APR Stage 1 Review on 2016 S3

[zcspec]

Hello fellow S3 owners. I wanted to write a very brief review on APR's Stage 1 tune for the S3. This is intended for those of you whom are on the fence regarding a tune.

First off, let me state this ***disclaimer***. The APR tune WILL impact your ECU allowing the dealership to see a tune: instant TD1 and good bye to your powertrain warranty. I have read that some members who need service, have the APR tuner completely un-flash the ECU, then re-flash it with good success. This is on your own accordance.
Now my unbiased feedback

BEFORE: I was impressed right off the bat with the new Audi Gen 3 EA888 high output motor. The S3 pulls very strong in its stock configuration with shifts being fast and effortless. What I did not care for, the plumbing of the sound into the car. Even though this can be deleted, I never have been, nor will it ever be my cup of tea. After many times of driving my brother's S3, I am still left with a feeling of gratitude. The car is quick no doubt and would give my Stage 1 E85 allroad a good run from a DIG.
AFTER: Upon first impression, we both agreed that the tune was not worth the money. I recommended as an alternative, one of the in-line piggy back units for better power and less money. However, remembering how the flash on my allroad took time to adapt, I said, “relax and drive the car hard to allow the flash to ADAPT.” Well, sure enough, after about 48hrs of driving and over 150 miles, the ECU has adapted. I will say with conviction, the S3 is a COMPLETELY different car. It pulls FAR STRONGER than stock all the way to redline. 70-80mph burst come very fast. The shifts are crisp with no hesitation at all. We have yet to perform a heads up comparison against my E85 allroad, but I am certain, he will walk me.

In short, if you’re considering a tune for the S3 and have an APR dealer close by, I would highly recommend it. Just have some patience with the adaptation and I promise you, you will have an ear to ear grin every time you drive your S3.

[MuchoQuattro]

Hello fellow S3 owners. I wanted to write a very brief review on APR's Stage 1 tune for the S3. This is intended for those of you whom are on the fence regarding a tune.

First off, let me state this ***disclaimer***. The APR tune WILL impact your ECU allowing the dealership to see a tune: instant TD1 and good bye to your powertrain warranty. I have read that some members who need service, have the APR tuner completely un-flash the ECU, then re-flash it with good success. This is on your own accordance.
Now my unbiased feedback

BEFORE: I was impressed right off the bat with the new Audi Gen 3 EA888 high output motor. The S3 pulls very strong in its stock configuration with shifts being fast and effortless. What I did not care for, the plumbing of the sound into the car. Even though this can be deleted, I never have been, nor will it ever be my cup of tea. After many times of driving my brother's S3, I am still left with a feeling of gratitude. The car is quick no doubt and would give my Stage 1 E85 allroad a good run from a DIG.
AFTER: Upon first impression, we both agreed that the tune was not worth the money. I recommended as an alternative, one of the in-line piggy back units for better power and less money. However, remembering how the flash on my allroad took time to adapt, I said, “relax and drive the car hard to allow the flash to ADAPT.” Well, sure enough, after about 48hrs of driving and over 150 miles, the ECU has adapted. I will say with conviction, the S3 is a COMPLETELY different car. It pulls FAR STRONGER than stock all the way to redline. 70-80mph burst come very fast. The shifts are crisp with no hesitation at all. We have yet to perform a heads up comparison against my E85 allroad, but I am certain, he will walk me.

In short, if you’re considering a tune for the S3 and have an APR dealer close by, I would highly recommend it. Just have some patience with the adaptation and I promise you, you will have an ear to ear grin every time you drive your S3.

Did you go 91 octane or 93 octane file?

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[zcspec]

91 octane

[Food4Audis]

I enjoyed my APR stage 1 tune and it doesnt cost as much as the tunes for the higher S models. I feel the tune is reasonably priced. Ive had no issues with APR in the past (2013 S5 stage 2 ) and I look forward to their new upgrades in the future. I said I enjoyed stage 1 earlier because Im stage 2 now =)

[HurrayFive]

I started with Stage 1 as well, and agree that after the adaptation period was over the car felt like a different beast, glad you got to have some fun in one! Having been Stage 2 for the last 8K miles or so though - Stage 2 (plus the supporting DP, and especially a larger IC and some beefier engine mounts) make the car feel on entirely different level, to me, it was a larger difference between Stage 1 and 2 than it was between Stage 1 and stock. There's just no point in the power band where you're lacking for power and the spool is soooo much quicker, mucho fun.

[jshwon]

Interesting. From most reviews I've read the difference is felt immediately. Prior to my S3 I had a stg 2 mk7 gti tuned with Eurodyne. I could tell the difference right away after flashing stg 1. Almost felt like after 3k rpm the engine wanted to pull away from the rest of the car and the power didn't end. For the S3 I'll probably go with APR once the kinks are sorted out but expect for it to be the same feeling since their tune is so torque heavy as well.

Before the GTI I had a 09 A4 avant with the old 2.0T. Now after tuning that with APR I felt the money could have been spent better else where.

[flipside]

How's the drivability in stage 1 or 2 for a daily driver especially one who has to drive through traffic on the weekdays.

[Food4Audis]

How's the drivability in stage 1 or 2 for a daily driver especially one who has to drive through traffic on the weekdays.

My Stage 2 is my daily and its been perfectly fine. get good mpg when cruising along with traffic also.

[HurrayFive]

jshwon
Interesting. From most reviews I've read the difference is felt immediately. Prior to my S3 I had a stg 2 mk7 gti tuned with Eurodyne. I could tell the difference right away after flashing stg 1. Almost felt like after 3k rpm the engine wanted to pull away from the rest of the car and the power didn't end. For the S3 I'll probably go with APR once the kinks are sorted out but expect for it to be the same feeling since their tune is so torque heavy as well.

Before the GTI I had a 09 A4 avant with the old 2.0T. Now after tuning that with APR I felt the money could have been spent better else where.

You can absolutely notice the difference the moment you drive away from the tuning shop, but the architecture of these ECU's means a re-flash always has an "adaptation" stage for full affect, same for flashing back to stock. The ECU relies on several tables to control air/fuel/spark timing and it blends them in real time based on current octane/atmospheric/elevation conditions but it also builds a "profile" based on historic data. When you flash the ECU the historic data gets wiped, so it starts with the most "gentle" set of maps and pushes the ECU to a more and more aggressive blend based on what all of those conditions I just mentioned will allow. All of that means when you first drive off from a flash, it has to "learn" it's way back to the most aggressive tables, in my experience, this takes a few engine cycles. To make it more complicated, every VAG/Audi ECU architecture has various states of complication, meaning some (like the latest SIMOS ECU's) have extreme levels of this blending, which lengthen the "learning" period, and others have less, which means there could be little to no learning period.

flipside
How's the drivability in stage 1 or 2 for a daily driver especially one who has to drive through traffic on the weekdays.

I've had no issues, even with the harsher engine mounts. The car is no longer my daily to keep the miles off it, but I drove it w/ Stage 2 as my daily for a solid 5K miles on a 30 mile commute with no problems. Aside from idle and reverse, you wouldn't notice a difference in behavior as opposed to stock.

[jshwon]

You can absolutely notice the difference the moment you drive away from the tuning shop, but the architecture of these ECU's means a re-flash always has an "adaptation" stage for full affect, same for flashing back to stock. The ECU relies on several tables to control air/fuel/spark timing and it blends them in real time based on current octane/atmospheric/elevation conditions but it also builds a "profile" based on historic data. When you flash the ECU the historic data gets wiped, so it starts with the most "gentle" set of maps and pushes the ECU to a more and more aggressive blend based on what all of those conditions I just mentioned will allow. All of that means when you first drive off from a flash, it has to "learn" it's way back to the most aggressive tables, in my experience, this takes a few engine cycles. To make it more complicated, every VAG/Audi ECU architecture has various states of complication, meaning some (like the latest SIMOS ECU's) have extreme levels of this blending, which lengthen the "learning" period, and others have less, which means there could be little to no learning period.

Oh no I completely understand/am aware of the adaptation process but nice explanation nonetheless. It just seemed from you saying "not worth the money at first" that there was no gain to be felt at all after flash. I definitely think I know what you mean though as I mentioned after flashing my A4 it felt like nothing happened until 24hrs later. Even after that I didn't get much from it but I think that was because there wasn't much to gain out of that motor. The EA888 in my GTI on the other hand was like boom, and got better after that. Kind of expect the same from the is38.

[HurrayFive]

Oh no I completely understand/am aware of the adaptation process but nice explanation nonetheless. It just seemed from you saying "not worth the money at first" that there was no gain to be felt at all after flash. I definitely think I know what you mean though as I mentioned after flashing my A4 it felt like nothing happened until 24hrs later. Even after that I didn't get much from it but I think that was because there wasn't much to gain out of that motor. The EA888 in my GTI on the other hand was like boom, and got better after that. Kind of expect the same from the is38.

I never mentioned it wasn't worth the money, OP did. I think you definitely notice the tune the moment you're flashed, I was more explaining why the learning period is there before you're at full potential.

[ModdedEuros]

These cars turn into something completely new once you flash them. Just wait until you go to a higher stage if you decide to go that route

[XLR8 Craig]

These cars turn into something completely new once you flash them. Just wait until you go to a higher stage if you decide to go that route

Agreed. It's great seeing the reactions on a customers face after just a stage 1 flash.

[andrewvu514]

I enjoyed my APR stage 1 tune and it doesnt cost as much as the tunes for the higher S models. I feel the tune is reasonably priced. Ive had no issues with APR in the past (2013 S5 stage 2 ) and I look forward to their new upgrades in the future. I said I enjoyed stage 1 earlier because Im stage 2 now =)

Jimbo, where did you get your car tuned?? I am around your area and was wondering where a reputable shop was to take my car. TYIA!

[Food4Audis]

I took my car to Eurocode Tuning in Torrance. Ask for Dave and tell him I sent you. Top APR dealer in our area


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[andrewvu514]

cool, much appreciated Jimbo!

[Food4Audis]

cool, much appreciated Jimbo!

let me know what you end up doing and if you ever need a stage 2 test drive let me know

[theghostS5]

Hello fellow S3 owners. I wanted to write a very brief review on APR's Stage 1 tune for the S3. This is intended for those of you whom are on the fence regarding a tune.

First off, let me state this ***disclaimer***. The APR tune WILL impact your ECU allowing the dealership to see a tune: instant TD1 and good bye to your powertrain warranty. I have read that some members who need service, have the APR tuner completely un-flash the ECU, then re-flash it with good success. This is on your own accordance.
Now my unbiased feedback

BEFORE: I was impressed right off the bat with the new Audi Gen 3 EA888 high output motor. The S3 pulls very strong in its stock configuration with shifts being fast and effortless. What I did not care for, the plumbing of the sound into the car. Even though this can be deleted, I never have been, nor will it ever be my cup of tea. After many times of driving my brother's S3, I am still left with a feeling of gratitude. The car is quick no doubt and would give my Stage 1 E85 allroad a good run from a DIG.
AFTER: Upon first impression, we both agreed that the tune was not worth the money. I recommended as an alternative, one of the in-line piggy back units for better power and less money. However, remembering how the flash on my allroad took time to adapt, I said, “relax and drive the car hard to allow the flash to ADAPT.” Well, sure enough, after about 48hrs of driving and over 150 miles, the ECU has adapted. I will say with conviction, the S3 is a COMPLETELY different car. It pulls FAR STRONGER than stock all the way to redline. 70-80mph burst come very fast. The shifts are crisp with no hesitation at all. We have yet to perform a heads up comparison against my E85 allroad, but I am certain, he will walk me.

In short, if you’re considering a tune for the S3 and have an APR dealer close by, I would highly recommend it. Just have some patience with the adaptation and I promise you, you will have an ear to ear grin every time you drive your S3.

So I just flashed to stage 1. and it is amazing. I'm just wondering if stage 2 is even worth the money. So, what I would like to know from those who have had both, is there a huge difference or is it minimal and not worth the $$$?

[quattro_bob]

I enjoyed my APR stage 1 tune and it doesnt cost as much as the tunes for the higher S models. I feel the tune is reasonably priced. Ive had no issues with APR in the past (2013 S5 stage 2 ) and I look forward to their new upgrades in the future. I said I enjoyed stage 1 earlier because Im stage 2 now =)

what tire size and brand do you use? I drive a 2015 Audi S3 stage 1 and spin tires when using launch control

[Food4Audis]

what tire size and brand do you use? I drive a 2015 Audi S3 stage 1 and spin tires when using launch control

255/30/20 toyo proxes t1


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[Ordie]

So I just flashed to stage 1. and it is amazing. I'm just wondering if stage 2 is even worth the money. So, what I would like to know from those who have had both, is there a huge difference or is it minimal and not worth the $$$?

Wondering this myself.

Just got APR Stage 1 done and it felt amazing from the moment I drove off the tuner. Was worried that with the high torque tune the power was going to fall off quick...nope.