Audi S3 8V ECU upgrades

**Arnie** · 01-12-2014, 07:28 PM

Who are the best people to see about ECU upgrades on Audi S3 2014?

Has anyone had any experience with Audi re warranty issues following ECU mods? The dealer said unless an issue was directly related to the upgrade, it wouldn't be a problem. Any ideas?

**AdamD** · 02-12-2014, 08:23 AM

Search through the Tuning and Performance (inc ECU upgrades) forum for answers to your warranty question. It's been asked many times before, and is a complex problem. At the end of the day, don't tune unless you're prepared to forego your drivetrain warranty, as it's a very real possibility.

APR have just released (or are just about to release) a new tune for the Golf R and S3. 283kw apparently.

**Arnie** · 02-12-2014, 08:34 AM

Thanks Adam. Impressive figures, but the warranty issue might put a stop to any mods.

Appreciate your help

**AdamD** · 02-12-2014, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Arnie

Thanks Adam. Impressive figures, but the warranty issue might put a stop to any mods.

Appreciate your help

No dramas mate. I tuned my last car and it was an absolute hoot, but given the (relatively small number of) turbocharger failures reported on Golf Rs and S3s both here and overseas, I'm going to leave my S3 stock as a rock - at least until all turbo issues have been sorted out and my warranty has expired at least.

**Brockster** · 31-12-2014, 12:29 PM

Arnie. I would recommend you wait. I've just upgraded my new Golf R and blown the turbo immediately afterwards. Now fighting VW on warranty repair etc.. Everyone is now telling me that the turbo had an inherent problem (same as yours). If I could go back, I would.

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**AdamD** · 01-01-2015, 12:50 PM

On the subject of ECU upgrades for the S3, check out Remarcabull's S3 on ozAudi:

My ABT Audi S3 400 hp+ tune review

**nodoze** · 01-01-2015, 12:52 PM

Sorry to hear Brockster. Was your turbo one of the 702N models?

**Remarcabull** · 01-01-2015, 01:34 PM

Yeah sorry to hear Brockster, this is the reason I went with ABT, mines been solid as a rock, if anything were to go wrong ABT would cover all warranties. How long did you drive it before it blew? did you dyno your car before it went?

**nodoze** · 01-01-2015, 01:43 PM

Aside from the potential quality concerns with the 702N model turbos, the other factor being discussed on some of the forums is whether the stop-start system in the R/S3 could be impacting oil flow to the turbo and contributing to premature failures. After owning a succession of turbocharged cars over the past 15 years, I can't stand the thought of turning off the engine without letting the turbo cool down and I turn off the stop-start system each time I drive the car.

**jonoz** · 01-01-2015, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Brockster

Arnie. I would recommend you wait. I've just upgraded my new Golf R and blown the turbo immediately afterwards. Now fighting VW on warranty repair etc.. Everyone is now telling me that the turbo had an inherent problem (same as yours). If I could go back, I would.

Can you elaborate on what happened?

By "upgraded" what did you do?