So... Mods and things (Also AMA)

"average user" (avgusr)
10/12/2017 at 14:54 • Filed to: Audi

So I am putting together a list of things I want to do to my new baby. Would love some recommendations and such from other Audi/VW people.

I wont touch the engine or the drivetrain, 292hp is plenty for daily driving.

I would lower the car a little (an inch or so) but i will not stance it.

I would love to find it some new wheels. The original 5 spoke is a bit... blah.

I would love to get new upholstered kneepads for both sides of the center console. The original owner did not spec the nappa package so it is plastic. But that is more “nice to have” than “must have”.

Its been almost a month since i bought this car, and i am loving every minute of it. Punch it and it will go like squirt (perfect for highways) and comfortable in the city. Tiny size makes parking a breeze and the virtual cockpit is awesome.

Ask any question you want, and i will try my best to answer them. Meanwhile, let me hear your recommendations.

DISCUSSION (19)

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > average user
10/12/2017 at 15:17

Are Audis as “disconnected” as people say? Or is it just an overused car reviewer trope?

BeaterGT > average user
10/12/2017 at 15:19

RS Grill!

Arrivederci > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
10/12/2017 at 15:33

Trope. Mine feels pretty damn connected compared to other stuff in its class. That said, most modern cars have a disconnected feeling thanks to electric power steering, drive by wire and automatic transmissions.

ToyotaFamily > average user
10/12/2017 at 15:34

What’re your ideas for wheels right now?

average user > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
10/12/2017 at 15:34

I don’t feel a particular “disconnection” with the Audi. I came from a E90 so I came from a traditional hydraulic steering to electric. From my test drives, the current generation 3 series is actually more disconnected with the Audi. It is certainly less “tactile” than the E90 but it is the best one I found during my test drives.

Arrivederci > average user
10/12/2017 at 15:35

Wheels and suspension go together - is your overall goal for this to improve the look without ruining the ride? Does your car have Magnetic Ride? I think that adds a complication when lowering if you do.

average user > Arrivederci
10/12/2017 at 15:37

No mag ride. The goal is as you said, improving looks without sacrificing the ride and handling.

average user > ToyotaFamily
10/12/2017 at 15:37

I am thinking web spoke it multispoke wheels.

Arrivederci > average user
10/12/2017 at 15:49

That makes life a little easier - quite a few folks have been pretty pleased with the Emmanuele Design or H&R Supersport springs. Both will bring you down (I think) about an inch.

From what I’ve found, you don’t want to go any wider than 8.5" on wheels, and if you stay with 18" wheels you can easily still run a 40 aspect ratio on your tires (both in fitment and finding tires to buy). If you upside to 19" wheels you can still run a 8.5" width, but you should probably go down to a 35 aspect ratio on the tires (shorter sidewall). That’ll make the ride a little harsher and the wheels will be more likely to be damaged by a nasty pothole.

On 8.5" width, I wouldn’t run anything narrower than a 235 section width tire, but you could get away with a 225 if you wanted to. A 245 would be fine too, but handling may be (very) slightly less direct.

Wheels I’ve been considering are HRE and BBS. Both are pretty expensive options but are quality and well-known. I’d stay away from replica wheels as they tend to be lower quality and more likely to crack or bend if you hit something. Look for a design you like, make sure it comes in 5x112 bolt pattern and either has a 57.1 hub bore or you can buy adapters to get you to that 57.1 hub bore. That’ll make mounting the wheel a lot easier.

average user > Arrivederci
10/12/2017 at 16:02

I am thinking I would stick with 18x8. Like you said anything larger would ruin the ride (I came from run flat tires for 11years and I think I would welcome tires that won’t telegraph every bump on the road).

AM3R, lost another burner > Arrivederci
10/12/2017 at 16:07

I know initially it’s tough to swallow the price of BBS or HRE wheels, but the good news is you can resell them and make back 70% of your money (if they aren’t curbed) when you sell the car or go back to stock wheels... well, that’s how I justified it for myself at least lol.

Arrivederci > AM3R, lost another burner
10/12/2017 at 16:10

Screencapping for my wife :). Hah. Actually she’s on board - her point is that I need to get something I like and want to keep instead of flipping cheaper wheels like I have in the past. Right now I’m trying to decide between BBS CH-R, RGR and HRE FF01.

Arrivederci > average user
10/12/2017 at 16:13

I don’t know about “ruin,” but it won’t be an improvement from a comfort standpoint :). The mag ride cars come with 19" wheels from the factory.

18" wheels have lots of benefits - cheaper to buy, cheaper to put tires on and a little more comfortable. But, I think they look a little small on our cars and 19" wheels will look more aggressive. You pay for that aggression though - more expensive wheels/tires and a little less comfort.

AM3R, lost another burner > Arrivederci
10/12/2017 at 16:31

I think some CH-R’s would be awesome on an S3. I was about to purchase a set of matte black CH-R’s but the offset was far too aggressive sadly. And seriously, as long as you don’t destroy them they will hold lots of value! It’s like a nice watch.

average user > Arrivederci
10/12/2017 at 16:58

According to Tire Rack, the RGR wont fit into an S3.

DarkCreamyBeer > Arrivederci
10/12/2017 at 22:24

Sorry: replied to wrong reply.

DarkCreamyBeer > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
10/12/2017 at 22:25

I bought my B8.5 A4 because I just plain liked driving it better than the F30 328. It reminded me of my B13 Sentra SE-R in the way it handled, even without an lsd, and rode better than the BMW too. The only car that handled better in that class I tried was the ATS. The Audi dealer experience was better too.

Arrivederci > average user
10/13/2017 at 08:15

It’ll fit, no problem. Two sizes are 18x8 +35 and 19x8.5 +32. The 19s will be very close to poking but the 18s would be a nice fitment. My stock wheels are 18x8 +46. I’ve measured how tucked in the wheels are and came up with 19mm on the front and 25mm on the back. The 18x8 +35 RGR have 11mm different offset, which will push the wheels out to the edge of the car’s body, effectively changing my tuck from 19mm/25mm to 8mm/14mm. The 19s would change it from 19mm/25mm to +1mm/5mm thanks to the more aggressive offset and wider width.

average user > Arrivederci
10/13/2017 at 11:58

The CH-R and the HRE rims.... the prices are yikes. Definitely a save-for-later job especially i have a wedding to pay for.