This is an idea that struck me completely out of the blue after realizing the S1 is the smallest VAG package that offers Haldex AWD and a EA888 gen 3 2.0 TSI engine. Ok, it's not something hard to realize obviously but what I mean is that I had completely forgotten of the S1's existence for quite a while (it's not a car I see often - if not never - on the road here in Sweden).
The reasons it has now become very attractive for me are the following:
1) AWD: not for poor weather traction but for tuning. FWD can barely make good use of 350-400bhp down and even then usability below 100km/h is limited and a certain approach is required overall. With AWD sky (correction: your pocket) is the limit.
2) It is the most compact and lightweight option compared with every other AWD variant that I can think of? Interior space and boot size are irrelevant as this is going to be my fun car and not our family driver.
3) I have had mostly VAG cars (and tuned all of them) so with the S1's powertrain I will be feeling pretty much at home. Plus the S1 being an older model, prices are more reasonable now than when new.
Having ticked the above boxes, the plan is to find a good example and gradually go crazy with it over an extended period of time mainly in terms of engine power and suspension/chassis in a supportive fashion, goal is the 500bhp mark. I am very familiar with the CHH and CJX engines of the Golf GTI and R/S3, their tuning potential and their weaknesses so I almost have all the upgrade solutions in my mind already in terms of tune, turbo and peripherals (assuming those can be applied to the S1). So here is where I would need your help:
a) Does the S1 feature a CHH engine similar to the MK7 Golf GTI?
b) Is the Haldex unit the same as the one found in the S3 8V? if not what are the main differences?
c) Just to confirm as I would otherwise choose one but there is no DSG/S-Tronic option am I right?
The examples that I have already come across are low/average mileage ones (between 20-30K uk miles). What things I should be looking at replacing or keeping a contingency fund for? I am asking more about S1-specific issues rather than say a clutch upgrade which is known to slip even with a mere 300bhp stage 1 remap on MK7 GTIs.
What do S1 owners think overall of the car's ability to be a good candidate for a 500bhp AWD pocket rocket? Are any such examples around actually?
Apologies for the long post and looking forward to your feed-back!
The reasons it has now become very attractive for me are the following:
1) AWD: not for poor weather traction but for tuning. FWD can barely make good use of 350-400bhp down and even then usability below 100km/h is limited and a certain approach is required overall. With AWD sky (correction: your pocket) is the limit.
2) It is the most compact and lightweight option compared with every other AWD variant that I can think of? Interior space and boot size are irrelevant as this is going to be my fun car and not our family driver.
3) I have had mostly VAG cars (and tuned all of them) so with the S1's powertrain I will be feeling pretty much at home. Plus the S1 being an older model, prices are more reasonable now than when new.
Having ticked the above boxes, the plan is to find a good example and gradually go crazy with it over an extended period of time mainly in terms of engine power and suspension/chassis in a supportive fashion, goal is the 500bhp mark. I am very familiar with the CHH and CJX engines of the Golf GTI and R/S3, their tuning potential and their weaknesses so I almost have all the upgrade solutions in my mind already in terms of tune, turbo and peripherals (assuming those can be applied to the S1). So here is where I would need your help:
a) Does the S1 feature a CHH engine similar to the MK7 Golf GTI?
b) Is the Haldex unit the same as the one found in the S3 8V? if not what are the main differences?
c) Just to confirm as I would otherwise choose one but there is no DSG/S-Tronic option am I right?
The examples that I have already come across are low/average mileage ones (between 20-30K uk miles). What things I should be looking at replacing or keeping a contingency fund for? I am asking more about S1-specific issues rather than say a clutch upgrade which is known to slip even with a mere 300bhp stage 1 remap on MK7 GTIs.
What do S1 owners think overall of the car's ability to be a good candidate for a 500bhp AWD pocket rocket? Are any such examples around actually?
Apologies for the long post and looking forward to your feed-back!
