Apr tune..taking the plunge...

[jo2011]

Hey guys..getting my 2014 s4 tuned on Wednsday. For now the plan is go APR Stage 2. Looking at the numbers the gains from stage 2 over stage 1 are not huge, but the cost almost doubled.
Is it worth the extra money? Any regrets..its an every day driver.
Anyone experience any issues..drivetrain or otherwise due to the power or tune? The car won't be driven hard much and we plan to keep it for awhile. Please give me some input...Merry Christmas!!!

[JMUNFORD]

There's a thread about this from a few days ago take a look ..

[justr0]

Get it asap! You won't regret it. Not that much more than stage1 on paper, but the butt dyno will be happy!

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[jo2011]

Not finding an applicable thread unless your referring.to going from APR stage 1 to Giac stage 2

[S4NJ]

Hey guys..getting my 2014 s4 tuned on Wednsday. For now the plan is go APR Stage 2. Looking at the numbers the gains from stage 2 over stage 1 are not huge, but the cost almost doubled.
Is it worth the extra money? Any regrets..its an every day driver.
Anyone experience any issues..drivetrain or otherwise due to the power or tune? The car won't be driven hard much and we plan to keep it for awhile. Please give me some input...Merry Christmas!!!

Keep me tuned (no puns) how this goes. I'm thinking about it in the Spring after tax return.


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[will13k7]

stage2 is well worth it, forget the peek to peek HP comparison, check out the torque and the "area under the curve" in the dyno plots.

[scottycs]

I would suggest checking your other options.....

I personally refuse to buy anything apr based on how they operate their business.

[Arin@APR]

I daily drive my stage 2 setup and love the extra torque. Good thing for you, it's on sale till the end of the year.

[Uptick007]

Stage 2 APR is an excellent upgrade and you won't regret it. Not sure what transmission you have but paired with the DCG tune its an absolute blast. Enjoy.

[jo2011]

I daily drive my stage 2 setup and love the extra torque. Good thing for you, it's on sale till the end of the year.

Thats I'm doing it now..also before I pay taxes..that has changed my wants list several times...thiefs!

[jo2011]

Stage 2 APR is an excellent upgrade and you won't regret it. Not sure what transmission you have but paired with the DCG tune its an absolute blast. Enjoy.

I have the automatic,..not really wanting to spend another grand..but I have pondered stage 1 with the DSG tune instead..any preference on those two choices?

[moophone]

Totally worth it. Balls fast especially here in the cold DA. Also do the TCU tune if you really want to expose more power up top with 7400 rpm shift point.

Speaking of which, Arin, hows the progress going on the TCU updates?

[Arin@APR]

Since you have the 2014 model, I'd suggest Stage 1 ECU and transmission software over the pulley. Save and get the pulley at a later date. The reason I suggest this is because the factory DSG shifts around 6200 RPM. It's a 1000 RPM later with our software. On this platform, that translates to big top end power as the supercharger keeps pulling and pulling.

[pdqgp]

Hey guys..getting my 2014 s4 tuned on Wednsday. For now the plan is go APR Stage 2. Looking at the numbers the gains from stage 2 over stage 1 are not huge, but the cost almost doubled.
Is it worth the extra money? Any regrets..its an every day driver.

IMO it's well worth it. I also have the TCU tune and enjoy them all daily I've worked with two different APR Shops and both had nothing but hundreds of successes and good things to say.

Anyone experience any issues..drivetrain or otherwise due to the power or tune? The car won't be driven hard much and we plan to keep it for awhile. Please give me some input...Merry Christmas!!!

Have only had it for 7,000 miles but the car has been flawless.

Since you have the 2014 model, I'd suggest Stage 1 ECU and transmission software over the pulley. Save and get the pulley at a later date. The reason I suggest this is because the factory DSG shifts around 6200 RPM. It's a 1000 RPM later with our software. On this platform, that translates to big top end power as the supercharger keeps pulling and pulling.

^^ This. Pulls like a train. I will warn you that once she crosses over the 100mph mark, she really pulls and you can hit 140mph quickly and with ease The DSG tune is worth it too. I recently drove a friends bone stock S4 and he drove mine and the difference for all that I have is like mine is a completely different car. Manual mode pulls off shifts that are video game fast.

[jo2011]

Since you have the 2014 model, I'd suggest Stage 1 ECU and transmission software over the pulley. Save and get the pulley at a later date. The reason I suggest this is because the factory DSG shifts around 6200 RPM. It's a 1000 RPM later with our software. On this platform, that translates to big top end power as the supercharger keeps pulling and pulling.

I pm ed you..not sure if it went through..let me know if you didnt get it.

[jo2011]

IMO it's well worth it. I also have the TCU tune and enjoy them all daily I've worked with two different APR Shops and both had nothing but hundreds of successes and good things to say.



Have only had it for 7,000 miles but the car has been flawless.



^^ This. Pulls like a train. I will warn you that once she crosses over the 100mph mark, she really pulls and you can hit 140mph quickly and with ease The DSG tune is worth it too. I recently drove a friends bone stock S4 and he drove mine and the difference for all that I have is like mine is a completely different car. Manual mode pulls off shifts that are video game fast.

Great info ..thanks
Hear is the new questions, stage 1 with the TCU tune , or Stage 2 alone?

[cspcrx]

This may be a dumb question. How does the sale work? Meaning I buy it from APR on sale and do I get something to take to my tuner? then they charge for their time?

[14S4GWM]

This may be a dumb question. How does the sale work? Meaning I buy it from APR on sale and do I get something to take to my tuner? then they charge for their time?

Your dealer should honor the sale price. They will charge you for the time.

[pdqgp]

Great info ..thanks
Hear is the new questions, stage 1 with the TCU tune , or Stage 2 alone?

Stage 1 with TCU. I did that initially then went stage 2 about 30 days later

[justr0]

Stage 1 with TCU. I did that initially then went stage 2 about 30 days later

Likewise, butt dyno approved! LoL

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[jo2011]

Stage 1 with TCU. I did that initially then went stage 2 about 30 days later

So was it a big noticeable difference when you added the stage 2? But it sounds like 1 with the tcu is a great option

[justr0]

So was it a big noticeable difference when you added the stage 2? But it sounds like 1 with the tcu is a great option

Stage1 adds more HP overall, especially in the upper rpm band, but stage 2 adds the low end torque...the push you back in the seat feeling (not as pronounced as with TC, but still fun!) Definitely worth the $500 or so additional charge on top of Stage 1. Stage1 + TCU is definitely the way to go initially, save up for the pulley kit for later.

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[s4matty]

Definitely go with tcu tune..Once you make it out to the track the AMAX shifting will come into play and really shed some time of your 1/4 mile..

[Silverbullet S4]

Don't waste your time with Stage I. Start with Stage II and save the DSG tune for down the road if you don't want to purchase both stage II and DSG tune at the same time.

[S4NJ]

Can you wait till tomorrow? Can you sleep tonite or is the excitement keeping you up??!


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[jo2011]

Can you wait till tomorrow? Can you sleep tonite or is the excitement keeping you up??!


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Ya im a bit excited. Based on the info from guys here the tranny tune is for sure...still haven't decided if its stage 1 or 2.
2 will put me over budget for sure!!!

[S4NJ]

Ya im a bit excited. Based on the info from guys here the tranny tune is for sure...still haven't decided if its stage 1 or 2.
2 will put me over budget for sure!!!

If you're going to be over budget, just hit up Level 1 for now and save TCU and Level 2 for after you get your tax return :)


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[jo2011]

If you're going to be over budget, just hit up Level 1 for now and save TCU and Level 2 for after you get your tax return :)


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Don't geta tax return..planned on using 2 grandish..so min I do is TCU + stage 1

[S4NJ]

Don't geta tax return..planned on using 2 grandish..so min I do is TCU + stage 1

Isn't there a sale for free installation somewhere? Or that price includes tunes + install?


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[pdqgp]

So was it a big noticeable difference when you added the stage 2? But it sounds like 1 with the tcu is a great option

Most noticeable down low in the form of torque. HP up top too though. Butt dyno notices the torque more as that's what we drive with most often. I never used launch control stock or with stage 1 but with Stage 2 and the TCU tune, 4k is as High as I've gone and it will snap you back in your seat hard when you take off. The first time I did it I didn't even wind out first gear as I was Gone! and the guy next to me didn't stand a chance.

Overall, well worth the move to Stage 2 IMO.

[Sudz]

OP the only reason to go stage 1 first is to get your feet wet with the added power.
Stage 2, fills in the torque curve at lower rpm and makes the acceleration more continuos to redline.
APR stage 2 is great and I enjoyed it about 6 months before adding the DSG tune.
Which ever tune you choose first you should complete with the second tune.
I drive 100% of the time in dynamic mode with the manual shift, and love the car.

[S4NJ]

Any update Jo? What time is your appointment?

Please give us your 1st impressions so we can see if the Tune lived up to your expectations and everything that you read about it online :)

[XLR8 Craig]

For first timers I recommend stage 1 and the DSG flash. This gives them future upgrades but they can still maximize performance without changing any hardware.

Still 10% off all ECU and DSG files for you Tri-State Audizine'rs. Pulley's in stock too.

[Silverbullet S4]

Of course a sales rep is going to recommend someone start with Stage I. You know they're going to get bored and move to Stage II and you'll then have something else to sell.

[cspcrx]

I say why waste spending twice just go straight to stage 2. That is my plan.

[sangaroo]

i've been stage 2 for more than 2 years now. I get 12-14 mpg on my driving style.

I have no problems with APR tunes. I'm only replacing control arms and a few worn ball joints. My car currently has 79.5k miles and ~30k miles since stage 2 and ~ 45k miles since stage 1.

[jo2011]

Did it all today. Wasn't sure when I walked in if it was gonna be 1 or 2 with the tcu tune. They shot me a decent out the door # on all of it..so.I decided pay once cry once.
Weather is real shitty today but I got a feel..its funny how mellow.it can be..but when you want to go..its pretty damn stout. I did go over 100 in the wet but that was dumb. Pulling out even in D 60'mph is a heart beat away. Gotta say I like it..im sure I have alot to learn about it. Thanks for all the imput guys.

[pdqgp]

Did it all today. Wasn't sure when I walked in if it was gonna be 1 or 2 with the tcu tune. They shot me a decent out the door # on all of it..so.I decided pay once cry once.
Weather is real shitty today but I got a feel..its funny how mellow.it can be..but when you want to go..its pretty damn stout. I did go over 100 in the wet but that was dumb. Pulling out even in D 60'mph is a heart beat away. Gotta say I like it..im sure I have alot to learn about it. Thanks for all the imput guys.

Congrats on the power gains! You won't regret it.

[jo2011]

Congrats on the power gains! You won't regret it.

Thank you for you detailed information..had alot to do with me getting 2 and the TCU. I might actually use the paddles now sometimes!

[pdqgp]

Thank you for you detailed information..had alot to do with me getting 2 and the TCU. I might actually use the paddles now sometimes!

Keep us posted on your thoughts. I may go back and have my TCU/DSG manual shift reprogrammed NOT to shift at redline. I currently have it so that in manual mode the car will upshift at redline automatically. Mainly because I do road course and autocross and didn't want to drop back a few tenths if I bounced off redline by accident.

However, the issue now (which APR said they are addressing) is if I miss the shift from 1->2 the shift from 2->3 happens way early and I can't hold 2nd then. They are aware but I still may have it redone. Really only impacts me from the start of the lap, but nonetheless a PIA.