APR Stage 2 and other Mods Impressions/Review

[jmac1]

Long time lurker, sometime contributor here. Thanks in advance to all those that post I have learned a lot on the forum over the past few years. Some love to research which I am one, and I know guys get beat up a bit for asking the notorious Stage 1, 2 questions, is it worth it TD1 blah, blah. Figured I would add my impressions as no one beats you up for writing a review and contributing.

History: Bought new 2013 S4, 6MT, Monsoon Grey (blacked out trim), loaded without Audi Drive Select, however did get the Sports Diff (Def'ly a must, IMHO)

I was conscious about warranty as my APR dealer is 4.5 hours away so switching back an fourth was not an option. I started with RS4 Grille, Eurocode Sway bars, end links, Alu Kreuz Billet Aluminum Drivetrain Stabilizer, and Eurocode TRUFit Air Intake. I found the suspension upgrades a great improvement over stock. I found it tightened up the suspension, no more dipping the front of the car in high speed tight turns and the car felt far more agile overall. I like the intake, not super loud but you can hear it when you are on the throttle, it is a good mid range for sound and does what I need it to do at a reasonable price.

I found I was prepping my car as I knew I wanted to go to Stage 2 (personally don't know why one would go stage 1 only) It is a small amount to pay for the upgrade. The way I look at the price of a tune is; if it were available when ordering from the factory, would you check the checkbox for the extra 100hp and increase in torque for a little over $2k? Hell yes!

I waited and got my 55,000 km service a bit early and headed off to my APR dealer and had my stage 2 installed at the same time as my Transmission mount.

I have to say I always felt on my 6MT letting out the clutch there was always an bit of a jolt from my transmission physically moving. I assumed maybe it was bad shifting technique, but I have to say the transmission mount took that right away for $45.00 it is a great upgrade to feeling much smoother shifts in the 6MT.

Now Stage II - I knew I wanted it but had warranty concerns etc. After almost 3 years of having the car I know the car well, I know it's limitations, I can feel the top end of what it is capable of etc. I am far enough into my warranty that I am less likely to have any major issues. I read many reviews of some saying Stage 2 was awesome and some saying that it was marginal. I have to say for me it is a noticeable difference, well worth the cost of the upgrade.

The car was immediately more responsive, I found the torque did kick in a bit earlier, not significantly earlier, however the power band is so much smoother and more powerful. You can feel the difference in torque, and accelerating so smooth and quick now. I know the additional torque numbers are not huge (stage 1 vs 2) but combined with the higher HP I feel the car pull so much better now. You just get there so much faster. I appreciate the extension of the red line limiter, pushing further into the power band doesn't feel like it drops off. I have a 91 octane mix as I can't get 93 in Atlantic Canada. It has been a great edition. Part of me is glad I waited as I can appreciate it a bit more, I am keeping the car for some time and it is like getting an upgraded car because it is. I found it is an impressive upgrade.

Next I am putting in my P3 guage with the boost tap so I can get some 0-60 numbers as I don't have a drag strip nearby and only in the summer, I also like to see what my boost psi will be. I like to keep my car looking pretty stock

I wasn't a car real car guy before but I am very much enjoying my S4, it is a great sleeper car. You might not turn heads outside of the car but you def'ly do inside the car the first time you take someone for a drive!

Next Steps: Got recommended some KW coilovers which I will do some research as it is still a DD. I suspect a Stage 3/4 clutch may be in order and, some new brake pads and will replace exhaust down the road when needed.

[phanker]

Thanks for the info. Picked up some nuggets here for what I need to do as we seem to be on a similar path.
Like you, I started early with all the Eurocode suspension bits. Best mod yet though I'm fretting the impending maintenance.
Have to get an engine mount for my 6MT now, same MY, specs, and paint like yours with similar mileage.
SSK was another hugely enjoyable mod for rowing gears.
Another early upgrade for me was the much lighter TSW Nurburgring 19s. Car feels like it just gained 50 in hp/torque with lighter wheels in the lower RPM region. I recommend this if you haven't already.
Agonizing between Stage 1 and 2 still, likely Unitronic. It's going to happen comes spring. P3 guage shortly there after.

Some questions:
Any addition vibration/noise with the engine mount? Shop installation time?
How's the stock clutch with Stage 2 in the winter?

[jmac1]

I feel absolutely no vibration/noise with transmission mount (not engine mounts but the $45 eurocode Transmission mount) Shifts are solid now especially when letting the clutch out in that last 1/4 of play. That is where I would feel a very small jolt. Now it is completely gone.
I'm just a couple days in so far with the stock clutch. Most has been highway driving so no big launches yet to see how it holds up. I have done some hard shifts and dropping down gears to hit the high end of the power band no slippage yet.

[VenturiRS]

Excellent write-up thank you for adding more info for people who are yet to tune.

[Zaxon55]

Nice write up. Sounds like you and I went down a similar path. Suspension, brakes, intake, etc first.
Planning on Stage 2 in the spring. In doing your research what pushed you to APR? I am leaning that way myself, but the shop I typically work with does the Revo tune.
Glad to hear you like it and it's working out well for you. Take care!

[jmac1]

Nice write up. Sounds like you and I went down a similar path. Suspension, brakes, intake, etc first.
Planning on Stage 2 in the spring. In doing your research what pushed you to APR? I am leaning that way myself, but the shop I typically work with does the Revo tune.
Glad to hear you like it and it's working out well for you. Take care!

I was down between GIAC and APR. Both seem excellent, at the end of the day my APR dealer was closer and I was not hearing any issues with APR. After talking to the custom shop that did the install it seems very bulletproof and was the recommended tune. So my research (reading every review here and on the net) matched what my shop was saying. I also take solace in the fact that APR tunes for Audi racing that helps with the credibility in my books. I too was going to wait until spring but I was going to be in the area so though what the hell, why not, and I am glad I did. It was everything I was expecting, I was not disappointed.

[AznSensation87]

Thank you for the write-up. I am also considering a stage 2 tune for my s4, and mine sounds pretty identical to yours (2013, monsoon, 6MT, warranty about to expire). I don't have anything done suspension related but I also agree with phanker about the TSW Nurburgring's. They are definitely lighter than my stock 18" wheels that I have on for winter. Will most likely be getting a tune next spring/summer. Glad to see another person happy with the stage 2 tune!