Polo GTI 2011 - APR ECU Upgrade - What Should I look out for?

[slapjimmy]

Hey Peeps

This is basically my first post as I am a new VW owner.
I recently just bought a VW Polo GTI 2011 black
I've had it for about two weeks now and love the change from my old Honda CRV (Soccer Mums Car).

I was doing some research of the APR ECU upgrade.

It's really hard to get info on what difference it makes and if you need to get any other mods first.

Does anyone know whether you need to get anything else done before or after the ECU upgrade or will it be fine without any mods? E.g. intake, breaks, exhaust etc?

From the APR website I can see the performance number go to: 200 horsepower (149kw) and 223lb-ft. (302nm) of torque.

Does anyone know what the 0-100 goes to? I think stock is 6.9s.

Kind Regards
Jimmy

[Dazza]

Hi Jimmy

There is an APR upgrade thread around somewhere if you scroll through them. My recollection is that you can trial it before getting a code for a permanent upgrade so it's not an all or nothing deal.

All the best from a fellow West Aussie waiting on a black gti and thinking about an APR upgrade!

Dazza

[gavs]

Jimmy,

The best bet would be to speak directly to Guy H on here, afterall, he developed it. Many a tuner will be reluctant to provide acceleration data because it's so subjective to the actual driver but to give you an idea, in a recent Motor magazine article, the stage 2 tune on the Polo GTI (including brakes and suspension and tyres) was faster than a Focus RS. THe 0-100 time also dropped by over a second also from memory. That was running 160Kw.....

[aljobar]

I'm running the APR tune, along with a Harding Performance intake. Firstly, the tune is designed so that it can be run without any other upgrades, which is why it is called the "stage 1" upgrade. I haven't timed it professionally, but I'm guessing that the 0-100 time would be a little over 6 seconds. I have a LOT more wheelspin with the upgrade. With better tyres I feel that this could be improved upon.
I've dealt with Guy Harding, the Australian distributor of APR things and I couldn't recommend him highly enough. The difference between stock and tuned is phenomenal. Those that don't have it honestly don't know what they're missing out on. Good luck and enjoy your GTI. I know I have

[RoknRob]

I can't wait!

Just need to sort out my oil consumption issue first....

[slapjimmy]

Hey thanks for the replies

I feel like obviously I have to get to stage 1 before i get to stage 2! hehe

With the APR upgrade is this something that needs to be fitted by an approved APR dealer (there's only one in WA) or is this something I can order direct from Guy Harding and try and fit myself? Also will this completely void my warranty?

[Buller_Scott]

Hey thanks for the replies

I feel like obviously I have to get to stage 1 before i get to stage 2! hehe

With the APR upgrade is this something that needs to be fitted by an approved APR dealer (there's only one in WA) or is this something I can order direct from Guy Harding and try and fit myself? Also will this completely void my warranty?

regarding the warranty issue, you really, REALLY need to do a search function on here of "tune and warranty" - it doesnt just apply to your model of VW, but all of them - people have been dealing with the "tune & warranty" issue for half a decade on watercooled. some reading up on it will clue you in on where VWA stands etc.

as for the stage one upgrade being fitted by an APR dealer - yes, it's a remap that's uploaded to your car, so only a tuner can do this for you..... unless......

not trying to start chip wars, and i ABSOLUTELY respect the work that guy h has done, especially when his cars spank far more powerful ones come motor magazine hot tuner editions, but if you're going for "stage one (read: a remap of the stock computer's parameters based on your own car's ecu settings)", APR, whilst good, isnt the only option:

DNA tuning
custom code
revo technik,
evolve technik
GIAC
Viezu / ChippedUK

i would STRONGLY suggest that before you lay down 1.5 large, you call up some of the companies listed above, too. the reasons being not least of which, there are other EXTREMELY credible tunes that will cost you only a little over half the price of an APR tune. oh.... and market competition / diversity is always good for australia in the context of tuning products, seeing as we STILL dont get nearly as many tuning options as the lucky b4stards in the states / canada / europe / south africa.

anyway, good luck with it all!

p.s. as an easy answer, the common consensus seems to be that VW Aus has to prove that any warranty issue is the direct result of an aftermarket tune... i'd still read up on it, there is lots of info and first hand experience on here regarding warranties vs. tunes, if you use the search function.

[Guy_H]

In WA go & see the boys @ Quattro Motors in Victoria Park. There is special equipment required to program the polo's so its not DIY.

They have already done some over there so can possible put you in contact with one of the owners.

Pricing is NOT "1.5 large" as implied by Buller_Scott above, it's $1250 (always has been) for 4 engine programs, security, anti theft as well.

Ours is not a single file, so you need to compare apples with apples.

[slapjimmy]

thanks for the advice buller_scott and guy_h. really makes sense.
I sent an email to quattro 2 days ago so i think i'll follow that up and go see them.
its funny how you want to do anything to a car and its a min of 1k aha. but i think my grandfather will be happy i spent my inheritance on my car