How are you guys getting passed the hesitation on start issue?

[deathmetal666]

I was dead set on getting an S3. Turned in my 335 lease and test drove two different s3s.
The car is awesome all around except the hesitation from a dead stop. The car barely moves for half a second.

I think that's a deal breaker for me....was driving me nuts during the test drives.

Has anyone found a way around it? I tried dynamic, sport, etc, etc....nothing helped.

This is my first Audi....has Audi fixed these hesitation issues in the last with other models?
Or is it just an Audi thing. I'm hoping they release some sort of software update to resolve it.
Otherwise it's probably back to BMW.
I did test drive a 2015 GTI and didn't notice any lag, so I would think Audi could fix the issue.

[949]

this just came out for production. the first 500 orders was last month.

same engine but supposedly there will be a manual tranny. not sure if there is any hesitation but the engine is exactly the same. plus its cheaper.

http://www.vw.com/models/golf-r/

[949]

[gamegenie]

Hmm, I can't consign this experience. I have an A3, and it's a beast when in Dynamic mode. No hesitation there. Perhaps that the experience of a show car on the lot being beat-up by test drivers.

This is my first Audi and right now I've been driving an A4 for a month now waiting on my Audi dealer to repair my MMI on my A3 and this A4 is no where near the level of the A3, so glad I did not get an A4, even though the ancient looking interior of it alone was enough for me to avoid it but having to drive this car around and not get any of the spoils from A3 has been very disappointing.

[Rearviewevo]

I was dead set on getting an S3. Turned in my 335 lease and test drove two different s3s.
The car is awesome all around except the hesitation from a dead stop. The car barely moves for half a second.

I think that's a deal breaker for me....was driving me nuts during the test drives.

Has anyone found a way around it? I tried dynamic, sport, etc, etc....nothing helped.

This is my first Audi....has Audi fixed these hesitation issues in the last with other models?
Or is it just an Audi thing. I'm hoping they release some sort of software update to resolve it.
Otherwise it's probably back to BMW.
I did test drive a 2015 GTI and didn't notice any lag, so I would think Audi could fix the issue.

Honestly, I just wouldn't buy a S3 until this issue is resolved because right now there doesn't seem to be a fix. It's an issue and my single biggest complaint with the car that I've posted about on a few occasions. These forums haven't been unhelpful in this regard, as most people don't seem to feel it's an issue or are still in the honeymoon phase with their new toys and unwilling to accept/acknowledge it's an issue that doesn't need to be there (even with a dct). I still enjoy my car but this aspect bugs me everyday.

[xssiiv]

What about one of these... I have used a sprintbooster in my previous Golf R and current Audi S3 sedan
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=67bddzpng_8&autoplay=1

http://www.sprintboostersales.com/

[demonmk2]

what are you used to driving?
and it being electronically controlled its probably designed that way.
when you say dead stop you mean, you stab it from an idle? almost all cars will do that.

[demonmk2]

and you have have to remember on the BMW and the gti driving force is being put out by two wheels....not 4 which would have more drive train loss.

[drober30]

My car should be delivered next week. I will reply to this thread to let you know if my car has the hesitation. I immediately experienced the hesitation on my first test drive on an A3 back in September. Someone posted that their recent delivery did not have the hesitation. There has been some discussion on this topic either here or on other forms and the consciences is thats its not turbo lag but a throttle response issue that Audi should be able to fix with a new flash.

[Rearviewevo]

and you have have to remember on the BMW and the gti driving force is being put out by two wheels....not 4 which would have more drive train loss.

It's not drive train loss, c'mon. Every bmw I've driven including my x drive x3 doesn't have this is issue. Neither do dct m3s. It may just be an audi thing, I don't know. My dad's ford escape I tested a few weeks ago is also awd and had unbelievably good throttle response for a $25k car.

It may just be an audi thing I'm not used as I'm coming from from BMWs and Subarus. Most people who have owned an audi in the past don't seem to see it as an issue. All I can say it go out and drive any new BMW or even Ford and you will realize the lag in the Audi.

[Rearviewevo]

It's not drive train loss, c'mon. Every bmw I've driven including my x drive x3 doesn't have this is issue. Neither do dct m3s. It may just be an audi thing, I don't know. My dad's ford escape I tested a few weeks ago is also awd and had unbelievably good throttle response for a $25k car.

It may just be an audi thing I'm not used as I'm coming from from BMWs and Subarus. Most people who have owned an audi in the past don't seem to see it as an issue. All I can say it go out and drive any new BMW or even Ford and you will realize the lag in the Audi.

Just to be clear, by "lag" I meant hesitation above. This isn't turbo lag.

[15WhiteA3]

They told me it was normal as the motor and trans had to catch up with the pedal since its electronic and not cable driven. They had their shop Forman drive it and he said the same thing. They also tell me that the car will learn your driving style and with the wife and I both driving it it's getting confused. I don't know how accurate that is or if I was fed a line of s... Or not. That's my only complaint on the car so far and since I don't drive it every day I don't care as much. There is no tech bulletin for it either I had them check.

[icutrauma1]

They told me it was normal as the motor and trans had to catch up with the pedal since its electronic and not cable driven. They had their shop Forman drive it and he said the same thing. They also tell me that the car will learn your driving style and with the wife and I both driving it it's getting confused. I don't know how accurate that is or if I was fed a line of s... Or not. That's my only complaint on the car so far and since I don't drive it every day I don't care as much. There is no tech bulletin for it either I had them check.

DBW ended over a decade ago, I don't know of a decades worth of cars that are hesitating at the stoplight. The car is confused? How come the mouse on your computer at home doesn't get confused with the different tracking styles. They just fed you the first crap that regurgitated from their brain fart.

[Dr. Jekyll]

I think it's a combination of the engine/trans tuning, DSG (it's basically an electronically controlled manual), and turbo lag. With the transmission in Sport the engine idles higher and the lag off the line is less noticeable. If I were a betting man, I'd say that the aftermarket tunes (APR and GIAC especially) will significantly lessen or completely fix the lag. Those companies are usually pretty good about fixing common drivability problems while piling on the power.

Until then, I just apply more throttle to get the car off the line quicker. It's a little less smooth but if I'm not driving someone around, I don't care.

[S3Danny]

Every DBW car I've owned has noticeable pedal lag. A tune always takes care of it. I don't expect the S3 to be any different. It didn't seem that bad to me on a test drive, about average with any other DBW car.

[zarraz]

I have the same issue with my car, its stupid, you press on the gas, the car just sits there, then with a jerk starts to move, I have an oil change coming up so will get the tech to check it out, but it is very annoying.

[Rearviewevo]

Glad to see others are starting to notice the problem as well. Hopefully if enough people raise the issue there can be a fix.

[CRL77]

I had the issue at first as well. It can be overcome with some practice with pedal touch and whatnot...or with your drive select, or getting the reflash. ;-)

[subiesleeper]

When I test drove the S3 the other day I did appreciate maybe a half second of lag before it began to move. I attributed it to turbo lag, as with my s4 there is absolutely no problem with throttle response. My Subaru forester xt turbo had a similar issue but I learned to prepare for it and adapt. If they do come up with a reflash, great if not I will go from there.

[deathmetal666]

BTW...my last test drive was yesterday on an S3 that was literally just PDI'd that day. Just delivered off the truck the day before.
So any hope I had of newer S3's not having the issue was shot.

its totally unacceptable in what is supposedly a performance oriented car.
Now I don't don't what car to get. I'm not a fan of the Golf interiors.

I'd like car with my previous bmw 335i engine/Trans in the S3 body...haha.

[saxon]

i noticed the same thing, i drove one yesterday and my best guess is that it has to do with the way the dbw is set . usually manufactures will do this to help with fuel economy

im hoping with a tune that it will be fixed and waiting to hear reports back from people

[cowboyzx6]

Agreed. I have had the same complaint since I took delivery mid-december. The car I drove at the dealer pre-purchase had the same issue.

[LOT4R]

Why is this even a discussion? Who cars about dead stop performance? Are you really racing light to light? If you really want to shoot out of the hole, enable launch control,which holds these revs around 4k.

[LOT4R]

There is so much more to love about this car than nitpicking over dead stop performance. You guys are missing out.

[saxon]

There is so much more to love about this car than nitpicking over dead stop performance. You guys are missing out.

ITs not the performance, it's the way the throttle lags

[deathmetal666]

It's not about dead stop performance. I live in San Francisco, it's all a lot of quick start quick stop driving. Having a half second before the car evens responds doesn't work for city driving. Especially with tourists, pedestrians, busses etc all over the place. U need that immediate throttle response to navigate city traffic.

Plus waiting a half second is just plain annoying.

[Rearviewevo]

It's annoying. Period.

[Vondo89]

One thing that helps....learning the car. Get used to the response, yes if you floor it then it take a sec to catch up but being a little lighter on the foot definately helped me, and once you get moving FLOOR IT... otherwise get the tune, im about 1k away

[CRL77]

One thing that helps....learning the car. Get used to the response, yes if you floor it then it take a sec to catch up but being a little lighter on the foot definately helped me, and once you get moving FLOOR IT... otherwise get the tune, im about 1k away

I'm at 11K miles now. Took delivery in mid-June, got the tune when I passed 5K.

The tune wakes the A3 up. It's like a different car.

In everyday driving though, you are right: learn the car. I've noticed that a combo of letting off the brake and letting the car start a slow rollout on it's own of about 5-10 ft, followed by LIGHT acceleration, works just fine.

Even with the APR tune, there is still a very slight hesitation, on normal driving. I suspect it could be fixed with a Transmission reflash, which hasn't been released yet.

But with the tune in place, and the drive select in Dynamic, you won't have much to complain about. The car is refined and fuel efficient for city, it zips in and out of traffic, and when you WANT to get on it and have a little fun, or get through that yellow light before it turns red, the car has no problems.

[red_eh_4]

Hmm, I can't consign this experience. I have an A3, and it's a beast when in Dynamic mode. No hesitation there. Perhaps that the experience of a show car on the lot being beat-up by test drivers.

This is my first Audi and right now I've been driving an A4 for a month now waiting on my Audi dealer to repair my MMI on my A3 and this A4 is no where near the level of the A3, so glad I did not get an A4, even though the ancient looking interior of it alone was enough for me to avoid it but having to drive this car around and not get any of the spoils from A3 has been very disappointing.

Are you driving a 2015 A4 while you wait or an older one?

[Rearviewevo]

I'm at 11K miles now. Took delivery in mid-June, got the tune when I passed 5K.

The tune wakes the A3 up. It's like a different car.

In everyday driving though, you are right: learn the car. I've noticed that a combo of letting off the brake and letting the car start a slow rollout on it's own of about 5-10 ft, followed by LIGHT acceleration, works just fine.

Even with the APR tune, there is still a very slight hesitation, on normal driving. I suspect it could be fixed with a Transmission reflash, which hasn't been released yet.

But with the tune in place, and the drive select in Dynamic, you won't have much to complain about. The car is refined and fuel efficient for city, it zips in and out of traffic, and when you WANT to get on it and have a little fun, or get through that yellow light before it turns red, the car has no problems.

"I've noticed that a combo of letting off the brake and letting the car start a slow rollout on it's own of about 5-10 ft, followed by LIGHT acceleration, works just fine"

I'm sorry, but this just sounds horrible and way too complicated for a sports sedan. It shouldn't be a 3 step process- stop making excuses for this issue! Nobody is saying the S3 is a terrible car but at the same time this throttle hesitation shouldn't be present in a "sports sedan". It feels like eco-pro mode on my bmw when the engine shuts off at a stop light and has to fire back up again before the car starts moving. It's unacceptable!!!

[CRL77]

"I've noticed that a combo of letting off the brake and letting the car start a slow rollout on it's own of about 5-10 ft, followed by LIGHT acceleration, works just fine"

I'm sorry, but this just sounds horrible and way too complicated for a sports sedan. It shouldn't be a 3 step process- stop making excuses for this issue! Nobody is saying the S3 is a terrible car but at the same time this throttle hesitation shouldn't be present in a "sports sedan". It feels like eco-pro mode on my bmw when the engine shuts off at a stop light and has to fire back up again before the car starts moving. It's unacceptable!!!

It's a matter of throttle touch. It's not too complicated. Do what works best for you, try a few things out. It's almost not noticeable after a while.

[BlackAudi87]

in dynamic with with sport when the engines idle is slightly revving i don't feel this half second hesitation.

[nefkntym]

It's a matter of throttle touch. It's not too complicated. Do what works best for you, try a few things out. It's almost not noticeable after a while.

I agree with this. I noticed this the first couple of days when I got my S3. I have had the car for 5 weeks now and I am hard pressed to remember the last time I had this issues. Either it is gone or I have just adapted my driving and I don't notice it anymore.

[SlinginAudis]

I don't feel it unless I punch it from a dead stop. Other than that, you absolutely can adjust how you use the throttle and eliminate that lag. I drive in SF too by the way. Don't let that test drive ruin it for you, you will be missing out big time if thats the only thing you don't like about the car.

[SlinginAudis]

By the way OP, did you test drive with Mike K?

[deathmetal666]

I don't feel it unless I punch it from a dead stop. Other than that, you absolutely can adjust how you use the throttle and eliminate that lag. I drive in SF too by the way. Don't let that test drive ruin it for you, you will be missing out big time if thats the only thing you don't like about the car.

I'll go back and try again. The car is the perfect size for SF and looks great.

That being said, I went and drove a bmw 228i M sport today.
Wow...car is super tight and the engine is awesome. Instant response at all rpms.
I didnt feel any of slight turbo lag I felt at times with the S3.
It's got a lot of power for its rating 240 HP. I'm assuming it's underrated.

Perhaps not having a DSG helps with the lag issue. That 8 speed is fantastic.
But it's a pretty small car...feels much smaller up front that the S3. Kinda claustrophobic.

[Spoonie]

I've noticed it for the first month or so. Either I adjusted my driving style, or it went away. But right now I haven't noticed it happening for weeks. I'll check it again during lunch.

[Thumper3]

The car is confused? How come the mouse on your computer at home doesn't get confused with the different tracking styles. They just fed you the first crap that regurgitated from their brain fart.

Um, because unless you are using a special mouse, it is not learning how you use it. It does exactly what you tell it to without intuition. The DCT in the car is trying to learn how you drive and anticipate and learn your style and be one step ahead if possible. So no, they didn't "regurgitate" any brain fart, they explained how the technology was working.

I'm sorry, but this just sounds horrible and way too complicated for a sports sedan. It shouldn't be a 3 step process- stop making excuses for this issue! Nobody is saying the S3 is a terrible car but at the same time this throttle hesitation shouldn't be present in a "sports sedan". It feels like eco-pro mode on my bmw when the engine shuts off at a stop light and has to fire back up again before the car starts moving. It's unacceptable!!!

Having a BMW with eco-mode and Start/Stop I can say to you that either you are overly anal and work yourself up into a tizzy over anything, or your car is broken. The Start/Stop in the BMW is way behind Audi's, the '14 Q5 TDI I had was amazingly smooth, the 328dX I have now is very jerky, not bad.....but it is a noticeable difference.

The S3 I test drove last night felt nothing like it. In COMFORT there was a minor "lag" I think you're describing which is easily overcome by learning the pedal engagement, common with any car. In DYNAMIC and MANUAL the lag was barely noticeable and again easily removed by figuring out how the pedal was different from my other cars.

Trust me, I know what start off lag is, we had a 2012 Jetta TDI with the DSG and if you tried to ham foot it from a stop it would literally wait a full second or more before moving. A lighter, more linear increase made it better but the mating of the TDI to the DSG was not perfect.

Try to not stomp on the pedal and confuse it, or give up, decide it's unlivable and get a different car.

Seriously, I would never not buy a car because I 'lose' .5 of a second at stoplights. Driven in SF many times, never needed .5 seconds launch at a stoplight to deal with pedestrians.....unless you're trying to hit them, maybe....no idea what you are on about. LOL

[CRL77]

Seriously, I would never not buy a car because I 'lose' .5 of a second at stoplights. Driven in SF many times, never needed .5 seconds launch at a stoplight to deal with pedestrians.....unless you're trying to hit them, maybe....no idea what you are on about. LOL

Yea, I'm in the Boston area, and if it's not a problem for me driving amongst my fellow Massholes, I don't think it's an "actual" problem.

Also, keep in mind, you're talking about the 1st year of a platform. In both cars and computers, we're all considered "early adopters". If we were on a Ford or GM board, there would be nothing but messages about our calls being recalled every week.

Every car is different. Newer high tech cars actually do learn your driving habits....you have to learn the car, too.

Honestly, if you're looking for instant launch, I suggest you drop $120K on a Tesla P85D and drive it around in "Insane Mode" all day.