APR vs Unitronic Stage 1/1+ tune comparason.

[Stripley]

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere but couldn't find answer. If so please post link.
Specifically TTRS
I'll be looking to tune in the next few weeks and wanted some opinions. Which tune provides OEM or better drivability?? I probably won't be going stage 2 anytime soon on this car since I have access to 93 and E85 and I don't need more than 500/550bhp. My main goals are long term reliability and smoothness. Looking at their advertised dyno graphs, the APR tune builds more boost/tq/hp starting around 2000rpm. The UNI graph shows no change until 2500rpms an then builds up to basically match the APR graph. If anyone has experience with both companies I'd love to hear about it. Cheers.

-Chris

[Jeff_Jeske]

I can only speak to the UNI tune. I run stage 1+ both E85 and 93 mated to stage 2 TCU with the most aggressive option. In D mode the car is smooth as silk on a daily drive. In S mode the car shifts more like a race car but won't cause you to chip a tooth or anything. UNI listens to their customers so they have multiple TCU options to better fit your comfort level.

At the strip, full weight, with the only power mod being a CTS FMIC I ran back to back 10.6@130. This car also sees a ton of big track and autox duty. It has been flawless. UNI has a private forum and WhatsApp group that provides customers access to developers and like minded customers. I honestly can't imagine a better support structure.

Additionally, I can upgrade code and or switch between 93/E85 in the comfort of my garage for free rather than paying some flunkies to load the wrong code. The only UNI downside I can think of is that the community is so performance orientated that the successful customer stories of Stage 2 and Stage 3 cars will make you consider upgrading on a daily basis ha ha!

[Stripley]

Excellent review and many thanks Jeff! I found a local Jax tuning shop that offers a matching OEM warranty with UNI tunes. They must feel pretty confident in the reliability. I also read the One Lap of America results from last year. Amazing stuff. I'll likely be going the UNI route but I'd still love to hear opinions from any APR guys on here....

[sirsycott]

to add uni feedback as well, same cts intercooler

pump gas file is pretty good and flawless from a daily driver perspective

stage 1+e85 is plenty fast, great for power, but the stage 2 dsg file it's paired with has different the shift points on the low gears, if you're in stop and go traffic or crawling between 5-12 mph, the dsg awkwardly can't find the right gear when you start slowing back down and inching forward. stage 1 dsg tune i haven't experienced this oddity


The exagerrated sport mode burbles replaced the sharp and crisp exaust pops... on top of that, now in sport mode when you let off the throttle it burbles , oem tune only pops on downshifts. some love it. i like the subtle oem crackle more, but that's a matter of preference.

aside from those 2 points, I'm enjoying the flash from home/ car / parking lot scenario , with my phone tether

[comingabriel]

You have O'steen's VW on Phillips and Audi (do both tune, or just the Atlantic Blvd location does it only?) to pick an APR dealer from in Jax, FL.

I "think" Eurofed flashes as well.

Caution: Audi APR dealership WILL void your factory warranty.

[Trent212]

I have had every stage of APR software on my car, and even did a bit of beta testing on it, and I haven't had any major problems with anything tune related, have had issues with various hardware that was suggested by APR for stage 3 and since it has been adjusted and is working flawlessly now.

660whp ~510wtq 9.7s and 9.8s consistently in July heat last summer, and 10.0xs on street tires all last summer.