Anyone regret going Stage 2 over Stage 1?

[smirk]

Just curious how people who have stage 2 as daily drivers feel about it after having lived with it for some time.

I want to tune my car, but I also use the car occasionally to shuttle around clients etc. Would stage II be too obnoxious? I love the way my car sounds stock with just the resonator delete, and I don't want to offend anyone here, but all the youtube videos I hear of our cars with downpipe/stageII don't sound that great to me...

I'm thinking stage1 will get me fast enough, but still keep the car sounding somewhat stock. Thoughts? Does anyone who went stage 1 regret just not going stage II right away?

[R1ce]

No regrets. Stock cat back still (including resonator), but APR stage 2. Spaced out the purchases of stage 1 and 2 since the tune was free with the down pipe purchase. Not at all too loud unless I'm really on it. Daily driving is significantly better, smoother power and earlier torque.

[LjCalvinLindsey]

I also have to drive potential clients around occasionally so I hope my opinion will hold some value.

I can no longer drive clients in my Audi with stage 2 simply because my down pipe + my exhaust makes the car sound way to aggressive to drive clients around in a professional manner. With that being said however; if I had a stock exhaust and just the downpipe with stage 2 I'm pretty confident it wouldn't be to much noise for professional use unless you really stepped on it. Now, if you really want stage 2 and have a custom exhaust but need it to not be so noticeable, If you shift before 2k-2.2k (depending on what gear your in) typically the engine won't make much noise and you could probably get away with it. Would just be inconvenient having to drive in manual mode to achieve that though.

All in all, I don't regret going stage 2, just waiting for this snow to melt to really have fun. Hope this helps!

EDIT: Downpipe is CTS turbo 3.5" w/ cat --> Exhaust is a billyboat cat back quad exhaust

[smirk]

I also have to drive potential clients around occasionally so I hope my opinion will hold some value.

I can no longer drive clients in my Audi with stage 2 simply because my down pipe + my exhaust makes the car sound way to aggressive to drive clients around in a professional manner. With that being said however; if I had a stock exhaust and just the downpipe with stage 2 I'm pretty confident it wouldn't be to much noise for professional use unless you really stepped on it. Now, if you really want stage 2 and have a custom exhaust but need it to not be so noticeable, If you shift before 2k-2.2k (depending on what gear your in) typically the engine won't make much noise and you could probably get away with it. Would just be inconvenient having to drive in manual mode to achieve that though.

All in all, I don't regret going stage 2, just waiting for this snow to melt to really have fun. Hope this helps!

EDIT: Downpipe is CTS turbo 3.5" w/ cat --> Exhaust is a billyboat cat back quad exhaust

Awesome, I appreciate the feedback!

[coolwater]

Awe non resonated downpipe and stock catback. With valves closed it can be really quiet. It's also pretty loud in Sport mode. I had to plug the holes in the trunk with sound insulation to help with the WOT pulls. But again if I'm taking a call in the car. Switch to D mode and all is good.


-cW

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[billk1967]

No regrets for me. I went stage 1 first then to stage 2 with stock res and mufflers and felt it was a good stepping stone. Not too loud either (fyi see my post on the pops and bangs option). Main reason I went to stage 2 was the fact that the top end dies off too dramatic in stage 1. Stage 2 evens it out a lot better. I kind of put it best by saying I now have basically a stock RS3. My next step would be a RS3 with a stage 1 tune if I wanted more. BTW, I would recommend doing the TCU tune with it as I feel it does really give you a lot better pedal feedback and shift points, although some may argue differently.

I best thing I found was that the dealership, regardless of the mods, still provides me warranty service! Just had the water pump and thermostat replaced with absolutely no issues. May not be the case everywhere but for me they have not even questioned it once.

[Spinnetti]

I can't imagine going backwards on tune. Have tuned 5 VAG cars to at least stage II (and two with bigger turbos) so far.

[normcaldwell]

Just curious how people who have stage 2 as daily drivers feel about it after having lived with it for some time.

I want to tune my car, but I also use the car occasionally to shuttle around clients etc. Would stage II be too obnoxious? I love the way my car sounds stock with just the resonator delete, and I don't want to offend anyone here, but all the youtube videos I hear of our cars with downpipe/stageII don't sound that great to me...

I'm thinking stage1 will get me fast enough, but still keep the car sounding somewhat stock. Thoughts? Does anyone who went stage 1 regret just not going stage II right away?

Since you have done the resonator delete, and you're o.k. with the sound, I think it would be wise to try a Stage 1 tune first.
If you replace the stock downpipe with an aftermarket one for Stage 2, even if that downpipe is catted and resonated, the sound volume will go up noticeably.

I have the stock catback (no resonator delete) combined with the AWE catted and resonated downpipe.
With mild acceleration, the sound is a bit louder than stock.
With aggressive acceleration, the sound is noticeably louder than stock. For my tender ears, I wouldn't want it any louder.

Having said all that, I love how the car performs with the AWE catted/resonated downpipe and stock catback.
And, no CEL, even with the O2 monitors still in ready mode.
So, it should (hopefully) pass OBDII readiness and tailpipe sniff tests down the road.

[Turbonegro]

If you want to go stage 2 & still retain a somewhat factory sound, you will want to reinstall your resonator & keep the factory cat back.
I was in the same situation ( not because of clients, just didn’t want to sound like poop)..

I also had just the resonator delete for years & loved the sound..

I ended up getting APRs downpipe & upon install put my factory resonator back in its place..

The sound is perfect for me, no rasp or horrible ricer sounds when driving hard. Driving in D mode is quiet as stock. This is with valves coded “open” all the time..

Stage 2 is possible without sounding terrible!!
Hope this helps, good luck

[coolwater]

If you want to go stage 2 & still retain a somewhat factory sound, you will want to reinstall your resonator & keep the factory cat back.
I was in the same situation ( not because of clients, just didn’t want to sound like poop)..

I also had just the resonator delete for years & loved the sound..

I ended up getting APRs downpipe & upon install put my factory resonator back in its place..

The sound is perfect for me, no rasp or horrible ricer sounds when driving hard. Driving in D mode is quiet as stock. This is with valves coded “open” all the time..

Stage 2 is possible without sounding terrible!!
Hope this helps, good luck

Curious, what changes in D mode to the exhaust if you code the valves to be Open all the time? I thought the valves were what quieted it down. I am considering doing the Open always coding, but concerned it will be too loud with no way to quiet it down even in D mode.

-cW


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[billk1967]

Curious, what changes in D mode to the exhaust if you code the valves to be Open all the time? I thought the valves were what quieted it down. I am considering doing the Open always coding, but concerned it will be too loud with no way to quiet it down even in D mode.

-cW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Definitely louder and exactly the same to what you hear over 3k in S mode now. Its 100% fine for loudness in stock mode for doing this. I am stage 2 now with the mods listed in my siganture and its almost too loud (btw I do have the code disabled for the valves so open all the time). It was not bad to begin with but over time with the "pops and bang" option added (I do run mine in S mode a couple of times a day when I want to have a bit of fun) I find the car is now getting to the point where it may be getting too loud for me and my customers when I accelerate a bit too harsh (but then again Im only young at heart not in age:).

[Turbonegro]

Curious, what changes in D mode to the exhaust if you code the valves to be Open all the time? I thought the valves were what quieted it down. I am considering doing the Open always coding, but concerned it will be too loud with no way to quiet it down even in D mode.

-cW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As far as I know the valves remain open even when switching to D mode with the coding..
but with the shifts around 2k it barely makes any noise. IÂ’m talking about granny style driving with barley getting on the throttle though haha.
As soon as I need to floor it in D mode it definitely sounds louder but nothing obnoxious

[Spinnetti]

With Downpipe and resonator delete and the valves open, the car is obnoxiously loud at idle. I returned the vave control to stock, so it only opens up in the stock manner. Even with that, its louder in the parking lot at idle than driving around. Even getting on it in sport mode isn't bad, and no drone or anything on the highway.

[smirk]

Just a quick update, I ended up flashing stage 1/DSG Tune at 034 motorsports today. Love it so far! I may end up going stage 2 in the future, but for my purposes this is definitely more than enough car... for now.

[rbish56]

did you flash the ECU too?

[smirk]

did you flash the ECU too?

Sure did

[S3DUDE]

I had stage 2 APR on my S3 and I ran 3 tenths quicker and managed 2.5 mph faster trap speeds my 1/4 mile. the spool up was enhanced and the midrange torque is an avalanche. stage 2 APR on a S3 adds 21hp/37lb-tq ON 91OCT and it is very noticeable. No regrets at all, it is a must.

[rbish56]

+1 for stage 2!