thanks for sharing mate

 

[SportShifters.com]

Can't go wrong with all the TLC given to it.

Awsome car keep up the good work!

 

[CrypticS3]

Well mother nature decided to give me a break in the weather so broke out the tools and cracked on.

Engine bay in all her standard and dirty glory. Considered cleaning the bay but I figured time was against me so I'll leave that for another day.

After much swearing finally got the old cover/intake system off. That turbo inlet pipe is a pain.

Found me a small problem. Guess I'll need a new Cam cover gasket

Got the new inlet pipe on and trial fit of the heat shield.

Decided now was a good time to tackle the PCV. Old one off

New one on.

Then it was out with the heat shield and on to the DV.

Looks like the original Rev C DV..... was in good condition too. Maybe I'm not giving this car enough credit

GFB DV+ kit.

Fitted

And a small splash of colour to the bay with a red Forge DV to intake hose.

Then fitted the intake and TTS engine cover. I'm sure mother nature was tracking my progress as the second I popped the cover on the heavens opened up again

So today turned out to be pretty productive and I've ticked off a large portion of the to do list. Just got to organise the wheel refurb, fit the grill and patiently wait for my clutch and flywheel to arrive. Added bonus is there's now more room around the house for new parts. Guess I better continue shopping.

 

[mjr901]

Lookin' good

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[CrypticS3]

Not the most exciting of updates but another thing fixed.

New centre console armrest cover arrived from Mike (mjr901) this morning along with a massive shipment of new furniture for the new house. Took a 5 minute break from lugging heavy furniture around got it fitted. Really need to pull my finger out and get the interior cleaned. Seeing the old vs new leather is quite disappointing.

Old one out. Note broken latch

New one before and after fitting

So now that's fixed I can move the armrest upright when I want without it falling open and at least one annoying rattle I don't have to listen to anymore.

 

[CrypticS3]

Well the dreaded phone call has been received, back offshore on Thursday . So gave the car a final wash.

Spec Stage 3+ clutch and single mass steel flywheel arrived in the UK so paid the taxes and hopefully be with me tomorrow or Wednesday. Will look into getting that fitted when I get back. Will also be on the look out for a set of winter wheels.

Also got a few more tarty bits delivered today so got a final mod fix.

Porsche 911 Expansion and Oil Caps. Forge Washer bottle cap. Rev G Diverter Valve to replace the old Rev C Solenoid so I know that a new part is in there. New Cam Cover gasket and a new set of Red trimmed S3 car mats with boot mat to replace the tired old S-Line ones. Forgive the messy house, still moving in.

Unfortunately during the move I've misplaced my Hoover attachments so still not managed to properly clean the cars interior so will be leaving the mats out until that's done. Also probably won't get time to install the Rev G solenoid and cam cover gasket due to preparing things for my trip.

So on with the easy things. Spot the difference.

Well that's it for now. Will see how things progress when I return.

 

[SootySport]

I like your priorities, car first, house second

 

[CrypticS3]

That's what the woman folk are for right ................. ouch ouch ouch

I shouldn't have typed that with her sat next to me

 

[CrypticS3]

Well it has arrived. Wish I wasn't going offshore now.

Spec Stage 3+ and Steel SMF

 

[lfcrule1972]

Well impressed with your work to date, car is coming on lots now - great effort !

I really like the Porsche expansion caps - were they from Mike as well ?

 

[CrypticS3]

Well impressed with your work to date, car is coming on lots now - great effort !

I really like the Porsche expansion caps - were they from Mike as well ?

Thanks for the kind words. Car is still a long way from where I want it to be but will get there eventually.

I got the Porsche Oil and Expansion Cap from awesomegti.com

https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/genuine-porsche-911-oil-cap/
https://www.awesomegti.com/parts/genuine-porsche-911-coolant-cap/

My only gripe is the Oil cap doesn't sit straight. Tried to see if I could modify it like you can the R8 caps but was getting to the point that I thought I'd break it so left it as is. Might drop for an R8 cap later down the line but I went with the Porsche ones to be a little different. Everyone has R8 caps

 

[CrypticS3]

Well I haven't been active around here for a wee while. Have had all sorts of roadblocks put in front of my progress with the S3.

First thing was my Impreza STI was badly vandalised.

So from this I reignited my love affair with the Scooby and decided to pour my disposable into that. Huge service, Belts, pulleys, tensioners, all oils, filters, coolant, crash bar replaced, new sump, radiator support replaced, Shocks rebuilt, Front callipers rebuilt, disks and pads all round, 4 new tires and an MOT........ Yup, that was a hefty bill. After that it was booked in for a full respray.

Right, now that's out of the way lets get back to the S3............. Oh wait, what's that dear? YOUR WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, that's right. I'm now apparently going to be a Daddy

Soooooo, guess the S3 is on hold again. Guess I need to go raid the piggybank again and get a family car. Enter Audi No.2. Bought us an S4 B8.5 Avant. Has many optional extras. Those of note are...

7 speed S-Tronic DSG, Black Pack, Quattro Sport Diff, Active Suspension, Drive Select, Supersport electric/heated seats, Black/Magma Red interior, B&O Sound System, Nav, MMI and Jukebox. It's also a lovely shade of Lava Grey. Picked it up from Fontain Audi Specialists just a short taxi ride from Heathrow and drove it all the way back up to the Scottish Highlands

So that's the fleet all in one location, we have adequate transportation for the small one when it arrives so can I please get on with the S3..... PLEASE!!.... Oh go on then

Right. So during this whole escapade the better half had been running the S3 so it was slightly neglected. After finally getting my hands back on it I quickly discovered that it needed a front wheel bearing. Now one usually follows the other so I decided to replace both fronts as it's not overly expensive and quite easy with the right tools. Not that I documented it as I was in a bit of a hurry as MOT time was fast approaching. Once those were changed out it was down to the garage to be tested and to see what else needed attention.

Turns out that there's nothing...... well apart from the paint and interior. Not a bad result. So that leaves me back to exactly where we left off in this thread. Still have the Clutch to change (Current one is still behaving believe it or not), Door card armrest to change, Black Pack Grill to fit, Wheels to refurb, and general tattyness to tidy up. Also needs a good service so that'll be getting done soon. Also gave it a decent clean and a polish.

Bought a set of Genuine OEM S3 wheels today so they are also going to get a refurb and Have ordered a set of Michelin CrossClimate+ tires to go on them so hopefully they'll arrive soon and I can get that done and get the MTM's off so they can be refurbed and the Michelin PSS's can go on them.

So that's where we are. Now with so many things going on progress is bound to be slow but with any luck we'll get there.

For all those who made it this far thanks for reading and I hope to be around these parts a bit more often.

 

[Boydie]

Good thread and progress - loads to tinker with! Those rusty bolts in the engine bay would do my head in lol I replaced a lot of them in mine over the years of ownership

I too bought a S4 avant after my S3 8P - nice trend lol

 

[HHS3]

First things first congratulations on the news that you're going to become a Dad, that's great mate.

As for the Scooby, what the actual ****! It makes me sick that such vile, pathetic, lowlife scum exist on this planet, I sure hope they get to experience the horrible feeling for themselves one day, although I doubt poor c***s like that will ever be able to afford a nice motor the peasants. Where was it done, if at home have your got a garage you can keep your cars in to help prevent from happening again in the future?

Good to see that it is a lovely looking motor again, well looked after and nicely done!

I adore my S3 and the car in general, but given you have a Subaru Impreza STI, do you ever drive the S3? As your Scooby if tuned will out perform it in every way haha.

Your S3 is looking good as usual, I must admit I'm a big fan of the Black Edition Optics grill, is this something you'd fit on yours?

Great choice with the S4, yet another mint car to add to your fleet which is very impressive by the way!

 

[S3Alex]

Very nice fleet!

What sort of lowlife does that to a car....poor Scooby.
Great job on the paintwork but what a dirtbag to do that in the first place.

Congrats on the impending parenthood.....end of life as you know it!

 

[ch1z64]

Following this thread with great interest and what a shower off w*****s who done the scratching to the Scooby and i hope the new alloys look good once on the car

 

[CrypticS3]

Good thread and progress - loads to tinker with! Those rusty bolts in the engine bay would do my head in lol I replaced a lot of them in mine over the years of ownership

I too bought a S4 avant after my S3 8P - nice trend lol

Yeah. Engine bay is a sore spot for me though as it's never on show it'll be one of the later things I tackle. With the clean bill of health from the MOT I have little reason to be in there right now so hopefully just forget about it for a wee while, ignorance is bliss

First things first congratulations on the news that you're going to become a Dad, that's great mate.

As for the Scooby, what the actual ****! It makes me sick that such vile, pathetic, lowlife scum exist on this planet, I sure hope they get to experience the horrible feeling for themselves one day, although I doubt poor c***s like that will ever be able to afford a nice motor the peasants. Where was it done, if at home have your got a garage you can keep your cars in to help prevent from happening again in the future?

Good to see that it is a lovely looking motor again, well looked after and nicely done!

I adore my S3 and the car in general, but given you have a Subaru Impreza STI, do you ever drive the S3? As your Scooby if tuned will out perform it in every way haha.

Your S3 is looking good as usual, I must admit I'm a big fan of the Black Edition Optics grill, is this something you'd fit on yours?

Great choice with the S4, yet another mint car to add to your fleet which is very impressive by the way!

Thanks

The damage to the Subaru happened away from home. I too am unsure what makes people do things like this. As much as it hurt at the time I've put it behind me and try not to think about it.

The S3 see's a fair bit of action actually. The better half won't drive the Scooby (most the time refuses to get in it ) so she uses it quite often for running around. The S4 being an auto/dsg is pretty new to the pair of us and generally we both prefer a manual. Also with it being a large car the S3's the better choice for nipping around.

The Scooby is tuned and is in terms of times, figures and physics it's way ahead of the S3, but the S3 doesn't feel that much slower when you're out and about unless you really want to take it by the scruff of the neck and it's still relatively comfortable. The Scooby is a very raw car that if it could would likely punch you in the face every time you drive it. Everything about it is harsh and loud so with my advancing age it has become more of a toy, something to take out and relieve my frustrations or to mess around with on the back roads.

I do have a Black grill to fit to the S3. Just haven't got around to fitting it yet as I too prefer that look over the chrome grill.

The S4 is lovely. Extremely comfortable and not shy when you put your foot down. Needs an Intake and exhaust to really let the Supercharged V6 sing so I'm looking into options there too. Also very easy to get them up to the 450BHP + range

Very nice fleet!

What sort of lowlife does that to a car....poor Scooby.
Great job on the paintwork but what a dirtbag to do that in the first place.

Congrats on the impending parenthood.....end of life as you know it!

Thanks, yeah as above I've put it behind me and moving forward. Yes, life is about to get very interesting

Following this thread with great interest and what a shower off w*****s who done the scratching to the Scooby and i hope the new alloys look good once on the car

Thanks bud. Cheers for selling them at a good price. Just waiting on the new tires being delivered and will send them in for a refurb. Then I have to send the MTM's in for a refurb and get the new rubber put on them too. My wheel guy is going to love me.

 

[tcardio]

love your stable for sure!!! Refurbished MTM anthracite is car porn to me on a black car

 

[HHS3]

Thanks

The damage to the Subaru happened away from home. I too am unsure what makes people do things like this. As much as it hurt at the time I've put it behind me and try not to think about it.

The S3 see's a fair bit of action actually. The better half won't drive the Scooby (most the time refuses to get in it ) so she uses it quite often for running around. The S4 being an auto/dsg is pretty new to the pair of us and generally we both prefer a manual. Also with it being a large car the S3's the better choice for nipping around.

The Scooby is tuned and is in terms of times, figures and physics it's way ahead of the S3, but the S3 doesn't feel that much slower when you're out and about unless you really want to take it by the scruff of the neck and it's still relatively comfortable. The Scooby is a very raw car that if it could would likely punch you in the face every time you drive it. Everything about it is harsh and loud so with my advancing age it has become more of a toy, something to take out and relieve my frustrations or to mess around with on the back roads.

I do have a Black grill to fit to the S3. Just haven't got around to fitting it yet as I too prefer that look over the chrome grill.

The S4 is lovely. Extremely comfortable and not shy when you put your foot down. Needs an Intake and exhaust to really let the Supercharged V6 sing so I'm looking into options there too. Also very easy to get them up to the 450BHP + range

At least it was away from home then, so you haven't got to worry about it happening again but most importantly it is back to its former glory as you say. 5 years ago I moved to a new area with my Mum and knew no-one there, I lived on the outskirts of the town and only went out there to walk my dog in the woods next to our house. I had been living there for 5 months before I passed my driving test and bought my first car which was a 2004 Vauxhall Corsa Exclusiv 1.4, one week after owning it, I had a knock on the door from the police to say that an unknown yout had poured battery acid over the roof which had also ran down the passenger door as well.. Fair to say I was gutted, especially with only third party insurance at the time, I still to this day don't know if it was mis-identification or just a random ****ish act! Thankfully we moved away later that year, it was a horrible place.

Ah I see that makes sense as I suppose you don't want your teeth shaken out on every journey haha! Your other half must be happy getting to nip around in a stage 1 S3, at least your littleun will never be late for school with the selection of cars they'll be chauffeured around in!

Ah yes you did say earlier in your thread that you have the BE Optics grill ready to fit, after alloys then it's definitely the next best modification for improving the S3 aesthetically. I detest the grey parts on the chrome grill, at least the whole grill should be chrome or the grey parts black.

As you've got a Spec 3+ clutch & steel SMF, does that mean you're planning for stage 2+ or hybrid/big turbo?

 

[leshkin]

Great read mate! You're putting together quite a collection!

 

[CrypticS3]

As you've got a Spec 3+ clutch & steel SMF, does that mean you're planning for stage 2+ or hybrid/big turbo?

The plan was at the time of ordering the clutch to go Stage 2+ pretty quickly and take it from there, possibly TTE480. Unfortunately due to the change in circumstances this may not be happening as quickly as I'd have liked to so will have to build up to it as there are a lot of supporting mods that also need to be done, bushes, arb's, coilovers, brakes etc. So yes the Clutch will be OTT for a standard tune but at least it'll be in place come time to increase the power. Once the clutch is fitted it'll be going in for a cheeky map. Either that or I sell the clutch kit and go for something more OEM+ and just plan for Stage 2+ but not thinking that far ahead just now.

 

[samuelh_888]

Great thread - not sure how I missed it but following intently now!

Either that or I sell the clutch kit and go for something more OEM+

DM me if you decide to sell

 

[CrypticS3]

Well, didn't expect these to arrive so quickly. Very happy with the supplier. Guess I better call my Wheel guy tomorrow

----------

Great thread - not sure how I missed it but following intently now!

DM me if you decide to sell

Probably because it was left to fall down the boards quite a way due to inactivity. If I decide to sell the Clutch Kit I'll drop you a message but don't expect it to be any time soon.

 

[leshkin]

I didn't know they did crossclimates in our size! Would you mind sharing which supplier you used?

 

[CrypticS3]

Sure. Here's a link.

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/michelin-crossclimate--225-40-r18-92-y-xl#140638685

 

[CrypticS3]

Well that's the S3 wheels and tires dropped off to be refurbished. Have decided on a dark anthracite. Also ordered up a complete set of Wheel Bolts, lockers and caps so should be picking them up tomorrow along with the wheels which I'll have fitted to the car and then they can get straight on with the MTM's in the same colour.... with a twist (Hopefully they turn out how I imagine they will).

 

[CrypticS3]

Well today was a productive day. Picked up my new Wheel Bolts Lockers and Bolt Caps for fitting the Standard 18's to the car. Also picked up an obligatory Gecko for the S4.

Then it was off to the wheel place to have the freshly refurbished 18's with Michelin CrossClimate+ fitted to the car and the Scabby MTM's removed to be refinished with a twist and have the PSS's fitted. More on that tomorrow hopefully.

Wheels on -

Center Caps De-Chromed

Scabby MTM's to come off -

The wheels actually came out a bit darker than I'd originally imagined but I really like it, so much so that the MTM's will be going the same colour. If anyone is interested the colour is 'Technical Grey' (Vauxhall Colour). Hopefully I'll get a nice day and a chance to wash them to really see them properly as it's a dull and manky day so not great for seeing the true colour.

Also Spied this in the Reception area...... Anyone brave enough

 

[CrypticS3]

Well final piece of the wheel situation completed today. Picked up the MTM Bimoto's after their refurb and having the Michelin PSS's fitted.

Hanging out after cooling and a wash down

Loaded into the back of the S4

The new center caps I'd ordered from Germany some time ago

All wiped down and sealed with new center cap fitted

So that's the wheels ready to go back on the car as and when I get round to it. Certainly not the first time that someone has had the MTM painted a different colour but I like the way it works. Went for a nice deep shade of metallic red over the more common bright, in your face type red. Think it strikes just enough balance between being subtle yet noticeable and keeping them classy. Maybe not to everyone's taste but I really like how they turned out. Certainly much better than how they looked in the post above.