Test drove S3 -- Stock or tune, does it always feel flat under 3k RPM??

[drew4392]

I like the car overall, but the power band is going to take some getting used to. The size is exciting, as it is reminiscent of the older S4s.

Feels like a 4cyl econo box below 3k. Like, completely flat, nada, zilch.

Is this simply an unavoidable feature of the power plant and isn't remedied with a tune (piggy back, not flash)?

It was an awkward feeling driving around in town, even in simple traffic situations. I needed to scoot in front of a car or change lanes, and even with the pedal to the floor almost, it wasn't doing anything (again, below ~3k RPM).

Coming from a stage 2 S4 does affect my expectations a tad, but even still, other cars don't seem to have this issue.

Thanks, all.

-Drew

[949]

there is a known complaint with the slight hesitation when accelerating. do a search and youll be able to read more about it. this has been covered in depth.

[aaronz]

Came from the same car, I believe it's some what the engine (as you describe) and a little bit of the transmission.

Obviously a supercharge 6 is going to have lower end grunt, but I agree that on this engine I thought it would have something from 2-3200, and it doesn't...even with a tune. After 3200 it has a great power band which goes nearly all the way to redline.

Does make it tricky to merge or get going without going into full throttle mode (and thus making it seem like you're trying to show off or prove something), there seems to be no happy medium.


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[markn1689]

keep it in sport mode. that will keep the rpms in the power band at all times

[Baggio]

A stage 1 ECU and DSG tune will keep D-mode in the powerband and you will be in a more useful gear below 3000 rpms and still get decent gas mileage all with added power and throttle response. From what I have seen on this board the piggy backs only add performance at the 3000+ rpm range.

If you don't tune, I would suggest driving in S-mode or manual mode (paddle shifters) and keep the car in a gear that allows you accelerate faster without going to WOT.

[FabianS]

I bet it wasn't in sport mode.

[will13k7]

much better after stage2 ecu + tcu tune. doesn't bother me anymore after tuning. the surginess of the turbo even makes it at least feel faster than a stage2 b8 s4 on pump gas.

[KevinM.]

Yeah, you're not gonna get much power below around 3000, pretty much, it's only fun when it starts getting loud :) (exhaust valves open up at around 3500)

[aaronz]

I don't think he is concerned about the "sport mode" aspect of it, doesn't change the power band in the lower range.


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[ChrisF1]

Also owned an S4. Think of it as a reverse of that powerband: supercharged 7 speed DSG has tons of bottom end and dies above 5K RPM. S3 with turbo 4 pot and 6 speed DSG is soft in the low RPM's but at after about 3K has full power all the way to redline. Unless your preference is stoplight racing off the line torque, the S3 is a nice balance of soft on the bottom when you're cruising around town and pull above 3K when you're driving in a spirited manner. If you like a lot of torque off the line, tuning will help but it's more the nature of the car to have a different power band. 235M sport has a bit better bottom end but found the car utterly soul-less.

[949]

... turbo 4 pot...

I have seen this used incorrectly a few posts already and thought I would point it out. trying to be helpful and not to be rude about it.

I have also linked some references as well to support.


4 pot is about brakes. how many brake pistons there are in a caliper.
http://www.enginebasics.com/Chassis%...%20Design.html
http://www.sgmerc.com/topic/10823-wh...t-brakes-mean/
https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/questio...1074949AAYcN0m





4 banger is about engine. how many pistons in an engine. (slang)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...erm=4%20Banger

http://onlineslangdictionary.com/mea...on-of/4-banger

[diztek]

All turbos need time to spool. Just have to keep be Rpms above 3k for instant power.

[markn1689]

s mode keeps the rpm's higher...so that you are mostly in the power band. how did u miss that

btw how did you ever get a 2013 s3 in chicago?

[aaronz]

s mode keeps the rpm's higher...so that you are mostly in the power band. how did u miss that

btw how did you ever get a 2013 s3 in chicago?

I get what s mode does but that's not what he was asking, he was asking about the lower power band...clearly if S mode holds the gear longer you are no longer in the power band he is asking about

Where did you get that I have a 2013 s3?

Edit: ^ that wasn't meant to sound pretentious, just clarifying

[fhwang]

It was an awkward feeling driving around in town, even in simple traffic situations. I needed to scoot in front of a car or change lanes, and even with the pedal to the floor almost, it wasn't doing anything (again, below ~3k RPM).

Coming from a stage 2 S4

-Drew

Trolling disguised as an innocent question from a bitter S4 owner. *Sigh* it never ends, lol. Probably got spanked by an S3 at a red light recently and trying to blow off steam...

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[drew4392]

Trolling disguised as an innocent question from a bitter S4 owner. *Sigh* it never ends, lol. Probably got spanked by an S3 at a red light recently and trying to blow off steam...

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Trolling?

I'm looking to downsize because I'm buying a bigger home. S3 numbers all worked out with dealer, ready to go. But... after the few test drives... the one thing that it bugging me is the low end hesitation.

I came on here asking fellow S3/S4 drivers what their thoughts are and if there are any workarounds. How is that trolling? Grow up.


Thanks to everyone for the input, I appreciate it!

[aaronz]

You'll enjoy it, if you got over the interior differences (I liked the s4 much more than the s3 interior) then everything else will take some time to adjust but you will adjust. Good luck!




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[fhwang]

Trolling disguised as an innocent question from a bitter S4 owner. *Sigh* it never ends, lol. Probably got spanked by an S3 at a red light recently and trying to blow off steam...

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Peace. I'm breaking your balls. You'll be happy with the S3, if you get it. I've driven a 15’ S4 stock as a loaner; not impressed. I like the turbo surge vs the supercharger's "progressive" delivery of the power. Tune the S3 or get a piggy back (cheap$$) and based on the reviews and opinions on the forum, trust me I think you'll be a happy camper. Or wait for the B9 S4?

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[ChrisF1]

You're mis quoting me. I was clearly referring to engines (turbo 4 vs. SC V6). I never mentioned brakes once; it was all drivetrain. Please check your reading comprehension before you correct someone.

[14S4GWM]

You're mis quoting me. I was clearly referring to engines (turbo 4 vs. SC V6). I never mentioned brakes once; it was all drivetrain. Please check your reading comprehension before you correct someone.

What he's saying is how are you using the word "pot" in correlation to an engine. He never said you were speaking of brakes, you made yourself sound like it. Sounds like you were using the wrong term for the conversation at hand. I tend to agree with him unless you can correct us if we are wrong.

[Cairo94507]

4-pot has never been an expression regarding engines in my 45 years of owning and working on cars of all types. Not a big deal as people tend to not really pay attention to language anymore. Kind of like someone saying, "I gotta get some tints" or I am getting "coils". It's the new generation's language. I don't like it, but that's me.

[helli217]

What he's saying is how are you using the word "pot" in correlation to an engine. He never said you were speaking of brakes, you made yourself sound like it. Sounds like you were using the wrong term for the conversation at hand. I tend to agree with him unless you can correct us if we are wrong.

Look around a bit. Some of you elitist snoozebags may realize that "pot" is slang altogether and is used in regards to brake pistons AND engine piston numbers. Jesus Christ. This place gets real douchey. Seriously. Read a bit of English auto literature. Calling cylinders "pots" is nothing new.

[aaronz]

Wow this gotten taken to 11, lets get it back down to like a 4, all car people here folks simmmak down now


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[14S4GWM]

Look around a bit. Some of you elitist snoozebags may realize that "pot" is slang altogether and is used in regards to brake pistons AND engine piston numbers. Jesus Christ. This place gets real douchey. Seriously. Read a bit of English auto literature. Calling cylinders "pots" is nothing new.

Sounds like you brought the douche to the table. I've never seen or heard it called that. Out of the 3 posts about this I thought mine was the least offensive. I think you act like the elitist douche bag mr sensative. I was trying to clear it up for the original post. No sweat off my back so chill the eff out and take a nap or something.

[Cairo94507]

I don't think my post was offensive at all. Not intended to be.

[14S4GWM]

I don't think my post was offensive at all. Not intended to be.

It's all good, somebody had a bad day I guess.

[Blaine]

Anything with a Supercharger is going to have a TON more low RPM grunt. The S3 since it has a turbo and a small engine is going to have ONLY higher RPM grunt. Thats just the nature of the beast. If you want low rpm grunt with a turbo your going to have to have a bigger motor. V6 V8 V10 V12..... So compared to a bigger motor in your previous car with a supercharger... stock for stock the S3 is going to feel sluggish compared to your previous car below 3k rpms. Just like my V10 Dodge Viper felt sluggish after I came from a Supercharged 427 Z06 at 800 RWHP.

Now this is countered by having the turbos spool sooner with more boost. Thats all in the programming and turbo choice.

I don't think you'll be disappointed in the S3. I'm not. A fun car with 4 doors and looks great to. And it has 10 Second 1/4 mile potential with a bolt on turbo kit from APR.

[Z32drifter]

What you need is the stage 2 IS20 upgrade, quicker spool and more power than the stock S3. Come on down to FL and we'll swap you can have the quicker spool of my A3 IS20 turbo and I'll take one for the team and suffer with the slower spool of your IS38.

[949]

Sounds like you brought the douche to the table. I've never seen or heard it called that. Out of the 3 posts about this I thought mine was the least offensive. I think you act like the elitist douche bag mr sensative. I was trying to clear it up for the original post. No sweat off my back so chill the eff out and take a nap or something.

+1

Wow this gotten taken to 11, lets get it back down to like a 4, all car people here folks simmmak down now


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+1

Look around a bit. Some of you elitist snoozebags may realize that "pot" is slang altogether and is used in regards to brake pistons AND engine piston numbers. Jesus Christ. This place gets real douchey. Seriously. Read a bit of English auto literature. Calling cylinders "pots" is nothing new.

wow, the only places I have seen it called this is on forums and not in any auto literature. this has nothing to do with being an elitist. the point is to make sense of the conversation. no one here has been "douchey", only courteous and I have seen some douchey conversations on the forums. also I have not used douchey since I was in high school which seems to make us seem like we are English elitist. i personally have the worst grammar evaaa.

the idea that you brought is confusing by naming two different things with one common name. so lets use your nomenclature in practice. again we are only trying to clear things up.



here is the statement and you tell us if you can precisely determine which automotive part I am talking about, brake or engine?


"I saw his car's four pot yesterday and thought it was very nice."

[aaronz]

?




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[redwing497]

The S3 has peak torque at only 1900 rpms. It has plenty of low end grunt. The biggest problem is the transmission's relentless pursuit of higher gears. It's guns for 6th as quickly as possible.

Then, when you want low end power, you encounter the next weakness which is the gas pedal calibration. You push and push and there's nothing, until you hit this one point where the dsg drops 3 or 4 gears and you blow past whoever you were trying to pass. As some others said, there's no in between. This should really be addressed by audi in the form of a software update because expecting people to drive around in S mode all the time us just unreasonable. And people may also not want to use manual mode all the time.

This is a good motor hindered big time by poor DSG calibration for the sake of fuel economy, which ironically, is absolutely putrid.

[Baggio]

The S3 has peak torque at only 1900 rpms. It has plenty of low end grunt. The biggest problem is the transmission's relentless pursuit of higher gears. It's guns for 6th as quickly as possible.

Then, when you want low end power, you encounter the next weakness which is the gas pedal calibration. You push and push and there's nothing, until you hit this one point where the dsg drops 3 or 4 gears and you blow past whoever you were trying to pass. As some others said, there's no in between. This should really be addressed by audi in the form of a software update because expecting people to drive around in S mode all the time us just unreasonable. And people may also not want to use manual mode all the time.

This is a good motor hindered big time by poor DSG calibration for the sake of fuel economy, which ironically, is absolutely putrid.

Agreed. An ECU tune with a DSG has worked wonders for me.


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[markn1689]

s3>s4
s4 is getting schooled by its little bro. 'nuff said

[drew4392]

Good points. I'm wondering if the 2017 with a S-tronic (not dual clutch) will help this issue? At least I think I read that the facelifted S3 will have a new 7 speed tranny.

I really hope this is addressed in the new version coming out in the very near future.

[Baggio]

Good points. I'm wondering if the 2017 with a S-tronic (not dual clutch) will help this issue? At least I think I read that the facelifted S3 will have a new 7 speed tranny.

I really hope this is addressed in the new version coming out in the very near future.

I doubt it. It will just rush to get to 7th gear in D-mode. Believe me when I tell you an ECU tune and DSG tune really wakes up the bottom end for daily driving. But, I guess not everyone wants to risk their warranty.

[matsayswhat]

Look around a bit. Some of you elitist snoozebags may realize that "pot" is slang altogether and is used in regards to brake pistons AND engine piston numbers. Jesus Christ. This place gets real douchey. Seriously. Read a bit of English auto literature. Calling cylinders "pots" is nothing new.

I don't want to be douchey so I'm going to start telling people how banging my brakes are and how there are at least 4 pots in my engine


The low end grunt of a larger supercharged engine and s-mode details have already been covered, but I just wanted to add the I noticed recently that driving a tank of gas in 's' for half of it actually didn't impact mileage as much as I thought it would. That's kind of nice, even if I didn't by the car for the mpgs.

[949]

I don't want to be douchey so I'm going to start telling people how banging my brakes are and how there are at least 4 pots in my engine

touché sir!

[vwblackb5]

Why would anyone stay in D for spirited driving? Just leave it in S all the time, who cares about fuel economy...

[Baggio]

Why would anyone stay in D for spirited driving? Just leave it in S all the time, who cares about fuel economy...

It's not about spirited driving, it's about normal passing when daily driving in traffic at low rpms. You shouldn't have to leave it is S all the time for this kind of driving. As said above the stock calibration for the DSG is the problem. That's why when I got ECU tune, I also got the DSG tune to correct those issues with the stock calibration.

[markn1689]

It's not about spirited driving, it's about normal passing when daily driving in traffic at low rpms. You shouldn't have to leave it is S all the time for this kind of driving. As said above the stock calibration for the DSG is the problem. That's why when I got ECU tune, I also got the DSG tune to correct those issues with the stock calibration.

i have 0 issues passing in D mode. 100% stock as a rock.