VeeDubb's 2016 S3 Build Journal

[MerlinS3]

Hello All,

My name's Corbin, long time lurker and poster but first time Audi Owner,
I decided back in October that I needed to have an S3 after a customer of the dealership I work at brought in his Sepang Blue S3, lowered, on AG wheels. I fell in love and knew that I had to have one. Now at that time there were plenty around and at our dealership but wasn't too appealed by any of the standard color S3's that we had. So I went ahead and pulled the trigger and special ordered my S3

Fast forward to today (3/3/16). My car is in transport to the dealer and she be arriving any day now, it has been a long wait for it and now that its down to the wire its starting to feel even longer lol.
Everyday I go into work watching the transports unload new cars in hopes that my S3 is on one of them, but so far this week, 6 loads down, no car yet.

Back History:
This will be my first Audi. I have owned a number of VW's in the past and always wanted to get into an Audi but never pulled the trigger on one. It wasn't until I started working for Audi that it became financially feasible for me.

My past cars include the following:
2013 GTI Autobahn - 350WHP 415WTQ
2012 GTI Stage 2 GIAC
2008 R32
2003 GTI Fully Built 475WHP

I have had some non VW's before and between those cars but those were mostly boring transition cars.

S3 Specs:
- 2016 Premium Plus
- Super Sport Seats
- Black Optics
- B&O
- Technology Pack
- LED lighting
- Audi Exclusive Paint
- Mag Ride

Parts Arrived:
- H&R Super Sport Springs
- Spulen Turbo Muffler Delete ]
- Federal 595RS-RR Tires
- RS-Quattro Grille
- Carbon Front Lip)
- FortyFourWheel Titanium Lug nuts and Race stud conversions
- CTS Turbo Intake
- Zito Wheels ZF01 Flow Forged


Parts To Be Ordered Depending arrival of RS3 next summer

- Haldex Controller (out yet?)
- Visual Mods, Front Lip(DONE), Trunk Fin, Rear Diffuser, Carbon Mirror Caps (TBD)

Soon as the car arrives I will post some pictures of it Pre-PDI, and after PDI.

Update 3/4/16 : H&R Springs showed up!


IT ARRIVED! 3/8/16 exactly 6 months from my order date!









Then off to get PDI done!





Update: Had a chance to take some photos with my Cannon DSLR today. Sunlight really shows off the color, and mandatory interior shot of the Super Sport seats for good measure

[gp813]

welcome, i encourage you to join the facebook 8v s3 owners group along with the so cal S3 group we have setup. I can invite you if youd like.

What exclusive color did you get?

[MerlinS3]

welcome, i encourage you to join the facebook 8v s3 owners group along with the so cal S3 group we have setup. I can invite you if youd like.

What exclusive color did you get?

I would however I do not use Facebook lol
It would be nice to go to a socal meet with other S3 owners, probably means I need some Social Media to find that stuff out haha

I ordered Merlin Purple, Supposedly it is the only S3 outside of Europe in this color according to Audi of America when I ordered it which is pretty awesome

[gp813]

Awesome color choice!!!! We have quite the rainbow of colors in so cal from what I've seen so far so youre in good company. When or if you decide to join facebook we have meetups at least once a month for drives.

[MerlinS3]

Awesome color choice!!!! We have quite the rainbow of colors in so cal from what I've seen so far so youre in good company. When or if you decide to join facebook we have meetups at least once a month for drives.

Hm I might just have to jump on facebook for this reason lol

I see you have the H&R springs I ordered, how do you like the ride and is the drop nice?

[GramCracker]

Awesome color choice!!!! We have quite the rainbow of colors in so cal from what I've seen so far so youre in good company. When or if you decide to join facebook we have meetups at least once a month for drives.

If by "rainbow" you mean Sepang, sure haha

[gp813]

Hm I might just have to jump on facebook for this reason lol

I see you have the H&R springs I ordered, how do you like the ride and is the drop nice?

drop is really nice. the ride some would say could be better. Are you on magride? Some here are jumping ship to emmanuel designs linear spring setup. not as stiff but more comfortable day to day.

[Primolak]

welcome, i encourage you to join the facebook 8v s3 owners group along with the so cal S3 group we have setup. I can invite you if youd like.

What exclusive color did you get?

Where can I find you guys?


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[mmth_ski_bum]

Where can I find you guys?


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https://www.facebook.com/groups/s3ownersusa/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641800782737379/

Plus there's always the ACLA, ACIE, OCAC, and SDAC groups depending on where you live.

[MerlinS3]

drop is really nice. the ride some would say could be better. Are you on magride? Some here are jumping ship to emmanuel designs linear spring setup. not as stiff but more comfortable day to day.

I like a stiffer ride any way so maybe the H&R's will be good for me, Yeah I opted for the Magride on it

[Primolak]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/s3ownersusa/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641800782737379/

Plus there's always the ACLA, ACIE, OCAC, and SDAC groups depending on where you live.

Yeah I am in ACLA already. Thanks!


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[MerlinS3]

Updated on Post 1

Car arrived last night, exactly 6 months from order date! The anticipation was killing me, soon as it was unloaded I ran out and tore off the wrapping to see my color and wow, it was better then expected!

Next to go on will be my H&R lowering springs and window tint this week or next week!

Will take some real photos of it this weekend


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[TDI Brad]

Sweet I love the Purp!


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[MerlinS3]

Merlin and his Stable mate



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[GramCracker]

More photos. Now.

[gaogi]

Fellow Irvine ziner! I also got my S3 at NB Audi and my wife's MBZ at Laguna Niguel. I'll keep my eyes peeled for your S3, should be hard to miss with that color!

[gp813]

that color is absolutely awesome. Looking forward to seeing it in person! Please tell me youre going to at least ceramic coat and put a front clear bra on it.

[MerlinS3]

Fellow Irvine ziner! I also got my S3 at NB Audi and my wife's MBZ at Laguna Niguel. I'll keep my eyes peeled for your S3, should be hard to miss with that color!

The Benz is my wifes and I work at Newport Audi lol,You'll see my purple beast around I assure you that

that color is absolutely awesome. Looking forward to seeing it in person! Please tell me youre going to at least ceramic coat and put a front clear bra on it.

Thank you!
Clear bra the entire front up to the doors will be done soon and doing 3M Color stable tint too this month

More photos. Now.

More to come! only had it a day so far!
Will have real camera photos soon

[Cairo94507]

Congratulations. Nice looking S3.

[MerlinS3]

Update: Just ordered the Spulen Turbo Muffler Delete

Springs will go in this weekend, Window Tint next week along with TMD (tubro muffler delete).

[949]

I would however I do not use Facebook lol
It would be nice to go to a socal meet with other S3 owners, probably means I need some Social Media to find that stuff out haha

I ordered Merlin Purple, Supposedly it is the only S3 outside of Europe in this color according to Audi of America when I ordered it which is pretty awesome

its an A3 but it looks like the same color.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...s-Project-UA30

[MerlinS3]

its an A3 but it looks like the same color.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...s-Project-UA30

That car is actually called Shiraz Red, it is a dark red with purple flake.
Merlin Purple is Purple with Metallic flake. Side by side they look nothing alike

[JOS4AUDI]

Congrats again Corbin. I love the color!!!!

[949]

That car is actually called Shiraz Red, it is a dark red with purple flake.
Merlin Purple is Purple with Metallic flake. Side by side they look nothing alike

Oh I see now. so what your saying is that to the rest of us its a purple car. lol.

Sweet I love the Purp!


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[MerlinS3]

Oh I see now. so what your saying is that to the rest of us its a purple car. lol.

to say the least yes, it is purple.

But really, Way different colors, Shiraz is more red then purple. Merlin is more Plum purple. Either way both colors are awesome lol

- - - Updated - - -

Congrats again Corbin. I love the color!!!!

Thanks Jeremy! Your car is looking amazing as well! I need to see that bad boy in person like ASAP

[MerlinS3]

Took some real camera photos of the car today, also add the Audi quattro to the rear doors








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[gp813]

Beautiful. When are your rims due to arrive? I looked up the QLB's and they look stunning.

[MerlinS3]

Beautiful. When are your rims due to arrive? I looked up the QLB's and they look stunning.

I'm hoping a few weeks, it ordered them I believe two weeks ago with a 6 week eta


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[MerlinS3]

Update: Had H&R super sports installed as well as installed my Spulen turbo muffler delete. Overall very happy with these items. Pictures for proof of lowering.





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[949]

can you describe how the turbo muffler delete effects you when you drive?

[MerlinS3]

can you describe how the turbo muffler delete effects you when you drive?

From what I noticed, it feels like the turbo starts spoiling a bit earlier and a bit quicker. Mainly notice the turbo muffler delete when accelerating out of a corner where turbo lag is most evident


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[techandtest]

Fellow Irvine ziner! I also got my S3 at NB Audi and my wife's MBZ at Laguna Niguel. I'll keep my eyes peeled for your S3, should be hard to miss with that color!

From Irvine as well.

[MerlinS3]

From Irvine as well.

Everyone in the Irvine area should have a get together over the weekend, I've seen a few S3's rolling around but have not had a chance to meet up with any local guys around here.

Saw a Riviera Blue, lowered white one, and a silver one so far

[techandtest]

I think we should cruise down at night to Newport Beach donut shop or hit Santiago early morning

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[GramCracker]

God damn that's fucking sweet in Merlin Purple!

[gaogi]

Everyone in the Irvine area should have a get together over the weekend, I've seen a few S3's rolling around but have not had a chance to meet up with any local guys around here.

Saw a Riviera Blue, lowered white one, and a silver one so far

Bunch of S3 people are supposed to meet up at Emmanuele Design on Sunday morning 4/3 and taking a drive out to Azusa Canyon. I'll probably be at the ED meet to get Thomas to take a look if I need new version of his springs, but won't join the drive. Details on the S3 SOCAL Facebook page.

[MerlinS3]

I think we should cruise down at night to Newport Beach donut shop or hit Santiago early morning

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Im down for that!

God damn that's fucking sweet in Merlin Purple!

Thank you! Car turned out nicer then I anticipated when I ordered it

Bunch of S3 people are supposed to meet up at Emmanuele Design on Sunday morning 4/3 and taking a drive out to Azusa Canyon. I'll probably be at the ED meet to get Thomas to take a look if I need new version of his springs, but won't join the drive. Details on the S3 SOCAL Facebook page.

What time sunday morning is the meet at ED?

[HackDevil]

Very nice ride. Can't wait to see all the parts come in


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[gaogi]

What time sunday morning is the meet at ED?

7AM, heading out for the drive at 8AM. Coffee, donuts/bagels will be provided!

[MerlinS3]

7AM, heading out for the drive at 8AM. Coffee, donuts/bagels will be provided!

I may just see you all there!


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