QUESTION FOR 300bhp+ E30 OWNERS

[Peskarik]

Hi guys and girls (if there are any with such cars)!

I am E30 owner myself, Oettinger Stage 1 (just remap and KN airfilter) 300hp/400Nm.
I've been thinking about Oettinger Stage 2 (actually waiting for the offer) - which adds S3 intercooler, bigger exhaust from cat, new fuel pump, and remap to 330/460 (according to web page), but I don't know... 

Don't you guys worry about engine longevity? I mean, with all these changes and much higher output, the engine and the turbo, and the gearbox (I have manual) and the clutch will get stressed much more than expected by VW when they built the car. 60-80 thousand kilometers and then turbo packs up, or clutch wears out, or worse? 

What is your take on the above? How much have you driven in your tuned E30? Did you really stress it after you tuned it? Did you have any mechanical problems?

If I do 330/460, would I need a new clutch? Would I need something else changed?

I am really at crossroads, my heart says go but my head says no. I mean, if I wanna be with her, baby, there will be price to pay?

[luca]

Your clutch will be on its way even with stage 1. Mine is slipping and i have only done 13k miles.
Alot of manual ed30 owners are having clutch slip issues.
As far as the engine goes the longevity shouldnt be effected too much. Maybe the tubo will go a a little earlier if you drive the car hard all of the time.
I dont drive mine hard 90% of the time. The car only gets a good blast if i have a day off or on a sunday if its a nice day.
As long as the car is looked after ie warmed up properly, turbo allowed a minute to cool down after a spirited drive, regular service, keep an eye on fluid levels etc the engine will be fine

[gazbutS3]

^^^^I agree with Luca^^^^

[MAT ED30]

clutch clutch and clutch LOL if manual but god they are fun

[keith]

Some carefully thought out suspension mods will help with some traction issues, as would not ragging the ass out of it
Allowing the car to warm up and down will help with the life of your turbo.I had a mk4 gti and everyone said Oh your clutch will last no time wrong lasted ages beat my brothers unmodifed golf .
Worry ye not.

[Hurdy]

With the cost to go to stage 2 with Oettinger I'd not worry about the extra for a clutch and (if I had a manual) would include it into the costing of the upgrade and have it done at the same time.

With 330bhp you'll definitely need to consider uprating the brakes and at least some uprated springs and a rear ARB

Uprating the pads and discs alone with some H&R springs and ARB would transform the car without the extra power anyway

Clutch ??£££
Pads/Discs/ARB/Springs Probably around £600

How much is the Oettinger upgrade?

[Greeners]

I haven't had any clutch issues and as I rarley use ALL of the power available Im not predicting many/if any issues.

My philosophy is if anything does happen to break I'll replace it and see it as a small price to pay for all this lovely POWER! 

[john_o]

8k miles since remap, clutch still OK so far 
Modifying means things are under higher stresses sure but VW build good srong cars which as std have a large headroom % for most components,  so go for it.......
I would recommend a full turbo back exhaust rather than just a cat back which will be far better in terms of results.

Just keep a small modding fund going to cover future clutch / LSD costs etc 

[Peskarik]

Well, Oettinger stage 2 is 4500 euro. But since I have the Stage 1 map, it'll be about 3000 euro. (Switzerland, here is everything expensive). And that 3000 euro include no sport downpipe.

For clutch I'll probably have to go to ABT, they offer a stronger one that handles 480Nm, that'll be 1500 euro with installation, so it is not THAT cheap.

I already have ECS dog-bone insert and KW V2 coilovers. KWs are terribly stiff, and my interior rattles worse than an old Skoda with 140 thousand km, that I once had a ride in. The quality of interior in my GTI is appalling. There is rattle in the door, rattle in the middle of dashboard, terrible rattle from the back seats. Also, with 30mm drop in the front, front tyre slammed into the arch bending out some metal, so now I have to bend it back and repaint the whole side. 

I wish I had means like some of you guys, and your prices!

[Toast]

Runing well over 300bhp+ and no Clutch issue's as of yet    Cars on 14k miles but when funds allow I will be fitting the diff and uprating the clutch when its getting done 

[danishmkvgti]

Well, Oettinger stage 2 is 4500 euro. But since I have the Stage 1 map, it'll be about 3000 euro. (Switzerland, here is everything expensive). And that 3000 euro include no sport downpipe.

For clutch I'll probably have to go to ABT, they offer a stronger one that handles 480Nm, that'll be 1500 euro with installation, so it is not THAT cheap.

I already have ECS dog-bone insert and KW V2 coilovers. KWs are terribly stiff, and my interior rattles worse than an old Skoda with 140 thousand km, that I once had a ride in. The quality of interior in my GTI is appalling. There is rattle in the door, rattle in the middle of dashboard, terrible rattle from the back seats. Also, with 30mm drop in the front, front tyre slammed into the arch bending out some metal, so now I have to bend it back and repaint the whole side. 

I wish I had means like some of you guys, and your prices!

Regarding the front tyre hitting the arch, there's some carbon fiber front fenders that are 10mm wider in the arch over stock, might help you with your problem, i believe they are from Seibon. No  need to paint them either