East Lansing/Troy Michigan area Audi owners - who works on your cars?

**Peacob** · 10-22-2009 12:08 PM

Hey guys, well to start off, i recently got my hands on a 04 b6 perforated s-line steering wheel with the tip controls to swap out for my stock 3 spoke wheel. Now, for those of you that know the EL area well, i stopped by the Williams Audi dealer on saginaw right next to the Frandor plaza, where they quoted me about 90$ and an hour to swap the steering wheels, code it for the TIP controls, and then for an extra 10$, they would code(VAG) so that the key fob could control the windows.

So my questions are...

How fair is this price? (to me it seems alright, but i wouldnt know the first thing about stuff like this as i've done really nothing major to my car yet, and everything has been done by myself.)

What are your recommendations on places to go to get work done? (dealerships, european tuners, ect)

This Williams Audi kinda sucks, as i feel the people that work there aren't really nice, and when i ask them questions such as the one about the steering wheels, they kind of reply with an attitude, or ask, "well, do you even know if it will fit", with an arrogant tone.

I have yet to check out any dealerships in the Troy area other than the Rochester Hills dealer who did my first oil change and complete checkup when i first bought the car.

Also,

I'm thinking about going APR stage 1, maybe even 1+ soon (not saying i'm sticking to APR, but i'm referring to figures in HP).... for those of you that have chipped your car, where did you go in Michigan?

Thanks for all those who reply,
B

**Jedidiah** · 10-22-2009 12:14 PM

try this is where i got my chip from. and about 8 other people i know with VAG cars.

Steve's European Automotive Inc
www.steveseuropeanauto.com
also
Munk's Motors
- www.munks.com

one of my friends likes Munks better than SE. good luck.
(and if they are in the VAGCOM to do your steering wheel the extra $10 for the windows is BS)

**AutoUnion1** · 10-22-2009 12:33 PM

Just go to VAST and get your computer flashed. They will dial it in to fit the setup of your car and can adjust it as you add parts.

For the steering wheel, search the forums and do it yourself. There are detailed diy's for this. Lots have done it. Save yourself the cash.

**Jedidiah** · 10-22-2009 03:45 PM

http://www.vastperformance.com/

**PKmode** · 10-22-2009 04:09 PM

VAST!

**EYE4SPEED** · 10-22-2009 04:15 PM

Seems petty that they would nickel and dime you $10 bux when they are already charging you to recode... they didn't know what kind of car I had when I pulled in their one day with my USP. The sales reps (more than one) never saw anything like it before.

Stay away from the stealerships - heard good things about SEA and VAST. Especially if you are modding.

Also, go to Stage 1 first. Drive with it for a while. Then go to 1+ and you get the same enjoyment when you first got flashed. Will be like having two new cars.

Good luck and hope to meet up with you when someone organizes a Mid-Mich meet.

**skold** · 10-22-2009 04:15 PM

how far are you from utica? my buddy evan lives there he is prolly the best tech i have ever meet. so i would call him. pm me for his number

**vinny.dtw** · 10-23-2009 08:09 AM

Stefan at German motor werks for maintainence. Located in Waterford.

Vast for any performance in Michigan.

Steves Euro sucks, and williams auto world can't even hold a wrench right. I had some warranty work done there back in the day, long story short. It was less then inspiring. Just do your steering wheel yourself. It's just the S/C ring, airbag, a few connectors, and the steering wheel itself. An hour at most if you have worked on cars before. Good luck!

**Peacob** · 10-25-2009 07:32 AM

Thanks a lot for your help guys! I'm going to give VAST a serious consideration... but are the HP gains about the same as APR? I've seen that some chips take you to about 215 (apr), where others, only take you to about 200-205HP... I want the most gain from a chip as possible, and wont mind paying another 100$ for it.

As for the steering wheel, i would do it myself, however i've just been unsure about the TIP buttons, and whether or not i would need to purchase wiring for it. (not sure if standard A4's come prewired for a USP steering wheel with the buttons) As well as i'm not sure if i would need it VAG'ed after the steering wheel is installed. So i pretty much feel that anything electrical i'll probably just leave up to the dealer or place working on my car.

But thanks again guys, hope to be checkin out some of these meets come spring.

**Scott2.0** · 10-29-2009 01:53 PM

APR's website show VAST as an APR dealer. Are you guys saying that VAST only does their own programming? I emailed them to set up an APR trial and have yet to hear back. I've heard mixed things on Steve's but I may have to give them a call.