Thinking of an APR Tune

[Milos2504]

I'm in Canberra too, and went APR on a previous car (Audi A4, 1.8TQ). This time I decided to try something different and went Viezu via a handloader - so, the company sends you (via email) a file that you then load into the ECU via the OBDII port and a special loader. We don't have much choice in Canberra - really just APR from the 1 or 2 dealers, or use a handloader and software sent to you via email / download.

From where I see things now, any stage 1 tune from reputable tuning shops will give you a great improvement. The differences between them are probably less important if you just want some great performance on the road. Differences come out I suspect if you are chasing track (or dyno) performance, have lots of elaborate mods, want lots of ability to tweak, etc.

If I was doing this again, I would probably just consider going with APR (given CVWC are dealers). would simplify things a lot. Having said that, I have learned a lot through the approach I took so don't regret it.

I think it comes down to whether you want a "set and forget / minimum fuss" type approach (in Canberra, go APR), or you want a lot of ability to customise and are prepared to experiment and learn (lots of choice out there).

Regardless of which way you go, CVWC are really fantastic and would support either approach (but of course would prefer APR).

Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot, that really helps, everyone says to stick with APR, so I guess thats the way to go. I am not really gonna be doing any more mods to the car and I won't be taking it to the track, I just wanted a bit more of a kick so I think APR will be a good choice. I also don't wanna play around with the installs myself coz I wouldn't have a clue what I'm doing.

But thanks for the tips, I appreciate it

[ffoff]

Just to throw in there, the guy who owns and runs north side euro's used to be the head mechanic at cvwc. So it's not like APR is the be all and end all of tuning option in Canberra. Not anymore at least.

[boltor]

Just to throw in there, the guy who owns and runs north side euro's used to be the head mechanic at cvwc. So it's not like APR is the be all and end all of tuning option in Canberra. Not anymore at least.

good to know. wasn't aware of that

[Pod]

In my opinion local support from your tuning company is way more important that a few kilowatts of difference in power especially if you don't plan on tracking it. I've been thinking about changing tuners lately because I want a bit more power but in the end I much rather be able to go to the same place for both tuning and mechanical work.

In your situation where you just want a bit more power, I think any tune would be more than okay. In the end unless you are driving differently tuned cars side by side, you won't be able to tell the difference anyway so you may as well go with what your mechanic is offering.

[MadWorm]

I went with APR on my R from CVWC Belco during a sale. They're good guys. My concern still being under warranty was what if the car needed to go back to VW on the back of a flat top truck with the tune on it. They said no worries, just swing past and they'll flash it back to stock on the spot and send it on it's way.

In my book, that's good service.

[colesy]

I went with APR on my R from CVWC Belco during a sale. They're good guys. My concern still being under warranty was what if the car needed to go back to VW on the back of a flat top truck with the tune on it. They said no worries, just swing past and they'll flash it back to stock on the spot and send it on it's way.

In my book, that's good service.

The fact the car has been tuned would still be detectable by VW, even if it was flashed back to stock.

[ffoff]

I've got a friend who blew a 2.0T on Apr stage 3 tune, got it flashed back and replaced under factory warranty, so not sure how true that statement is..

[Guy_H]

The fact the car has been tuned would still be detectable by VW, even if it was flashed back to stock.

Sorry - not true. We have tested this ourselves on many different vehicles now with the help of friendly dealerships.

We have true, 100% stock binary that can be put back into the vehicles.

[Bug_racer]

Sorry - not true. We have tested this ourselves on many different vehicles now with the help of friendly dealerships.

We have true, 100% stock binary that can be put back into the vehicles.

What happens at the dealer level isn't necessarily the same as what happens at VW head office

[Greg Roles]

As do several tuning houses Guy, but the dealers can now easily pick up the fact there is a tune applied. They just choose not to pursue it at this stage.

Given Audi are releasing their own in house tunes as part of a power package on the upmarket versions, they will likely be the first to start enforcing the data they already have, certainly what the head tech at Audi Brisbane recently showed me in real time, flagging a tune there in front of me. They certainly do their best to keep tuners in the dark as they generally don't like the tuning industry. My reception with an issue Audi was initially very frosty, but when I pointed out my insurance, and it paid for the lot, the attitude, and openness changed dramatically. Many inside truths told, was very interesting, they had a lot to tell me about the Brisbane tuning community.

The official line at Carformance is dealers can indeed now find all tunes on the current ECU's if they chose to do so, and I'm sticking to that. I'd make a lot more money saying otherwise.


But to the OP, better to go with a local dealer, and APR tunes are as good as any, as local backup if and when problems occur is the most important thing.