Apr friendly dealer...who knew

[robertstitt]

So, I'm at the Audi dealer getting my 75k service. Had a salesman showing me the new S4 (OMG) and we started talking. Told him I had a Malone tune on my JSW TDi (sold it back to VW, bought my S4) and but didn't plan on tuning the S4. I bought it used so I have no idea if it was tuned and wondered if these guys would tell me if I was TD1(?). *They didn't say anything, so guess I'm not tuned. Anyway, conversation got around to APR. Seems that you can buy an APR tune from the dealer. These guys said that since APR has been tuning Audis for years that now they are working with Audi. Asked about warranty and they said that as long as the failure is not the result of the tune that Audi would honor it. Hmmmm. Wonder who's favor that's gonna go. I think they said the cheapest tune was around 1k, sounds a bit of a premium to me.

[PopTart]

I heard that APR has an agreement with some VW dealerships. I call bullsh*t on the salesman. Audi is not gonna honor anything once they determine car is tuned.

[mgert31907]

👏 wish there were more dealers like this..Where is this dealer located?

[will13k7]

...friendly until a major engine or trans issue needs warranty work submitted to AOA.

[mgert31907]

...friendly until a major engine or trans issue needs warranty work submitted to AOA.

Yeah I know right 😂

[robertstitt]

Hilton Head Audi SC. The sales manager actually came out and talked to me. Think it's legit about them selling APR tunes but it also seems that they have a bunch of wiggle room regarding warranty claims if you have the tune.

[Brother Owl]

Asked about warranty and they said that as long as the failure is not the result of the tune that Audi would honor it.

FYI: this statement, while it sounds as good as "sushi buffet", will guarantee that dealer will not cover any engine and transmission warranty work. YMMV

[pdqgp]

I would be willing to bet the dealer is sadly mistaken. I bought my APR Stage 1 when I picked up my Audi in Chicago and the dealer informed me up front that Audi wouldn't cover it. I would have to concur that your dealer would have little choice unless they themselves were going to eat the claim. Just make sure you get it in writing so they will eat it if so as when Audi sees the scan and tune you will be set as TD1 in their system regardless of what the dealer wants.

[pabohoney1]

There was a VW dealership here in PHX (Scottsdale specifically IIRC) that was doing the same thing a few years ago. A guy I work with got his APR tune from them, still had a warranty and got a few things replaced. Apparently VW came down on the dealership and put a stop to it about a year or so later. I would imagine Audi will do the same thing with this dealership.

[LINDW4LL]

Hilton Head Audi SC. The sales manager actually came out and talked to me. Think it's legit about them selling APR tunes but it also seems that they have a bunch of wiggle room regarding warranty claims if you have the tune.

There are several Audi dealers who are also APR dealers. Still, my understanding is that the dealership has no influence on the outcome of a major warranty claim once a tune has been detected by Audi corporate.

[JettaGetUpandGo]

There are a few VW dealers now that are offering APR tunes with a warranty (APR Plus program), but there are a number of drawbacks:
-The tune must be sold with the car new. You can not bring in a used car (or even a few week old car) to have the tune done.
-The performance gains are about half of what a typical stage I tune is and 2-3 times the cost.
-For the warranty, your new vehicle warranty for the powertrain is voided and replaced by a third party warranty (likely the biggest cost of the APR Plus program)

As mentioned above, and VW or Audi dealer that is selling APR tunes (note: not the APR Plus program) will not step up to bat for you when something fails and you need warranty work on the motor. VW/Audi of America will deny the claim meaning the dealer either fixes it out of their own pocket or tells you to pound sand.

[bhvrdr]

I, personally, would NOT have my car tuned at a dealership. When you do this you take away the ability for the dealership to tell a regional rep from Audi that they dont believe the car was ever tuned. A dealership can do this if you never had your car tuned there and you return it to stock. If they are the ones who tuned it though, they would by lying to AofA if asked if the car was tuned. Thats not a spot i'd want to put them in.

Mike