fred xc

I have a 2016 TTS with stage 1 APR ECU upgrade. I love it. I'm thinking of going to Stage 2 with APR downpipe. APR states u should also install their Carbon fiber intake for $450 and while I am at it may as well put in their turbo inlet pipe and silicon coolant hose. This total upgrade will cost me with $800 labor around $2340. I wonder if anyone has been through this with Mk III TTS and whether they felt it was worth the money? I believe with 91 octane and low torque I will only gain 15hp, but not sure if that's correct. I think less turbo lag, increased throttle response and hopefully a better sound from downpipes will all be worth it. Any advice on this upgrade much appreciated. Thanks, Eric

grey67

Have you taken your car in for any engine related service? And if so, how did that go with the stage 1 tune?

farmerjones

Friend of my just did APR stage 2 on his S3....and it was pretty disappointing. The exhaust just drones at almost any speed, and in my opinion the noise is just annoying and not "cool" in any way. To be honest, it sounds much like a tuned Honda Civic pocket rocket. I'd encourage you to do some research on how it affects the sound of the car, because while a matter of taste it's a pretty dramatic change that some will absolutely hate. As to performance.....there is no noticeable difference. From the seat of your pants you would never know beyond the sound that there is a difference really. I drove it and still found turbo lag to be considerably more than my TT. I'm guessing with a stop watch there are some incremental improvements at certain acceleration points but no every-day driving change. He also just took his car in for its second oil change....and they flagged his car a "tuned" in the system and voided his powertrain warranty..... This would be my biggest concern of the Stage 2 changes....the visual red flag that will void the warranty as opposed to a hidden software setup than may never go noticed.

2017TTS

I first went with the stage 1 tune and noticed an increase in performance however after I put on the downpipe, intake and stage 2 it felt like a completely different car. It's extremely quick and throws you back. There is no drone in the car with the downpipe as I have kept the rest of the exhaust stock. Definitely worth the added cost to upgrade.

mossback

I have the same tune STG2 and agree its a rocket, love the sound, I did a non resonated HFC DP.