I plan on going Stage I myself. I just bought my R six days ago and one of the techs at my local dealer was telling me if I tune the car they will just erase it when it comes in for service (and it wont void my warranty unless something breaks because of the tune). He said APR offers one free re-flash so after the dealer sets it back to stock it can be re-re-flashed for the tune.
Any truth to this? Does APR offer free re-flash? Why only one?
Not true based on what I heard from my service department (I dropped the car there this AM).
They hook the ECU up to the computer anytime the car is in for service.
Todd
When I brought my GTI to the dealer with a bunch of APR parts, they just did the service, and didn't say anything. My APR dealer did the reflash for free, but it only happened to me once.
Usually the labor charge is installing the chip, to rerun the software for a reflash, they just plug it in, so it only takes about 20 mins.
I haven't chipped the R yet, but I'll go APR when I do. There are some VW dealers that are also APR authorized dealers.
As far as warranty, some dealers are strict others are not, but generally APR is a reputable company that they don't worry too much about. A tune, and an intake is pretty common, even a TBE. I don't know how they would react to the fuel pump though, that's a bit more engine invasive, same with an intercooler, or a bigger turbo.
I've been to three separate VW dealers in NJ, and this is just MY experience.
Hope that helps!
