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Originally posted by southtig
In terms of tuning options in Adelaide I still think the best option is Haines/Etuners Motorsport. The reason I say this is that my preference is to get my cars looked after at the one workshop and have them do all work on it. That way if there is ever an issue then you don't get into a finger pointing game. Plus he's happy to install parts that are supplied and/or ones that he supplies so it makes it easy to deal with. Also he does look after his good customers. Though I still have challenges getting hold of him at times as he's a single guy running a workshop.
My comments were really about whether going with a (comparatively) expensive TTE475 turbo was worth it for the extra 20-30kwaw and the slightly slower spool (3,300 vs. 3,000rpm).
Bang for buck the stock IS38 is where it's at. And certainly it would be a bit more responsive on the street. You really only get to feel the top end on WOT and realistically there are very few opportunities to really wind these cars out - legally at least.
So what you sacrifice and what you gain I'm a firm believer that the IS38 swap for a daily driven car is the way to go. Unless you just want to throw a ton of $ at the car and can get to use the extra top end grunt on a more regular basis I just don't think it's worth the ~$3k premium.
Also if you go with a stock IS38 then it does open up other off the shelf tuning options like APR/Revo/Superchips(???). In terms of one-stop-shop solutions in Adelaide the other places you can go is German Auto or Andrawos who both do APR. I think GA also does Racingline/OEM+ but the only downside with GA is that their servicing costs are right up there with dealer prices. So you'll pay a premium going down the GA path. I don't have a problem with them charging what they do as they have a busy workshop and limited space (even after the upgrade to the premises). They are good and have some pretty knowledgeable VW mechanics working there but you do pay for it.
Other option is Miro at MRL Automotive (forum sponsor) who I've also used for servicing in the past. Miro can also do tuning, however doesn't have a hoist/workshop so if you're looking for more than a stage 1 tune then you'll need to get parts fitted elsewhere and Miro to install the file. It's OK but it can get a bit messy.
Other local options are Spectune (Morpowa), RD Technik (AMPL Auto) or Underground Performance (Graham West) but then with all of these options you're left with the problem of where to take your car for servicing as these are not VW/Euro specialist workshops and other than loading the tune files on and running on a dyno that's probably where their skills/experience ends. They're not working on VW/Audi cars every day of the week so it's certainly not my first choice for servicing/parts install/diagnostic work.
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