Which ECU tune to buy?

[SebGood]

I know this is discussed in various threads, but there's something missing for me. If the APR and Stasis tunes produce roughly the same result at the same price, and Stasis offers the warranty, then why choose APR (Once the Stasis is available)?

Is the APR tune truly undetectable by the dealer? Obviously if they drive it they'll feel the difference, but with the program switching option, if you switch it to stock mode, is it undetectable?

I ask because I certainly don't want to be in a position where Audi doesn't cover repairs under warranty due to my ECU tune. This car needs plenty of repairs without a tune, and I certainly don't want to pay those bills.

The fact that I purchased an extended warranty further complicates it. I'm thinking: if I go Stasis installed at the dealer, I'll have the warranty to 50k miles then since the dealer will know about the Stasis tune, my extended warranty will be worthless. But if I go APR and it's detectable, I'll have no warranty coverage at all on issues that Audi decides are related to the ECU tune (probably everything expensive).

Thoughts?

[daudic]

Some dealerships offer to install APR as well. The salesmen at Byers Audi talked about it. I went out on my own and bought the APR stage 1. I'm out of warranty, though.

[sf_loft]

I know this is discussed in various threads, but there's something missing for me. If the APR and Stasis tunes produce roughly the same result at the same price, and Stasis offers the warranty, then why choose APR (Once the Stasis is available)?

Is the APR tune truly undetectable by the dealer? Obviously if they drive it they'll feel the difference, but with the program switching option, if you switch it to stock mode, is it undetectable?

I ask because I certainly don't want to be in a position where Audi doesn't cover repairs under warranty due to my ECU tune. This car needs plenty of repairs without a tune, and I certainly don't want to pay those bills.

The fact that I purchased an extended warranty further complicates it. I'm thinking: if I go Stasis installed at the dealer, I'll have the warranty to 50k miles then since the dealer will know about the Stasis tune, my extended warranty will be worthless. But if I go APR and it's detectable, I'll have no warranty coverage at all on issues that Audi decides are related to the ECU tune (probably everything expensive).

Thoughts?

I'm getting the StaSis ECU + Exhaust installed at Rector. From what I hear, Rector is pretty cool about modifications. They actually resell and install AWE and Milltek exhausts as well. The problem is when your car has an issue and it is attributed to the modification that you did. Even with Stasis, Audi will not cover, but Stasis will replace the parts and labor associated to the problem for which their mod caused. So if you blow your supercharger because of the Stasis ECU update, Stasis will get your SC replaced. If you had APR installed, APR will not do anything and you're stuck paying out of pocket. For the Stasis components to be warrantied, you need to have it installed at an approved signature series dealer which Rector is. If you get your Stasis parts installed at a local shop, the dealer nor Stasis will honor any warranty.

[srs]

The multiple programs that come with the APR version is a selling point for me - compared to the single program with the Stasis tune. I've had the APR multiple program tune for many years on my 2001 allroad (2.7T) with no ill results - and although I never had related issues the dealers I took it to never questioned it (as I put it in stock before the dealer visit). Having the ability to return to stock or even valet as well as different fuel grades has sometimes been pretty useful.

My dealer is associated with both Stasis and APR, but I won't be going there to get the APR tune ;)

[sf_loft]

The multiple programs that come with the APR version is a selling point for me - compared to the single program with the Stasis tune. I've had the APR multiple program tune for many years on my 2001 allroad (2.7T) with no ill results - and although I never had related issues the dealers I took it to never questioned it (as I put it in stock before the dealer visit). Having the ability to return to stock or even valet as well as different fuel grades has sometimes been pretty useful.

My dealer is associated with both Stasis and APR, but I won't be going there to get the APR tune ;)

I don't think that there is a multi program on the B8.

[Un1k]

there will be

[NWS4Guy]

I don't think that there is a multi program on the B8.

Yet - due before Xmas timeframe last I hear.

[BKNYCS4]

Seems to early to tell ...

[naemcivic]

Just get the one you like.

[K1speeder]

I am torn as well for the reasons that have been discussed here. I like the multi-program because it means that nobody other than myself has to know I have the tune. I am not the only one that drives my car and I do not want anyone but me to have the extra power... On the other hand, the warranty is a big selling point for me as well. The only thing that would stop me from going Stasis at this point would be if I could not get my car certified, extending my warranty to 6/100,000, if I had stasis. I think that that warranty with an APR tune would be better than just the 4/50,000 but maybe I'm wrong.

[zillmc]

I'm going with Stasis mainly because I'm rarely ever going to track the car and I'm in California and it's pretty much 91 octane or 100 octane, don't need the multi program maps. The difference between an APR and Stasis 91 ECU will be minimal if any at all. Warranty and going through my local dealer are just added bonuses.

[sf_loft]

I highly doubt that most people who tune their ECU through either APR or Stasis will track their cars. It's pretty much bench racing and feeling good knowing what your car is capable of. How often do you take your car to 7k RPM to reap the benefits of these tunes? For me it's once in awhile when I need that burst of speed to switch lanes or get on the highway. My S-Tronic shifts so quickly down low and the car is so quick that I hardly ever need to get it to higher RPMs. But after the tune, I may just put it into manual mode :)

[NWS4Guy]

I highly doubt that most people who tune their ECU through either APR or Stasis will track their cars. It's pretty much bench racing and feeling good knowing what your car is capable of. How often do you take your car to 7k RPM to reap the benefits of these tunes? For me it's once in awhile when I need that burst of speed to switch lanes or get on the highway. My S-Tronic shifts so quickly down low and the car is so quick that I hardly ever need to get it to higher RPMs. But after the tune, I may just put it into manual mode :)

I'll agree with this statement, though I hit 7K at least once every tank

[SebGood]

I'm getting the StaSis ECU + Exhaust installed at Rector. From what I hear, Rector is pretty cool about modifications. They actually resell and install AWE and Milltek exhausts as well. The problem is when your car has an issue and it is attributed to the modification that you did. Even with Stasis, Audi will not cover, but Stasis will replace the parts and labor associated to the problem for which their mod caused. So if you blow your supercharger because of the Stasis ECU update, Stasis will get your SC replaced. If you had APR installed, APR will not do anything and you're stuck paying out of pocket. For the Stasis components to be warrantied, you need to have it installed at an approved signature series dealer which Rector is. If you get your Stasis parts installed at a local shop, the dealer nor Stasis will honor any warranty.

I take my car to Rector too and I'm leaning toward the StaSis install there. When will you get yours done? Maybe we can meet up at some point so I can see how it feels and sounds after the upgrades?! :)

[sf_loft]

I take my car to Rector too and I'm leaning toward the StaSis install there. When will you get yours done? Maybe we can meet up at some point so I can see how it feels and sounds after the upgrades?! :)

Should be the week of 10/18, that is when I drop off my car and will get a loaner while they ship my ECU. We'll have a meet for the San Francisco Bay Area again. I organized a photo shoot a couple months ago on Treasure Island and 6 B8 S4's showed up. One had an APR exhaust which was loud.

[SPR415]

ohhhh.. can i check it out when u get ur tune??

[sf_loft]

ohhhh.. can i check it out when u get ur tune??

Ya... It'll take some time. I drop the car off 10/18 and then 6-7 days to ship the ECU and back, and then another half day to install it back in the car along with the exhaust. They said that they would give me an Audi loaner during this time.

[rx7ven]

Should be the week of 10/18, that is when I drop off my car and will get a loaner while they ship my ECU. We'll have a meet for the San Francisco Bay Area again. I organized a photo shoot a couple months ago on Treasure Island and 6 B8 S4's showed up. One had an APR exhaust which was loud.

+1 for another meet. i missed the last one, hoping to make the next one if its not too early... i like to sleep in till around 2 or 3pm on weekends. =)