SQ5 FMIC Intercooler Options

[ballinb5]

Saw a thread that was pretty helpful on HFC options so wanted to get some opinions on FMICs.

There is an APR FMIC in the classifieds but was curious how it compared to other options. Is APR really the best?

APR - Silver only, w/ hoses (do they make any difference?) - $1,249: https://www.goapr.com/products/engin...parts/IC100026

Wagner (034) - black only, 1 reviews of bad installation given no mounting options & self tap screws only - $1040: https://www.034motorsport.com/wagner...5-3-0tfsi.html

IE - Silver / black options - $899: https://performancebyie.com/products...cooler-audi-b9

AWE - Silver only - $850: https://awe-tuning.com/products/awe-...nt-intercooler

CTS - Silver / black options, 1 review of bad bracket fitment that needed bending - $559 on sale ($699 original): https://www.ctsturbo.com/product/cts...er-direct-fit/

Leaning towards CTS just based on the price and black option for a stealth install but curious to hear what people think.

[B6_Dolphin]

I went with APR on a BF sale since it was plug 'n play with proper brackets & molded silicone hoses included. Some install pics:

[Hostile]

That Wagner review sounds like something I said.

[Txlifter]

I have the IE FDS on mine with the aluminum charge pipe kit. More of a weekend install rather than an afternoon but still doable. Mounts up solid and looks good. No trouble with mounting points or fitment.

[boostin20v]

You think the charge pipes were worth it for the IE cooler?

[TheContrarian]

If it were me, with no plans to ever swap the turbo (ie stage 3), I'd but the CTS unit. It might not be perfect, but it will do the job required at the lowest price. I've had a CTS intercooler on my 8V RS3 since 2019 and have never wished I'd have spent more money on something different.

[Txlifter]

You think the charge pipes were worth it for the IE cooler?

I like how they look, and are certainly beefier/larger than stock. Other than the $400 price tag they're a nice addition to the IC setup. Probably not worth tearing apart the car again though!

[JonnyBravo!]

I went with the black IE FSD for subtlety. Fitment is great, but the black finish hasn't held up well to rock chips (might be true of most black IC's). Install was easy and only took a few hours.



After a year and a half, I touched it up with flat black paint.

[ballinb5]

I went with APR on a BF sale since it was plug 'n play with proper brackets & molded silicone hoses included. Some install pics:

Looks sweet, did you paint it yourself? What was the BF deal they were offering? Also thinking I can wait for a good discount.

I went with the black IE FSD for subtlety. Fitment is great, but the black finish hasn't held up well to rock chips (might be true of most black IC's). Install was easy and only took a few hours.

Looks great! Also into a stealthy look myself. Glad you can repaint it pretty easily

[mistaleung]

I always wonder if I could fit an aftermarket SQ5 intercooler to a Q5.

[jlaudio]

IE offers 2 different IC options, the base FDS version that does not require charge pipes and also the race series that requires charge pipes. It appears to be much larger and comes with a crash bar. IE is local to me, considering it in the preparation for stage 3 but I missed out on the big sale a few months ago.

Race series:

[B6_Dolphin]

Looks sweet, did you paint it yourself? What was the BF deal they were offering? Also thinking I can wait for a good discount.

I had a performance coatings shop paint it for $150. The BF pricing was $992.

[ballinb5]

I had a performance coatings shop paint it for $150. The BF pricing was $992.

Wow that's a great deal on the BF... much better than expected.

[Txlifter]

I looked at the race IC, just couldn't justify the expense. It's a monster though! I'd definitely do that if I was planning to go stage 3, or sit in lots of traffic 🤣

[Iceman30]

I went the unitronic route - BF sale was huge, think it was like $699. Right now it’s on sale for $722. It is massive and works amazing. I’m at ambient to +2° no matter what I throw at it. Install was easy as any other, took 3 hours, taking my sweet time.

[ballinb5]

I noticed that the CTS turbo website says their FMIC "does not fit models with active aerodynamic grill" -- how can one tell if you have this function? I have a 21 prestige with a lot of options but not sure if I have this. Thanks!

[B6_Dolphin]

I noticed that the CTS turbo website says their FMIC "does not fit models with active aerodynamic grill"

I'm not aware the B9.5 SQ5 has active grill shutters. My '21 SQ5 Sportback w/Prestige Package does not.

1 of the 3 reviews on their website of this CTS Turbo FMIC isn't very flattering:

The fit and finish of this intercooler is not very good. The mounting brackets for the B9 SQ5 aren’t cut out properly, so you have the choice of synching down on the bolts with enough force to bend the mounting brackets around part of the intercooler tube attachment points or cut away some of the metal and then paint or re-powder. Additionally, my experience with support was terrible. Now that it’s in the car, it looks nice.

[esssssss]

I have the Wagner unit. And yes, they included the wrong mounting brackets not once but twice! Two weeks and three shipments later, it was finally installed.

[CloseEncounters]

I have the Wagner unit. And yes, they included the wrong mounting brackets not once but twice! Two weeks and three shipments later, it was finally installed.

Bummed to hear of the issues you had with your Wagner installation. I've had my Wagner IC about two years now with it arriving with all the necessary and correct hardware. Looks like they now have a quality control issue which they need to get on top of. I really wanted the Black stealth look behind the bumper and grill. IC are a must, especially for our hot summer temps out her in AZ as the difference in performance was immediately noticeable.

[B6_Dolphin]

FWIW, there's a slightly used APR IC in the Classifieds section:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...9-SQ5-3-0-TFSI

[ballinb5]

FWIW, there's a slightly used APR IC in the Classifieds section:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...9-SQ5-3-0-TFSI

Yea I saw that but a member above got one new for 992 on black friday... would be good to wait but I went ahead and pulled the trigger on CTS as it seemed like a good deal for 560

[FFM]

Yea I saw that but a member above got one new for 992 on black friday... would be good to wait but I went ahead and pulled the trigger on CTS as it seemed like a good deal for 560

I’ll be curious to hear how your fitment experience is. Also, were you able to choose between black or bare silver?

[kai_doy]

Forge intercooler is also a black quality unit.

[ballinb5]

I’ll be curious to hear how your fitment experience is. Also, were you able to choose between black or bare silver?

I'm assuming it's black given the pictures they have displayed. Will update with fitment but will likely get someone to install for me

[cmil527]

no complaints with my AWE unit!

[VPRFXR]

I have the Wagner unit. And yes, they included the wrong mounting brackets not once but twice! Two weeks and three shipments later, it was finally installed.

Same. I ended up just cutting and redrilling the incorrect ones just so I could finish the install

[ballinb5]

Got the FMIC delivered and HFC from a Facebook group for stage 2:

[Txlifter]

Nice! I'm on the fence about a downpipe but maybe I'll just pull the trigger 😈

[FFM]

I emailed CTS and said they only offer it in black. I’m assuming it’s just spray painted. Wonder how hard it would be to strip the paint.

[CHR1S_H4NSEN]

My IE FDS will be here tomorrow. Took the bumper off earlier so it's ready to go in.

[ballinb5]

Pretty happy with the CTS FMIC (and HFC). Had it installed today and so far so good. Went 034 stage 2 at the same time and the IATs seemed pretty close to ambient... although I didn't track it consistently. Let me know if anyone would want me to log via 034 app.

[DiscoDan]

I have a Forge cooler, brand new, never installed, all hardware and docs I'm willing to part with. PM if interested.