APR stage 1 + DSG tunes

[FLVCKO]

I saw that APR have 15% off tunes at the moment so looks like I'm finally going to get a stage 1 tune and potentially a DSG tune.

Does anyone else on here have the stage 1 and DSG tune?

Alternatively would you just do a stage 1 and no DSG?

Pros/cons?

🙌🏼

[Bryce]

I had a apr stage 1 on our 1st gen 155 r line. Got a refund within the week. Very sloppy and alot of hesitation etc.

You're better off spending the money on a custom tune.

[Grugly]

No matter how much they try to encourage you to do so, there is no need for a dsg tune at stage 1 levels.

The tune should also balance out any throttle response issues.

Personally, I wouldn't use APR for tuning but that's personal preference. Revo and Racingline often cycle tune promos as well and also allow for flexibility past stage 1 if you ever desire too

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[tigger73]

If all you want is a stage 1 tune then APR is probably OK choice. Their tunes do tend to come on aggressively an
d then die at the top end. Some people prefer a more linear tune.

In terms of the DSG tune I think this makes the biggest difference in how "nice" the car is to drive. I'd recommend TVS as their files are probably the best in terms of how driveable the car is.

[GreyGoose_X]

Like the OP, I'm also (finally) at the point of considering a tune for my 162TSI, and the current 15% offering definitely helps! I don't flog the car, but just want to waken it up a bit. I've narrowed my options to:

1) APR stage 1 ECU + TVS stage 2 TCU

2) UGP Stage 2 + DP

My options are not quite like for like, but its only because APR doesn't offer a stage 2 anymore apparently. I'm finding it hard to find some good ownership feedback of UGP tunes. I heard on the grapevine that the tunes aren't very refined and have caused some rough sailing for some users. I don't know how true this is though. Any one has opinions about this?

One more side point (which might help the OP), I also heard but can't confirm that APR recently released an APR Stage 1 specifically for our Tiguans with the 162TSI engine. Can't find it on their website though so abit confused...

[iDiesel]

APR stage 1 will certainly "waken it up a bit"

@tiggy73, is the TVS DSG tune compatible with the APR ECU tune?

[NickVDK]

I'm also looking at an APR Stage 1 tune, but when I asked an independant VW specialist mechanic, that was also an APR authorised dealer, he said APR tunes are too aggressive and have resulted in blown turbos. He instead suggested a custom tune by him. Couldnt see any issues on the GTI forums though, so might be salesman play on his part.

There's also the REVO tune which by all accounts is a safer tune.

Are there differences in performance in who you select to custom tune your car?

[tigger73]

APR stage 1 will certainly "waken it up a bit"

@tiggy73, is the TVS DSG tune compatible with the APR ECU tune?

TVS DSG software will work with most tunes. Most of the APR dealers will supply the TVS software (without telling you) as APR doesn’t have DSG software for the DQ500.


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[tigger73]

Every tuner that tunes enough cars will have problems. It’s more how it’s handled that makes a difference.

You’ll hear stories and rumours but often it’s just one tuner saying bad things about another.


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[Lucas_R]

=I'm finding it hard to find some good ownership feedback of UGP tunes. I heard on the grapevine that the tunes aren't very refined and have caused some rough sailing for some users. I don't know how true this is though. Any one has opinions about this?

First I have heard of this. There are plenty of people on here with a UGP tune on their Gen 3 EA888 engine and I dont recall any bad experiences.

[Cosmic]

Had the APR stage 1 + DSG on my 7.5R yesterday. Love it so far.
Yes fairly aggressive I suppose, but great value with current discounts IMO.
I previously had an APR stage 1 Scirocco that never gave the slightest of problems.


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[GreyGoose_X]

First I have heard of this. There are plenty of people on here with a UGP tune on their Gen 3 EA888 engine and I dont recall any bad experiences.

Thanks Lucas. It might be just chatter/noise from different tuners. I also haven't heard much bad press on UGP, but then again I also can't find a tonne of reviews of UGP (i guess compared to the mass market APRs etc).

Would you say UGP over APR? Are you flashed on UGP yourself?

[Lucas_R]

Thanks Lucas. It might be just chatter/noise from different tuners. I also haven't heard much bad press on UGP, but then again I also can't find a tonne of reviews of UGP (i guess compared to the mass market APRs etc).

Would you say UGP over APR? Are you flashed on UGP yourself?

My wifes SQ5 has a tune from UGP on it.

With my GTI I made the decision to go with Integrated Engineering because its a 3hr drive each way to Pacortech in ingleburn (closest UGP dealer) and it just wasn't convenient when there are so many tuning options for the GTI. With IE I could flash the car in my own time in my garage for for convenience it was 10/10.

Personally the convenience of being able to load on/take off/update the tune yourself is well worth it, but I understand some people would prefer a shop do it.

If you think you will only do a stage 1 tune then you really cant go wrong with any of the known brands (Revo/APR/UGP/Unitronic/Integrated Engineering etc etc). They are all priced similarly and will all make more or less the same power and torque.

[turbogtst]

I have APR stage 1 tune on my 2018 golf r peaks at 30 psi best tune by far, no turbo issues, I will be using HP Tuners to do the dsg myself once they have the 7 speed dq381 files ready, to fix up crappy drive mode rpm change points and remove the delay when you floor the pedal from start, sport mode is ok, they already have the 6 speed dq250 files, completely adjustable for everything in the tcu, hp tuners can also tune the ecu, a lot cheaper than anything else around but you have to know what to do and its time consuming, they have a forum with plenty of support
Supported Vehicles List – HPTuners
HP TUNERS MPVI 2






– VCM Store

[Lucas_R]

^ no doubt the HP Tuners is good and the fact you can customise it to your liking is great.

I got the Integrated Engineering DSG tune when it was on sale a few months ago for my Mk7 GTI and its so much better than the stock DSG tune. I used to always drive around in manual mode because D mode would ***** me no end and S mode was utterly useless.

Now D mode changes gears at approx 2,100rpm (vs about 1,600rpm stock) so when driving at 50kph through the city I am in 4th gear instead of 5th or 6th. Its also quicker to engage from a standstill, more eager to change down a gear (but you dont need too very often as its in a more appropriate gear to begin with). I still use manual mode, but no where near as often as I used to before the tune. S mode is still an odd one, and I don't like it, but in saying that its definitely less retarded that it was when stock.