APR ECU Upgrade MK6 Golf - Customer perspective

[Ryan_R]

I just had my 118 TSI APR'd today, curtesy of Dean & Brett from VolksPower Burwood. I only used about 1 hour of my 6 hour trial before turning around to head back and seal the deal.

When taking off in D, the clutch bites much quicker, you can hear the supercharger a lot more (it sounds like your wasting fuel, but a quick check on the MFD shows otherwise). The extra power in D made me think that there wouldn't be much more to gain when switching to Sport mode, but on a quiet uphill road around Sherbrook/Emerald I found out that wasn't the case.

Dean recently got his Golf R and has chipped it, the exhaust sounded great, and he hasn't changed any hardware back there yet.


I got the 98 RON Stage 1 program plus the Security Lockout for $1317.50 incl GST thanks to the 15% off.

If you were thinking about getting this done at all - now's the time. VolksPower close at 11am on the 24th of December, after which they're having an open BBQ.

[Corey_R]

I just had my 118 TSI APR'd today, curtesy of Dean & Brett from VolksPower Burwood. I only used about 1 hour of my 6 hour trial before turning around to head back and seal the deal.

Hehe, that's happened quite a bit. That's why I always tell people not to do it until they've got the spare cash and not until they've got a day few a few hours free. Because once you get the trial, you'll be back within an hour or two to get it made permanent!

[elisiX]

APR Stage 1 with Carbonio installed today. About bloody time.

Anyway, got to drive the car home and I am truly impressed. I'm not new to tuned VAG cars as I used to own a 2006 TT-Sline Quattro (very last of the MK1) with APR Stage 1+ (including an intake). From what I recall the TT was about 165KW stock and the gains were really nice. That was some time ago but I think for the money (less than I paid back in those days especially with the xmas sale now on), it's a great improvement. Best $14xx i've spent on the car (not including the $599 on the Carbonio). I would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering a pretty basic upgrade to their MKVI. Worth every cent. The car certainly feels much quicker and punchier. Particularly in the mid range. The turbo and whole experience is on steroids and the sound difference is noticeable too. It farts much louder now! My only regret was waiting till I ticked over 10,000KM this week - today in fact. However with other seriously expensive hobbies - the car took a backseat. This is a welcome change of focus though.

[Corey_R]

My only regret was waiting till I ticked over 10,000KM this week - today in fact.

I really should have been keeping note of peoples comments for the past year+ that I've been reading every post in the MK6 forum, but if my memory serves me correct (which it usually does), this is the leading regret about the APR Stage I tune... waiting so long to get it! hehe

Congrats elisiX, and thanks for your comments. I don't see you around here anywhere near as much now that you actually have your car!

[elisiX]

lol - too true. My other hobbies kinda took over the past 10 months or so. Im actually deliberately 'investing' a little time and money into the car now to switch things up a bit.

I think for a long time I was regretting not waiting for the R - but at the end of the day, the GTI (especially now) suits my needs perfectly. TT-RS or the like in another year or two I imagine.

[G-rig]

APR Stage 1 with Carbonio installed today. About bloody time.

Congrats, can't believe your patients but glad you like how the car goes now.

I still haven't got a Carbonio but that's next on the list.

[Corey_R]

I like the look of the MK6 GTI's Carbonio so much, I'm going to get that fitted the R

I figure it's also slightly better performing than the older panel-style Carbonio for the MKV GTI/MK6 R.

[ddre78]

APR Stage 1 with Carbonio installed today. About bloody time.

........... only regret was waiting till I ticked over 10,000KM this week.

I got mine done at about 400KM. Not usually my style but im so glad I did. Ive just purchased the APR dump pipe and stage 1 and 2 Carbonio intake (from a mate who changed his mind) which ill have fitted in Jan at some stage. Cant wait. No more spending until the next car, after the Stage 2 tune is done. Famous last words!

[G-rig]

I got mine done at about 400KM. Not usually my style but im so glad I did. Ive just purchased the APR dump pipe and stage 1 and 2 Carbonio intake (from a mate who changed his mind) which ill have fitted in Jan at some stage. Cant wait. No more spending until the next car, after the Stage 2 tune is done. Famous last words!

It's good not to spend too much on the GTI or you could spend the difference between that and an R, but i think Stage2 would be great and minimal mods. They seem good from the factory anyway and i wouldn't even bother with sway bars where i would have with the MK5.

[elisiX]

I just got back home from a small 10km spirited drive. To be honest the only thing I can make comparisons to is my old Stage 1+ TT and a Stage 3 S3. I feel like this car is just nuts now with the APR. The increased power is barely noticeable when plodding about in D - but the moment you want it, its much much more brutal. The most surprising thing is how easy it is to control. Basically what I mean by that is that it doesn't have to be all or nothing - you can pace it well. Obviously its not as quick the Quattro Stage 3 S3 i've been in - but I feel like the power delivery is much more exciting this time around compared to my older TT.

Of course that was quite a few years back now (the TT), and I am of course judging by the seat of my pants dyno. I can thoroughly say I am enjoying it. There is a little tourque steer and if you dump it off the line itll spin a little - but it's half the fun. The 4Motion from the R would be welcomes - but it might also take 'something' away from the experience. Seeing as I would never dream of tracking my car - I think this combination (perhaps with an exhaust / Stage II tune) would be a great overall package - even if a little 'hairy'.

Corey while at Muller & Muller today, there was a really nice Blue R (with Black tala's) which had just been fitted with the carbonio gear, APR exhaust / downpipe I think and tune. It looked the business mate.