APR Stage 1 Tune on B8 A4 - Is it worth it?

[allang1374]

Hey guys,
I'm debating on purchasing the APR Stage 1 tune for my 2010 B8 A4. I'm at 80,220 miles as of yesterday. I don't have any check engine light on as of right now, and don't really have any issues. Are there any common issues or problems that I will be running into if I decide to go through with this? Will my average MPG be affected ? Obviously if I'm launching the car at every red light I understand it will be...but I mean if I continue with the same driving habits. Please help!

[ToddBrunswick]

Hey guys,
I'm debating on purchasing the APR Stage 1 tune for my 2010 B8 A4. I'm at 80,220 miles as of yesterday. I don't have any check engine light on as of right now, and don't really have any issues. Are there any common issues or problems that I will be running into if I decide to go through with this? Will my average MPG be affected ? Obviously if I'm launching the car at every red light I understand it will be...but I mean if I continue with the same driving habits. Please help!

I would strongly advise asking Infiltrator first. He'll have a lot of great input about this post.

[KompressorLOgic]

well worth the money really wakens the car up I did not notice any drop in mileage based on how I drive, and highway mpg reported in the dash seem to be up about 1mpg on long trips even.

[Project Quattro]

Welcome to AZ.

Answers:

1.) Yes it is worth it.
2.) There shouldn't be issues; APR has a large install base and the horror stories you occasionally hear about problems with tuned cars would likely have appeared anyway or with a different tune.
3.) MPG will be the same if your driving habits stay the same, which they won't because the car will be way more fun post-tune.

Friendly reminder that there's a wealth of information here, about this topic and many others, available by searching. If whatever you're looking for can't be found, we're happy to help.

[Audi 4 Life]

The main thing is to do maintenence before modifications. More power puts more stress on parts so if there are parts on there last leg when you add more power their more likely to break. Also not many people realize that lack of maintenance will create more power loss. So make sure the car is up to date before you begin your mods. Also the 2nd and equally important is supporting mods. Going faster isnt cool unless you can stop the car so mske sure to have a plan upgrade your brakes with at least some stainless brake lines and a better pad for better bite.

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

[thrill23]

Welcome to AZ.

Answers:

1.) Yes it is worth it.
2.) There shouldn't be issues; APR has a large install base and the horror stories you occasionally hear about problems with tuned cars would likely have appeared anyway or with a different tune.
3.) MPG will be the same if your driving habits stay the same, which they won't because the car will be way more fun post-tune.

Friendly reminder that there's a wealth of information here, about this topic and many others, available by searching. If whatever you're looking for can't be found, we're happy to help.

Awesomeness

[The Infiltrator]

I would strongly advise asking Infiltrator first. He'll have a lot of great input about this post.

...

First of all, does your car burn oil? As in do you have to add oil in between oil changes? If so how much? Checkout the thread on the first page for questions and answers.

Second, I would just go Stage II, there's a lot of threads on this and you'll find out it's just worth the time, money and effort in doing so.

Third, search through threads and if you find a thread on the topic you're interested in, ask on the already existing thread. If there is in fact zero threads on the topic you want to ask about, post a new thread.

[Avantmaniac]

STG 2!

[allang1374]

Thank you for your response. To answer your question:
When I purchased the car at 56k I did have the engine rebuilt and turbo replaced by Audi under warranty because it failed the oil consumption test. The check engine light came on as soon as I drove it off the lot, luckily the warranty covered it. After that, I have not had any issues with oil consumption.

[allang1374]

I was definitely thinking about this as well. I typically repair any issues right away, but I would like a heads up on what hardware I should upgrade before jumping right into this. Thanks!

[The Infiltrator]

I was definitely thinking about this as well. I typically repair any issues right away, but I would like a heads up on what hardware I should upgrade before jumping right into this. Thanks!

Search, you will find the answer on what mods to do for it in the million already existing threads!

Hint: The APR site has what mods you need for the stage you want.

[ToddBrunswick]

Search, you will find the answer on what mods to do for it in the million already existing threads!

Hint: The APR site has what mods you need for the stage you want.

There he is! I was worried based on your first reply that you weren't feeling well today. Glad to have you back!

[blbroo]

Light em up, W!

[doowopaudi]

Hey guys,
I'm debating on purchasing the APR Stage 1 tune for my 2010 B8 A4. I'm at 80,220 miles as of yesterday. I don't have any check engine light on as of right now, and don't really have any issues. Are there any common issues or problems that I will be running into if I decide to go through with this? Will my average MPG be affected ? Obviously if I'm launching the car at every red light I understand it will be...but I mean if I continue with the same driving habits. Please help!

I'd recommend installing a HFC before you go stage 1 or 2. The car feels much more fun to drive once that's on there. If you find yourself needing more, then you're ready for stage 2. I personally went straight to stage 2 and skipped stage 1. I had the HFC and stage 2 tune done on the same day. It wasn't until I had to take my car into a dealer and needed to get flashed back to stock mode that I realized how much fun my car still was with just the HFC and no tune. Save yourself $600+ and just do HFC before you make the next choice is what I would recommend.

At the moment, I still have stage 2 and I'm enjoying it, but I wished I would have just stuck with the HFC and no tune once I felt how great it still was.

Also, I think APR may offer a 3 day free software trial which allows you to test the tune at no cost and then reverts back to stock.

[AllroadCorbin]

There he is! I was worried based on your first reply that you weren't feeling well today. Glad to have you back!

I was popping the popcorn... this was a major let down. In a good way

HFC/ test pipe will make a decent difference in spool and power. I also HIGHLY recommend getting a bigger FMIC. Our cars are god damn furnaces and run way too hot even at stock boost levels. You will save yourself alot of headaches chasing hesitation, timing retard (pre-detonation) and constantly cooking your plugs. Some FMICS are a grand or more BUT you can get your hands on a Treadstone for $225 I believe With a few hose clamps and generic silicone hoses it works like a charm....and now that I mentioned plugs, get heat range 8 NGK platinum.

ok no go search the rest. Welcome to the slipperiest of all slopes. This website has ruined the financial stability and weakened the marriages of many a man....enjoy

[hyperunion]

I'd recommend installing a HFC before you go stage 1 or 2. The car feels much more fun to drive once that's on there. If you find yourself needing more, then you're ready for stage 2. I personally went straight to stage 2 and skipped stage 1. I had the HFC and stage 2 tune done on the same day. It wasn't until I had to take my car into a dealer and needed to get flashed back to stock mode that I realized how much fun my car still was with just the HFC and no tune. Save yourself $600+ and just do HFC before you make the next choice is what I would recommend.

At the moment, I still have stage 2 and I'm enjoying it, but I wished I would have just stuck with the HFC and no tune once I felt how great it still was.

Also, I think APR may offer a 3 day free software trial which allows you to test the tune at no cost and then reverts back to stock.

But with out the stg 2 you'll have a check engine light!!! Can't really run a hfc with the special tune... spacers or special o2 sensors still don't work...

[The Infiltrator]

But with out the stg 2 you'll have a check engine light!!! Can't really run a hfc with the special tune... spacers or special o2 sensors still don't work...

False, a spacer will eliminate the check engine light with a HFC in stock mode. I'm doing it now while I do the oil consumption on the car.

[hyperunion]

False, a spacer will eliminate the check engine light with a HFC in stock mode. I'm doing it now while I do the oil consumption on the car.

Everybody has had issues with running a hfc with a stock tune.. it happens.. maybe your an exception...
It'll either happen now or down the road.. it will happen...

[blbroo]

I can run my spulen HFC with the tune on or off and rarely get a CEL. My tune files do not deactivate the O2 sensors. This does seem to be random by car and not predictable, based on varied experiences on AZ.

[The Infiltrator]

The spacer is meant to stop the code while stock, the tune disables the rear O2 sensor. At least that's what I've read and my experience with it. I've never had an issue.

[blbroo]

My O2 sensors are active with the tune on, though, is what I am saying. I can pass inspection without going to the "stock" file.

[The Infiltrator]

My O2 sensors are active with the tune on, though, is what I am saying. I can pass inspection without going to the "stock" file.

Hmm, I was told APR disables the rear. Time to look it up. Now I'm interested.

[ToddBrunswick]

Hmm, I was told APR disables the rear. Time to look it up. Now I'm interested.

I dare you to start a new thread.

[blbroo]

Hmm, I was told APR disables the rear. Time to look it up. Now I'm interested.

APR does, GIAC doesn't.

[doowopaudi]

As far as I know, a HFC without a tune may trigger a CEL, but that should be no cause for concern since you know it's the HFC that's allowing more air to flow through. When my CEL went on, I've simply used a generic OBD2 scanner to check the error code, verify that it's the oxygen sensor and cleared it and went on my way until the HFC triggered the CEL again. I've driven about 3-400 miles in between with no CEL.

Again, to answer the OPs question, I feel you should go with the HFC alone before jumping into stage 2 (or stage 1 without the HFC).

[KompressorLOgic]

yeah if its an option hfc with a stage 2 tune is even better, it seems to pull smoother than the stage 1 tune did.

[JeriQo]

[Jg3]

It's worth it, big difference. I recommend you do the timing tensioner first going off my personal experience.

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[KompressorLOgic]

Thank you for your response. To answer your question:
When I purchased the car at 56k I did have the engine rebuilt and turbo replaced by Audi under warranty because it failed the oil consumption test. The check engine light came on as soon as I drove it off the lot, luckily the warranty covered it. After that, I have not had any issues with oil consumption.

my story is a bit similar, bought car, it burned oil immediately, took back stage 1 then stage 2 consumption, ohh your cylinder walls are scored, so brand new crate engine goes in, at 65K miles, waited about a year, then I went stage 1, decent improvement, was a bit notchy in the midrange at times... did the 3.0TDI IC, waited another year , and then spulen HFC, and stage2, good increase, power feels smoother in delivery than with the stage 1. at 109K now

id probably just recommend going straight to stage 2 if u do. but its nice to have more steps in performance, so your nto desiring more right away...

[acidvoodoo]

Interesting reply's, seems like 50/50 opinion on tune vs hfc. I'm at 36k and I've been thinking about getting APR stage 1 but I'm unsure as I don't want to void the remaining warranty. Does anyone know if installing a only a hfc would effect the warranty?

[The Infiltrator]

Interesting reply's, seems like 50/50 opinion on tune vs hfc. I'm at 36k and I've been thinking about getting APR stage 1 but I'm unsure as I don't want to void the remaining warranty. Does anyone know if installing a only a hfc would effect the warranty?

The HFC won't, the tune will with some dealers. You can flash it back to stock after having a tune but the dealer from there on will see that a tune was loaded before. Some dealers care, some don't. My dealer didn't care that I had it previously loaded so I have a good one but there are some that will just tag it TD1 right away.

[hyperunion]

Interesting reply's, seems like 50/50 opinion on tune vs hfc. I'm at 36k and I've been thinking about getting APR stage 1 but I'm unsure as I don't want to void the remaining warranty. Does anyone know if installing a only a hfc would effect the warranty?

Major emissions part removed and switched out to anything, especially now.... Audi would definitely reject if the need comes for a major warranty claim... Audi sends out service engineers to inspect cars requiring major warranty work before giving the dealership the okay....

[A4x]

Major emissions part removed and switched out to anything, especially now.... Audi would definitely reject if the need comes for a major warranty claim... Audi sends out service engineers to inspect cars requiring major warranty work before giving the dealership the okay....

Major warranty work would justify the ~$300 to remove the HFC and install the stock cat before taking it in.

I'm not sure a HFC would void the warranty, it does not really modify the car, it is still a cat and provides the same function, albeit just a little more free flowing Ya I know, I'm probably wrong. But I bet some, or more than half dealers would not give you any problem with a HFC, hell would they even notice?

I installed one a few months ago. Immediately felt the improved performance, lower RPM turbo spool etc, but now I feel like the ECU has adapted and I have lost any power gains, it feels like stock again. Is this possible? Could be just me getting used to the few extra HP. Perhaps my gas mileage got a bit better (less losses in the system). I cannot wait to go stage 2, but still have CPO for another 8 months. Marginal oil consumption (had stage 1 fix last November, and it is much better).