Audi-S3-Tuning-guide

All the tuning potential of the Audi TT 225 without the image, an Audi S3 makes a lot of sense to tune..

1. WHEELS AND TYRES
The standard wheels are heavy and pretty uninspiring looking, so a replacement set should be high on your list of priorities. 8x18in wheels are generally the way to go, usually with 225/40×18 tyres, as unfortunately much wider usually gives clearance issues. With the correct choice of tyres grip should still be ample thanks to the great Quattro 4WD system.

Audi-S3-Tuning-guide

2. BRAKES
Although the standard brakes are fairly substantial, the car is heavy and prone to brake fade when used hard on track. A simple track pad upgrade can help, but for real performance increases a big brake kit is the only viable option. There are various big brake conversions available, and if you want to go OEM+ style, there are kits to enable big brakes from the hot Audi RS models to fit the S3.

Audi-S3-Tuning-guide

3. SUSPENSION
The suspension is quite soft as standard, so the immediate port of call is a decent set of coilovers. Beyond that, uprated anti-roll bars are widely available and can help reduce body roll without rock solid suspension, and getting the geometry set and the car corner weighted can have a bigger effect than actually changing components.

Audi-S3-Tuning-guide

4. EXTERIOR
Although we wouldn’t recommend drastically changing the S3’s looks, a few well thought out changes are never a bad thing. A spot of de-chroming, an enlarged front bumper opening for a big intercooler, and a front splitter can work wonders for the exterior. For big power engines a vented bonnet is also a good idea to help keep under bonnet temperatures at sensible levels.

Audi-S3-Tuning-guide

5. ENGINE
The engine is the 222bhp version of the VAG 1.8T lump, and therefore pretty damn tuneable. A decent front mount intercooler, turbo-back exhaust, induction kit, and remapped ECU is a great first stage and can give it around 275bhp and over 300 lb/ft torque. Beyond that it is bigger turbo time, but along with uprated pistons, rods, fuel system, and so on, even upwards of 500bhp is quite achievable.