APR Reflash - Mk V Golf GTI

[LotusGTI]

Guys, looking to hear from people who have had this done. I've got all the stats on power and torque and other benefits, but would like to hear about what real world difference this makes. I'm a little suspicious of a reflash without a dyno run to make sure the new map is good for my specific car. Has anyone else done the APR thing and had the car dyno'ed?

Lastly, how well does all of this work with DSG? Are they still well matched? Any thoughts on how increasing torque by nearly 50% is on the GB, drive shafts etc?

Cheers,
Nick.

[anarchycamp]

Guys, looking to hear from people who have had this done. I've got all the stats on power and torque and other benefits, but would like to hear about what real world difference this makes. I'm a little suspicious of a reflash without a dyno run to make sure the new map is good for my specific car. Has anyone else done the APR thing and had the car dyno'ed?

Lastly, how well does all of this work with DSG? Are they still well matched? Any thoughts on how increasing torque by nearly 50% is on the GB, drive shafts etc?

Cheers,
Nick.

I wouldnt get too caught up in the dyno thing, the main thing is that it puts a smile on your dial when you drive it. Figures have varied hugely with various dynos/cars/chip companys. Best advice is do a search on here, get a trial flash and see what you like. Ive had my GTI (DSG) flashed for almost 3 years now, no issues so far.

[LotusGTI]

I wouldnt get too caught up in the dyno thing, the main thing is that it puts a smile on your dial when you drive it. Figures have varied hugely with various dynos/cars/chip companys. Best advice is do a search on here, get a trial flash and see what you like. Ive had my GTI (DSG) flashed for almost 3 years now, no issues so far.

Thanks for that. I'm not so worried about validating their power claims, but my engine tuner on my GTR Skyline is concerned that the reflash is generic and wants it on a dyno to see what the reflash is doing for my specific car. This is a safety and reliability issue for me, not one of how much more I'm getting from it.

Good to hear you've been OK with yours. How is the DSG. Well matched and doing what it should? Cheers.

[No457 Snowy]

Contact Guy at APR, he will correctly answer any questions you have about the flash. APR are amongst the leading specialists in tuning VW and Audi vehicles, they R&D their stuff to death before releasing it.

http://www.goapr.com.au/

Snowy :)

[LotusGTI]

Contact Guy at APR, he will correctly answer any questions you have about the flash. APR are amongst the leading specialists in tuning VW and Audi vehicles, they R&D their stuff to death before releasing it.

http://www.goapr.com.au/

Snowy :)

Ta. Spoke to them yesterday and they seemed know less about the product than their re-sellers in Vic......

[RhysQ]

thats a big call mate. Guy will read that comment soon (as he is a frequent user of this forum) and i imagine he will defend himself. everyone i know that has asked guy questions has had very full and helpful answers in response. when you say you spoke to 'them', did you speak to Guy or someone else??

Cheers,
Rhys

[No457 Snowy]

Ta. Spoke to them yesterday and they seemed know less about the product than their re-sellers in Vic......

That's weird, I always found Guy to be very helpful and very knowledgeable. I've never heard of a reliability issue as a result of an APR ECU upgrade, not ever. Quite a bit of APR stuff has gone into my car and it's all been nothing short of superb for reliability, quality and performance, 10/10 on every count. :)

Snowy.

[LotusGTI]

;208488']thats a big call mate. Guy will read that comment soon (as he is a frequent user of this forum) and i imagine he will defend himself. everyone i know that has asked guy questions has had very full and helpful answers in response. when you say you spoke to 'them', did you speak to Guy or someone else??

Cheers,
Rhys

I don't know the chap's name. He was more than helpful but a little short on details. I mean no disrespect and maybe off the mark. Just initial impressions. In any case, I'm probably more interested in speaking to people who are customers wth experience of the product on their cars, rather than those who are selling.

Anyone got feedback on GIAC or other alternatives?

Thank you,

[LotusGTI]

That's weird, I always found Guy to be very helpful and very knowledgeable. I've never heard of a reliability issue as a result of an APR ECU upgrade, not ever. Quite a bit of APR stuff has gone into my car and it's all been nothing short of superb for reliability, quality and performance, 10/10 on every count. :)

Snowy.

Thanks. Excellent to hear.

[Guy_H]

I don't know the chap's name. He was more than helpful but a little short on details. I mean no disrespect and maybe off the mark. Just initial impressions. In any case, I'm probably more interested in speaking to people who are customers wth experience of the product on their cars, rather than those who are selling.

Anyone got feedback on GIAC or other alternatives?

Thank you,

LotusGTI - Give us a call - not sure who you spoke to - we handle 30+ sales & technical inquiries a day here - we also have programmed 4 new GTi's this week, and helped install a new 240kw kit, so there is no shortage of product knowledge here either.

1300 730 949 - or PM me your name & number & we will call you back. :)

P.S. - we can also put you onto plenty of customers too to discuss, plus you also have the option of a free software trial.

[Bug_racer]

they R&D their stuff to death before releasing it.



Snowy :)


Lol , I strongly disagree !

[gtimk5]

In any case, I'm probably more interested in speaking to people who are customers wth experience of the product on their cars, rather than those who are selling.

Anyone got feedback on GIAC or other alternatives?

Thank you,

Lets leave it to the customers that have experienced good results with any of the chips please.

[No457 Snowy]

Lol , I strongly disagree !

I thought you might , you sell GIAC :biggrin:

Guess I was lucky then, my APR stuff goes pretty good. I don't sell APR, I don't sell GIAC.

Snowy.

[Lams]

Contact Guy at APR, he will correctly answer any questions you have about the flash. APR are amongst the leading specialists in tuning VW and Audi vehicles, they R&D their stuff to death before releasing it.

http://www.goapr.com.au/

Snowy :)

We don't test products to death as our products never die :driver:

[No457 Snowy]

We don't test products to death as our products never die :driver:

OK, OK, I'll admit, maybe I exaggerated just a bit. :biggrin:

Snowy. :)

[leasaunce]

well I got it chipped (polo with 70km on the clock) from APR Mona Vale 2 days ago. Seriously its insanely quick! got several other options with no extra $$$. Sales ends this month :P

[LotusGTI]

Thread revival. Re-flash is back on the agenda. I'm located Dandenong South and want a local re-seller to talk to. Sick of going the other side of town for my mods - I'm obviously lacking commitment.

GIAC, APR, Bluefin and can anyone update me on the UK product ST3. Feedback from MkV GTI owners who have done the mods would be great.

Thanks guys.

[Tim]

Hi mate.

Just had a read through on your thread. If youre worried about how the tune will perform why not get together with some local members who have had their upgrades done. Im in east bentleigh and could organise a run in a GIAC tuned car if you like. Maybe there are some APR owners on board who would be willing to help out as well?

If youre after a dyno run. We are actually in the process of organising a dyno day in melbourne towards the end of next month. There will be GIAC tunes available on the day and no doubt you will be able to see a couple of GIAC, APR and Bluefin cars run to see if you consider their tunes safe.

If you require any further info just shoot me an email to tim@dubaddiction.com.au

[LotusGTI]

Great idea re having a run in a car. I'll drop you an email shortly.

APR tuned cars in the SE suburbs? Anyone want to take me for a test drive? Any comments?

Cheers.

[blutopless2]

Have had my jetta done for almost a year now and it's still going strong without any faults . Have left it on the program since day one and it's great. Have the same motor and gbox as the gti so it's a direct comparison. Power and torque change you can feel without the need for dyno, but like the sound of a dyno run in the near future. Am in western suburbs but would be happy to take you for a spin if noone else wants to. Let me know how you go

[Guy_H]

Great idea re having a run in a car. I'll drop you an email shortly.

APR tuned cars in the SE suburbs? Anyone want to take me for a test drive? Any comments?

Cheers.

Contact Dean at Volkspower (Burwood), he can arrange to test drive if you require.

Also the free trial is available - try before you buy.

He also has copies of dyno's done by customers with stage 1, 2, stage 2 + fuel pump, stage 1 & 2 with APR intercooler as well.

Special is on this month, all programs loaded for free - switching, anti theft, security & 4 engine programs.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2009/06/eofysale2009-1.jpg

www.goapr.com.au

[Lams]

Go get a trial mate - try it in your own car ;-)

[adzy]

Have done my research also and it seems like a no brainer to go with APR :D
Called Dean at VW Power and he was very helpful, I cant wait to head down to download some NM's and KW's.
And with the gearbox - Some of the DSG's in the states are copping more than 300 kw's and no reports of failures which is damn good news to us looking at a minor 190kw.

[adzy]

Just had my car re-tuned with the APR map last night :) :)
Dean at Volkspower is (edit: WAS) an absolute champion and from what I can see has all the time in the world for his customers.
If any one is 'considering' this mod, just go do it! Very happy with the gains and I will soon compare the acceleration figures before and after the mod :)

Cant wait to drive my GTI again!!!!!!

[adzy]

Clip of my APR S1 GTI accelerating

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abrj5sKSRRs

[ope126]

Great clip mate, congats on the new found power!!!:banana:

[adzy]

Great clip mate, congats on the new found power!!!:banana:

Cheers mate.... lovvvvvvving the power now :banana::banana::banana:

[robbyx]

Hey Adzy,

Out of interest, are you running stock with just the APR Stage 1 tune?

Or do you have other mods on the car too?

[adzy]

Hey Adzy,

Out of interest, are you running stock with just the APR Stage 1 tune?

Or do you have other mods on the car too?

Sorry for late reply mate,
Yes the car is totally stock apart from the APR S1 tune. She has 8000k on the clock too.

[robbyx]

Sorry for late reply mate,
Yes the car is totally stock apart from the APR S1 tune. She has 8000k on the clock too.

Goddamn!!! I thought a tune would maybe knock half a sec off stock 0-100 time.. That clip has really got me druelling now.

I wouldn't get those times in my Jetta though... Doesn't have launch control since it's an 06 model :(

All I can say is that vid has made me want this mod even more now, so thanks for helping me blow my mod budget! :P

[maraach]

well i'm pretty well convinced.

Im going to wait around until the next round of specials in the Sydney area and then go pay them a visit i think.

[maraach]

Goddamn!!! I thought a tune would maybe knock half a sec off stock 0-100 time.. That clip has really got me druelling now.

I wouldn't get those times in my Jetta though... Doesn't have launch control since it's an 06 model :(

All I can say is that vid has made me want this mod even more now, so thanks for helping me blow my mod budget! :P

Perhaps im completely mistaken but i found a few posts on US sites that state that you can have your ECU reflashed with "Launch Control" functionality by Volkswagen. Not sure if it is available here though..

[SaBiH]

For people who have an ECU flash thus increasing the kw/hp, does it make taking off an issue due to wheelspin?

[chrisgti]

Thread revival. Re-flash is back on the agenda. I'm located Dandenong South and want a local re-seller to talk to. Sick of going the other side of town for my mods - I'm obviously lacking commitment.

GIAC, APR, Bluefin and can anyone update me on the UK product ST3. Feedback from MkV GTI owners who have done the mods would be great.

Thanks guys.

Running GIAC and love it, have trialed APR in the past might've been a bit punchier down low but wasnt as smooth and didnt feel like it wound out with as much power up top. Grab the GIAC now with the specials that are on and use 1100 dollars or so that you saved to pick up an intake and a few other goodies or a downpipe and you cant go wrong

[chrisgti]

For people who have an ECU flash thus increasing the kw/hp, does it make taking off an issue due to wheelspin?

Just a flash (stage 1) you shouldn't have too much of a problem if your tyres are half decent. Dont be surprised that if you really want to you can spin all the way through second gear. Trouble is rough surfaces when you're breaking traction and you start getting axle tramp I for one just broke my exhaust mounts because of it.

Otherwise I wouldn't say wheelspin is an issue at all, just requires a little driver mod and throttle modulation.

[John Deere]

I also have the APR stage 1 ECU on an 07 GTI with DSG. It's very nice, although I got the chip at 40,000k and had to have the DSG replaced at 70,000k, going well at 85,000k now though.

[adzy]

I also have the APR stage 1 ECU on an 07 GTI with DSG. It's very nice, although I got the chip at 40,000k and had to have the DSG replaced at 70,000k, going well at 85,000k now though.

WTF?! U had to have the DSG replaced? What was the go with that mate?

[John Deere]

Well, there was a noise at around 80kph, it sounded alot like a wheel bearing had expired or similar. I went to the dealer, left the car with them for a day, they couldn't pick up the noise (it was slight, but I knew it wasn't quite right).

I went there that afternoon and went for a drive with the mechanic and pointed out the noise, he eventually picked it up.

Back at the workshop he put some listening gear on the chassis and confirmed that the DSG was making the noise....this was a Friday. The following Tuesday I dropped it back at around 8am and had the car back by 1pm with a new DSG box.....no questions asked!!

I rated the service as pretty good, and was happy with the outcome, but obviously would have preferred the DSG did not give up.

[adzy]

Well, there was a noise at around 80kph, it sounded alot like a wheel bearing had expired or similar. I went to the dealer, left the car with them for a day, they couldn't pick up the noise (it was slight, but I knew it wasn't quite right).

I went there that afternoon and went for a drive with the mechanic and pointed out the noise, he eventually picked it up.

Back at the workshop he put some listening gear on the chassis and confirmed that the DSG was making the noise....this was a Friday. The following Tuesday I dropped it back at around 8am and had the car back by 1pm with a new DSG box.....no questions asked!!

I rated the service as pretty good, and was happy with the outcome, but obviously would have preferred the DSG did not give up.

Damnnnn bro! that is BAD news for the DSG crew! Did u flog the tits of the thing in any unusual way?
Hope mine holds up:eek:

[John Deere]

I wouldn't read too much into it, I dont think they go that often, I just got a dodgy one.

I do drive it hard, I rather hoped that it could deal with a decent flogging (not what I would call abuse, just a decent flogging) Second box has done about 20,000k and going strong.

I have toned down on the take off's a tad, but not much.....I just love the acceleration, it's like a drug!

[adzy]

I wouldn't read too much into it, I dont think they go that often, I just got a dodgy one.

I do drive it hard, I rather hoped that it could deal with a decent flogging (not what I would call abuse, just a decent flogging) Second box has done about 20,000k and going strong.

I have toned down on the take off's a tad, but not much.....I just love the acceleration, it's like a drug!

Tell me about it, drug alright! Every time i am at the wheel I feel like Charlie Sheen at a blow party.

Yeah I have not heard any other horror storys of the DSG so touch wood and I will continue to flog, life is too short to not flog the testicles off my cars!

[John Deere]

Add Mechtronic unit to my list of woes....not sure if it is connected to the ECU upgrade (I doubt it) but I am really not keen on getting another DSG (Though I just ordered a Q5 with a 7 speed DSG and the same engine as the gti!! Doh.)

[AusScare]

Add Mechtronic unit to my list of woes....not sure if it is connected to the ECU upgrade (I doubt it) but I am really not keen on getting another DSG (Though I just ordered a Q5 with a 7 speed DSG and the same engine as the gti!! Doh.)

Might need to think over your $65k purchases more thoroughly maybe. Or they give you a better product being an audi??? You'll find out soon enough.

[Guy_H]

Q5 has the longitudinal version of the DSG box, its still pretty new, but a very slick changing combination :)

[John Deere]

And Audi has unlimited k warranty for three years. That will take me to about 120,000k so if its still going alright then it should be ok.....at least I know the donk is strong (and I will probably get it APR'd too :D )

It will also never go around a race track like the GTI has more than once, or get driven reasonably hard on the road...its a family mobile...but I still like it to have enough poke to get around comfortably.

[Guy_H]

Wonder what a Q5 would go like with a big set of semi slicks & some lowered suspension - bit heavy, but once up & moving, they go nicely :)

[John Deere]

Shuddup...Shuddup!!!! Its a family wagon...are you trying to get me divorced :D

[adzy]

Shuddup...Shuddup!!!! Its a family wagon...are you trying to get me divorced :D

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, she will never know ;)