Tuning B9.5 S4

[brandonbanana]

Hey Audizine Fam,

My 23' S4 is delayed and is on the rail to San Diego to ship to Hawaii from Houston, TX. I have my IE dongle that has credits for Stage 1 & 2. If the car is brand spanking new, would you bite the bullet and tune it right away or wait 4 years or 50k miles for the warranty to end before tuning it? I have all my FBO from my wrecked B9 S4 and was going to transfer it to the 9.5 and since IE now is compatible with 9.5's I really want to have the tune on after the break in period is over. Just want some opinions from the fellow B9/9.5 fam. Thanks!

[sbruno624]

I tuned mine the minute I drove it home. 67 miles on the odometer. Everyone here is always concerned about warranty issues but I’ve never actually seen a post about a warranty claim denied because of a tune or even an issue that needed to be fixed because of a tune. So maybe everyone’s cautiousness has paid off, or cars aren’t breaking. Either way, you can just flash it back to stock.


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[brandonbanana]

I tuned mine the minute I drove it home. 67 miles on the odometer. Everyone here is always concerned about warranty issues but I’ve never actually seen a post about a warranty claim denied because of a tune or even an issue that needed to be fixed because of a tune. So maybe everyone’s cautiousness has paid off, or cars aren’t breaking. Either way, you can just flash it back to stock.


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That's true! Although, it's hard because I work at the dealership and I know how strict Audi specifically is with tunes and such. But thank you for your opinion. I'm definitely swaying towards enjoying stock for a couple hundred miles then slapping on the FBO parts and tuning it when my feet get itchy to fly it Also, if for some reason they need to plug into the car via OBD2, the car will possibly get flagged and TD1 if the tune was shown in the system even if it was flashed back to stock.

[E.Anderson]

I tuned mine the minute I drove it home. 67 miles on the odometer. Everyone here is always concerned about warranty issues but I’ve never actually seen a post about a warranty claim denied because of a tune or even an issue that needed to be fixed because of a tune. So maybe everyone’s cautiousness has paid off, or cars aren’t breaking. Either way, you can just flash it back to stock.


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Tuned 033 on my 18 S4. Found lots of metal in my oil filter. Audi wouldn't even look at it because of the tune. Ended up selling to another dealer

[sbruno624]

Tuned 033 on my 18 S4. Found lots of metal in my oil filter. Audi wouldn't even look at it because of the tune. Ended up selling to another dealer

Definitely dealer by dealer. The dealer I go to told me they have had a 1,000 HP RS7 with 4 differentials replaced under warranty before Audi made them refuse the warranty work.

Did you tell them the car was tuned? Even when I’ve told them the car was tuned they just tell me to flash it back to stock and to keep quiet about it.


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[spindlewood]

I waited until 25k. The first year plus had lots of TSB warranty work and I'm glad I didn't have the tune. As it was, I removed the JB4 each time, which got old. I figured at 25k (when i got a tune), the car had shown it wasn't a lemon and if the drivetrain components had a defect, it would likely have shown by then or wouldn't likely show up by the end of warranty. All guesswork and prayer.

The last 25k, I wouldn't have gone to the dealer unless it was for warranty work, but fortunately there was none needed.

[TJay74]

I waited until 25k. The first year plus had lots of TSB warranty work and I'm glad I didn't have the tune. As it was, I removed the JB4 each time, which got old. I figured at 25k (when i got a tune), the car had shown it wasn't a lemon and if the drivetrain components had a defect, it would likely have shown by then or wouldn't likely show up by the end of warranty. All guesswork and prayer.

The last 25k, I wouldn't have gone to the dealer unless it was for warranty work, but fortunately there was none needed.

My 19 S4 has been in several times tuned, luckily for me my service advisor and the dealership is mod and tune friendly. They can scan the car for issues, as long as they dont submit the report to Audi then Audi doesnt now about the tune.

[spindlewood]

You are fortunate. My dealer is a branch of the Audi police.

[oesman]

All dealers have to get VW/Audi to approve factory warranty claims so that they get paid, same way your doctor might work with your insurer. Dealers have financial incentive to get the warranty work approved to keep their shop busy so they generally want to get those approved claims. Some are more mod friendly than others and may help you out by gaming the system where they can to keep you from being TD1'ed and get your claims approved. Some will not, they'll play it by the book and see what happens. I suspect there are a variety of motivations to explain why some dealers are by the book and others aren't despite the incentive. For example being caught lying in the past, having a very busy and profitable service center, being unhappy with what warranty work pays, etc... can explain why some dealers might not try extra hard to get your claim approved on your modified car.

[brandonbanana]

Tuned 033 on my 18 S4. Found lots of metal in my oil filter. Audi wouldn't even look at it because of the tune. Ended up selling to another dealer

Was it because of the rocker arm failure? That sounds terrible..

[brandonbanana]

Definitely dealer by dealer. The dealer I go to told me they have had a 1,000 HP RS7 with 4 differentials replaced under warranty before Audi made them refuse the warranty work.

Did you tell them the car was tuned? Even when I’ve told them the car was tuned they just tell me to flash it back to stock and to keep quiet about it.


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I'm pretty close to the techs, but no matter what, they also said that it's a hit or miss once they plug the car in to the computer. That's the main deciding factor.

[brandonbanana]

I waited until 25k. The first year plus had lots of TSB warranty work and I'm glad I didn't have the tune. As it was, I removed the JB4 each time, which got old. I figured at 25k (when i got a tune), the car had shown it wasn't a lemon and if the drivetrain components had a defect, it would likely have shown by then or wouldn't likely show up by the end of warranty. All guesswork and prayer.

The last 25k, I wouldn't have gone to the dealer unless it was for warranty work, but fortunately there was none needed.

Ahh I see. That's good then!

[brandonbanana]

My 19 S4 has been in several times tuned, luckily for me my service advisor and the dealership is mod and tune friendly. They can scan the car for issues, as long as they dont submit the report to Audi then Audi doesnt now about the tune.

I will be checking with my service techs to see if they're able to do the same thing and not submit to report if they need to scan the car!!

[brandonbanana]

All dealers have to get VW/Audi to approve factory warranty claims so that they get paid, same way your doctor might work with your insurer. Dealers have financial incentive to get the warranty work approved to keep their shop busy so they generally want to get those approved claims. Some are more mod friendly than others and may help you out by gaming the system where they can to keep you from being TD1'ed and get your claims approved. Some will not, they'll play it by the book and see what happens. I suspect there are a variety of motivations to explain why some dealers are by the book and others aren't despite the incentive. For example being caught lying in the past, having a very busy and profitable service center, being unhappy with what warranty work pays, etc... can explain why some dealers might not try extra hard to get your claim approved on your modified car.

I agree with this. Being that my Audi dealership is the only Audi dealership in the state of Hawaii, they're definitely always busy and I don't think they'd want to deal with my BS problems

[elscotto80]

For now I am not planning to tune my 2020 S4. The car is plenty quick for now, but that might change in the future.

When I had my 2010 A4, I waited until the factory warranty ran out before I turned it. Mine had a few issues that warranty covered so it was worth it. I also had an extended warranty that covered timing issues and some other bits. The extended warranty was a lot easier to deal with. I took it to my normal shop who would go over the car and get as much out of the warranty as possible. Not everything was covered but I got all the money plus more back over my ownership.

[GoCougs1234]

My Sport Diff (B9.5 SQ5) died 500 miles after I drove if off the lot. Wasn't tuned yet, though I have to imagine it'd be a problem if I was, despite the fact that the Sport Diff was obviously bad from the factory, which I'm sure a tuner w/warranty would claim. Not a good spot to be in. However, now at 42k miles (tuned at 36k miles), I've had zero problems since the bad Sport Diff despite a decent amount of hard driving.

[initiala4]

Hey Audizine Fam,

My 23' S4 is delayed and is on the rail to San Diego to ship to Hawaii from Houston, TX. I have my IE dongle that has credits for Stage 1 & 2. If the car is brand spanking new, would you bite the bullet and tune it right away or wait 4 years or 50k miles for the warranty to end before tuning it? I have all my FBO from my wrecked B9 S4 and was going to transfer it to the 9.5 and since IE now is compatible with 9.5's I really want to have the tune on after the break in period is over. Just want some opinions from the fellow B9/9.5 fam. Thanks!

If i have the cable, then i would tune it!

[jtdbsr]

My Sport Diff (B9.5 SQ5) died 500 miles after I drove if off the lot. Wasn't tuned yet, though I have to imagine it'd be a problem if I was, despite the fact that the Sport Diff was obviously bad from the factory, which I'm sure a tuner w/warranty would claim. Not a good spot to be in. However, now at 42k miles (tuned at 36k miles), I've had zero problems since the bad Sport Diff despite a decent amount of hard driving.

How did the diff fail?

[NavarraS4]

My tune for my 2021 s4 with IE won’t load. Says No matching tune on server.

[brandonbanana]

My tune for my 2021 s4 with IE won’t load. Says No matching tune on server.

Have you gotten the tune to work for your car yet?

[NavarraS4]

Have you gotten the tune to work for your car yet?

Yes I contacted IE and they fixed the server issue. The car is completely different with the stage 1 tune. I couldn’t be happier and can’t wait to get to stage 2 and/or stage 3!!!


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[brandonbanana]

Yes I contacted IE and they fixed the server issue. The car is completely different with the stage 1 tune. I couldn’t be happier and can’t wait to get to stage 2 and/or stage 3!!!


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Ahhhh this is getting me excited! I wonder what ratio of peeps here are using IE vs 034. I chose IE because of the aggressive pops and bangs. I'm a younger owner so I like that kind of stuff. Plus, being catless, it shoots flames

[AudiGreg]

Ahhhh this is getting me excited! I wonder what ratio of peeps here are using IE vs 034. I chose IE because of the aggressive pops and bangs. I'm a younger owner so I like that kind of stuff. Plus, being catless, it shoots flames

I’m on 034 stage 2 about to do stage 2+ while I wait for stage 3 parts. I’ve always run e85 and my biggest regret is not throwing a tune on earlier. The power different is incredibly fun. I do like the small pops but prefer just a few with some big fireballs. Unfortunately I’m on a HFC so I’ve yet to personally see any. I’m not sure how it compares with IE.

[brandonbanana]

I’m on 034 stage 2 about to do stage 2+ while I wait for stage 3 parts. I’ve always run e85 and my biggest regret is not throwing a tune on earlier. The power different is incredibly fun. I do like the small pops but prefer just a few with some big fireballs. Unfortunately I’m on a HFC so I’ve yet to personally see any. I’m not sure how it compares with IE.

I may try to enjoy the car stock till 500 Miles and then flash to stage 2 and add on all of the bolt on parts from my previous B9. The IE tune is pretty gnarly. I shoot some major flames in park

[brandonbanana]

Has any other B9.5 owner had any trouble flashing the IE tune onto the car? IE support team has been a great help. Riley and Cristian have been very helpful in troubleshooting the tune with me. But I was curious if anybody else here encountered flash errors?