‘15 S3: Stage 1 vs. Stage 2

[nikuhina]

Love my car! It’s currently stage 1 034 ECU + TCU and it’s a blast to drive.

Those of you who have gone stage 2 - is it worth it?

Parts and labor for the intake and downpipe are about $2k, for what, ~20hp more and more sound?

I think the $2k could be scattered around on a wider variety of mods but also don’t know how much of a “boost” stage 2 is over stage 1.

[dracer219]

I went IE and was stage 1 high torque for a bit with no extra mods and it was quick. After I installed the intake I noticed a gain but small. After I installed the downpipe and flashed stage 2 it was a night and day difference!!! So far the best I’ve run is a 12.05 1/4 mile and 3.6 0-60 with full weight. The car runs pretty great on stage 2 and is perfect power for just stage 2. Highly recommend it from an IE standpoint.


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[Ad615]

Stage 2 is absolutely worth it, but 2k is ridiculous for two mods. No way you can get the parts cheaper than what you’re paying?

[TheDude420]

I have APR Stage 2 high torque 93 octane tune on my 2016 S3 and it's a blast. I bought the car tuned already so I can't compare to Stage 1 or stock. APR's site says this tune produces 387hp. I have several mods (see my signature) so I believe I'm around 400hp. I don't know what my actual WHP or BHP are because I haven't dyno'd yet but I may soon. I'm thinking about getting a Dragy to check my 0-60 and 1/4 mile times but I'm hesitant because I may just use it once or twice. With the reduction in weight I've done (wheels mostly and a few carbon fiber parts, I still have a full interior) and my tune I think I'm in the 3.5-3.8 0-60mph range. The other day I had a rolling race with a Stage 1 S3 on the road from around 25mph and I beat him but he wasn't that far behind. We had to stop after a few seconds because of a traffic light. Launching is very fun and I've beaten every car that has challenged me so far.

[nikuhina]

Stage 2 is absolutely worth it, but 2k is ridiculous for two mods. No way you can get the parts cheaper than what you’re paying?

$900 DP and $600 carbon fiber intake both from 034. Add $500 for labor and that’s $2k :(

[dracer219]

You should be able to install the intake yourself and save coin there easily and install an upgraded turbo inlet pipe as it’s all right there.


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[Allen254]

Installing the turbo inlet and air intake shouldn’t take you more than an hour, air intake a couple of screws and loosening the clamps lots of videos on this. The DP I’d have someone do.

[Sv2k]

Is intake really needed for stage 2 on S3? 034 intake is also pretty much a face lift for the stock airbox.


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[Ad615]

Get a cheaper dp and ditch the intake idea if you’re not mod hungry. I know not everyone likes lower grade downpipes but 900 is insane. For another 500 bucks you can get a used hybrid turbo. Even is38s from fcpeuro are the same price as that to put it into perspective, but that’s just my .02.

[aaronc7]

Intercooler before DP if you don't have one already. After that yeah it's definitely diminishing returns. E30 tune is best value at this point.

[BecksA3]

There’s also a thread on here to just modify the OE air box and a couple of others parts and get air flow very near that of an aftermarket intake.
Essentially, it is opening the driver’s side of the air duct, high flow filter, 3” turbo inlet pipe, and a 3” silicone hose to attach to the air box. Have way less than $200 into mine, but I haven’t replaced the filter yet.
Same performance, half price.


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[CavEsk1337]

There’s also a thread on here to just modify the OE air box and a couple of others parts and get air flow very near that of an aftermarket intake.
Essentially, it is opening the driver’s side of the air duct, high flow filter, 3” turbo inlet pipe, and a 3” silicone hose to attach to the air box. Have way less than $200 into mine, but I haven’t replaced the filter yet.
Same performance, half price.


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This. 30 minutes and a dremel and you're in good shape! Search Snowgrate Airbox mod S3/GolfR

[S3DUDE]

I never had 034 tune but I went on my S3 from 12.5@110 on Apr stage 1(no air filter) to 12.2@114 on APR stage 2 (no air filter). to me it was very worth it, the midrange was great, quick spool up, more top end.

[hev702]

Currently stage 1, itching for stage 2.

[TheDude420]

Does anyone here have APR Stage 2 high torque 93 octane tune on their S3? That's what I have but I'd like to know other people's 0-60 and 1/4 mile times on Dragy or at the drag strip.

[nikuhina]

I never had 034 tune but I went on my S3 from 12.5@110 on Apr stage 1(no air filter) to 12.2@114 on APR stage 2 (no air filter). to me it was very worth it, the midrange was great, quick spool up, more top end.

any 0-60mph times?

[Jadar]

Love my car! It’s currently stage 1 034 ECU + TCU and it’s a blast to drive.

Those of you who have gone stage 2 - is it worth it?

Parts and labor for the intake and downpipe are about $2k, for what, ~20hp more and more sound?

I think the $2k could be scattered around on a wider variety of mods but also don’t know how much of a “boost” stage 2 is over stage 1.

Skip the intake it’s BS just for sound. Do a drop
In filter and air box mod same thing unless you’re a glutton for punishment and enjoy throwing away $400 for a 3hp gain.
Downpipes can be picked up used all you gotta do is look around. I found mine on FB s3 groups it’s an IE for $550 and installed it myself. Even worst case scenario you pay for install $400 you’re still around a grand and 1/2
Of what you’re quoting.

Yes stage 2 is absolutely worth it. I have UM tune on my 18 and stage 1 no DP
File I ran 12.3 but at 109mph consistent and 3.9ish 0-60. Added DP and I run consonant 11.9’s and 0-60 3.6-3.7.

Who you choose for your tune will play a huge role.


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[Jadar]

Skip the intake it’s BS just for sound. Do a drop
In filter and air box mod same thing unless you’re a glutton for punishment and enjoy throwing away $400 for a 3hp gain.
Downpipes can be picked up used all you gotta do is look around. I found mine on FB s3 groups it’s an IE for $550 and installed it myself. Even worst case scenario you pay for install $400 you’re still around a grand and 1/2
Of what you’re quoting.

Yes stage 2 is absolutely worth it. I have UM tune on my 18 and stage 1 no DP
File I ran 12.3 but at 109mph consistent and 3.9ish 0-60. Added DP and I run consonant 11.9’s but at much higher 113mph and 0-60 3.6-3.7.

Who you choose for your tune will play a huge role.


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[Jadar]

I went IE and was stage 1 high torque for a bit with no extra mods and it was quick. After I installed the intake I noticed a gain but small. After I installed the downpipe and flashed stage 2 it was a night and day difference!!! So far the best I’ve run is a 12.05 1/4 mile and 3.6 0-60 with full weight. The car runs pretty great on stage 2 and is perfect power for just stage 2. Highly recommend it from an IE standpoint.


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That’s pretty much what I run basically very identical numbers and I’m UM tuned.


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[Emericasktr1]

I'd personally ditch the $600 intake idea unless you really want that and go with Roc Euros intake for $325. Sounds amazing and has some stats to back it!

https://tmwperformance.com/collectio...-a3-s3-tt-tt-s

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[S3DUDE]

any 0-60mph times?

No..sorry, just the timeslips.

[aaronc7]

Most downpipe gains are above 5500rpm. Intercooler is a good mod always, but most noticeable doing long pulls or extended WOT driving. Ethanol/E30 tune offers big gains. Stage 1 E30 makes more than Stage 2 pump gas/FBO

[BecksA3]

Most downpipe gains are above 5500rpm. Intercooler is a good mod always, but most noticeable doing long pulls or extended WOT driving. Ethanol/E30 tune offers big gains. Stage 1 E30 makes more than Stage 2 pump gas/FBO

Is there any hardware upgrades needed to run E30 every now and then just for kicks?


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