2015 Audi S3 Tune..On the Fence

[SuperN0VA]

I picked up a 2015 S3 recently. It only has 12k miles and was garage kept the whole time. I also purchased a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty from Audi for 2k. I have put a thousand miles on it and I love the car but I feel like it could use a little extra power.

I am thinking about going stage 1 APR ECU/TCU but I worry about engine failure. I know it’s rare but since it would void my warranty I am looking for any reassurance. I already had a couple cylinders misfire and my warranty covered new spark plugs at no cost. No issues since but if there is a history of misfire is a tune a bad idea?

[TreizeRXH]

I picked up a 2015 S3 recently. It only has 12k miles and was garage kept the whole time. I also purchased a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty from Audi for 2k. I have put a thousand miles on it and I love the car but I feel like it could use a little extra power.

I am thinking about going stage 1 APR ECU/TCU but I worry about engine failure. I know it’s rare but since it would void my warranty I am looking for any reassurance. I already had a couple cylinders misfire and my warranty covered new spark plugs at no cost. No issues since but if there is a history of misfire is a tune a bad idea?

If there’s an engine code thrown and they have to scan the car, should the problem be determined as something they deem related to the tune , then yes, your warranty is void.

If it’s an AC issue with a failed compressor or something, they really would have to go out on a limb and prove that your tune killed it.

That said, I’ve met guys with 150k miles on stage 1 tunes who have had zero issues. Just make certain to halve your maintenance intervals


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[rodacollier]

There’s always the piggy back modules available. I’ve used a JB4 on my Golf R and RS3 for the first 10k before going stage 2 and it’s significant. Several other brands out there that snap in the same way. Getting the electrical connectors apart can be a pain unless you’re familiar with them.

[Spinnetti]

if you need reassurance don't do it. You'll always be afraid of it failing, and if you do have some kind of issue, you'll think it was the tune, and warranty likely will not cover it .

[SuperN0VA]

I am new to the tuning world and didn’t realize this was an option. Did you like the increased performance? Was it in part with other stage 1 ECU tunes?

[MikTip]

Stage 1 is fine. Wont harm anything. DSG tune is great to get with stage 1.

It will improve the cars fun factor considerable.

Install a turbo muffler delete and better turbo inlet pipe.

[TreizeRXH]

Stage 1 is fine. Wont harm anything. DSG tune is great to get with stage 1.

It will improve the cars fun factor considerable.

Install a turbo muffler delete and better turbo inlet pipe.

Curious; why do you point out the turbo muffler delete and inlet pipe? Sincerely asking


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[MikTip]

Curious; why do you point out the turbo muffler delete and inlet pipe? Sincerely asking

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...020797ecs02~a/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...019330ecs01kt/

[SuperN0VA]

I went ahead with the stage 1 ECU/TCU tune from APR. I am a little underwhelmed but I think I need more time with it to figure out exactly where in the rev ranges I feel the most difference. Definitely more power at the top end but I also donÂ’t want to live on the limiter all the time.

[MikTip]

I went ahead with the stage 1 ECU/TCU tune from APR. I am a little underwhelmed but I think I need more time with it to figure out exactly where in the rev ranges I feel the most difference. Definitely more power at the top end but I also donÂ’t want to live on the limiter all the time.

It takes the cars ECU time to adapt to new tune cause its still in its drive cycle from resetting the ECU.

[SuperN0VA]

I’ve heard that and I am hoping that is the case. But then I’ve also heard that you should feel the difference immediately after the tune. So it’s a little confusing.

[MikTip]

I’ve heard that and I am hoping that is the case. But then I’ve also heard that you should feel the difference immediately after the tune. So it’s a little confusing.

Something I noticed after I had my APR tune done....

I hooked up my VCDS and all the modules were red! Never seen that before.

My 2018 S3 also didn't quite feel right after the tune install...so I cleared all DTC's with VCDS and all the red went away and the car drove much better.

Do you have an OBD reader than can clear codes?

[SuperN0VA]

Something I noticed after I had my APR tune done....

I hooked up my VCDS and all the modules were red! Never seen that before.

My 2018 S3 also didn't quite feel right after the tune install...so I cleared all DTC's with VCDS and all the red went away and the car drove much better.

Do you have an OBD reader than can clear codes?

My neighbor has a reader so I just use his. I may end up doing that but I would be kind of bummed if that was the case because the shop that worked on it has a great reputation and only works on Audi and VW.

[MikTip]

My neighbor has a reader so I just use his. I may end up doing that but I would be kind of bummed if that was the case because the shop that worked on it has a great reputation and only works on Audi and VW.

Well...so did the shop who did mine...

Just trying to help

[SuperN0VA]

Well...so did the shop who did mine...

Just trying to help

Appreciate it!

[SuperN0VA]

After a couple of more days the tune feels a little more lively especially in the 20-60MPH rolling sprints. I have not noticed as much difference in the 60-100MPH range.

[MikTip]

After a couple of more days the tune feels a little more lively especially in the 20-60MPH rolling sprints. I have not noticed as much difference in the 60-100MPH range.

What other performance enhancing mods does the car have? Bone stock?

What grade of gasoline?

[SuperN0VA]

What other performance enhancing mods does the car have? Bone stock?

Nothing else at this time. I am waiting my my 034 rear sway bar to come in and I will do that plus the intake and resonator delete all at once. I’m trying to avoid any mods that may result in failed emissions inspections because that can be a pain in the ass.

[MikTip]

Nothing else at this time. I am waiting my my 034 rear sway bar to come in and I will do that plus the intake and resonator delete all at once. I’m trying to avoid any mods that may result in failed emissions inspections because that can be a pain in the ass.

The turbo muffler delete and turbo inlet pipe are non emission busting.

[will13k7]

Yeah, whatever you can get away with to help that turbo spool sooner and easier, turbo muffler delete, turbo inlet pipe, the rest of the boost piping from turbo to intercooler to throttle body all helps, but the oem cat really is the biggest restriction.

I thought the car was perfect at stage two with everything mentioned above, as I slowly removed parts to get ready for smog the low end got worse and worse. At stage 1 top end isn’t bad, 60mph+ is still better if you time it, just not as noticeable to the butt dyno.

[Boomerdw]

I went ahead with the stage 1 ECU/TCU tune from APR. I am a little underwhelmed but I think I need more time with it to figure out exactly where in the rev ranges I feel the most difference. Definitely more power at the top end but I also donÂ’t want to live on the limiter all the time.

Only way to fix this is with American muscle. Small displacement engines, although develop a good amount of power with boosting, just don’t have the displacement for low end torque. Nothing as fun as a big V8 for using half throttle. Had a LS3:C6 with headers and 4:10 rear end. Talk about low end response.. even with the gear change it would still do 165 mph.

On another note my son has a Tesla Y Performance model and while battery power delivery is different it is addictive. I especially like foot off throttle braking.

[MikTip]

Only way to fix this is with American muscle. Small displacement engines, although develop a good amount of power with boosting, just don’t have the displacement for low end torque. Nothing as fun as a big V8 for using half throttle. Had a LS3:C6 with headers and 4:10 rear end. Talk about low end response.. even with the gear change it would still do 165 mph.

On another note my son has a Tesla Y Performance model and while battery power delivery is different it is addictive. I especially like foot off throttle braking.

So spend $150,000 on a Tesla to fix Audi...makes California sense.

Nah...

Rather have this:



V8T Audi S6

520HP at the wheels... all wheel drive... and 680 ft-lb torque

[texasboy21]

I’ve heard that and I am hoping that is the case. But then I’ve also heard that you should feel the difference immediately after the tune. So it’s a little confusing.

Everyone's butt dyno is a little different, but you should definitely feel the additional 40-50+ HP everywhere in the rev range. Especially with a TCU tune physically changing gears quicker. Might be worth doing some basic testing/diagnosis to make sure you car is in good health.

Do you have a good data logger like VagCom?

[SuperN0VA]

Everyone's butt dyno is a little different, but you should definitely feel the additional 40-50+ HP everywhere in the rev range. Especially with a TCU tune physically changing gears quicker. Might be worth doing some basic testing/diagnosis to make sure you car is in good health.

Do you have a good data logger like VagCom?

My neighbor does so I just his. I need to do a couple of launches with my dragy just to compare to pre tune. I agree sometimes it’s hard to gauge the difference without the data.

[TreizeRXH]

So spend $150,000 on a Tesla to fix Audi...makes California sense.

Nah...

Rather have this:



V8T Audi S6

520HP at the wheels... all wheel drive... and 680 ft-lb torque

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[Boomerdw]

So spend $150,000 on a Tesla to fix Audi...makes California sense.

Nah...

Rather have this:



V8T Audi S6

520HP at the wheels... all wheel drive... and 680 ft-lb torque

Not sure where you came up with the $150,000 figure. Doesn’t matter not my Tesla anyway. And why backside with CALIFORNIA COMMENT.

Personally I would rather have the Audi e-tron GT. Far less maintenance…

[MikTip]

Not sure where you came up with the $150,000 figure. Doesn’t matter not my Tesla anyway. And why backside with CALIFORNIA COMMENT.

Personally I would rather have the Audi e-tron GT. Far less maintenance…

Oh my bad! $91,000 to $112,000

https://www.caranddriver.com/tesla/model-s

What happened to the 'AMERICAN MUSCLE'????

Only way to fix this is with American muscle. Small displacement engines, although develop a good amount of power with boosting, just don’t have the displacement for low end torque. Nothing as fun as a big V8 for using half throttle. Had a LS3:C6 with headers and 4:10 rear end. Talk about low end response..

Audi e tron GT...($106,000)

https://www.caranddriver.com/audi/e-tron-gt

Less maintenance???? Its an Audi...$$$$$$


Top Ten Reasons Why California Is No Longer The Place To Be:

https://techreader.com/top-ten/top-t...be-or-move-to/

[SuperN0VA]

One more update, car definitely feels faster now. Might just be mental but the dragy time confirms. Fastest 0-60 pre tune was 4.42 and tonight I ran a 4.04 on a slight uphill grade.