I have a 2012 2.0 T A4 Avant with 3500 Km on it and I am looking at flashing the ECU in the spring and not sure if this is a good idea on a number of fronts:

- will this decrease the engine life?
- warranty (unless I go with the Stasis)
- decrease in fuel economy
- increased strain on transmission and AWD gear


I have looked at the APR which is cheaper and shows some higher improvements in performance than the Stasis, however, the STasis covers the warranty. I have looked at a few other brands of which I have not seen too much talk about.
Any tips on what to look for and what your experience with chipping has been I would appreciate.

 

I would recommend http://www.unitronic-chipped.com/
I know people that swear by it and have tried others. You've got a 30 day money guarantee, try the stage 1 or stage 1+. The dealer would never know you chipped it. It will reduce your turbo life by half but Audi engines are solid.
As for gas millage they claim it would be better but I'd test it myself.

I would wait till I do my first oil change before chipping it. Let the break in process happen naturally. I think it's at 5000km.

 

"Chipping" no matter which software you choose will put additional pressure on the engine...
It depends what you want really. For many a basic reflash will give you just that added power and some will continue with more modds including more agressive flash, exhaust, ...etc

It is a personal choice since people wanting a more agressive tune opt for Unitronics and some more conservative including myself opted for a simple Stage 1 APR to have that extra little ommph for everyday driving not wanting to ask for trouble.
People tend to befanboys of X or Z tune and start taking things way too personal...the truth is after I searched extensively many forums including the web I opted for APR.
APR is the closest tune to the factory and the only thing you can change is your divertrer valve which will be bulletprood with the addional boost.
Mind you my car is an 05 1.8T...with only 28,000km

Any tune will help increase mileage when cruising on the highway
Hope that helps...

 

My car is an 2011 B8 A4 since we both are B8 I did APR Stage1 cuz is the closest tune to the factory you can switch the ECU program from your cruise control

My APR Stage1 I hv Fully Loaded ECU, basically included the 4programs+Security Lockout˛+Fault Code Erase/Throttle Body Alignment (FCE/TBA)˛+Anti-Theft System˛.

- will this decrease the engine life? maybe cuz additional pressure on the engine and the APR 93-octane program allows up to about 16-19 psi, stock will be 6-10 psi
- warranty? 30days from APR
- decrease in fuel economy? I do not think so cuz wt i usually hv 450km/tank on avg before tune and still the same 450km/tank after tune
- increased strain on transmission and AWD gear? Still duno but personally don't think so

But make sure u change ur diverter valve (Forged would be a good suggestion, you need to change the harder spring in it which it does come with) since the OEM might get tired quickly.

But I really duno it will increase mileage when cruising on the highway as "audimontreal" said

 

Well the car is in for the Stasis ECU upgrade, I will report back on performance and if there is a change in fuel economy. Fingers crossed.

 

You won't be disappointed with the Stasis tune. I have it and I LOVE it. I found the hp/tq numbers to be better balanced with the Stasis tune, as opposed to APR, which gives you a ton of torque, but not much horsepower. I added an AWE intercooler, AWE dual exhaust, Eurocode high-flow intercooler pipe, Eurocode silicone intercooler hoses (which come with a larger turbo outlet), Eurocode silicone intake hose, and an AFE high-flow air filter. I spike at ~25psi of boost and hold at 21-23psi.

My buddy has a Unitronic stage1 Golf R and I'm able to pull on him. 0-100km/h, I can gain about a car length on him.

Keep us posted on your results/opinions of the Stasis tune. Looking forward to it.

 

I'm was spiking at 18psi of boost and holding at 15psi when I was completely stock. This was measured on my AWE vent-mount boost gauge- which, from what I've read, is suppose to be very accurate.

 

Update:

Just picked the car up after the ECU upgrade and see quite a difference. ECU was removed from the car last Friday and the car was just handed back to me this past Friday so expect 1 week if you have a 2010 or newer A4. Quick and dirty 0 - 60 testing is in the 6.2 - 6.4 seconds range (sunroof was open and 1 passenger). Fuel economy looks to be OK, but will have to see over the next few weeks. Thinking of going for the stage two which will take it to 305 Hp.

 

There are a few good companies that I am familiar with that offer Audi A4 ecu repairs and upgrades. I'm not sure about how much more horsepower they can deliver but they are located in Michigan audiecu.com Audi Engine Control Unit And Ecu Repair. I would try them first. Good luck with it.

 

I just did APR Stage 1 and I am so impressed...not as big of a gain as the 1.8T engines, but still noticeable.