B9 SQ5

[mfrench2025]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for letting me join. I just put a deposit on a 2020 SQ5 premium with that's navaro blue with magma interior. I was looking for something sporty and more room. I presently have a 400 whp golf r so should be a nice change. Already ordered lowering links. Next up is deciding on a tune for it. One of reasons getting rid of r as Massachusetts is super strict. Debating between IE and APR i have searched as not new to forums but couldn't find much for info.

[Hostile]

There are tons of threads and posts in this subforum regarding tuning…

If MA is so strict, what do you think you’re going to be able to do with an SQ5 that you can’t do with a Golf R.

[mfrench2025]

Well being tuned a cel doesn't;t help. Its all in my down-pipe. tried everything. , but dont care at this point. I searched, not new to this. I looked for apr, jb4, and ie. Found old ass threads that dont help. Was just finding info. Been a Subaru guy for 20 years at this point and helped with some tiny events aka wicked big meet..

[GoCougs1234]

2021 SQ5. I looked at them all and chose APR (plus their intercooler) back in October - it's my only tune ever, so can't speak to the others:

Good: Smog legal (I think - their language is a bit hazy), available warranty, lopped 0.5 sec off 0-60 and 0.8 sec off 1/4 mile, local APR dealer has a huge and avid following

Bad: Have to go to APR dealer for download, no TCU tune, APR warranty is only valid with their hardware (and they have little in the way of hardware for the B9/9.5 SQ5), their intercooler has problems (see my thread in this subforum)

[kharma]

In MA, running 034 tune with Redstar GESI catted downpipe, no CEL on stock file. I don't think you can go wrong with 034/IE/APR depending on what you are trying to achieve. I went through JB4 (under warranty) and EPL (oops) before I ended up with 034, very pleased so far.

[yagiska]

APR warranty is only valid with their hardware (and they have little in the way of hardware for the B9/9.5 SQ5)

I feel like this is a bit of a gray area with APR. Their warranty says it doesn't provide coverage if you have any unauthorized "exhaust downpipes, upgraded turbochargers, and non-APR powertrain modifications" but it's not clear if that is intended to include basic bolt-ons. The language in the warranty suggests it's pretty rigid, but in the real world it would be pretty consumer unfriendly to void the warranty just because you used an aftermarket air filter (unless that filter is the cause of a breakdown). When I called to ask APR something along the lines of "APR doesn't provide a lot of bolt-ons for this platform, does a cat-back exhaust or air intake from someone else void the APR Plus warranty" I was told not automatically, unless the part itself was the cause of the issue.

That seems very fair and reasonable to me. That was just over the phone, though. It would be nice if someone from APR could give some official clarity on this.

[GoCougs1234]

I feel like this is a bit of a gray area with APR. Their warranty says it doesn't provide coverage if you have any unauthorized "exhaust downpipes, upgraded turbochargers, and non-APR powertrain modifications" but it's not clear if that is intended to include basic bolt-ons. The language in the warranty suggests it's pretty rigid, but in the real world it would be pretty consumer unfriendly to void the warranty just because you used an aftermarket air filter (unless that filter is the cause of a breakdown). When I called to ask APR something along the lines of "APR doesn't provide a lot of bolt-ons for this platform, does a cat-back exhaust or air intake from someone else void the APR Plus warranty" I was told not automatically, unless the part itself was the cause of the issue.

That seems very fair and reasonable to me. That was just over the phone, though. It would be nice if someone from APR could give some official clarity on this.

I asked them the same question - I was told that unauthorized non-APR hardware (including air intake, intercooler, turbo inlet, etc.) will void the warranty. Their warranty booklet says exactly the same. I asked about how one gets non-APR hardware authorized and it's limited to hardware that will not affect the engine, such as resonators, muffler or exhaust tips. When SHTF, only what is official (written) record counts, and anything else is purely at the whim of APR. I don't blame them - offering a warranty is pretty stellar considering what they're doing. And at only stage 1 (warranty only applicable to the 91 octane tune at that) additional hardware beyond an intercooler isn't really going to add performance (and luckily APR has the intercooler covered).

[mfrench2025]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I looked into APR stuff with my R and have read the literature about what it covers and it really is a grey area. Although I do threaten to sue people on a daily basis so that will help down the road if really needed. However, I'll probably hold off for a while for a tune and just enjoy as stock for a bit. One of the reasons I getting rid of the R is when you start messing with stuff anything can go wrong. Spacers and lowering links will probably be good to start. Thankfully my obd11 carries over.

[Hostile]

One of the reasons I getting rid of the R is when you start messing with stuff anything can go wrong.

If you feel that way what about the SQ5 makes you feel differently?

[mfrench2025]

Well the mk7 platform just kinda leads itself to wanting to mod if for more power. I did every bolt on but a turbo on it looking for more and more power. The SQ5 to me is more of a hop in an go that's a great daily. The fact a simply tune also gets so much power won't leave me wanting as much. Plus the added space is a big bonus as my hobbies have changed. I loved my 7.5 but i had my fun with it and time to hop into something i can just drive and not have a huge desire to mod.

[Hostile]

If you're coming from a tuned MK7 R then a stock SQ5 will feel like a slug by comparison.

[mfrench2025]

Oh I know but have some decent seat time in my buddies 19 SQ5 so pretty good idea what i'm getting into. Going to end up getting JB4 as i had some good luck with it on my r and already have the bluetooth module so i will just swap that over. Should satisfy my need for a little more power.

[Arslàán]

I am running 034 stage 1 93 Tune along with gearbox tune on my SQ5 and last time I dyno'd it was producing 411hp. Very happy with the result. No other mods.