About to pull the trigger on an S6...need advice

[SeaChiS4]

Have a dealer buddy ping me with a fully loaded '14 S6 with 19k miles - price in low 50's - seems like a super deal, but I've confused the daylights into myself.
Some history with Audi:
I had an '11 S4 DSG with APR II; pulley; Stasis exhaust; DP's was a little monster until the DSG blew - needed a new tranny, but the car was flagged TD1 (the dealer in Seattle is TD1 happy) anyway, I got a used tranny installed and traded the car in on a '14 S5 - MG/DSG - loaded except for dynamic suspension. So, I'm really happy with this vehicle until this dude calls me about the S6, which I think I'll probably do - so, I'm sure this has been hashed out a few times - are there any tunes out there that Audi cannot recognize and flag as TD1 - I believe any ECU flash can be recognized - also seems like such a travesty to have a non tuned twin turbo V8.
I also have a '15 M4 with a JB4 tune - this can be easily removed in the event of a major failure.

[ryanhmusic]

Have a dealer buddy ping me with a fully loaded '14 S6 with 19k miles - price in low 50's - seems like a super deal, but I've confused the daylights into myself.
Some history with Audi:
I had an '11 S4 DSG with APR II; pulley; Stasis exhaust; DP's was a little monster until the DSG blew - needed a new tranny, but the car was flagged TD1 (the dealer in Seattle is TD1 happy) anyway, I got a used tranny installed and traded the car in on a '14 S5 - MG/DSG - loaded except for dynamic suspension. So, I'm really happy with this vehicle until this dude calls me about the S6, which I think I'll probably do - so, I'm sure this has been hashed out a few times - are there any tunes out there that Audi cannot recognize and flag as TD1 - I believe any ECU flash can be recognized - also seems like such a travesty to have a non tuned twin turbo V8.
I also have a '15 M4 with a JB4 tune - this can be easily removed in the event of a major failure.

Chipwerks I believe? Someone with more knowledge of the C7 platform will chime in eventually.

[gk1]

Just curious. How, why, what caused your S4 DSG to blow? Just regular Stage II use, constant track us or launches or something else peculiar?

[SeaChiS4]

Just curious. How, why, what caused your S4 DSG to blow? Just regular Stage II use, constant track us or launches or something else peculiar?

No idea - no tracking; no LC; and the occasional spirited drive.

[turbello18]

I can't comment on the tune but am curious, also curous to see if people have been flagged for exhaust only (another must have mod IMO).

What are the options on the S6? Depending on options, the prices fluctuate greatly. On the surface it seems like a good deal.

[zcspec]

The only sure way NOT to be flagged TD1 is not to have your ECU tuned. However, owning a S6 untuned is just a tease. Drop by Achtuning and speak with Dion. From my last conversations with him, he stated that you can completely "unflash" the ECU so the dealership cannot see the tune. After the service is completed, reinstall the tune. Several members have said this method has worked for them, but give Audi's propensity NOT to pay for flashed cars, they'll figure out a way to detect everything.

[Delurker]

I can't comment on the tune but am curious, also curous to see if people have been flagged for exhaust only (another must have mod IMO).

I've taken mine to the dealer several times with the AWE exhaust installed and never had an issue - I've received some nice compliments on the sound, though.

[SeaChiS4]

I've taken mine to the dealer several times with the AWE exhaust installed and never had an issue - I've received some nice compliments on the sound, though.

Depends on the dealer - the dealer in Bellevue, WA are TD1 ninjas!

[SeaChiS4]

The only sure way NOT to be flagged TD1 is not to have your ECU tuned. However, owning a S6 untuned is just a tease. Drop by Achtuning and speak with Dion. From my last conversations with him, he stated that you can completely "unflash" the ECU so the dealership cannot see the tune. After the service is completed, reinstall the tune. Several members have said this method has worked for them, but give Audi's propensity NOT to pay for flashed cars, they'll figure out a way to detect everything.

I had the S4 APR updated by Achtuning in the past - I'll definitely inquire further - thx...

[zcd2.7t]

Unitronic offers the ability to un-flash/re-flash from home, but there's no guarantee that the dealer/Audi won't be able to detect that the car has been flashed, even if you bring it in for service in "stock (flashed back to stock) mode.

Chipwerke and Racechip offer piggybacks similar in principle to the JB4 you have on your M4, and those should indeed be undetectable if removed prior to service. However, the weight of evidence suggests that they don't provide as much performance increase as the APR/GIAC/Unitronic flashes.

Stock, the car isn't far off "Stage 2" S4 performance, so the question is how fast do you really need to go, and what risks are you willing to take?

[pandi]

Unitronic offers the ability to un-flash/re-flash from home, but there's no guarantee that the dealer/Audi won't be able to detect that the car has been flashed, even if you bring it in for service in "stock (flashed back to stock) mode.....Stock, the car isn't far off "Stage 2" S4 performance, so the question is how fast do you really need to go, and what risks are you willing to take?

+1

I would suggest you find a dealership with a service department that is not TD1 happy and be tight with your SA. Although My S6 is not tuned I am lucky to have a dealership nearby that isn't TD1 happy. I have had conversations with my SA both in person and via text regarding tunes and other aftermarket goodies. According to him, flashing back to stock does not make it undetectable at all. An example he gave is that if I had my car tuned which, let"s say is a year old, and flashed it back to stock, the counter would reset to zero times I have started the car. How then could I have a one-year-old car and only have started it once (assuming I only drive it once to the dealership after flashing back) is what he said. He also said that they don't always have to scan your car, and avoid it as much as possible, but if they did, and you had an issue with your car related to the tune, you would be screwed.

[Serpent]

and you had an issue with your car related to the tune, you would be screwed.

^ This. Still depending on your dealer you might be able to work something out.

[SunDevil]

I know this gets rehashed all the time. Not sure the dealership has any real control on who gets flagged TD1. I was led to believe that anytime you bring your car in .... the ECU is checked. Whether an un-installed tune (insert brand) is detected or not is the question. I'm sure someone here has more knowledge on this subject.