APR ECU Upgrade MK6 Golf - Customer perspective

[obiwan]

Damn, I paid full list price for my APR flash a few weeks ago. At least I have it and I'm very happy with it.

[Golfitup]

I know this thread has not been active for a little while, so i apologise if this is covered elsewhere.

So basically, I am starting realy like the idea of the APR Stage 1 for my 118 TSI. The sale is on at the moment and i take delivery of my car in the next week or so.

I just want to confirm a couple things that I think have been answered correct me if I am wrong:

1. Its ok to get the APR S1 done right away, leave it in stock until you break in the engine.

2. No noticeable change in fuel consumption in everyday driving; and

3. Return it to stock before taking it in for a service.

Now, I have one question, what are peoples thoughts on the "Security Lockout". The only time I can see myself ever using it is before I take it in for a service.

So, either I go the 10% discount or get all the extras for about $155.

Dunno, thoughts?

[POLARBEAR666]

Thrash your car hard for the first 2 tanks of fuel and that should break it in totally. .. Most 4 cyl turbo engine builders advise taking it easy when motor is first assembled for like 600k's-800k's .. but most VW's already have been pre run in at factory for a bit. I would thrash it hard... get the piston rings to bed into the bores as you only have one shot at it. Engine builders usually go from run in to full power tuning and full power dyno runs. When I drove my car home from bunbury I did launch control twice flat tack.... now my car uses no oil between services, is fast for a 1.4 and has great fuel economy.

[logger]

..
I just want to confirm a couple things that I think have been answered correct me if I am wrong:

1. Its ok to get the APR S1 done right away, leave it in stock until you break in the engine.

YES it would be fine to do it straight away. Really no need to leave it in stock either. - However a couple of things to consider;
1) It is arguably better to ascertain everything is fine and as expected with the engine and gearbox in your brand new car before you go adding the tune. In the unlikely event there is something amiss with the engine you will find it easier to troubleshoot if it is bog standard. For one you can rule out the tune as being the cause even though this is highly unlikely.
2) I see you are in VIC. Do you live close to the APR dealer? If you are close by get it done after you have had the car for a couple of weeks once you iron out any bugs that can only be attributed to VW. OTOH if you live in Orbost get the tune done when you collect the car in the big smoke to save the trip back later.

2. No noticeable change in fuel consumption in everyday driving; and

Correct

3. Return it to stock before taking it in for a service.

YES

Now, I have one question, what are peoples thoughts on the "Security Lockout". The only time I can see myself ever using it is before I take it in for a service.

So, either I go the 10% discount or get all the extras for about $155.

Dunno, thoughts?

My thoughts only.Save the $155. The security lockout feature you will rarely use and it will add no value to the car.

...When I drove my car home from bunbury I did launch control twice flat tack.... now my car uses no oil between services, is fast for a 1.4 and has great fuel economy.

The mark 6 1.4 does no have launch control, so how did you manage to do it twice?

[Golfitup]

YES it would be fine to do it straight away. Really no need to leave it in stock either. - However a couple of things to consider;
1) It is arguably better to ascertain everything is fine and as expected with the engine and gearbox in your brand new car before you go adding the tune. In the unlikely event there is something amiss with the engine you will find it easier to troubleshoot if it is bog standard. For one you can rule out the tune as being the cause even though this is highly unlikely.
2) I see you are in VIC. Do you live close to the APR dealer? If you are close by get it done after you have had the car for a couple of weeks once you iron out any bugs that can only be attributed to VW. OTOH if you live in Orbost get the tune done when you collect the car in the big smoke to save the trip back later.

I agree, I would normally do just that. Give it a while and make sure all is OK before getting the tune. The problem I have is that to get the benefit of the EOFY sale, I will have literally a matter of days after I take delivery of my car. Thats why I thought getting it and leaving it in stock.

Volkspower is the closest to me so I will probably go and see them. Maybe they can hold the price for me if I pay a deposit and then get the tune done a couple weeks later? I will have to give them a buzz.

[240z]

I would love to get a chip on our new gti but I think $1695 is way too much to spend on a chip, I can't get over the fact that they get it for $599 in the states, getting close to three times the price, gimme a break

[Golfitup]

I would love to get a chip on our new gti but I think $1695 is way too much to spend on a chip, I can't get over the fact that they get it for $599 in the states, getting close to three times the price, gimme a break

I tend to think us Aussies win some and we lose some as far as prices out of the states. I have bought a few great bargains from the US while the $$ was strong = win. But as this is not something that you can buy over the internet = loss.

However, when your able to take a TSI and get almost as much power as a GTI or, take GTI and get almost as much power as an R, I think $1400 - 1500 (with discounts) is not too bad (not great) but not too bad.

My 2c

[POLARBEAR666]

The mark 6 1.4 does no have launch control, so how did you manage to do it twice?

I have a mk5 GT =0) I had not considered that the 6 can't launch control, but at least you can still plant it 100% a few times from standstill up to redline.

Just follow this method for break in OP http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
You can google this guy and see the thousands of bike and car owners who have followed this method with success.

[logger]

I agree, I would normally do just that. Give it a while and make sure all is OK before getting the tune. The problem I have is that to get the benefit of the EOFY sale, I will have literally a matter of days after I take delivery of my car. Thats why I thought getting it and leaving it in stock.

Volkspower is the closest to me so I will probably go and see them. Maybe they can hold the price for me if I pay a deposit and then get the tune done a couple weeks later? I will have to give them a buzz.

Yeah I used Volkspower too. They are good. Try your luck with paying the deposit. They may need the full sale on their books this financial year, but you never know.

[Ryan_R]

Just wondering if anyone has added the Immobiliser program and what they think of it. I've got the Golf 118 TSI just yet (few weeks away apparently) and don't know what type of alarm/immobiliser is added by default. My main concern is that I won't use the feature all too often and will end up forgetting and will lock myself out
Valet mode could be useful as well. Does anyone know exactly what restrictions it imposes?

Also, does adding a chip/program increase insurance premiums at all?

I was worried that twin-charging a 1.4 to 118kW would lead to problems down the track, but now we nearly match a GTI's performance for a fifth of the price... cool