View Full Version : Stage 2 owners -- Who has a successful, trouble free car??!
drew4392
05-19-2014, 05:13 PM
Ok... so I (any maybe others) need to hear about some positive experiences as it relates to Stage 2 tuning. The few recent posts about Stage 2 (APR, specifically) issues have me falling back to the wrong side of the fence.
I have an inbound '14 S4 and want to have some fun with it.
Who has a Stage 2 (APR mainly, or GIAC, or any other) that was successful from the start and remained trouble-free??
I'm hoping that the ratio is heavily weighted to those unspoken success cases, vs. those with issues that voice them.
tonydrone
05-19-2014, 05:16 PM
Who has a Stage 2 (APR mainly, or GIAC, or any other) that was successful from the start and remained trouble-free??
Zero problems with my Stage 2 ARP set up. I went from liking my car, to loving my car... Just waiting on the APR DSG flash due out very soon.
saxon
05-19-2014, 05:18 PM
Zero issues with epl stage 2
NWS4Guy
05-19-2014, 05:25 PM
Helped beta test the stage 2 pulley and file as a 2010 DSG owner, have had the tune on since ~17,000 miles, and the car has over 48,000 miles now. Over 2.5 years and 30,000 miles on stage 2 without any issues related to the tune.
Also eagerly awaiting DSG tune!
Over9000
05-19-2014, 05:34 PM
Stage 2 APR since ~1500miles. About to hit 35K. Flawless. (Also eagerly awaiting the DSG tune [:D])
Zero problems, 40k on the odometer, just as many miles with stage 2 as without. Zero problems.
AUDIS$
05-19-2014, 05:37 PM
what changes are being made to the DSG tune?
raudiace4
05-19-2014, 05:44 PM
Me! But don't jinx me mofo
About 3k miles on my stage 2 tune, and I love it. Honestly I can never go back to a stock chariot.
You will always get the voices of those with problems more than those without on these forums because mainly enthusiasts will fill the forums.
usmc1994
05-19-2014, 05:48 PM
No issues here 3000 or so on mine had since 1000 miles
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rs4dreams
05-19-2014, 05:48 PM
APR stage 2 since 15k miles. At 25k now, completely trouble-free. +1 on the DSG tune! [drive]
0, tuned 3 months ago-ish
OK ...
... Someone here must hint us about that APR DSG tune. Searched around, found nothing ...
What is expected from it?
AUDIS$
05-19-2014, 06:28 PM
This ^
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AKPS4
05-19-2014, 06:46 PM
Switched from stasis to APR stage 2, or 2+? What's the difference? Seems like everyone uses these interchangeably....
Anyways, 400 miles since the swap so far and no issues. 24k on odo currently. Hopefully 100k more without any issues lol.
Jabroni1485
05-19-2014, 07:06 PM
Malonetuning.com stage 2 tune and DSG tune.
MrFunk
05-19-2014, 07:11 PM
I had issues with STaSIS stage 1 - had the REVO version and had knock issues. Knock sensor kept going off. Sensors replaced twice... ECU replaced... continued having issues... Flashed back to stock and issue went away... STaSIS covered all the service parts and everything then refunded me my money completely... I had been tuned for about 8 months... was very impressed with STaSIS service - I had developed some good relationships there though prior to even tuning the car so that did help.
Went with GIAC afterwards and no issues... started Stage 1 - no issues - then stage 2 and no issues...
Stage 1 and Stage 2 tunes are pretty "mild" upgrades really. These guys have been tuning cars for over a decade...
Now - I would not be so confident in this twin turbo kit being developed.. that's much more "intrusive" a mod IMO...
drob23
05-19-2014, 07:41 PM
So far, so good... little trouble with install, but I think that was due to a bug in the new 12.12 vcds release.
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schirm
05-19-2014, 08:06 PM
APR stage 2+ 65k On my car tuned at 47k. No issues knock knock.
drew4392
05-19-2014, 09:32 PM
Great to hear all of the positive feedback!
Jones2012s4
05-19-2014, 09:37 PM
GIAC Stage II + everything, meth injection, etc...
Ridiculous abuse.
No issues.
TD1 free
svander
05-19-2014, 09:40 PM
Ridiculous abuse huh?
My car is stage 2, APR. But I take care of it. Also trouble free.
Jones2012s4
05-19-2014, 09:50 PM
Ridiculous abuse huh?
My car is stage 2, APR. But I take care of it. Also trouble free.
Yes, meaning it is driven hard. The point I was trying to make is showing that the car is extremely capable and reliable even when driven hard.
Of course I take care of my car, 5000 mile oil changes, suspension points inspection every 6 months, spark plugs, carbon cleaning recently, DSG oil change, tire rotations, air filter cleaning, coolant flush every summer, etc...
PsYkHoTiK
05-19-2014, 10:02 PM
I had zero problems with the APR Stage II+ and tracked it pretty hard (I didn't even have any oil burning issues).
Malonetuning.com stage 2 tune and DSG tune.
Who are they?
svander
05-19-2014, 10:03 PM
Ok, good :)
itzjonjon69
05-19-2014, 10:31 PM
14,000+ miles with my GIAC stage 2 and not a single hiccup! Likes Jones said i do my oil every 5k miles and thats about it.
riseabv
05-19-2014, 11:35 PM
Apr stg 2 bug free! No issues so far in the last 1k since tune and honestly wish I had tuned earlier.
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gaudium in veri
05-20-2014, 04:16 AM
GIAC stg 2, driven over 65,000km (driven about 30,000km with the tune), absolutely no issues. I honestly think this car is just mediocre in stock form; you really need stage 2 to extract an acceptable level of performance from this machine.
imola02
05-20-2014, 04:33 AM
APR stage 2 for about 12,000 miles. No issues and happy with the decision.
CasualObserver
05-20-2014, 05:02 AM
STGII for 7,000 trouble free miles and 2 trips to the drag strip. 2013 S5 w/DSG.
Ray Khan
05-20-2014, 05:11 AM
GIAC stage 1 since 17,000 miles. Stage 2 since 48,000 miles. Trouble free and at 59,000 miles. Oil changes every 10k miles.
breyton490
05-20-2014, 05:23 AM
APR stage 2+ 65k On my car tuned at 47k. No issues knock knock.
Glad to hear that.. My 2010 has 47K and is going stage 2 on Friday... Can't wait...
dethmetaljeff
05-20-2014, 05:35 AM
Stage 2 APR on my 2012...I've got about 10k miles on the tune. Zero problems.
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saw76
05-20-2014, 06:08 AM
2010 S4 , APR stage 2 car has 48,000 miles been stage 2 for a few months with no problems .
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NWS4Guy
05-20-2014, 06:34 AM
OK ...
... Someone here must hint us about that APR DSG tune. Searched around, found nothing ...
What is expected from it?
Same basic things they are offering for the VW version:
User definable APR pre-optimized shift patterns based on current stage of engine performance
User definable launch control RPM
User definable manual mode max RPM
User definable manual mode automatic upshift on or off
User definable manual mode automatic downshift on or off (Kickdown switch)
http://www.goapr.com/products/tcu_upgrade_dq250_exx_fxx.html
integroid
05-20-2014, 06:43 AM
APR Stg II for over a year with zero issues other than the stock clutch slipping if I launch hard.
Joe85sti
05-20-2014, 09:11 AM
Was stage I APR for about 7,000 miles, and now stage II for about 1,000 miles. Car has about 21k miles and have had zero issues.
SwissBliss
05-20-2014, 09:34 AM
no problems and running the DSG both thru Giac
Black3.2
05-20-2014, 09:36 AM
APR Stg II for over a year with zero issues other than the stock clutch slipping if I launch hard.
How many miles on stock clutch? If you ever want to take me for a ride to feel stage 2 since we are both in Atlanta, i would love it.
Skidrowe
05-20-2014, 09:42 AM
Stage II for 25k. It caused some of my center brake lights in the window to go out. It also caused me to blow out a tire on some debris on the freeway. Oh, and my stereo doesn't work sometimes. The engine has run great though and I no longer get the misfire codes and cels that I got in the first 5k miles when I was stock.
-Skid
SwankPeRFection
05-20-2014, 10:30 AM
Stage II for 25k. It caused some of my center brake lights in the window to go out. It also caused me to blow out a tire on some debris on the freeway. Oh, and my stereo doesn't work sometimes. The engine has run great though and I no longer get the misfire codes and cels that I got in the first 5k miles when I was stock.
-Skid
APR flashes will do that it seems. [:p]
integroid
05-20-2014, 11:02 AM
How many miles on stock clutch? If you ever want to take me for a ride to feel stage 2 since we are both in Atlanta, i would love it.
Honestly, it started slipping when I went to Stage 2 at 26k miles. Now my car is a CPO so god only knows if the previous owner knew how to drive a manual.
What part of Atlanta are you in? PM me.
BillyG
05-20-2014, 01:54 PM
APR stage 1 around 20K, stage 2 around 35K. Absolutely no issues, now at 78K miles. If I drop the clutch, it will slip, but it would slip while it was stock if I dropped it. I don't abuse the clutch, and I'm still on the original.
drew4392
06-02-2014, 07:00 AM
I was leaning towards Stage 1, since it is easier on the engine and no need to remove the pulley in case something serious happens (not tune-related) to drivetrain which requires them to get near supercharger. Would suck if they noticed pulley on there.
But... hearing about all the success with Stage 2... sounds like these cars are pretty bulletproof.
RecklessactN
06-02-2014, 08:58 AM
Zero issues, tuned since January 2012 at 10k miles, still have stock clutch with no slip @ 45k now. Highly recommend.
S4charged
06-02-2014, 06:52 PM
Stage 2 since around 22-23k miles. Reaching 40k miles soon. Still on stock clutch. No slipping really unless I do a couple of hard launches back to back.
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Jones2012s4
06-02-2014, 08:32 PM
I can attest to the bulletproofness of these engines.
I recently did a compression test at around 41,000 miles and I was 185-190 across the board.
Audi403
06-02-2014, 08:48 PM
Stage 2 GIAC + DSG tune since 8000km. Now at 25000, no issues yet.
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pontoon
06-03-2014, 08:27 AM
"Just waiting on the APR DSG flash due out very soon." should I wait for the APR DSG flash to come out? I have a stage 2 tune (includes pulley upgrade) scheduled for this Thu.
Crnyglf
06-03-2014, 10:07 AM
Stage 2 APR for 20000 miles no issues, waiting not so patiently for a DSG tune & stage 3 supercharger.
Gregmendez
06-03-2014, 10:22 AM
Stage 2 (w/ pulley) tune at 800 mi. Now at 6,500. Zero issues.
Dominick's S4
06-03-2014, 05:33 PM
I have a 2014 S4 with Stage II all APR mods since Jun3 2013.. Installed the day after my 5,000 mile check up (which I did at 4K) and I have 15K now and have had no problems at all and keeping my fingers crossed.. I take care of the S4 very well but drive it very hard and track it.. I went 100% with APR in hope that if I did have any issues and all my mods were APR, that APR would help me out and most likely not leave me high and dry.. (okay..some people may say I'm dreaming thinking APR would help me out but that would be how Id sell it back to APR) I also went with all APR because their headquarters in AL is a 2 hour drive for me.. Can't wait for the DSG tune and 100 octane flash to be available.
twatro
06-03-2014, 06:41 PM
Stage 2+ since about 150 miles. Pushing 8000 now without an issue.
twatro
06-03-2014, 06:43 PM
The DSG flash is separate from the stage 2 tune if I'm not mistaken
paulo6
06-03-2014, 06:55 PM
Really? No one is having issues? My 2014 has 2k miles only and I'm waiting to decide. My main concern of course is losing warranty if something happens plus my car is leased.(so not sure it makes sense) But I do miss the torque of my tuned E60 535 and am anxious to get my s4 to that level. I will research outside this thread for people who do have issues, but I was hoping someone will come through here :)
But again OP Asked who has a trouble free car and not who has issues ....
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Gotchaa
06-03-2014, 07:04 PM
Really? No one is having issues? My 2014 has 2k miles only and I'm waiting to decide. My main concern of course is losing warranty if something happens plus my car is leased.(so not sure it makes sense) But I do miss the torque of my tuned E60 535 and am anxious to get my s4 to that level. I will research outside this thread for people who do have issues, but I was hoping someone will come through here :)
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15k on GIAC stage 2 plus DSG tune, no issues yet. For any work dealer needs to hook up to scan and send, I just go back to stock flash before taking it in. Had to do it once and it wasn't really necessary after all. I started modding 1k in, you have doubled that so what are you waiting for?
paulo6
06-03-2014, 07:11 PM
15k on GIAC stage 2 plus DSG tune, no issues yet. For any work dealer needs to hook up to scan and send, I just go back to stock flash before taking it in. Had to do it once and it wasn't really necessary after all. I started modding 1k in, you have doubled that so what are you waiting for?
I was stage 1 aggressive Cobb tuned on my BMW (loved the over 400lb-ft of torque) and would simply uninstall and reinstall original map before taking it in (and I did have minor issues with that tune which caused me to take it in) but would be undetectable and dealer would fix under warranty...I would reinstall immediately upon getting it back...so jitters I guess..i drove one with apr stg 2 and was very impressed 2 weeks ago...that God damn mod bug you all talk about is not going away no matter how much I reason with it!!! And from what I'm reading above other than it's leased not sure what I'm waiting for either .... Damn it
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Been GIAC Stage 2 for about a little over a month. Stock clutch, 30K miles. Zero issues.
saxon
06-03-2014, 07:49 PM
Epl for 3 months, 5,000+ miles and flashing tool works great!
shappy
06-04-2014, 06:09 AM
Correct me if I am wrong (it wouldn't be the first time), but I thought it was impossible to get around the TD1 issue if you have done an ECU change. Won't an alter ECU automatically trigger a TD1 if the car is hooked up to the diagnostic computer?
Akrion
06-04-2014, 06:12 AM
I am now @ 40K miles ... tuned since 15K ... (knock on wood) no issues :)
integroid
06-04-2014, 06:26 AM
Correct me if I am wrong (it wouldn't be the first time), but I thought it was impossible to get around the TD1 issue if you have done an ECU change. Won't an alter ECU automatically trigger a TD1 if the car is hooked up to the diagnostic computer?
With APR, you can flash back to completely stock (not just switch to stock mode) go to the dealer without TD1 issues. When you are done, you would have to flash back to tuned. The APR dealer will probably charge you a small amount to flash back and forth.
shappy
06-04-2014, 06:39 AM
With APR, you can flash back to completely stock (not just switch to stock mode) go to the dealer without TD1 issues. When you are done, you would have to flash back to tuned. The APR dealer will probably charge you a small amount to flash back and forth.
Thanks, and not to side-track this thread, but if you have an issue where you can't re-flash back to stock, you are basically screwed, right? For example, on my APR Stage 1 Golf R, I had my water pump fail. This required a flat-bed trip to the dealer and there was no chance to flash back to stock. Luckily, my dealer was cool with the tune and there was no automatic TD1 on the R like there is on the S4, when connected to diagnostic computers.
raudiace4
06-04-2014, 06:44 AM
GIAC stage 2 for ~4k miles. Dsg no issues. 800miles on V2 and DSG file. Going strong.
drew4392
06-04-2014, 06:48 AM
Thanks, and not to side-track this thread, but if you have an issue where you can't re-flash back to stock, you are basically screwed, right? For example, on my APR Stage 1 Golf R, I had my water pump fail. This required a flat-bed trip to the dealer and there was no chance to flash back to stock. Luckily, my dealer was cool with the tune and there was no automatic TD1 on the R like there is on the S4, when connected to diagnostic computers.
Yes, you run the risk of being flagged in this scenario.
The reason I created this thread is because there seemed to be a couple of tunes-gone-bad stories, and I was becoming apprehensive about tuning. Wanted to hear some success stories, and definitely looks like there are a bunch out there. Great to hear!
Jgm22
06-04-2014, 07:26 AM
Are you guys always flashing back to stock mapping for recommended maintenance checks/services (5000 mile, 15,000 mile, 25k ,35k...) that audi recommends? Or are you only flashing back if you have a problem that needs to be checked or fixed at Audi?
Tyrnnus
06-04-2014, 07:40 AM
Are you guys always flashing back to stock mapping for recommended maintenance checks/services (5000 mile, 15,000 mile, 25k ,35k...) that audi recommends? Or are you only flashing back if you have a problem that needs to be checked or fixed at Audi?
I have had the first 3 services done with the software in place but in "stock mode".
I flashed back to stock 2 weeks ago to go and have an oil comsumption test done. It was suggested to me to be on the original file. The services requires I drive 1000kms and go back for the oil to be weighed (dont ask me!) as they replace a gasket somewhere. The convenient thing was that v2 was just released and I needed to go in for the new file anyways.
BTW - needed 1 litre (quart for u USA'rs) between 1 and 2 and 2 and 3rd services but the car needed another litre a month after the 3rd service and advisor recommended I bring it in for the testing.
I will post when I am all done and back on Stage II v2 in 2 weeks.
rick b
06-04-2014, 09:18 AM
Are you guys always flashing back to stock mapping for recommended maintenance checks/services (5000 mile, 15,000 mile, 25k ,35k...) that audi recommends? Or are you only flashing back if you have a problem that needs to be checked or fixed at Audi?
Nah...when I go for Audicare services I tell the advisor "no ECU flashes please" and then he/she puts a sticky note on the paperwork. No TD1 to date and my car is almost 4 yrs old.
rick b.
tgsweat
06-04-2014, 09:41 AM
Thanks, and not to side-track this thread, but if you have an issue where you can't re-flash back to stock, you are basically screwed, right? For example, on my APR Stage 1 Golf R, I had my water pump fail. This required a flat-bed trip to the dealer and there was no chance to flash back to stock. Luckily, my dealer was cool with the tune and there was no automatic TD1 on the R like there is on the S4, when connected to diagnostic computers.
or you can have it towed to APR first and have it flashed back to stock, then towed to Audi. Right?
Jgm22
06-04-2014, 09:42 AM
Nah...when I go for Audicare services I tell the advisor "no ECU flashes please" and then he/she puts a sticky note on the paperwork. No TD1 to date and my car is almost 4 yrs old.
rick b.
Thanks! I will make sure I do that!
RynoS4
06-04-2014, 11:25 AM
I have had the first 3 services done with the software in place but in "stock mode".
I flashed back to stock 2 weeks ago to go and have an oil comsumption test done. It was suggested to me to be on the original file. The services requires I drive 1000kms and go back for the oil to be weighed (dont ask me!) as they replace a gasket somewhere. The convenient thing was that v2 was just released and I needed to go in for the new file anyways.
BTW - needed 1 litre (quart for u USA'rs) between 1 and 2 and 2 and 3rd services but the car needed another litre a month after the 3rd service and advisor recommended I bring it in for the testing.
I will post when I am all done and back on Stage II v2 in 2 weeks.
I see your in Calgary, what shop managed your giac tune install?
Tyrnnus
06-04-2014, 12:33 PM
I see your in Calgary, what shop managed your giac tune install?
Tunerworks - they are the only game in town but they did good work, just a little slow.
RynoS4
06-04-2014, 02:01 PM
Tunerworks - they are the only game in town but they did good work, just a little slow.
thanks man! it kills me that i need to drive so damn far to get an off the shelf tune installed on my car... but it is what it is, cant drive all summer stock lol.
Its nice reading all the positive feedback from everyone on their tuned s4's.
wwhan
06-04-2014, 09:22 PM
or you can have it towed to APR first and have it flashed back to stock, then towed to Audi. Right?
Except then the ECU readiness code would not be OK.
drew4392
06-25-2014, 09:27 AM
Great to hear all the Stage 2 success. I'll be joining the club next week
skiS4fun
06-25-2014, 11:18 AM
No issues, trouble free
Akrion
06-25-2014, 11:21 AM
Scratch mine ... just got "Gearbox Malfunction" warning ... 40K miles.
Austin@GIAC
06-25-2014, 11:26 AM
Ok... so I (any maybe others) need to hear about some positive experiences as it relates to Stage 2 tuning. The few recent posts about Stage 2 (APR, specifically) issues have me falling back to the wrong side of the fence.
I have an inbound '14 S4 and want to have some fun with it.
Who has a Stage 2 (APR mainly, or GIAC, or any other) that was successful from the start and remained trouble-free??
I'm hoping that the ratio is heavily weighted to those unspoken success cases, vs. those with issues that voice them.
I'm the guy that does all the B8 testing for our customers and have not had one single hiccup with my S4. I've owned it since May of 2012 and have drag raced it and 1/2 mile airstrip raced it multiple times. Though I haven't tracked it, it's seen plenty of local canyon time.
http://www.giacusa.com/images/austin/B8S4/S4_airstrip.jpg
Jgm22
06-25-2014, 06:07 PM
I'm the guy that does all the B8 testing for our customers and have not had one single hiccup with my S4. I've owned it since May of 2012 and have drag raced it and 1/2 mile airstrip raced it multiple times. Though I haven't tracked it, it's seen plenty of local canyon time.
http://www.giacusa.com/images/austin/B8S4/S4_airstrip.jpg
Austin,
Any update with 2014 Giac V2 tune?