Higher Mileage Tune

[slowpokeB8]

Wondering if anyone has an APR or Integrated Engineering stage 1 tune on a higher mileage car...say 75K+. I just picked up a 2014 allroad that has 62K miles on it and would like to consider one of these tunes. My question/concern is the longevity/reliability impacts that the tune may have. Has anyone run either of these for an extended period of time? Can I expect to maintain reliability for another 60K miles? The vehicle has been maintained properly with all factory maintenance conducted on time at an Audi dealer and is completely stock as of now. Uses no oil, runs like a top.

Also, does anyone have insight or recommendations on what tune to go with? Through a bit of primary research it seems as though the APR tune brings it's power and is more active/useful in higher rev ranges than the IE tune. I'd like to see a usable power/torque increase that can be used more broadly without always having to wring the engine out. Looks like the IE tune can also be completed at home whereas I'd need to take the car in to get flashed for the APR tune (which isn't really a problem, I'm 25 mins away from ECS). Just some thoughts. Any help is appreciated.

[Theiceman]

i think i am not alone in thinking these are generally weak engines in terms of reliability with all kinds of possible engine ending scenarios.
That said i think the only thing a stage one will test in general reliability will be the turbo with the wastegate issues and will likely start popping P0299 codes.

i rebuilt my engine at 130K with new pistons , bearings, water pump , timing gear etc.

I put on a stage 1 tune after the rebuild and i love it, really woke up the car. Yes I pop a P0299 about 4 times a year, but no big deal , i reset it and move on.

[flowhigh]

That guy above has no idea what he's talking about and he hates tunes. Does that all the time. Majority of the regulars of the forum are tuned.

As long as you know for a fact that your engine is in good shape and well maintained, you'll be fine. I went stage 1 later on my b8.5 and loved it

I'm apr stage 2 w/e85 and have zero problems...it's pretty badass. I'm going stage 3 real soon just waiting to install my k04!

Be nice to it, it'll be nice to you.

[Theiceman]

i don't hate tunes at all , in fact i have one , but i would question your data on your %age of tunes. Im not sure where that came from.

Are you questioning my statement that these are generally weak engines ???

or questioning my statement on whether the tune will test the turbo wastegate ?

i'm not sure where the vitriol is coming from.

the question was whether a stage one would adversely affect the engine , and my comment was in the negative other than maybe popping a wastegate code.

if your Vitriol is carryover from a previous thread please don't bring your drama here. leave it there.

[vincent_nguyen2]

I have a ‘14 A4 and originally got APR stage 1 around 20k miles and then stage 2 around 25k miles. I’m almost at 65k miles and don’t think I’ve had anything become adversely affected by the tune.

My assumption is if a tune will adversely affect an engine like how you asked if the tune will hurt a higher mileage car, then it would also sort of speed up the age and use of the engine meaning my 65k equates to maybe a 80k bone stock car. I can’t lie; I beat the hell out of my car at times and it hasn’t let me down yet

I’m not saying nothing will break. I won’t be surprised if my wastegate starts being funky down the line, but there’s stock cars that get turbo failure too. The big things that go wrong with this engine will go wrong with or without a tune.

[JLAllroad]

I’ve been APR stg2 E85 since 43k now approaching 97k, no issues. Your Allroad is flex fuel, the only tune that supports using any percentage of ethanol is APR, and you’ll want to have that ability, even if it only occasionally.

Make sure you have fresh coils and plugs (gapped to .024-.026) prior to getting tuned.

As [mention]Theiceman [/mention] has mentioned, the turbo wastegate will make itself known with the tune, my P0299 showed up almost immediately. Outside of buying a new turbo there are various ways of addressing the wastegate. I chose the free 15 minute method, tweak the wastegate actuator bracket 3-5mm towards the front of the car to remove the “play”.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[flowhigh]

Also, apr engineers there tunes with safety in mind, so take that into account.

And 75k miles is not old at all.

My b5 a4 went 220k miles before getting rear-ended. That thing was a champ.

[shreddykrueger]

I was 132k miles on my avant running A k04 with United Motorsports tune on my avant before doing the s4 swap and had no issues with my car, and I drive the fuck out of it in the mtns. Just stay on top of preventative maintenance :)

[19birel]

I have IE Stage 2 and I'm at 99k miles

AllroadCorbin's former B8.5 Allroad was still running strong last I heard and it's approaching 200k with a K04 on it.

Maintenance is paramount!

[Theiceman]

yeah i think the common thread message here is you have lots of other things to worry about long before a tune.

check your phase adaption on your timing chain , that's always a great place to start and would say needs to be tiptop before throwing on a tune,

[silver_tt]

yeah i think the common thread message here is you have lots of other things to worry about long before a tune.

check your phase adaption on your timing chain , that's always a great place to start and would say needs to be tiptop before throwing on a tune,

+1

[Dw0783]

I have 220k on my 2010, it was bone stock until 200k when I went straight to stage 2. I have zero issues other than a bad misfire that was solved by a carbon cleaning.

[Nano909]

I'm at 120k miles and have a couple aggressive K04 tunes.

[Grouch]

I'm around 73k miles with my APR K04 with APR tune. I had APR stage 1 around 40k, stage 2 around 50k, and the K04 around 60? Can't remember on top of my head.

Took it to my trusted mod shop the other day because I thought I was having some weird turbo issues. He said my car is running, in his exact words "runs perfectly." Your miles may vary though. APR seems to be the most recommended OTS tune on here. Unless you want to go the custom route that a few members are running. I'm lazy af so I just stuck with the OTS tune.

[JLAllroad]

I'm around 73k miles with my APR K04 with APR tune. I had APR stage 1 around 40k, stage 2 around 50k, and the K04 around 60? Can't remember on top of my head.

Took it to my trusted mod shop the other day because I thought I was having some weird turbo issues. He said my car is running, in his exact words "runs perfectly." Your miles may vary though. APR seems to be the most recommended OTS tune on here. Unless you want to go the custom route that a few members are running. I'm lazy af so I just stuck with the OTS tune.

Numerous physical issues that can affect the way a tune performs…..although many blame the tune.

Plugs, coils, Diverter valves, PCV, wastegate settings, vacuum leaks, faulty fueling, crappy bolt on intakes and catch cans, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Grouch]

crappy bolt on intakes and catch cans, etc.

I'm still running both of those. I understand that they're basically "useless" but at this point I'm just too lazy to swap them out. Also don't think I'm keeping this car for much longer unfortunately.

[beatsageo]

Maybe another way to think about the question is "if you extract and use the max power from the stock configuration EA888 and KO3 combination will you prematurely damage the car? " I would conclude the answer is no. The stock engine/transmission/drivetrain are up for the task. I would say owner abuse is the leading cause of damage, the B8 is a pretty solid platform at 300-400HP levels (torque being the limiter). Lowering the power levels makes the platform more tolerant to owner abuse (bad driving), and safer during un-ideal road conditions. I have 110k with using Eurodyne and methanol since 50k and would have done it sooner.

[JLAllroad]

Maybe another way to think about the question is "if you extract and use the max power from the stock configuration EA888 and KO3 combination will you prematurely damage the car? " I would conclude the answer is no. The stock engine/transmission/drivetrain are up for the task. I would say owner abuse is the leading cause of damage, the B8 is a pretty solid platform at 300-400HP levels (torque being the limiter). Lowering the power levels makes the platform more tolerant to owner abuse (bad driving), and safer during un-ideal road conditions. I have 110k with using Eurodyne and methanol since 50k and would have done it sooner.

I would hole heartedly disagree. The B8 2.0t was was made like the engineers were trying to make it self destruct, in stock form and by no fault of the owners. So many catastrophic failures, injectors, and timing chains & tensioners. The pistons & rings made owners think that burning a quart of oil (or ten) between oil changes was “normal”. That is just to name a few.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[findalex]

EA888 was a new design, if I'm not mistaken. So was direct injection as a new mass market technology. They tried to cram too much new technology too soon.

Seems to me the Germans love complicated but feature-rich engineering, while the Japanese like to wait-and-see then put in a simple/reliable version of the technology.

With Diesel gate, VW/Audi is more cost conscious than ever. MK8 GTI has shown a lot of cost cutting.

[BradyBoi55]

Wondering if anyone has an APR or Integrated Engineering stage 1 tune on a higher mileage car...say 75K+. I just picked up a 2014 allroad that has 62K miles on it and would like to consider one of these tunes. My question/concern is the longevity/reliability impacts that the tune may have. Has anyone run either of these for an extended period of time? Can I expect to maintain reliability for another 60K miles? The vehicle has been maintained properly with all factory maintenance conducted on time at an Audi dealer and is completely stock as of now. Uses no oil, runs like a top.

Also, does anyone have insight or recommendations on what tune to go with? Through a bit of primary research it seems as though the APR tune brings it's power and is more active/useful in higher rev ranges than the IE tune. I'd like to see a usable power/torque increase that can be used more broadly without always having to wring the engine out. Looks like the IE tune can also be completed at home whereas I'd need to take the car in to get flashed for the APR tune (which isn't really a problem, I'm 25 mins away from ECS). Just some thoughts. Any help is appreciated.

I am currently at 120k miles and jumped to IE stage 2 without going stage 1. Full intercooler with charge pipes, hfc, intake etc. I absolutely loved it. Then the car blew up. An intake valve in cylinder 1 got way too hot because the car was running lean in 2 cylinders with no cel warning so i burnt the valve and the rest is history. While rebuilding my engine it needed a lot more work than i thought it would. I ended up timing the motor, replacing the head with all new valves, springs, seals etc... New turbo, water-pump, intercooler, HPFP, the list goes on and on. I've since put 10k miles on the car and its running really well. I am retuning it soon because it is no longer my dd. So i need a fun weekend car. The good thing if you do tune the car and go with IE you can log the car and send it to a professional and they can tell you if the car is running correctly or not and generally what you need to fix if it is running incorrectly. That's what i failed to do the first time around. Also before the motor blew up the maintenance records were pretty solid. The previous owner kept up on it and the motor was actually rebuilt by Audi at 70k. So basically all I'm saying is be careful, do your research and LOG THE CAR

[JLAllroad]

I am currently at 120k miles and jumped to IE stage 2 without going stage 1. Full intercooler with charge pipes, hfc, intake etc. I absolutely loved it. Then the car blew up. An intake valve in cylinder 1 got way too hot because the car was running lean in 2 cylinders with no cel warning so i burnt the valve and the rest is history. While rebuilding my engine it needed a lot more work than i thought it would. I ended up timing the motor, replacing the head with all new valves, springs, seals etc... New turbo, water-pump, intercooler, HPFP, the list goes on and on. I've since put 10k miles on the car and its running really well. I am retuning it soon because it is no longer my dd. So i need a fun weekend car. The good thing if you do tune the car and go with IE you can log the car and send it to a professional and they can tell you if the car is running correctly or not and generally what you need to fix if it is running incorrectly. That's what i failed to do the first time around. Also before the motor blew up the maintenance records were pretty solid. The previous owner kept up on it and the motor was actually rebuilt by Audi at 70k. So basically all I'm saying is be careful, do your research and LOG THE CAR

IE doesn’t do flex fuel tunes.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Zuzuwu]

145k with a k04 here. I installed the updated pistons at 130k to fix oil burning, everything else is original. If it wasn’t for the oil burning it would still be an unopened engine.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[MyDimeIsUp]

I keep considering getting an APR stage 1 on my allroad but then realize I have 18 inch wheels and the stock allroad suspension + a gen 2 EA888 engine. My money is best spent towards my upper control arms which make noise, any other unexpected repairs, or the oil burning which could possibly get worse (currently 1qt per 1,700 miles). When all is said and done, a stage 1 tune from APR is $500.

[BradyBoi55]

IE doesn’t do flex fuel tunes.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

Did he want a tune for flex fuel?

[JLAllroad]

Did he want a tune for flex fuel?

He has a flex fuel car, if getting a tune for performance, he will want to use E85 even if only occasionally.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Nano909]

Did he want a tune for flex fuel?

If you have an auto B8.5 then you've got to be stupid to not get the APR tune as they're the only tuning company that takes advantage of the B8.5's flex fuel capability. Getting IE or any other OTS tune and you essentially neuter your car.

[SNice]

If you have an auto B8.5 then you've got to be stupid to not get the APR tune as they're the only tuning company that takes advantage of the B8.5's flex fuel capability. Getting IE or any other OTS tune and you essentially neuter your car.

I've got GIAC (yes, it's lonely - lol) and I haven't tried yet but according to them I can run any percentage of E85 on my current K04 pump file. It will adapt. They also have a race gas file that is optimized for 100octane. Yes, still OTS, but just giving another option....

[JLAllroad]

I've got GIAC (yes, it's lonely - lol) and I haven't tried yet but according to them I can run any percentage of E85 on my current K04 pump file. It will adapt. They also have a race gas file that is optimized for 100octane. Yes, still OTS, but just giving another option....

I know GIAC has an E85 file, unfortunately their website sucks and does not speak to flexfuel or any minimum requirements.

Would be interested in seeing logs or dragys of their pump and E85 performance.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[SNice]

I know GIAC has an E85 file, unfortunately their website sucks and does not speak to flexfuel or any minimum requirements.

Would be interested in seeing logs or dragys of their pump and E85 performance.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

You are completely correct here. Most of what I have learned has been through email correspondence. The files I have received are all what they are and are no longer being developed. GIAC has moved on to newer platforms (as they should).

The race file from my understanding is not E85 specific. It is optimized for both full E85 and/or 100+ octane.

E85 is tough to find around me but I do plan on going water meth to take advantage of the race file.

Also looking into better logging capabilities so I’m not just stuck on obd elevens low sample rate.

Overall been happy with it though. I FEEL like I could keep up with an APR car! Just need to find a good 1/4mi stretch and some negative DA ! Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Nano909]

I've got GIAC (yes, it's lonely - lol) and I haven't tried yet but according to them I can run any percentage of E85 on my current K04 pump file. It will adapt. They also have a race gas file that is optimized for 100octane. Yes, still OTS, but just giving another option....

Well come on man, post some data! Lol
We use the HPT dongle for logs and you can add all kinds of parameters. Neat little tool.

[TheNader]

I've had APR stage 1 since about 70k miles, and I'm at 139k now. The only issue I had was the stupid wastegate flapper which took a couple of afternoons under the hood to fix. But I think that was going to happen to this car anyway, tune or not.

Honestly, I think that a stage 1 tune should be the first mod for any B8 owner. It's such an incredible difference in how the car drives.

[Snoogie]

My first b8 was apr stg 2 at 180k. I sold the car at 345k. At the time of sale it burned a qt of oil every 6-7k miles. My current b8.5 ar is ie stg 2 at 160k 0 issues as usual. IMG_0208.JPG


Sent from my iPhone using AudizineEQ3A5499.JPG

[19birel]

My first b8 was apr stg 2 at 180k. I sold the car at 345k. At the time of sale it burned a qt of oil every 6-7k miles. My current b8.5 ar is ie stg 2 at 160k 0 issues as usual. IMG_0208.JPG


Sent from my iPhone using AudizineEQ3A5499.JPG

Wow, 345k miles! That's awesome, hopefully I can get that many out of my B8.5!

[MyDimeIsUp]

My first b8 was apr stg 2 at 180k. I sold the car at 345k. At the time of sale it burned a qt of oil every 6-7k miles. My current b8.5 ar is ie stg 2 at 160k 0 issues as usual. IMG_0208.JPG


Sent from my iPhone using AudizineEQ3A5499.JPG

Thats absolutely impressive. What major work did you have to do to the car? I've so far done timing chains since they were stretching and may have to do piston rings sometime in the future due to oil burning (1qt/1,700 miles). I'm at ~145k

[Liquid Smoke]

fwiw, i have an 09 B8 2.0T, got the APR Stage 2 tune about 2 years ago, and i was over 120k miles. been about 30k miles in those 2 years and no issues. just stage 2 w HFC, no other engine mods.

but fyi i don't have much oil consumption, about 1qt every 3k miles or so, i also had a newer healthy turbo, and i already took care of my timing chain/tensioner back around 100k, so i had some of those usual issues out of the way already.

[Snoogie]

I dont have the car any more i sold it to a friend. Engine was rebuilt by audi around 80k by audi. So consumption was completely resolved then. T chain at 220k, that chain broke at 270k so i went thru the head at that time. Turbos every 100k, alternator at 250k-ish, ft axles every 130k, upper control arms every 50k, trans flush every 90k


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine