Best tune for the B8.5??

**Johndock23** · 08-11-2015 05:18 AM

Hey guys, I've finally broken in my 2015 s4 enough where it's ready for a tune. I've had 2 Audi's in the past, and always went with APR software upgrades. However, I've heard from a couple of sources that their quality and reliability has decreased? At Waterfest this year, they had a much smaller set up and just raised some red flags. So I was wondering if there's any input or comparison between the different softwares i.e. revo, giac, unitronic, and apr. My most important thing is reliability because i plan to have this car for awhile and i just hit 10,000 miles so i have many more to go. Any suggestions?

**bhvrdr** · 08-11-2015 06:03 AM

APR, GIAC, and Revo are all still well respected tuners that provide support for this platform. Pick your poison. If you want just a single program you can get that with any of them. If you want multiple files (93 and race) that would be GIAC. All of them have stage 2 and tcu tunes as well.

Mike

**q5 dave** · 08-11-2015 06:16 AM

Giac is a great tune. I enjoy it. Plus you get several modes and a handheld switcher

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**Tuned4Rings** · 08-11-2015 06:24 AM

Seems people always leave out EPL, SMS, and Unitronic. I am stage 2 EPL and best part is I can go from stock to stage 1 or stage 2 file all from my house no tuner needed and anytime I need anything just a phone call or email and everything is taken care of. Unitronic and SMS are both working on tune from home as well and all of these companies have been around for a long time just not as big as the others mentioned in this post so far.

**doug97gxe** · 08-11-2015 06:27 AM

there are a couple tuners to choose from GIAC/APR/EPL/Ultronic/REVO

all offer close to 100 hp increase with their Stage 2 (Pulley/Tune) for about $2000

If you bring your car in for service with a tune once the car is plugged in for diagnostic it will be automatically flagged with a code of TD1 which will void your powertrain warranty...

so far and a couple people have proven to avoid this .. you must bring the car back to the Tuner to flash back to stock "NOT STOCK MODE TUNE" .. but a stock flash and it will prevent the TD1.

Flashing back to stock and restoring the tune will cost anywhere from $40 - $200 depending on your tuner.. so your tune choice should really be based on the closest tuner for you as all the tunes are pretty much close to each other it will be a drivers race

there is also no risk with running stock tune with an upgraded pulley as the ECU is smart enough to only apply stock boost.

So far only 2 of those mentioned tuners above will be offering flash from home capabilities later this year (EPL and Ultronic) .. this allows you to flash back to stock from the comfort of your own home without having to pay and visit your tuner to flash for service appointments ..

another option is having ur service done at a local shop.. however going in for recalls to teh dealer will still cause the connection to Audi of America

....................

**doug97gxe** · 08-11-2015 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by Johndock23

Hey guys, I've finally broken in my 2015 s4 enough where it's ready for a tune. I've had 2 Audi's in the past, and always went with APR software upgrades. However, I've heard from a couple of sources that their quality and reliability has decreased? At Waterfest this year, they had a much smaller set up and just raised some red flags. So I was wondering if there's any input or comparison between the different softwares i.e. revo, giac, unitronic, and apr. My most important thing is reliability because i plan to have this car for awhile and i just hit 10,000 miles so i have many more to go. Any suggestions?

oh btw .. EPL is local to you.. they are in Stratford

**Uberformance** · 08-11-2015 06:37 AM

GIAC Stage II and DSG Tune here - tuned the car at about 5000km. 28k km on the car now, no issues whatsoever and ive been extremely pleased with the drivability.

**pdqgp** · 08-11-2015 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by bhvrdr

APR, GIAC, and Revo are all still well respected tuners that provide support for this platform. Pick your poison. If you want just a single program you can get that with any of them. If you want multiple files (93 and race) that would be GIAC. All of them have stage 2 and tcu tunes as well.

^^ This. APR has a program switcher too though.

I went APR as I've had more experience with them in the past and those that I know using them have been more than pleased. Their support has been very good as well. I don't anticipate any issues with any of the companies though.

**IIIAWOLIII** · 08-11-2015 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Tuned4Rings

... I can go from stock to stage 1 or stage 2 file all from my house no tuner needed...

Do you mean you can flash a stock program to the tuned ECU, or actually restore the ECU to the original stock image? TD1 interest.

**Tuned4Rings** · 08-11-2015 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by IIIAWOLIII

Do you mean you can flash a stock program to the tuned ECU, or actually restore the ECU to the original stock image? TD1 interest.

After ordering the kit from EPL I also purchased the cable from them so I never had to go to a tuner to have my flash done and I can flash back to the stock OEM file as well from my home.

**Johndock23** · 08-11-2015 07:16 AM

I've never even heard of EPL, they are 30 minutes from me too! Looks like there website is down right now but that's very interesting. But i'm also wondering if Tuned4rings was able to turn is to stock or stock mode (TD1 interest)?

**Johndock23** · 08-11-2015 07:17 AM

So when you flash is back to stock OEM file, will that throw a TD1 code?

**Tuned4Rings** · 08-11-2015 07:26 AM

You can read many stories about TD1 around this forum and on Google itself with every outcome talked about. If you write EPL an email he will be happy to explain the TD1 possibilities or just do a search on this forum as he spoke in detail about it. I do a lot of my own service so have not had to flash back to stock yet there are a few people on here that have EPL tune with no TD1 after flashing back to stock and going into the dealer for service or warranty work. Tony is a great person to deal with and I am very happy with my EPL tune. Look up EPL on facebook and you will see a lot more.

**bhvrdr** · 08-11-2015 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by pdqgp

^^ This. APR has a program switcher too though.

I went APR as I've had more experience with them in the past and those that I know using them have been more than pleased. Their support has been very good as well. I don't anticipate any issues with any of the companies though.

APR does not have program switching for the B8.5 yet, only the B8. Hopefully soon (less than 2 weeks?).

Originally Posted by IIIAWOLIII

Do you mean you can flash a stock program to the tuned ECU, or actually restore the ECU to the original stock image? TD1 interest.

With the flash at home options as of now they do not offer the option to reset the flash counter. This means you ECU will show it has been flashed XX number of times (as many times as you flash it) and the date of the last flash. I, personally, would not want to take a chance with that if I was concerned about TD1 and when there are plenty of other options that reset the flash counter, flash date, and WSC code to the "pre-tune" values. Thats a judgment call though. If I was out of warranty it would be a non issue and IMO a great feature.

Mike

**HeymyAudi** · 08-11-2015 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Tuned4Rings

After ordering the kit from EPL I also purchased the cable from them so I never had to go to a tuner to have my flash done and I can flash back to the stock OEM file as well from my home.

When I come back home (to Boynton) I will have to take a drive with you to feel that EPL Tune... Sounds interesting..

**IIIAWOLIII** · 08-11-2015 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by bhvrdr

With the flash at home options as of now they do not offer the option to reset the flash counter.

Thanks, Mike. I'll be waiting. Wish Unitronic would deliver their Uconnect for this platform. My buddy has it for his Golf R and it's sweet.

**bhvrdr** · 08-11-2015 08:01 AM

Right on.

But yeah, to the OP, before this turns into a TD1 debate, any of the options mentioned seem to be reliable. There really are hardly any horror stories at all on the B8 S4 forum of tuners blowing engines. Call the local shops and go visit them as well. If one is really sketchy it may sway you as to where you want to do business. On the other hand, if you are really invested in a certain feature (like flash at home or program switching) it may be worth it for you to drive a little further to find a good dealer/distributor.

Mike

**boseephuss** · 08-11-2015 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Tuned4Rings

Seems people always leave out EPL, SMS, and Unitronic. I am stage 2 EPL and best part is I can go from stock to stage 1 or stage 2 file all from my house no tuner needed and anytime I need anything just a phone call or email and everything is taken care of. Unitronic and SMS are both working on tune from home as well and all of these companies have been around for a long time just not as big as the others mentioned in this post so far.

+1 for EPL (Disclaimer, I have a 2011...oh wait, that's right, it's in my sig lol)