UM's K03 vs GIAC's Stage 2 -- Which one to choose?

[Covelight]

Hello. I'm looking into tuning my Mk6 GTI and am stuck between United Motorsport and GIAC. I'd include APR, but the highest they now offer for the stock IHI/K03 turbo is a Stage 1+ tune. I've already got a full turboback exhaust so I'm not inclined to source an APR downpipe just to go Stage 2 with them. UM has a K03 ECU/TCU combo for $900, while GIAC's Stage 2 is $1100 (I intend to go to a shop that offers all three of these tuners). I've heard of UM's success in making one of the more powerful tunes for the Mk6 R's and one user (a GTI I believe) claiming that they beat all other Stage 2 tunes they've come up against via UM's K03 tune, and I also know of GIAC's 1/4 mile times posted here on this thread as well as their "Clutchbuster" tune, but that $200 price difference has me undecided on whom to choose. Has anyone had experience with both, and what would you recommend?

 

[torga]

If you're gonna be spending $1k on a tune, I say forget both options and buy a Cobb Accessport and a Stratified Pro Tune. It'll be right around the same amount of money and a much better tune. Plus, if you go for a K04 down the line, it'll only be an extra $150 for Stratified to re-tune for the new hardware.

FWIW, I have a GIAC Stage 2 tune and I feel like it's one of the more underpowered tunes. I'm looking at going the Cobb/Stratified route myself soon, just taking care of other things first.

 

[Covelight]

I never really gave custom tuning a thought up until some time ago lol. I had convinced myself of the "set it and forget it" mindset, but now that you've stated all of that, I'll go ahead with a ProTune and CTS's K04 that they offer. I have some minor things to do before then, but yeah, Stratified will be my choice now.

Do they offer DSG tunes as well, or should I opt for a DSG tune from APR/UM/GIAC?

 

[torga]

I'm not sure if they have DSG tuning available.

If you'd really like set and forget, I've heard many times that Unitronic makes a great tune. $650 out the door for Stage 2, and there are fairly frequent 10% off sales. APR's Stage 2 was also highly regarded, but alas...

 

[Covelight]

Yeah, EPA crackdown. No worries. I checked their website and they're sold out of DSG tunes. I'll do some searching to see what our fellow Mk6-ers went with. I can't wait lol.

 

[GolNat]

Unitronic or Stratified tune…

 

[Covelight]

Unitronic or Stratified tune…

I'll give a look into Unitronic as well, thanks.