APR Stage1: the official tune of not Voided warranties

"PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power" (petarvn)
08/26/2014 at 16:52 • Filed to: None

So apparently, APR software doesn't void my GLI's warranty. that means that pretty soon i'll be driving around in a 250hp/260ft-lb sedan that has 3 years of warranty on it! The trick is to Re-flash the car before taking it to the dealer. This is a $45 expense, but since you have to do it to be 100% sure of not voiding a warranty, I'm glad to pay. The actual tune will be $750 including labor to do it!

Have some APR goodness since I'm happy!

DISCUSSION (35)

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 16:56

Why not do tires/wheels/sway bars/suspension first?

Stupidru > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 16:56

But at the end of the day you still drive a vag...

Stupidru > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 16:58

So basically APR makes you play "if you can't see it, I didn't do it" ? What happens if you throw a rod and get it towed to the dealer who then sees you've tuned it. Your warranty is effectively null and void at that point. I wouldn't call that a "not voided warranty"

Stupidru > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 16:58

Those 2.0 turbos are quick enough. I would also do suspension work first

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 16:58

I miss there G/A cars. Weren't the fastest but definitely looked good on track.

Brian Silvestro > Stupidru
08/26/2014 at 16:59

I'd do it first on just about any car I plan on modifying.

rotundapig > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 17:00

The few times that I had to re-flash it was free, and the tune was even purchased by the previous owner of the car. Is that a standard thing, or is that just what your local APR distributor quoted you?

jlmounce > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 17:01

I don't want to crush anybodies dreams here, but the answer t this question is actually in your post. "You have to reflash back to stock." For the record this does not mean that the tune does not void your warranty. It instead means you are playing the system and hoping that your dealer and VAG don't find out.

I would also encourage you to do some exhaustive research on the subject of vehicle tuning and what manufacturers can and can not determine based on the programming in the vehicle. If something small happens you may be able to get it covered under warranty. If your car has been tuned and you blow up the engine, count on VAG being able to tell it was tuned and denying that claim.

I say go for it as the car will be a blast to drive! Just realize that if something brakes, you're probably going to have to pay for it.

Stupidru > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 17:04

Absolutely! A well sorted strut/spring, swaybar/endlink, wheel/tire combo will completely transform a car and make it more fun for anything less than a track day. And probably will make a track day more fun too

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 17:10

You may recall there are some ECU units that VAG uses which also record data on other modules (Not uncommon, for instance, my BMW stores the odometer reading in the cluster and in the headlamp switch. Replacing either without using the dealer-only reset tool means you get the dreaded odometer tamper dot).

VAG ECU and other control units will check the other units software to make sure it is not been tampered with. So even if you flash the ECU back, some VAG systems will have marked that you tampered with the ECU, and the Fatherland will declare that your GTI is persona non gratia at the dealership.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/help-audi-of-a…

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > jlmounce
08/26/2014 at 17:20

VAG and VWoA really don't have any leniency on tuners anymore. If you blow it up, they *WILL* know that you tuned it, and your VIN will be marked in the system as a tuned car, and anything you claim is a warranty fix will be relentlessly scrutinized.

You only do the tune if you intend never to step foot in a dealer service department for warranty work. If you intend to do that, you don't tune it.

jlmounce > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/26/2014 at 17:26

Just want to bump this and also add that this is pretty common among every manufacturer at this point. I'm all for modifying. I've done it with most of my cars and will do it to future cars as well. As long as you understand the risks involved and that you're probably not going to have a powertrain warranty to fall back on, you're good. But as you say, if you have to rely on that warranty, better not mess with the car.

hangus77 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 17:27

THIS IS NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT TRUE!!!!!!!

I got my warranty voided when flashed back to stock and long story short, one piston blew up because of a known issue, I took my car in for warranty work, POOF, no warranty.

If you want to mess w/ the ECU always be prepared to have the warranty yanked after doing so. Flashing back to stock does NOT work every time.

BEWARE!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > hangus77
08/26/2014 at 17:37

I linked to your story with the A5. I was wondering how long it would take for you to show up on this thread.

hangus77 > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/26/2014 at 17:51

Haha, thanks!

Spaceball-Two > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 18:45

Go talk to the guys at Achtuning. They don't pressure and will lay it all out for you.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Spaceball-Two
08/26/2014 at 20:11

guess where I was 10 minutes before making this post!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > hangus77
08/26/2014 at 20:13

ok, good to know. I do have a point of argument though. When my stepdad bought his GTI, the dealer offered to take the car to the shop I am taking it to (Achtuning of Redmond, WA) to have the car chipped prior to purchase, no warranty voiding included. dealers are pretty mod happy here

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 20:18

more noticeable, if I take it in for warranty work. It is also costlier. my car has tires that already cost $250 a corner. it also has 4 corner independent suspension. I'd rather spend $750 and have a car that is faster in real world conditions than spend $1500 on tires that I might see the benefit of once every 5 months. keep in mind, I'm 16, don't have much disposable income, and drive a car that already handles just how I want ot.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > jlmounce
08/26/2014 at 20:20

yeah, I know it's "playing the system" but if the dealership manager offers to have the car taken in to have that done to it when you buy it (happened when my stepdad bought his Mk6 last summer.) then I don't see why it would be too big of a concern. In my area, dealers know about people tuning their cars, and tend to be mod-friendly

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 20:22

Do they void the entire warranty, for example, if you were to modify something that had nothing to do with the engine/transmission? Because I don't think the things I mentioned earlier do.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 20:25

It wouldn't void the drivetrain warranty, but it would void the overall "bumper to bumper" warranty, unless I swapped over the original parts prior to taking it to the dealer

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 20:42

Oh. Damn.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 20:49

yeah... the ECU reflash is just the best option right now. Cheap, doesn't void warranty*, and it'll do wonders (200hp to 247hp. 207ft-lbs to 252ft-lbs.)

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 20:50

Is there a fuel economy flash you can do also? Because that would be awesome.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 20:52

actually yes. the 91 octane flash is known to increase the car's efficiency by 2-3MPG on the highway, and 1-2 on the city. There is also a dedicated MPG tune for it from some other supplier, I do remember seeing it awhile back, but I'm not too sure who makes it.

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 20:53

Awww yisss.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 20:56

Like I said, it's good! also, it'll put me closer to my friend's RX8! we have a bit of a rivalry going on between FF Forced induction, and FR N/A! I'm flashing my car, he's doing a CAI and headers. I'm fairly certain in 2-3 years we will both have invested insane amounts of time and money in our cars

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 20:57

Autocross is the only way to compare!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 21:00

eh. we prefer backroads at 11:30PM

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 21:01

Excuses!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro
08/26/2014 at 21:03

backroads are funner! :D
also, there are no cops on my favorite backroad. I've driven it more times than the number of days I've had my car (Read: more than 15) and have never seen a cop there

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/26/2014 at 21:04

But there's no times to compare!

hangus77 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/27/2014 at 10:43

It must be the relationship that the dealer has with the shop that does the tuning. See, the shop that I got the tune done at has a small feud with the dealership because they claim that the management at the shop is "shittay" at best. All of their good techs have left the dealership and moved to the shop that I use. Chances are, they saw the sticker that I have on my car for that shop and decided to throw the book at me. Who knows...

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > hangus77
08/27/2014 at 13:04

Oh wow man, that sucks!
Both of the major VW dealers in my area have really good relationships with Achtuning (the local tuner). Hell, one of them even offers a basic "stage 1" package right from the dealer, meaning the dealer will take the car to Achtuning for you and get a tune, and some sway bars before you even pick the new car up! The other dealership doesn't offer that, but when I took the car in for the day 1 check engine light, the guy who answered the phone said "yeah, I know... a lot of people tend to tune those, but that's not an issue. Just bring it in tomorrow morning and we'll see what's up."