New APR stage 1 owner/impressions

[Madmanxing]

Purchased Stage 1 APR tune on Friday. ofcourse i was expecting a huge difference and to be spinning in second.... but these are my impressions.
It topped off the power of the tdi. it always felt like it could use a little more power(still does:thumbsup but each gear has gotten alot greater to use. 1st is super fast like before.. 2nd has some nice but sticking power, 3rd and 4th are pretty great... onramp/stepping on it feels amazing.. not as amazing as i was expecting for 600$ but pretty amazing for my tdi that gets 45mpg-50 mpg when i want it to in the city or freeway. and 5th and 6th are finally very usable on the freeway and you dont feel like a prius stepping on it in 6th going 60... so for anyone considering getting the tune heres a bit of insite. dont expect your car to BE a GTI or feel like one.. but its DAMN near close and you get a little more mpg than before

 

[Shutaro]

+1

I've never been so in love with third gear Glad you mentioned the "not GTI" factor; so many stage 1 reviews are for the GTI, and TDI owners need to know that we're not getting the same thing.

Still, totally glad I did it, and it sounds like you are, too.

Did you pair it with the intake? If not, I highly recommend it, the improved throttle response really brings it all together.

 

[gregsju29]

good to knkow, thanks for the review. I'm actually looking forward to not smoking tires in 2nd gear. It's a bit more civilized...

 

[gregsju29]

also, would love to know it you picked up MPG with the tune as well.

 

[Smasher1]

I wonder if it'll be same with DSG... I heard that the DSG with the APR Stage 1 tune has some issues

 

[85RedGolf2.5]

If you want the dsg to work right, you want to get the tune for the dsg at the same time. The dsg is set up from the factory to limit power from the engine if there is too much torque coming through. The DSG is set up for a max of 260tq from the factory, our engines output 258. So any increase will be greatly hampered by a tune to the TDI only. Have to invest in the DSG to take full use of the TDI tune. But any TDI owner will be thrilled with a tune.

 

[QuitersLOSE14]

Purchased Stage 1 APR tune on Friday. ofcourse i was expecting a huge difference and to be spinning in second.... but these are my impressions.
It topped off the power of the tdi. it always felt like it could use a little more power(still does:thumbsup but each gear has gotten alot greater to use. 1st is super fast like before.. 2nd has some nice but sticking power, 3rd and 4th are pretty great... onramp/stepping on it feels amazing.. not as amazing as i was expecting for 600$ but pretty amazing for my tdi that gets 45mpg-50 mpg when i want it to in the city or freeway. and 5th and 6th are finally very usable on the freeway and you dont feel like a prius stepping on it in 6th going 60... so for anyone considering getting the tune heres a bit of insite. dont expect your car to BE a GTI or feel like one.. but its DAMN near close and you get a little more mpg than before

Planting the pedal in 6th @ 60 MPH is not ideal anyhow, ie turbo lag is well, laggy. A downshift to 5th for moderate or even to 4th for aggressive acceleration is key. At 80 mph on the freeway in 6th, there is almost no lag, and the car jumps to 90 MPH in a matter of a few seconds. Any speed above 70 MPH in 6th is a good test for turbo lag.

Good idea stating that it will not be a stock GTI as well, however I would think that most people who look at Stage 1 would assume that. These engines get superior gains at at least Stage 2 w/DPF delete.

And my god, I'm sorry that was $600!?!! I believe other companies used to do Stage 2 and higher tunes for less than that, but then you need an equally expensive down-pipe. But, on the other hand you are solid choosing APR for its value and prestige.

If you want the dsg to work right, you want to get the tune for the dsg at the same time. The dsg is set up from the factory to limit power from the engine if there is too much torque coming through. The DSG is set up for a max of 260tq from the factory, our engines output 258. So any increase will be greatly hampered by a tune to the TDI only. Have to invest in the DSG to take full use of the TDI tune. But any TDI owner will be thrilled with a tune.

Unless you have a different engine I thought crank Tq was at 236 lb-ft? Either way you are correct with the necessity of a DSG tune. YouTube any company's tunes for DSG's and you can hear and see (if the show tach) the difference in shifting performance.

 

[gregsju29]

If you want the dsg to work right, you want to get the tune for the dsg at the same time. The dsg is set up from the factory to limit power from the engine if there is too much torque coming through. The DSG is set up for a max of 260tq from the factory, our engines output 258. So any increase will be greatly hampered by a tune to the TDI only. Have to invest in the DSG to take full use of the TDI tune. But any TDI owner will be thrilled with a tune.

I know APR is working on a dsg tune, but I'm not 100% sure your statement is accurate. With all of APR's stage 3 kits, k04 kits, etc., you're saying that they only produce 260 lbs of tq? That's just not true, and sounds more like marketing jargon from competitors. While I do agree that there are advantages to a DSG tune, the sole idea that the car maxes out at 260 tq doesn't make sense

 

[85RedGolf2.5]

I know APR is working on a dsg tune, but I'm not 100% sure your statement is accurate. With all of APR's stage 3 kits, k04 kits, etc., you're saying that they only produce 260 lbs of tq? That's just not true, and sounds more like marketing jargon from competitors. While I do agree that there are advantages to a DSG tune, the sole idea that the car maxes out at 260 tq doesn't make sense

ReRead my statement, the ORIGINAL DSG tuning from VW limits engine torque to 260 so to not destroy anything (even though it is capable of so much more) The only thing that might go in the DSG is the Dual Cluch, which that would go pretty quick if you ABUSE the stuff, but if you are SMART about your tune and daily driving, you will get normal life out of it. It is the 0-whatever MPH take off that could ruin the DSG Clutch, once under way, and the 1-2 shift is complete, it should be fine from there on out, just don't do anything stupid like taking the ESP off on a DRY road and then Flooring the Throttle and letting it go. This WILL kill the DSG. Now there are a couple companies over in the Eurozone that are making upgraded DSG clutches, but I don't know who or how much. Again, without the DSG cpu tuned, any performance gains from the TDI tune will be negated if that 260 tq rating is met and exceded. You will need to upgrade DSG Tuning to get the Full effect. Now, if you want to do internals of the DSG, you are SOL unless your pockets are very deep...

 

[85RedGolf2.5]

Planting the pedal in 6th @ 60 MPH is not ideal anyhow, ie turbo lag is well, laggy. A downshift to 5th for moderate or even to 4th for aggressive acceleration is key. At 80 mph on the freeway in 6th, there is almost no lag, and the car jumps to 90 MPH in a matter of a few seconds. Any speed above 70 MPH in 6th is a good test for turbo lag.

Good idea stating that it will not be a stock GTI as well, however I would think that most people who look at Stage 1 would assume that. These engines get superior gains at at least Stage 2 w/DPF delete.

And my god, I'm sorry that was $600!?!! I believe other companies used to do Stage 2 and higher tunes for less than that, but then you need an equally expensive down-pipe. But, on the other hand you are solid choosing APR for its value and prestige.



Unless you have a different engine I thought crank Tq was at 236 lb-ft? Either way you are correct with the necessity of a DSG tune. YouTube any company's tunes for DSG's and you can hear and see (if the show tach) the difference in shifting performance.

I meant the 236... I don't know where I got 258 from...

 

[Madmanxing]

Planting the pedal in 6th @ 60 MPH is not ideal anyhow, ie turbo lag is well, laggy. A downshift to 5th for moderate or even to 4th for aggressive acceleration is key. At 80 mph on the freeway in 6th, there is almost no lag, and the car jumps to 90 MPH in a matter of a few seconds. Any speed above 70 MPH in 6th is a good test for turbo lag.

Good idea stating that it will not be a stock GTI as well, however I would think that most people who look at Stage 1 would assume that. These engines get superior gains at at least Stage 2 w/DPF delete.

And my god, I'm sorry that was $600!?!! I believe other companies used to do Stage 2 and higher tunes for less than that, but then you need an equally expensive down-pipe. But, on the other hand you are solid choosing APR for its value and prestige.



Unless you have a different engine I thought crank Tq was at 236 lb-ft? Either way you are correct with the necessity of a DSG tune. YouTube any company's tunes for DSG's and you can hear and see (if the show tach) the difference in shifting performance.

I got it when it was on sale from 599 to 499.. and the installation at any shop would be 100 bucks. i payed cash so no tax and i thought i got out with a steal lol. i have the fully loaded(stock/stage1/fault code erase/throttle body alignment/security lockout/ and the cool anti theft mode. apr themselves states you get the most number gains per dollar with thier stage 1 tune..
then again im not going to go to every website(malone unitronic revo. blah blah and divide gains by the price
also stage 2(dpf delete) even though i would be in LOOOOOVE with the results and sound im dying for, isnt in the cards rightnow atleast for the next 80k more miles till warranties out. once thats over i can allready see the soot out my tailpipes:happyanim::thumbsup::burnrubber:

next things on my list are the gti valence with muffler delete/ dual pipes( as soon as i can find a solid price) and then probbablllyyyy the carbonio intake.. since ive been hearing it will give me exactly more of what i want(sound/turbo whistle/ ear porn) the one thing holding me back is the thought of having alot more crap get in through the intake into my baby :/

 

[Smasher1]

ReRead my statement, the ORIGINAL DSG tuning from VW limits engine torque to 260 so to not destroy anything (even though it is capable of so much more) The only thing that might go in the DSG is the Dual Cluch, which that would go pretty quick if you ABUSE the stuff, but if you are SMART about your tune and daily driving, you will get normal life out of it. It is the 0-whatever MPH take off that could ruin the DSG Clutch, once under way, and the 1-2 shift is complete, it should be fine from there on out, just don't do anything stupid like taking the ESP off on a DRY road and then Flooring the Throttle and letting it go. This WILL kill the DSG. Now there are a couple companies over in the Eurozone that are making upgraded DSG clutches, but I don't know who or how much. Again, without the DSG cpu tuned, any performance gains from the TDI tune will be negated if that 260 tq rating is met and exceded. You will need to upgrade DSG Tuning to get the Full effect. Now, if you want to do internals of the DSG, you are SOL unless your pockets are very deep...

So my best choice would be to get either APR stage 1 or Malone stage 1 (or 1.5) + Malone DSG tune? will that put extra wear on the DSG (even if I floor it with ESP off)?

 

[rawbdog]

So my best choice would be to get either APR stage 1 or Malone stage 1 (or 1.5) + Malone DSG tune? will that put extra wear on the DSG (even if I floor it with ESP off)?

yes it will. so that means that instead of changing the DSG fluid every 40k miles it will be better to do it earlier. The transmission can hold up to some pretty high TQ and HP numbers, but you must make sure you take care of it by changing out the DSG fluid more often. grambles might come on here and tell you that you dont HAVE to. but i saw a guy on here that had a GTI and was stage 1 or 2 ( i forgot which one i think it was stage 2 ) and he did his DSG flush at 30k and his fluid looked like it was straight black. but that is just me, i would definitely do it sooner.

 

[Smasher1]

yes it will. so that means that instead of changing the DSG fluid every 40k miles it will be better to do it earlier. The transmission can hold up to some pretty high TQ and HP numbers, but you must make sure you take care of it by changing out the DSG fluid more often. grambles might come on here and tell you that you dont HAVE to. but i saw a guy on here that had a GTI and was stage 1 or 2 ( i forgot which one i think it was stage 2 ) and he did his DSG flush at 30k and his fluid looked like it was straight black. but that is just me, i would definitely do it sooner.

I see... so as I've understood, if fliuds are changed about 30-25% ahead of normal time, no worries about the DSG failure?

 

[dassergio]

so what kind of numbers should we be expecting realistically for stage 1? Tdi mk6