To mod or not to mod, dat is the question

[PopTart]

Hey Guys,

Is a Stage II ECU Tune/Pulley honestly worth the risk? During the first 4 years of ownership, you risk voiding your warranty. During year 5 of ownership, you have to pass Emissions...which can sometimes be a hassle if you're tuned. Why not just buy a faster stock car??

[Hofahome]

Hey Guys,

Is a Stage II ECU Tune/Pulley honestly worth the risk? During the first 4 years of ownership, you risk voiding your warranty. During year 5 of ownership, you have to pass Emissions...which can sometimes be a hassle if you're tuned. Why not just buy a faster stock car??

no offense, but what do you hope to accomplish here? there are going to be 2 camps here, those who say yes because the tunes have noticeable gains and have shown to be safe - which is true, or the other people who like the security of a warranty more than the aspect of a faster car. No opinion is going to be right or wrong.

[LittleDozer]

Hey Guys,

Is a Stage II ECU Tune/Pulley honestly worth the risk? During the first 4 years of ownership, you risk voiding your warranty. During year 5 of ownership, you have to pass Emissions...which can sometimes be a hassle if you're tuned. Why not just buy a faster stock car??

Kind of sounds like you already made up your mind


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[Thurston]

yeah it's worth the risk, it's not worth remaining stock. I am as weary of voiding a warranty on a german engine as the next man but the 3.ot totally trumps my previous experience w/ german reliability, sucker is reliable and should of came stage II.

[Lensch09]

I'd probably sell it and buy a Chevy. They have headlights that remind people of Audis...

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Seriously though, do what's right for you. If you mod, remember that you "pay to play" and will come under the jurisdiction of whoever may exercise your warranty.

-DL

[SportVier]

Hey Guys,

Is a Stage II ECU Tune/Pulley honestly worth the risk? During the first 4 years of ownership, you risk voiding your warranty. During year 5 of ownership, you have to pass Emissions...which can sometimes be a hassle if you're tuned. Why not just buy a faster stock car??

Hey Guy,

Just wanted to say thanks for asking the kind of tough questions that need to be asked. Keep up the good work.

[EuroJunk]

I'd probably sell it and buy a Chevy. They have headlights that remind people of Audis...

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Seriously though, do what's right for you. If you mod, remember that you "pay to play" and will come under the jurisdiction of whoever may exercise your warranty.

-DL

LMAO!!! You know when they state: ''Real people, no actors'' in this commercial? Well I wonder why they also say that in the french version...

[The Fat Kid]

Buy a faster stock car.

[doug97gxe]

Hey Guy,

Just wanted to say thanks for asking the kind of tough questions that need to be asked. Keep up the good work.

LOL .. someone stick poptart back in the toaster .. he isn't done yet..

All jokes aside Poptart you can also flash back to stock and go in for service .. several of us have done this successfully and not been flagged for loss of warranty.

You can go with EPL or Unitronic that offer Flash from home or you can find a Tune dealer close to you who will flash you back to stock for a fee before and after your dealer visits

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Buy a faster stock car.

some of us are poor :(

[MrFunk]

These tuning companies have been around for decades. VAG cars have been tuned for decades. Stage 1 & 2 tunes are bulletproof from most reputable tuners and really not a major modification.
How many threads do you see of people having warranty issues with modified cars? It's really not many compared to the number of people with mods and tunes.

That said - pay to play. If you can't afford to pay in a worst case situation then don't play.

[The Fat Kid]

some of us are poor :(

He asked, right?

[AerotusX]

Hey Guys,

Is a Stage II ECU Tune/Pulley honestly worth the risk?

As you already know, only you can answer this question for yourself. Everyone has different priorities and goals in life, so there is no one answer fit all here. But I have yet to see anyone regret after level up to Stage II.

[Hofahome]

Hey Guy,

Just wanted to say thanks for asking the kind of tough questions that need to be asked. Keep up the good work.

LMAO!

[PopTart]

I understand the concept of Pay2Play. However, there are several threads of people being flagged TD1 even after flashing back to stock. There are also several threads of people failing emissions with a tune, and having to do lifestyle gymnastics in order to pass. I'm just saying with all these mods $$, it would make more sense to buy a CPO BMW M3/M4 at this rate.

[XLR8 Craig]

If you ever decide on the jump to stage two let us know! We can for sure help you with the process and we have EPL next door.

If anyone has any questions let me know and I will be glad to assist.

View parts we carry HERE.

Thanks,

Alex.

[jlaudio]

I understand the concept of Pay2Play. However, there are several threads of people being flagged TD1 even after flashing back to stock. There are also several threads of people failing emissions with a tune, and having to do lifestyle gymnastics in order to pass. I'm just saying with all these mods $$, it would make more sense to buy a CPO BMW M3/M4 at this rate.

If you live in Los Angeles it sure does. The other 95% of the country? I'm not so sure.


This should be the new "Raced a 2015 M3" thread.

[Hofahome]

M3/4 doesn't make sense as a DD in Colorado. I've tried that before. No bueno.

[The Fat Kid]

I understand the concept of Pay2Play. However, there are several threads of people being flagged TD1 even after flashing back to stock. There are also several threads of people failing emissions with a tune, and having to do lifestyle gymnastics in order to pass. I'm just saying with all these mods $$, it would make more sense to buy a CPO BMW M3/M4 at this rate.

Do you own an S4? I just realized you might not...

It really depends on what you want/need out of a car, and your budget.

Do you need AWD and want a sporty sedan? S4
Do you want a sportier sedan and RWD? M3
Do you want a sportier coupe and RWD? M4
Do you want a sports car? 911/Cayman

[SportVier]

I'm just saying with all these mods $$, it would make more sense to buy a CPO BMW M3/M4 at this rate.

I think you have figured it out. We are all so proud of you, son.

If you don't need/want AWD for the snow, an M-car makes total sense. And if you don't need 4 doors, M4 for sure.

[doug97gxe]

I understand the concept of Pay2Play. However, there are several threads of people being flagged TD1 even after flashing back to stock. There are also several threads of people failing emissions with a tune, and having to do lifestyle gymnastics in order to pass. I'm just saying with all these mods $$, it would make more sense to buy a CPO BMW M3/M4 at this rate.

You are full of shit.. link the several threads here of ppl going TD1 after flashing back to stock


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[TomPaul10]

You are full of shit.. link the several threads here of ppl going TD1 after flashing back to stock


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hes not full of shit, i worked in service and now Audi has the capability to detect anything as of January this year.

-hence why I will NOT tune my car yet.

[doug97gxe]

hes not full of shit, i worked in service and now Audi has the capability to detect anything as of January this year.

-hence why I will NOT tune my car yet.

That's not what he said he said he saw several threads that's bullshit

And I've been to service twice this year no TD1


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[kcobourn]

If you really enjoy cars, don't mind shit breaking, and really can "afford" a few grand in repairs on short notice just tune it. For me this ended up being a five figure proposition. Once you start stopping is hard!

FWIW Shit broke for me soon after Stage 2 and I was flagged by my dealer. Meh. The benefits from the mods are worth it. Plus I'm dumb enough to believe these cars are pretty bullet proof.


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[PopTart]

It's just a matter of time playa:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-warranty-flag

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...shing-to-stock

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ECU-detectable

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...warranty-issue

[doug97gxe]

It's just a matter of time playa:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-warranty-flag

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...shing-to-stock

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ECU-detectable

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...warranty-issue

4 threads 0 B8 S4's flashed back to stock and TD1 keep digging I wanna see these several you found


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[14S4GWM]

4 threads 0 B8 S4's flashed back to stock and TD1 keep digging I wanna see these several you found


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Yeah those threads don't prove much, same shit different thread.

[PopTart]

4 threads 0 B8 S4's flashed back to stock and TD1 keep digging I wanna see these several you found


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There are several people within those threads citing their TD1 experience, including user "kcobourn" within this thread right now. I don't know of any tuner that claims going back to "Stock" will prevent TD1. Can you point to any tuner?

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[doug97gxe]

There are several people within those threads citing their TD1 experience, including user "kcobourn" within this thread right now. I don't know of any tuner that claims going back to "Stock" will prevent TD1. Can you point to any tuner?

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It's not for me to prove your point for you.. you made a statement that you've seen several threads where people have flashed back to stock and got TD1

So prove it .. show the evidence .. while your digging provide the several threads on failed emissions as well


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[kcobourn]

They didn't find my tune with a scan instead manually flagged me after seeing the pulley... code like T23 or something like thAt.


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[Hofahome]

Anyone else find it ironic that we can get TD1'd from a company that basically got TD1'd from the government?

[ModItNow]

Anyone else find it ironic that we can get TD1'd from a company that basically got TD1'd from the government?

VERY. I'm going to use that line!


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[Thurston]

Anyone else find it ironic that we can get TD1'd from a company that basically got TD1'd from the government?

got my recall catalytic converter software letter in the mail yesterday, I can't lie the thought passed through my mind, maybe this is all a rouse and the real purpose is to fix some emissions cheat. (i know it's not the case) but the fact i even go there in my mind is interesting. Was the gov't's ruling, at least in the states simply a massive fine or something else also?

[Thurston]

There are several people within those threads citing their TD1 experience, including user "kcobourn" within this thread right now. I don't know of any tuner that claims going back to "Stock" will prevent TD1. Can you point to any tuner?

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I do the flash back to stock game still and it works for me at least up until last month which was my last 25k service and my SA knows that I am tuned and gave me a high five last month saying, "looks like you passed man, no flag". I did the same w/ epl without issue . . . anecdotal but that's been my experience the past two years thus far.

That said, it's very tough to offer you advice PopTart, you're so gripped by this td1 fear.
It could all go down fo sho but i wouldn't be to afraid to roll the dice w/ the stock flash tune game.

[doug97gxe]

I do the flash back to stock game still and it works for me at least up until last month which was my last 25k service and my SA knows that I am tuned and gave me a high five last month saying, "looks like you passed man, no flag". I did the same w/ epl without issue . . . anecdotal but that's been my experience the past two years thus far.

That said, it's very tough to offer you advice PopTart, you're so gripped by this td1 fear.
It could all go down fo sho but i wouldn't be to afraid to roll the dice w/ the stock flash tune game.

Seems more like he is here to berate us than have concern about his future endeavors


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[jachien]

I'm td1 but idgaf. I'm driving this thing to the ground.


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[SportVier]

So what about the mythical "flash count" value stored in the ECU? Seems that if that actually exists and does not match up with your Audi service record...

[doug97gxe]

So what about the mythical "flash count" value stored in the ECU? Seems that if that actually exists and does not match up with your Audi service record...

so far nobody has been affected by Flash Count. I've flashed my car 6 times and been read 3 times since.. even had the cat update loaded and still no TD1

No Tuner is going to come out and say flashing back to stock wont' get you TD1 in the off chance someone does and they look stupid.. but its pretty good chance you won't get TD1 flashing back to stock

[db12]

Everyone still under warranty asks the same question as there is "some" risk. I also track my car so have pushed the tune to the limit and have had zero issues. I would say quit thinking and just do it. I equate this to the old "covering your nicest couch with plastic so it doesn't get dirty" scenario...lol Kinda defeats the purpose of having the couch right?

[SR7D1]

Anyone else find it ironic that we can get TD1'd from a company that basically got TD1'd from the government?

^ This.

[The Fat Kid]

Anyone else find it ironic that we can get TD1'd from a company that basically got TD1'd from the government?

I actually said that to the SA at my mod-hating dealer when I brought my car in for its 5k service. I enjoyed the uncomfortable silence