APR ECU Upgrades for th2019+ Audi A6 Quattro, A6 allroad, and A7 Sportback 3.0T (C8)

[Arin@APR]

No news there I'm afraid.

[QsTouch]

@arin I’ve had my tune for almost a year now it’s been great but I’m wondering if any code changes or tweaks have been done to it yet… I was reading that these tunes can be re-mapped or flashed when changes occur that may upgrade the previous tune… can you elaborate if any changes have occurred so I can take my car back in to receive update.

[Arin@APR]

We have not changed the 3.0T tune. So, the original file we made is the one we sell now.

[dialitup]

Getting my APR tune installed tomorrow. 2019 A6 3.0T Premium Plus. I don't have draggy, but will report back with my general observations.

[Arin@APR]

Nice!

[bobamoo]

Getting my APR tune installed tomorrow. 2019 A6 3.0T Premium Plus. I don't have draggy, but will report back with my general observations.

I have a 2019 A6 with the 3.0T as well, had the tune installed last year as soon as it was available. You'll love it!

[dialitup]

APR tune for 93 Octane installed this morning. Just finished my first test drive a little while ago. Took a bit for things to warm up (low 50's here today). Once things got warmed up (5-10 min), the improvements throughout the powerband were definitely noticeable. I even had some pops and burbles from the exhaust when I pulled back into the garage. I don't have any Dragy times, but so far so good on the performance feel. Thanks APR!

[QsTouch]

Arin thanks for answering question about tune file… do you guys have any plans to update any file features for current tune within next year or two just so I’m tracking… and if you do how would we know? Would it be announced? Additionally, if Intake or even downpipe is added to car in future would that require a specific file update?

[Arin@APR]

I don't have anything lined up at the moment, but if we do have an update, we'll make an announcement on our website.

[QsTouch]

Thanks!!

[Natel508]

I don't have anything lined up at the moment, but if we do have an update, we'll make an announcement on our website.

Any chance you're working on a transmission tune? Ever since I went stage 1 the transmission seems lost and not responsive

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Gbop98]

I don't have anything lined up at the moment, but if we do have an update, we'll make an announcement on our website.

@Arin@APR sent you a PM

[UltraFudd]

Any idea what the 0-60 time and 1/4 mile time and top speeds would be with the 93 octane tune, your APR CAI and a free flowing exhaust like the AWE touring cat back system would yield?

I’m waiting on the exhaust but got the CAI and tune, and pissed the wife off today when I hit it hard from a stop and she wasn’t expecting it and banged her head against the headrest.

[Arin@APR]

Unfortunately I don't have that data.

[6smith]

Picked up the car 3 weeks ago and went to my local shop for the APR tune last Friday. The delivery is perfect and exactly what you'd want it to be in this car, but this is my opinion. When driving normally you wouldn't even notice it for the most part but the pedal is much more responsive. Once you step on it you'll certainly feel the car rip you through the gears much more than the stock tune.

For those on the fence:
This is my 4th tuned Audi/VW and my third time choosing APR. At this point, it's not really a choice for me... APR's tunes have been nothing short of bulletproof. I don't care much about the max HP or numbers but I do care about the quality of the tune, the testing, and the protection they put into the car. My first tune was a 2010 Audi A5 2.0T with an APR Stage 1 tune, this was when you could still choose your octane/ modes using the washer stalk... it was flawless and gave me zero issues throughout the 30k miles I drove it. Then came a 2011 VW GTI which ended up being a stage 2 tune, again bulletproof and no issues over 75k miles of myself driving it. I ended up selling it to my wife's boss at the time because he wanted a car for his daughter to drive through college...true story, he called me a month ago after 7 years to activate the tune again because he's now driving it as a weekend "fun" car. Using the stalk and somehow remembering my password, we were able to turn it back on and he's now driving it with the stage 1 tune. The car is still going strong with 140k miles on the APR tune... I only say this to help alleviate anyone whos on the fence about getting the tune.

[bsneed23]

I just found out that anyone that has an a6 with the dl382 transmission which is every single one will get the torque limited file & I was told in an email from apr’s customer service that it’s not optional to save the transmission meaning it’s limited to 520 nm which is 383 ft lbs only14 over stock torque for $900 which is disturbingly false advertising for the A6. Why was this not stated as not optional when purchasing the tune that advertised such a dramatic rise in Hp & torque?

It’s advertised that no tcu tune is needed for all this additional torque but, not a word about how non limited is not an option according to apr directly. When I called to ask why the customer service said they put the wrong file when i emailed they said it’s not optional. If you email Apr with your vin number you can find out if your torque is limited to basically no improvement over stock. Here is the email i received about my non optional torque limitation.

John Price (Technical Support)
Jun 12, 2023, 08:51 GMT-5

Good morning Ben,

The Reduced TQ file is to help save the Transmission in your platform. It is not optional at all as you are limited on the tune to help save the clutch in that Transmission.

Best Regards,
John Price
Technical Support
P: 334-502-5181
P: 800-341-5480
A: 4800 US HWY 280 W OPELIKA, AL 36801

[Arin@APR]

The low torque file is optional at stage 1. This is a pretty low volume platform. We've flashed hundreds of them, which is low compared to other platforms, and had a couple that reported transmission slipping / overheat warnings, so we made the low torque file just the other week. It's likely some of the transmissions are not happy and need a transmission tune to increase torque limits and clamping pressure. That could be either due to a factory software change in the transmission, low factory fluid levels, or other things, but we felt it was best to be cautious and give our customers options before we, or anyone else, have a transmission tune.

[bsneed23]

That’s what I thought until I found out it was installed without my consent then I was told by someone in your technical
Support that my file is not optional because of my transmission meaning I bought a tune that is almost a grand after my labor fee and taxes that has almost zero additional torque over stock. I’ve gotten different answers from different people at Apr so I have no idea what’s going on but, I will gladly forward the email if you want to see it. You have someone telling me I don’t have a choice which is why I’m so angry because the great numbers are the only reason I went with this tune over the few available instead of waiting for Unitronic. How many issues caused this file to be written that removes any extra torque? The advertisements say “Through proper torque management and ECU code changes, we’ve removed the requirement of a transmission tune to achieve full torque” I’m
Guessing that’s why this tune is significantly more than non rs tunes usually are but the options can’t be no torque or transmission breaking torque

[Arin@APR]

You have a choice and can run the higher torque file if you're ok with that. If you would just like a refund, I'm happy to give you one there too.

[shinjeff]

Hey Arin, wanted to check in to see if there's been any development or movement on locked ECU's now that my Allroad is on a boat.

If we are still SOL for locked MG1 ECU's can i get your thoughts on if the question is more of a when vs if it will happen? Wanted to know if i should keep holding my breath or move on waiting for the tune to drop and wait for pigs to fly to hear about MG1's getting cracked.

TIA for response
Jeff

[Arin@APR]

It's just a matter of us getting the factory code. If there's a factory update for your vehicle, we can get the code and flash the ECU. If there isn't, it's a little more difficult without an extract method (I'm not sure anyone has one). That's something I hope we'll have completed this year.

[6smith]

The low torque file is optional at stage 1. This is a pretty low volume platform. We've flashed hundreds of them, which is low compared to other platforms, and had a couple that reported transmission slipping / overheat warnings, so we made the low torque file just the other week. It's likely some of the transmissions are not happy and need a transmission tune to increase torque limits and clamping pressure. That could be either due to a factory software change in the transmission, low factory fluid levels, or other things, but we felt it was best to be cautious and give our customers options before we, or anyone else, have a transmission tune.

Hi Arin - I just received this error message today on my drive home. The conditions in which it happened are alarming considering I was on the highway at about 70mph and when I went to overtake at around half throttle the power cut out and the error message reads "Transmission overheating adapt driving style". I was a little taken aback as I was nowhere near pushing the transmission and only cruising until this point. I've NEVER had any issues with your tunes in the past and now I'm reading the above about a detuned version to save the car's transmission. I tuned the car only 3 weeks ago so how can I find out which tune I have so I can dig into this a bit more? Thanks!

[Eazyz]

Any possibility of a e85 tune? For those who are in Cali 93 isn't at gas stations , trying to figure things out before buying a 50 gallons of 100 to mix 91 into 93 . As well Asking if and when I buy the tune do I get the option to switch between 91 & 93 stage 1. Sorry I had a b7a4 2.0 on a jhm never had apr. Please and thanks in advance

[Arin@APR]

I tuned the car only 3 weeks ago so how can I find out which tune I have so I can dig into this a bit more? Thanks!

Give us a call. 334 502 5181 We'll see what you have and can get you a different file if needed.

[Arin@APR]

Any possibility of a e85 tune? For those who are in Cali 93 isn't at gas stations , trying to figure things out before buying a 50 gallons of 100 to mix 91 into 93 . As well Asking if and when I buy the tune do I get the option to switch between 91 & 93 stage 1. Sorry I had a b7a4 2.0 on a jhm never had apr. Please and thanks in advance

We don't have program switching on this platform. In the future, I suspect we'll offer a way to install tunes from home, but that's not ready yet. We did not tune E85 on this platform, unfortunately.

[6smith]

Give us a call. 334 502 5181 We'll see what you have and can get you a different file if needed.

Thanks, Arin! I spoke with Shane in support this morning and he was great at discussing the updated tune with less TQ. Shane mentioned a TCU tune is in the works but couldn't give specifics on a release as it's still in testing but sounds promising. Appreciate the quick help!

Update: 6/16/23


My tuner re-flashed the car this morning with the lower TQ version just 3 weeks after I initially tuned the car. Overall, the car feels great, but I have to say it's a bit frustrating to pay $900 for the initial tune, plus the shop fee... just to turn around and pay an additional $160.00 shop fee three weeks later to detune the car. This updated tune came 5 days after my initial tune. If it were not for a warning light saying "Transmission too hot, please adapt driving style" and subsequently coming to this thread and seeing the news about an update due to the issues you're starting to see with the transmissions...I would not have known about an updated tune or the risks of running the original file. I understand completely the risks involved when deciding to tune the car and I don't want this to come across as dissatisfied or complaining but from what I can tell there was no communication to users who have the tune and I can only help but feel it's going to leave a negative taste for many. Now I could be wrong, but I haven't received anything from what I can tell but an email or some type of communication (Outside of stumbling into a forum comment) would show a sense of good faith vs. waiting for users to check a forum and/or have a disaster strike with transmission failures.

[Ysgi]

Maybe that’s something your shop Should help with. They did make some coin off you.

[6smith]

Maybe that’s something your shop Should help with. They did make some coin off you.

The shop shouldn't have to take a hit because APR didn't make them aware of an update coming... My point is, had APR made its partners & customers aware of the issues they were seeing with open communication then this could have been avoided. I'm still very happy with the tune and appreciate APR taking the steps to protect those who are tuned. But 5 days later they released a detuned version...they had to of known this was being released. Had I not been lucky with a dash warning (No faults) and not come here, I'd still be driving on a tune pushing more than the transmission can handle... Sure my timing sucks and I paid more, but that's always the risk. My complaint comes more so that to this day there is still no mention of a detuned version or the updated numbers for that tune on their site or anywhere else that I can see, so if a new customer purchases the tune and doesn't realize they should take the detuned version, then they're running the risk of being out of pocket thousands for a new transmission, etc...

I only write this to help make others aware. That's why we join communities like this and the numbers currently on APRs website and this thread are not accurate.

[angreelish]

The low torque file is optional at stage 1. This is a pretty low volume platform. We've flashed hundreds of them, which is low compared to other platforms, and had a couple that reported transmission slipping / overheat warnings, so we made the low torque file just the other week. It's likely some of the transmissions are not happy and need a transmission tune to increase torque limits and clamping pressure. That could be either due to a factory software change in the transmission, low factory fluid levels, or other things, but we felt it was best to be cautious and give our customers options before we, or anyone else, have a transmission tune.

My car was giving transmission overheating warnings also, so I did another DSG service when it really didn't need it. The tune was sold to me as no TCU tune needed as well, and until very recently the website said the same, other online vendors still do, actually. Regardless, any ETA on when the TCU tune will be available and for what price? Will there be a discount for customers who purchased the Stage 1 tune when it was advertised, no TCU tune needed?

[Arin@APR]

I don't have answers on that yet.

[angreelish]

I don't have answers on that yet.

Please let us know when APR does because as recently as April 8, 2023 the tune was still advertised as "Eliminated the need for a TCU upgrade to achieve full torque", before it was recently changed as can be seen on Internet Achieve, Waybackmachine.

https://web.archive.org/web/20230408...U-30T-EA839-C8

[Arin@APR]

To clarify that point: Typically the TCU has tells the ECU not to go beyond the factory torque limit, and the only way to get around this is with a TCU tune that increases the torque limit. Our ECU upgrade on this platform, and most all others, is able to get past this limiter. The point is still valid, but I've removed it anyways.

[angreelish]

To clarify that point: Typically the TCU has tells the ECU not to go beyond the factory torque limit, and the only way to get around this is with a TCU tune that increases the torque limit. Our ECU upgrade on this platform, and most all others, is able to get past this limiter. The point is still valid, but I've removed it anyways.

I understand that, but the problem is the ECU getting around the TCU torque limit without a TCU tune is damaging the transmission. My vehicle and others have thrown overheating and malfunction errors because the full torque tune is not safe for the transmission without a TCU tune, which at the time was not advertised or known.

Would be nice to know APR is going to cover the cost of flashing to the downgraded tune and then reflashing back to the advertised torque tune with the TCU tune included for those of us who purchased before APR decided a TCU tune was required. For those of us who purchased the tune, prior to June and have had these issues, who do we reach out to at APR to address it?

[Skipr11]

Subscribed

Sent from my SM-S918U using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Arin@APR]

angreelish, give us a call. We'll take care of you! +1 334 502 5181

[JustNick]

We don't have program switching on this platform. In the future, I suspect we'll offer a way to install tunes from home, but that's not ready yet. We did not tune E85 on this platform, unfortunately.

I was wondering why there still wasn't an E85 tune for the C8, is it still an emissions problem like mentioned earlier in the conversation? I had already sent in the offer to volunteer my car for the E85 development before I came across this thread, but that may have been a moot point. I got as far as mapping out all of the E85 stations between y'all and Baton Rouge lol

This platform has a ton of potential, but seems to always be overshadowed by the B9 family. If it weren't for the interior being so much better on the A6, I probably would be looking at swapping to an S5 by now

[Arin@APR]

Our typical development schedule calls for making E85 tunes on every platform. However, if it does not pass emissions, or if there's a fueling limitation, we won't release the tune. On this platform, it didn't pass emissions when we tested.

[JustNick]

Ah that sucks. Re-reading the conversation on the transmission having difficulty with the other tunes, the gains may not have been useable with E85 anyways. I started looking around for TCU tunes but I sure am struggling to find any on the market for this platform.

[JustNick]

So just how many people with a tuned A6/A7 have experienced this transmission issue? Any pattern to the failures (early model, late model, mileage, etc)? What kind of failure is it (overheating, mechanical failure, etc)?

I think a little more info on this would make me feel more comfortable moving forward with getting the tune done

[angreelish]

So just how many people with a tuned A6/A7 have experienced this transmission issue? Any pattern to the failures (early model, late model, mileage, etc)? What kind of failure is it (overheating, mechanical failure, etc)?

I think a little more info on this would make me feel more comfortable moving forward with getting the tune done

I have a 2019 Audi A6 3.0t running the stage 1 high torque tune, and I got the overheating warning and trans malfunctioning error while highway cruising on a couple hour cruise with pretty relaxed driving. I had my DSG fluid flushed, and the low torque tune flashed on my car afterward to be safe. When the TCU tune comes out, I'll go back to the high torque one.