Stasis Tune and Exhaust Pricing

[coolwater]

I'd like to get some feedback on the tune and exhaust pricing and performance.
Dealer quoted me $3295.00 + Tax for Warranty/Tune/Exhaust/Valence/Heat-shield/Labor/Etc.
$1495 for the Tune alone + Warranty.
$3k is like APR new Turbo territory....

I am also considering APR Stage 2 with HFC and nothing else. ~$1000.00 OTD.
And if something breaks under warranty and the dealer doesn't cover it, I would use Geico Mechanical Breakdown coverage with $250.00 deductible.

What say you guys?

-cW

[A5MD]

I was eventually going to go with APR stage 2 and HFC. That 1k price is pretty cheap. APR sale is $599 for ECU and HFC is around $250 for HFC install and $45 for ECU install. I was around $1,200.

[hender]

reading that post, i think the answer is pretty clear!

K04!!! :D

[coolwater]

The plot thickens... I've called a few dealerships now and a couple of the Audi dealers that are "Stasis" approved will not even do Stasis upgrades anymore.
Specifically Bell Audi and JD Audi in Jersey.
Supposedly there was a memo out from AoA that flagged any engine tunes for 2010+ vehicles as a No/No and that they can easily detect it now...
This would explain why every APR shop at a dealership I called has been steering me away from doing the tune.

Frank from JD Audi even went so far as to say the Stasis warranty is not reliable and they would only do the install if I sigh a waiver.

WTF!

-cW

[Blake P]

If nothing else, they are helping make your decision easier. STaSIS is overpriced for what it is, IMO. Go with the APR tune and high quality parts. Set aside the extra money you'll be saving in case something goes wrong. Warranty schmarranty...

[Ryan_T]

The plot thickens... I've called a few dealerships now and a couple of the Audi dealers that are "Stasis" approved will not even do Stasis upgrades anymore.
Specifically Bell Audi and JD Audi in Jersey.
Supposedly there was a memo out from AoA that flagged any engine tunes for 2010+ vehicles as a No/No and that they can easily detect it now...
This would explain why every APR shop at a dealership I called has been steering me away from doing the tune.

Frank from JD Audi even went so far as to say the Stasis warranty is not reliable and they would only do the install if I sigh a waiver.

WTF!

-cW

I wish we, as the customers, can know the real reasons behind the memos. I hate being in the dark.

[coolwater]

My guess is that it's not a warranty issue really, they are just trying to protect their ability to upsell you.
If they made it too easy to upgrade, you'd be less likely to look into an S4...

-cW

[MiracleWhips]

Unlike my 2009, it could also be that the 2010 is not a direct port tune anymore? Doesn't the ECU on the 2010 still have to be taken out of the car and sent out. If so, this could be the reason.

But the STaSIS ECU is now $1295 for the tune/warranty before labor and tax.

This was a pretty big topic in the beginning of the year.

[NickZag]

Unlike my 2009, it could also be that the 2010 is not a direct port tune anymore? Doesn't the ECU on the 2010 still have to be taken out of the car and sent out. If so, this could be the reason.

But the STaSIS ECU is now $1295 for the tune/warranty before labor and tax.

This was a pretty big topic in the beginning of the year.

Thats correct. For 2010+, the ECU has to be opened up to install a tune.

[MiracleWhips]

Thats correct. For 2010+, the ECU has to be opened up to install a tune.

Well then there you have it, that has liability written all over it......no wonder AoA is allegedly shying away from this.

I wonder if the STaSIS warranty covers post install, or starts at install? My guess is post install.

Because it would be an Audi tech who is unbolting the ECU........

[a4_bob]

last time I spoke w/ an Audi/Stastis tech, I recall him saying that the 2010+ are a pain and it's easier to do the flash with an new laptop/hardware from stasis. He said they didn't do a lot of ecu flashes so he was debating buying the stasis hardware. Perhaps this is why some stasis dealers have stopped doing updates...

[coolwater]

I heard from a couple VW dealers that do APR tunes that they were told that a direct port upgrade/solution from APR was supposed to be available by now. It's just been delayed from APR.

-cW

[farbaj]

I went all in on it. F AOA ...have techs that will get around it for me on the inside of dealers...hehehe...

APR stage 3
APR FULL turbo back down pipe/hfc single side exhaust
AWE fmic
Upgraded DV
Eurotuning IC pipe
AWE DV pipe

www.athansmotors.com did the install in one day for all of it!

www.grdperformance.com did the ecu flash.

The car has an amazing pull....very little lag and k04 pulls in any gear at 2200 rpm. Very smooth and constant in each gear. Love the fart too of the exhaust at shift on loads...

I have a 2010 A4...looks totally stock except for the exhaust tips and a slight look at the awe fmic through the grill...SLEEPER! Thinking of painting the fmic an off black to match the radiator so it hides a little.

I also have gotten good mpg on highway of 37mpg doing a constant 60mph. But can't always stay that way... Around town in stop light to stop light using boost I am getting a respectable 21mpg when I am on it a ton. Nice normal pulls from stop lights and average 45mph routes for some time I am getting 25-27mpg. Have about 10k on car and stage 3 for the past 3k.

Don't regret it one bit...came out of a stage 3 B5!

[coolwater]

How were they able to flash without removal? Did you have previous Apr flash before stage 3?

-cW

[NickZag]

I went all in on it. F AOA ...have techs that will get around it for me on the inside of dealers...hehehe...

APR stage 3
APR FULL turbo back down pipe/hfc single side exhaust
AWE fmic
Upgraded DV
Eurotuning IC pipe
AWE DV pipe

www.athansmotors.com did the install in one day for all of it!

www.grdperformance.com did the ecu flash.

The car has an amazing pull....very little lag and k04 pulls in any gear at 2200 rpm. Very smooth and constant in each gear. Love the fart too of the exhaust at shift on loads...

I have a 2010 A4...looks totally stock except for the exhaust tips and a slight look at the awe fmic through the grill...SLEEPER! Thinking of painting the fmic an off black to match the radiator so it hides a little.

I also have gotten good mpg on highway of 37mpg doing a constant 60mph. But can't always stay that way... Around town in stop light to stop light using boost I am getting a respectable 21mpg when I am on it a ton. Nice normal pulls from stop lights and average 45mph routes for some time I am getting 25-27mpg. Have about 10k on car and stage 3 for the past 3k.

Don't regret it one bit...came out of a stage 3 B5!

Nice. Way to go big :)

[dieatomic]

For that much I'd go with APR K04. i went from APR to Unitronic and now back to APR K04 and wow!!! pair that up with a full turboback and a fmic and ur set :)

[jkiwacz]

It's all good, the flashes do cost more than the average flash, but that is because of the warranty provided with the STaSIS on their parts. The rest of their components are very competitive.If the ECU goes bad or something happens, the peace of mind is worth it, and most of the time when you get to dealer with mods on the car, the dealer backs away because of the potential liability. With the STaSIS program there is nothing that the customer or the dealer have to worry about.

[coolwater]

Jon,

You should talk to Frank from JD Audi in NJ. He is not singing the praises of Stasis at all. He is saying they won't cover some customer issues with stasis products and he's had to eat the cost.
Thus his bad mouthing Stasis to me.

-cW

[Matt@EuropaParts]

OP, we can get you the exhaust (I don't have any in stock at this time), and there's a few local installers who could take care of it for you. Paying more at the dealership for a warranty on the exhaust is unnecessary imo...I've never seen issues caused by the exhaust as long as its installed properly. We can also help with getting your car chipped (I was initially going to say we could do it for you, but then I saw you have a 2010)...just let me know and I'd be happy to discuss it with you. And you'd be supporting a forum advertiser, ya know, who pays to help keep the forum free for everyone ;-)

[coolwater]

Yes I thought about this option also. Just do the tune from the dealer for the warranty.
Seems Achtuning had a much better deal on the exhaust during their sale.

I'm not worried about the install, good friend of mine owns an independent shop and he can do the exhaust also.

I'm traveling right now, so I'll do some more research when I get back to NYC.

-cW

[SupFly]

might even inquire or ask how many APR users have ever had an issue with their cars. Lot of R&D goes into the equation :) Of course if your worried about warranty & having that piece of mind in your pocket......then you will be limited and a bit of a prisoner.

The 2010 ECU's are so easy to remove from the car it's laughable....they're not bolted in by anything, & easy to unplug & plug back in ;)

But you're out here doing your due diligence & that is part of the beauty of forums and all they offer. Man I love that! Good luck whatever you end up doing!

[Wah]

Have about 10k on car and stage 3 for the past 3k.

Stage III is different than what you currently have installed - K04 turbo kit from the S3.
Stage III is not out yet for the B8s, and performance numbers are much higher than that from the K04 kit- extra 60hp or so; not to mention higher price!

Nevertheless, I am sure the K04 kit is not disappointing and is extremely fun.
I would be interested to see some acceleration vids as well as some audio vids!

[Mizo]

I went all in on it. F AOA ...have techs that will get around it for me on the inside of dealers...hehehe...

APR stage 3
APR FULL turbo back down pipe/hfc single side exhaust
AWE fmic
Upgraded DV
Eurotuning IC pipe
AWE DV pipe

www.athansmotors.com did the install in one day for all of it!

www.grdperformance.com did the ecu flash.

The car has an amazing pull....very little lag and k04 pulls in any gear at 2200 rpm. Very smooth and constant in each gear. Love the fart too of the exhaust at shift on loads...

I have a 2010 A4...looks totally stock except for the exhaust tips and a slight look at the awe fmic through the grill...SLEEPER! Thinking of painting the fmic an off black to match the radiator so it hides a little.

I also have gotten good mpg on highway of 37mpg doing a constant 60mph. But can't always stay that way... Around town in stop light to stop light using boost I am getting a respectable 21mpg when I am on it a ton. Nice normal pulls from stop lights and average 45mph routes for some time I am getting 25-27mpg. Have about 10k on car and stage 3 for the past 3k.

Don't regret it one bit...came out of a stage 3 B5!

I currently have APR stage I and thinking on upgrading to stage 2 with HFC and have a few questions for you regarding HFC:

1) where did you get your HFC and where have it installed?.
2) How loud is it and if there were any smell ?.
3) Would pass illinois emissions test?.

Your response will be greatly appreciated

[Jdaly9056L]

Got off the phone with anchor audi on long island a few days back and they choose the stasis ECU flash. As some of you already said though I was told that yes its warrantied but if something goes wrong with the ECU its my problem not theirs... they quoted me $1820 and thats for the flash, labor and tax. labor came out to be a bit above 300 since they gotta send it out. The gentleman on the phone said hes done about 10 ECU flashes with no problems thus far. and as said before by someone the stasis ECU has been be opened up and i was told sent out.

I also got quotes on the APR exhaust - for the dual exit quad tip catback exhaust (which isnt out yet, i should find out on monday when it shoul be available unless anyone knows here) i was quoted roughly $2300 - for tax, labor and the actual exhaust. for the single exit dual tip catback exhaust was around 1500 for everything. after watching the video on youtube by APR (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG6aj7MZ6a8).

[coolwater]

Everything thru the dealer is so pricey.
Maybe we can get a group buy/deal going for the Stasis ECU/Exhaust/Install ETC.

What say you Jon?
Willing to give a volume discount?

-cW

[a4_bob]

Everything thru the dealer is so pricey.
Maybe we can get a group buy/deal going for the Stasis ECU/Exhaust/Install ETC.

What say you Jon?
Willing to give a volume discount?

-cW

+1 also interested in ECU + exhaust group buy

[Arin@APR]

I heard from a couple VW dealers that do APR tunes that they were told that a direct port upgrade/solution from APR was supposed to be available by now. It's just been delayed from APR.

-cW

Not true.

[coolwater]

Not true.

Thanks for the info Arin.
Is there anything in the works?

Do you know why Stasis was chosen by most Audi dealerships over you guys?
Or did you guys not make a bid to AoA for tuning rights/partnership?

-cW

[coolwater]

So I am trying to get a volume Stasis Tune/Exhaust discount from a local Audi dealer.
If anyone was already looking into the Stasis Tune/Exhaust and from the local tri-state area, let me know.

My thinking is if we can get 3-5 ppl interested, especially since winter is around the corner and it's slow going at the dealership.
We could possibly get a deep discount.

-cW

[a4_bob]

Great idea coolwater. I'd like to attempt a similar group purchase for Stasis ECU + exhaust for those in the Atlanta GA region.

[UmIsThisThingOn]

might even inquire or ask how many APR users have ever had an issue with their cars. Lot of R&D goes into the equation :) Of course if your worried about warranty & having that piece of mind in your pocket......then you will be limited and a bit of a prisoner.

The 2010 ECU's are so easy to remove from the car it's laughable....they're not bolted in by anything, & easy to unplug & plug back in ;)

But you're out here doing your due diligence & that is part of the beauty of forums and all they offer. Man I love that! Good luck whatever you end up doing!

2010 ECUs are bolted in with the 'security' bolts. As someone who had a fried ECU, I would say if you have one iota of doubt, go with Stasis.

[coolwater]

Ok, any opinions on the Stasis Exhaust?
Seems like it is very well designed and fills the cutouts very well.

-cW

[SupFly]

2010 ECUs are bolted in with the 'security' bolts. As someone who had a fried ECU, I would say if you have one iota of doubt, go with Stasis.

I don't think this is true. Mine was not....talk to Dave from 034 Motorsports. On top of that they are uber easy to remove. simply a matter of unplgging 2 wire harnesses

[NickZag]

Ok, any opinions on the Stasis Exhaust?
Seems like it is very well designed and fills the cutouts very well.

-cW

The Stasis system is nice but over priced in my opinion. Any dual system you get will fill the cutouts, you just need to get the 3.2 V6 rear valance and have your tips adjusted. It helps to order the right side V6 exhaust hanger and heat shield as well.

I went with a dual system from Remus which I've been very happy with. Most other systems come with a new resonator which is ok, but isn't really needed. I deleted my resonator completely, and the dual Remus system is quiet enough where I still have no drone at all, but still has a good low tone. I went with the 4" tips. The gains from deleting the resonator are noticable.

[A5MD]

I love the look of the exhaust on your car Nick. Just wished there was a shop here in MD that could do a similar job

[NickZag]

I'm sure Duffy at Remus could find you a shop. His customer support is impressive to say the least.

[UmIsThisThingOn]

I don't think this is true. Mine was not....talk to Dave from 034 Motorsports. On top of that they are uber easy to remove. simply a matter of unplgging 2 wire harnesses

I remember someone once saying that MT's have the bolts, Autos don't

[coolwater]

Can someone provide a link or upload a sound clip of the stasis exhaust when driving? I've only heard clips of it at stand still.

-cW

[Greg Nelson]

The Stasis system is nice but over priced in my opinion. Any dual system you get will fill the cutouts, you just need to get the 3.2 V6 rear valance and have your tips adjusted. It helps to order the right side V6 exhaust hanger and heat shield as well.

I went with a dual system from Remus which I've been very happy with. Most other systems come with a new resonator which is ok, but isn't really needed. I deleted my resonator completely, and the dual Remus system is quiet enough where I still have no drone at all, but still has a good low tone. I went with the 4" tips. The gains from deleting the resonator are noticable.

NickZag,
From your pic, looks as if the angle on your Remus tips are horizontal?
That's how my shop installed Remus muffler set on my 3.2L - I want the angle vertical, will be corrected next week.
IMO, the Remus system provides a healthy, not aggressive sound improvement, drone-free, but 'farts' on the Tip at shift changes (as do most)
Cheers

[NickZag]

Yeah, it's horizontal. Don't you think the bottom of the muffler is going to stick out under the valance?