Best tuning option

[Greygoblin]

2012 S4, 6 speed, sport differential, AWE intake & touring exhaust, RS5 springs, Bilstein B8 shocks, H&R sway bars, 8 piston big brake kit. Looking for added HP & TQ, don't track and don't plan to go beyond stage 1. Want most reliable, least headaches and best bang for the buck. Have heard GIAC is ideal, but Motorsports recommended by my audi guru. In NYC/Long Island area. See that AWE-tuning and others let you send in your ECU with fast turn around. How does that work? Pros/cons. Input is appreciated.
Thank you.

[GRUMPY-S4]

All tunes are about the same... Do you want to be able to flash back to stock at home?

[mr shickadance]

2012 S4, 6 speed, sport differential, AWE intake & touring exhaust, RS5 springs, Bilstein B8 shocks, H&R sway bars, 8 piston big brake kit. Looking for added HP & TQ, don't track and don't plan to go beyond stage 1. Want most reliable, least headaches and best bang for the buck. Have heard GIAC is ideal, but Motorsports recommended by my audi guru. In NYC/Long Island area. See that AWE-tuning and others let you send in your ECU with fast turn around. How does that work? Pros/cons. Input is appreciated.
Thank you.

what grumpy said, they are all about the same performance wise, but certain tunes offer some more features, like stalk switching, or being able to flash to your stock map.


My advice to anyone who is seeking a tune is to go with the one that their trusted mechanic uses, the difference is the support, and that entirely depends on the person running the shop.

That said, I don't know any shops in NYC, but there is speedsporttuning in Danbury, which is a 60-70 minute drive north and they are one of the best shops around.

[MrFunk]

^^ Agreed 100%

[Chris@EPL]

You can install your tune yourself with our flashing cable or you can drive up to us in CT and have us install it and show you how. It is very easy and we can supply you with a small HP tablet to use as well.

[Greygoblin]

what is the cost?
Still looking for more feedback on options, with a focus on reliability and cost.

[importraceram]

2012 S4, 6 speed, sport differential, AWE intake & touring exhaust, RS5 springs, Bilstein B8 shocks, H&R sway bars, 8 piston big brake kit. Looking for added HP & TQ, don't track and don't plan to go beyond stage 1. Want most reliable, least headaches and best bang for the buck. Have heard GIAC is ideal, but Motorsports recommended by my audi guru. In NYC/Long Island area. See that AWE-tuning and others let you send in your ECU with fast turn around. How does that work? Pros/cons. Input is appreciated.
Thank you.

Sending ECU in? Where are you hearing this? You need to find an authorized dealer and they will flash for you. Also, in my opinion, someone saying they are going stage one only is like a new buyer on an enthusiast forum saying he is going to keep his car stock...Just doesn't happen. I know reliability is a concern but over the years pulley/tune (stage 2) has proven to be quite reliable.

Also I would recommend taking some time to search as there are countless threads with loads of information.

[GT-R & S4]

You might be able to flash back to, "stock", but you need to make sure the flash counter isn't tripped. If it is, even though you may be showing a stock setting, the Audi technician will be able to see that something was flashed on the vehicle. And that, in itself, could be enough to have the dreaded TD1 slapped on you. I just went through my 15K service, and I went to my tuner to flash back to completely stock first. Yeah, it's a hassle with all the trips going to the tuner, the Audi dealer, then back to the tuner, but then I get to keep my Stage II engine/DSG tune without being flagged.

[TexasDfwS4]

Check out Unitronic with the flash from home.

[Greygoblin]

AWE tuning offers the mail in service. See http://www.awe-tuning.com/giac-perfo...the-b8-s4-3-0t. They are a very trusted outfit. However $1195 + $150 for the switcher starts adding up, especially after all the work I did and realization that I have to get a new set of 19" rims and winter tires because my extra set of 18" rims/tires (that I use for winter) won't fit over my new big brake kit (despite ECS-tuning that they would). They have proved to be terribly unreliable in their advice.
I am now past warranty, so I am less concerned about flashing back to stock.

[importraceram]

AWE tuning offers the mail in service. See http://www.awe-tuning.com/giac-perfo...the-b8-s4-3-0t. They are a very trusted outfit. However $1195 + $150 for the switcher starts adding up, especially after all the work I did and realization that I have to get a new set of 19" rims and winter tires because my extra set of 18" rims/tires (that I use for winter) won't fit over my new big brake kit (despite ECS-tuning that they would). They have proved to be terribly unreliable in their advice.
I am now past warranty, so I am less concerned about flashing back to stock.

Not sure where you're getting mail in service? There seem to be a lot of dealers in the tri state. Where and why would you think it's mail in?

[doug97gxe]

nobody removes their ECU anymore since port flashing from the ODBII Port.. removing ECU's were big in the B5 days

[Woodybangs]

You might be able to flash back to, "stock", but you need to make sure the flash counter isn't tripped. If it is, even though you may be showing a stock setting, the Audi technician will be able to see that something was flashed on the vehicle. And that, in itself, could be enough to have the dreaded TD1 slapped on you. I just went through my 15K service, and I went to my tuner to flash back to completely stock first. Yeah, it's a hassle with all the trips going to the tuner, the Audi dealer, then back to the tuner, but then I get to keep my Stage II engine/DSG tune without being flagged.

You realize that your flash counter is tripped regardless who flashes it right?

[DannyDeez]

Not sure where you're getting mail in service? There seem to be a lot of dealers in the tri state. Where and why would you think it's mail in?

Because they specifically state it on their website. "AWE Tuning is one of a few select dealers worldwide able to flash your car with this upgrade while you wait , or send in your ECU for bench flashing through the order form . The turnaround is quick, with next day return shipping after receipt."


Who do you know of that will flash a GIAC tune on site while you wait? Every shop I know of removes the ECU and sends it to AWE.

nobody removes their ECU anymore since port flashing from the ODBII Port.. removing ECU's were big in the B5 days

Same question as above ^

[importraceram]

Because they specifically state it on their website. "AWE Tuning is one of a few select dealers worldwide able to flash your car with this upgrade while you wait , or send in your ECU for bench flashing through the order form . The turnaround is quick, with next day return shipping after receipt."


Who do you know of that will flash a GIAC tune on site while you wait? Every shop I know of removes the ECU and sends it to AWE.



Same question as above ^

Please refer to GIAC summer sale thread...

[DannyDeez]

Please refer to GIAC summer sale thread...

Yea I already saw it and I'm replying to them now just for clarification. Id still like to know who in the area does GIAC in house.

Edit: It also doesn't address anything I've said, and my comment was to answer your question on where OP was getting that there was mail in service.

[importraceram]

Yea I already saw it and I'm replying to them now just for clarification. Id still like to know who in the area does GIAC in house.

Edit: It also doesn't address anything I've said, and my comment was to answer your question on where OP was getting that there was mail in service.

Lol still confused, possibly beverage induced. OP you will want to go to authorize GIAC dealer, from there they will sell you dreams of a flawless 9 second 1/4mile pass... Just kidding but it's a great tune. Not really sure why it's in discussion.