APR stage 2 reliability for daily driving 20k a year?

[jerseyboosted91]

Hey guys I currently have a 2013 S4 and was considering either going apr stage 1 or just going straight to apr stage 2. I’ve been on the forums and it seems that the ruling is to save my money and jump straight to stage 2. My question is.... being that I daily my S4 and my commute is 20k Miles a year, is it smart to go stage 2? I plan on keeping this car for another 4-5 years. I got it last July with 34k on it and now I currently have 51k on it. Really not sure what to do here and maybe I’m just over thinking it but as far as reliability goes what do you guys think is the smarter route? Would love to hear some opinions!

[JD S4]

No worries at all. Go direct to Stage 2. No isues.

[awwturbo]

And everybody else doesn't daily drive their S4??

[cspcrx]

See sig, went straight to stage 2 just after 55k and now at almost 85k! No issues or regrets!

[EvohuntinS3]

Hey OP, I have a 2015. Bought her with 7K miles, at 58K now and just got flashed to APR stage 1. I drive similar number of miles per year and had similar concerns.

Gotta say it’s a completely different beast (I’m sure Stage 2 is even crazier). No issues so far and I feel like certain things have improved (idles smoother, slightly better gas mileage, crisper shifts)


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[Joe85sti]

I've been stage 2 for about 5 years, and almost 40k miles (odometer at 57k now)...no problems. Still on stock clutch, no slipping.

[EvohuntinS3]

I've been stage 2 for about 5 years, and almost 40k miles (odometer at 57k now)...no problems. Still on stock clutch, no slipping.

6MT or DSG?


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[Corradobrit]

See sig 6MT

[rubicant5x]

Mine is Ultracharged and it's a daily. I've had 0 issues with and I put about 16K a year on the vehicle. Had it for 2 years and the Ultracharger for a year.

[TexasDfwS4]

2013 with 40K mile on my stage 2, no problems. Car has 50K and I bought it new. Now I only do 10K a year but no problems at all, and like EvohuntinS3 said it runs smoother and if you can stay out of the right peddle your gas mileage is better.

[jerseyboosted91]

6MT or DSG?


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its a 6MT and thanks everyone for the input. I guess the one more small concern now that i have after reading everyones inputs is that how does the car hold up after 100k miles with being stage 2? I am sure there are people on here that have a b8.5 s4 thats stage 2 and over 100k. How are your cars holding up?

[Indepth]

Mine is Ultracharged and it's a daily. I've had 0 issues with and I put about 16K a year on the vehicle. Had it for 2 years and the Ultracharger for a year.

I'm in the Cleveland area as well, is the ultracharger worth it at all?

I'd be curious to feel the power increase vs my Uni Stage 2+ tune setup.

[AvusPdx]

The car has been APR stage 2 single pulley since 8k miles, now at 40k miles no issues. I may have the slow coolant loss/leak issue but is unrelated to the tune.

[rubicant5x]

I'm in the Cleveland area as well, is the ultracharger worth it at all?

I'd be curious to feel the power increase vs my Uni Stage 2+ tune setup.

The beauty of the UC is in the low end. When I say low end, I mean off the line. Without even launching the car, the power is immediate. With the larger TB and the "boost noodle", the throttle response is ridiculous. I usually drive around with the car in Auto mode (I have a DSG) but when it's in Dynamic, Jesus Christ, look out! I've never driven a more responsive car that has been modified for more airflow and had no compromise on top end. The entire power band has been pulled up.

[doughboy17]

I could be wrong but believe Stage 2 is harder on the cats.

[cspcrx]

true but stock cars have had cats fail and many stage twos have had zero issues.

[shawn80111]

Hey guys I currently have a 2013 S4 and was considering either going apr stage 1 or just going straight to apr stage 2. I’ve been on the forums and it seems that the ruling is to save my money and jump straight to stage 2. My question is.... being that I daily my S4 and my commute is 20k Miles a year, is it smart to go stage 2? I plan on keeping this car for another 4-5 years. I got it last July with 34k on it and now I currently have 51k on it. Really not sure what to do here and maybe I’m just over thinking it but as far as reliability goes what do you guys think is the smarter route? Would love to hear some opinions!

Got my stage 2 with pulley when I brought my 2015 s4 used with 15k on it. Right now it’s at 30k. Haven’t had any issue yet. Complete different car with it. Highly recommended for daily driver


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[jerseyboosted91]

Well i have made up my mind guys and i am going stage 2 with the pulley. Thank you everyone for the input! With that being said, i am sure that you guys that are stage 2 currently switched out your stock exhaust for something more beefier lol. Any recommendations on brands that i should look into? and how does it take to install a clutch 4-5 hours?

[tar]

Well i have made up my mind guys and i am going stage 2 with the pulley. Thank you everyone for the input! With that being said, i am sure that you guys that are stage 2 currently switched out your stock exhaust for something more beefier lol. Any recommendations on brands that i should look into? and how does it take to install a clutch 4-5 hours?

Lols.

Exhaust adds nothing but sound. But ya most of us have exhausts. Awe touring, miltek non res and borla are the common 3.

As far as clutch are you diying or a shop. Either way its more than 4-5 hours

[jerseyboosted91]

Sorry not stock exhaust I meant stock clutch!


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[AvusPdx]

forgot to mention, yes if your stage 2, car failure rate is most likely higher than a stock car. If DSG, the trans has to come out, and Audi quotes 12 hours. Only downside I really see.

[jerseyboosted91]

forgot to mention, yes if your stage 2, car failure rate is most likely higher than a stock car. If DSG, the trans has to come out, and Audi quotes 12 hours. Only downside I really see.

12 hours for DSG? Sheeeeeeesh good thing i got the 6MT lol Im going to have a shop do it for me as far as the clutch goes. Just trying to get an idea as far as what clutch brands i should look into. Im most likely never going to track my car so im looking for something that wont be brutal in traffic everyday lol

[The Machine]

I have a 6MT and when I had my clutch installed at an Audi independent shop it was 13 hours labor. I have the Sachs Xtend clutch with new dual mass flywheel from Rock Auto. I have zero complaints on pedal feel, engagement, or gripping power.

[dlo93]

How reliable/strong is the DSG trans with stage 2 power?

[shawn80111]

How reliable/strong is the DSG trans with stage 2 power?

Its really reliable if your DSG is tune as well. That the 2nd mod I did when I got stage 2 with dual pulley. Can feel the different each gear delivering the power.


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[Flint]

Hey guys I currently have a 2013 S4 and was considering either going apr stage 1 or just going straight to apr stage 2. I’ve been on the forums and it seems that the ruling is to save my money and jump straight to stage 2. My question is.... being that I daily my S4 and my commute is 20k Miles a year, is it smart to go stage 2? I plan on keeping this car for another 4-5 years. I got it last July with 34k on it and now I currently have 51k on it. Really not sure what to do here and maybe I’m just over thinking it but as far as reliability goes what do you guys think is the smarter route? Would love to hear some opinions!

Are you considering any cooling mods?

[jerseyboosted91]

Are you considering any cooling mods?

I was actually just thinking about this today on my car ride home from work lol I presume I would need to get a cooling system if I want to keep my car running smoothly with the stage 2 tune correct?

[spoolin80]

I was actually just thinking about this today on my car ride home from work lol I presume I would need to get a cooling system if I want to keep my car running smoothly with the stage 2 tune correct?

That would depend on your pulley ratio...I'd take a look at the graphs in the first post here and see where you would be at
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...lopment-thread

Anything that is near or above a 3.000 ratio would benefit from cooling

[850tgul]

Cats and clutch would be the biggest concerns

[spoolin80]

Cats and clutch would be the biggest concerns

curious to know is there relation between pulley ratio and cat/clutch failure?
I have a jhm 179 about to go in...was wondering if milder pulleys would help 'extend' life
then again if people have cats fail on stock tunes...I guess anything is a gamble :o

[EvohuntinS3]

How reliable/strong is the DSG trans with stage 2 power?

I read through that entire DSG reliability thread, and loosely came to two very general conclusions

1) most the DSG transmission issues, were with the “gen 1” DL501 gearbox which I believe was used through 2012. Even with the earlier years though, it seems like there a plenty of people that have no issues even with mods.

The issues that do crop up in those gen 1 gearboxes seem to be more centered around the mechatronics unit. While it’s a PITA, I didn’t see a correlation of catastrophic transmission failures. There were one or two, but those seemed to be an outlier.

As I understand it; the gen 2 gearbox (13-16), seems to be improved and less susceptible to the issues of the first gen.

2) I didn’t see a strong correlation between mods and transmission issues (again most of these issues were observed on the 1st gen gearboxes)

There were a lot of folks complaining about mechatronics issues on stock cars, and folks Stage 2 saying they had no issue.

This leads me to believe that it may not really be related to the tolerances of the transmission, and how it responds to additional power, but simply that some transmissions (in that 1st gen primarily) for whatever reason had more of a propensity to issues regardless of mods. Maybe due to manufacturing inconsistencies.

Correct me if I’m wrong anyone lol


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[jerseyboosted91]

Coming back on my thread lol but finally pulled the trigger tonight. Decided to go with a single pulley (CTS 180mm) and went with eurodyne. I figure the software companies out there (APR, Unitronic, GIAC, EPL, etc.) are similar but what convinced me (obviously) was the price of the software and the of course the convenience of flashing from your home.

Now my question is, I currently have installed an Awe S-Flo intake and the ECS tuning X pipe. Even tho im only doing a single pulley, im going to be looking at cooling options in a few months (maybe leaning towards PLM heat exchanger) but do I need to have any other requirements? Like a downpipe or anything like that? Already ordered new brakes and rotors and installing them on this Sunday.


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[Grumby21]

I might be in the same boat I have a 14 and debating either the stage 1 or stage 2 single pulley but my commute for daily is 66 miles to and from work. But now I think I will be porting the blower first then cooling then ecu and tcu tune

[jerseyboosted91]

I might be in the same boat I have a 14 and debating either the stage 1 or stage 2 single pulley but my commute for daily is 66 miles to and from work. But now I think I will be porting the blower first then cooling then ecu and tcu tune

Check out eurodyne you get all the maps for $700 and you can flash at home. Just ordered mine today.


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[Grumby21]

Check out eurodyne you get all the maps for $700 and you can flash at home. Just ordered mine today.


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Not bad at all. I see they do not have a tcu tune. I will look into them when I get a chance after work today

[hilmar2k]

Not bad at all. I see they do not have a tcu tune. I will look into them when I get a chance after work today

They do have a TCU tune. I think it's $375 when purchased with the ECU tune.

[hilmar2k]

Here you go:
http://www.eurodyne.ca/shop/audi/dsg-software-bundle/

[Works2shoot]

Didn’t someone on the B8 Facebook group just brick their car during a Eurodyne TCU tune?

[jerseyboosted91]

Didn’t someone on the B8 Facebook group just brick their car during a Eurodyne TCU tune?

Oh don’t tell me that lol. I don’t have Facebook.


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[Indepth]

Didn’t someone on the B8 Facebook group just brick their car during a Eurodyne TCU tune?

Yes. I wasn't gonna go there and rain on this poor guy's parade though.