First mod - Exhaust or tune?

[AndrewSuliteanu]

Hi guys, first post here.

I'll be grabbing a b8.5 in a little less than a month. Need input on whether to pick up the Stasis tune (for warranty) or the AWE resonated first. I'll probably limit myself to one mod per year for financial reasons.

I'm upgrading from a 2011 A4 so I'm thinking that the 333 ponies will feel like plenty and I'd just be spoiling myself if I jumped right to ~400hp. I love a good exhaust note, and I'll definitely be ordering a Roc-euro intake to have when the car arrives (so i guess technically that'll be my first mod). The growl of the awe + high pitch of the intake makes me giddy :) man, I do love the whine of that SC.

Any and all input welcome. Would you guys go with the Stasis tune or the awe exhaust?

Thanks!

[svirk2]

Tune

[Audi Advocate]

Hi guys, first post here.

I'll be grabbing a b8.5 in a little less than a month. Need input on whether to pick up the Stasis tune (for warranty) or the AWE resonated first. I'll probably limit myself to one mod per year for financial reasons.

I'm upgrading from a 2011 A4 so I'm thinking that the 333 ponies will feel like plenty and I'd just be spoiling myself if I jumped right to ~400hp. I love a good exhaust note, and I'll definitely be ordering a Roc-euro intake to have when the car arrives (so i guess technically that'll be my first mod). The growl of the awe + high pitch of the intake makes me giddy :) man, I do love the whine of that SC.

Any and all input welcome. Would you guys go with the Stasis tune or the awe exhaust?

Thanks!

Exhaust - live with it first - cannot go wrong with exhaust - tune it and if yu have the dough let the upgrades begin to match the performance.

[Stubek]

Before you tune, read the TD1 threads.

[FatalBert]

Hi guys, first post here.

I'll be grabbing a b8.5 in a little less than a month. Need input on whether to pick up the Stasis tune (for warranty) or the AWE resonated first. I'll probably limit myself to one mod per year for financial reasons.

I'm upgrading from a 2011 A4 so I'm thinking that the 333 ponies will feel like plenty and I'd just be spoiling myself if I jumped right to ~400hp. I love a good exhaust note, and I'll definitely be ordering a Roc-euro intake to have when the car arrives (so i guess technically that'll be my first mod). The growl of the awe + high pitch of the intake makes me giddy :) man, I do love the whine of that SC.

Any and all input welcome. Would you guys go with the Stasis tune or the awe exhaust?

Thanks!

AWE. I still feel skeptical about longevity when pushing 400+ horses out of the engine with just a tune. Some people reported engine knock after getting the supposed Revo (Stasis) tune, but maybe that was with their 93 tune vs the 91 tune you get with Stasis.

Anyhow, don't get me wrong, plenty of people have it, and I know what you're thinking," Stasis gives you a warranty", right?
Well that warranty is only for the term of your vehicle warranty. If you plan on keeping the car for a bit more than 4 years then you may want to reconsider if you are in it for the long haul. Not just to preserve warranty (as they can still TD1 you for exhaust if they want to be a$$h0les), but for your own engines sake.

I am not promoting another tune (like APR or something ) as being more reliable or telling you to ditch the tune altogether, but the exhaust would be the safer bet at this point IMHO.

[bkkchris]

Exhaust. The car is quick already but doesn't sound all that exciting stock. Add an intake at the same time for that supercharge whine!

[brooklyn86]

I say exhaust because you will already feel the difference in S4 engine performance compared to your prior A4. So if you were to wait a year or two before getting the tune, you would appreciate it so much more than if you jumped to it now.

Plus, consider some handling mods (eurocode alu kreuz and front/rear swaybars and endlinks) so you can better use what existing power you have, before adding more.

Congrats on your new S4, btw!

[SwissBliss]

I went exhaust, sounds soo great! but plan on tuning later!

[Wusty]

That's a tough decision, I personally did a tune before I did exhaust. I couldn't get out of my mind that thought of adding all that horsepower.

[Screwly]

I got the exhaust first then the tune. Wanted the sound first

[adbender]

Exhaust first was a great treat. Its what I enjoy most on my daily drive...tunnels, next to buses, anywhere you can find. Its a real joy.

Dont forget, this car is already respectably fast. Make sure the car is running properly before jumping on a TD1.

However, once you do tune...you're done. Stage I, II, ?

[AKPS4]

I went tune. Made such a huge difference. I feel that after a while you'll get used to the exhaust and will want more. with the tune you will not get bored of it. i vote the tune...

[shonseb]

If you're concerned with Warranty, I say go with the exhaust and intake first. If you dealer is mod friendly they wont say anything about them when it comes to warranty. If not, they are bolt on parts that can be swapped out relatively quickly in case warranty work needs to be done. With a tune, you can't go back. And once detected in a scan, you will be labeled TD1 in which case they can refuse warranty work because you modified the car from outside it's intended operating specs.

[ThemisN]

As others have said, Exhaust first, then tune. Thats what Im doing. Just got my car, already started modding, but wont do a tune yet. That can wait, even though there are times I almost demand more from the car. I can live with it for now.

[Wusty]

As others have said, Exhaust first, then tune. Thats what Im doing. Just got my car, already started modding, but wont do a tune yet. That can wait, even though there are times I almost demand more from the car. I can live with it for now.

You're saying that now........you'll get bored and want to do something to your car and Tune it before you know it. I said I wasn't going to do ANYTHING to my car, it lasted about 3 months and that was all she wrote.

[S4 00 2.7]

Exhaust

[BLACKS4-10]

Exhaust

Your already bumping up in big power coming from an A4.

Will sound better with little power increase and won"t run the risk of TD1(powertrain warranty) especially when ur car is so new.

[Madbusy168]

Tune, the exhaust is the same cost wise if not more than the Stasis tune, why pay $2000 for an exhaust that adds 15 hp when a tune for the same price adds 80?? All these guys are saying that you have a good jump in hp coming from an A4 and don't need the tune, well the same can be said for the exhaust note. Just tune it and get a roc euro intake, best of both world, growl and power, all for the price of your exhaust. $1595 for tune and $350 for intake, $2000+ for an exhaust..

[wwhan]

Go for the ECU tune, the catback exhaust does not add any power.

[Creatre]

Exhaust. I went A4 to S4 and the power puts a smile on my face everyday. Tune can wait a year or two!

[Schadenfreude]

OP, how long are you planning to keep your car? I am planning on keeping mine for at least 5 or 6 years. For me, I figured I would wait on the tune. I only put about 5k miles a year on my cars (short work commute) and by the 2 to 3 year mark when I've gotten very used to my car's performance then adding a tune will be like getting a new lease on life.

[Patrick Bateman]

Exhaust... Mine had it since day one . Im also glad I didn't tune immediately as I gave the car a chance to prove itself mechanically first...in which case in my situation, I would have likely been out of luck with Audi in the warranty department with some of my cars repairs in the first 6 months or so of ownership.
congrats on the car.

PB.

[The_Transporter]

Exhaust. Break her in first.

Or.... break her in, then add exhaust and tune all at once!

[cspcrx]

exhaust, don't ditch your warranty so soon.

[drew4392]

Tune. Go Stasis-- peace of mind. Other must-have mods (IMO) are above mentioned suspension parts and exhaust.

You'll love the extra ~60 HP after the tune.

[AndrewSuliteanu]

thanks for all the input, some good points mentioned. How are peoples experiences with exhausts and maintaining warranty? Has anyone's warranty been voided because the dealership objected?

[Audi Advocate]

exhaust, don't ditch your warranty so soon.

Good point here.

[bengtc]

Did exhaust first since I was coming from an A4 so the stock power was plenty at the time! Went with a tune about a year later.

[kareemcheese]

I went APR tune literally just yesterday for my first mod.... I also have a 2010 with 55k miles lol so not exactly in your situation (although I have Audi Assured/CPO). I talked to the service manager at my dealership before getting it done though to make sure I could still get warranty work done and he's cool with it. I reached the point where I still loved my car but wanted a little something more.

Get a tune when your heart rate doesn't exceed 120bpm with your foot touching the floor in 1st gear. Go exhaust for now.