Go Back   AudiForums.com > Audi Models > Audi A4 > B7 Models


Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 07-07-2008, 10:50 PM
bem1 bem1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 70
Default APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

So I am currently torn between getting the APR ECU upgrade or not. Here are the pros and cons that I have thought of:

Pros
====
-extra horsepower and torque
-faster
-better
-retains factory like smoothness
-uses encryption
-lifetime free updates
-30 day money back guarantee
-FlipSwitch - 2 programsis free the month of July (savings of $149)

Cons
====
-Expensive (~$720 that includes tax and labor)
-Could potentially break something which may or may not be covered under warranty
-Your dealer finding out that you chipped your car, then voidmy warranty
-Not being told any secrets that the chip upgrade could cause damage wise down the road

I realize that $720 is pretty cheap to get ~41 extra horsepower, but do the pros outweigh the cons? I think my wife would kill me if something would happen to the car, and it potentially voids the warranty and/or requires $$$$ to repair something that may break. Help me make up my mind!!

-Blake
__________________
2008 A4 2.0T Avant quattro S-line APR-93
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Audi Forums!
  #2  
Old 07-07-2008, 11:18 PM
dmfan016 dmfan016 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 264
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

your dv valve will fail.....i chipped my car and withen the week it failed..... due to the magnus moss act the dealership can't entirely void your warranty, if there is a problem directly related to you chipping the car then yeah they won't cover you, you should look into other manufacturers of chips because i used unitronics and it ran me 670 for everything, i ended up with 55hp and 65lbs of additional torque

the weird thing is that i actually get better mileage with the chip then i previously did....i say go for it....as long as you perform regualr matinence and care (and a forge dv) for your car you'll be fine, it really makes the car alot more fun to drive
__________________
"America is all about speed; hot, nasty, bad ass speed" - eleanor roosevelt
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-08-2008, 12:58 AM
bem1 bem1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 70
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

dmfan016,

What year is your Audi? I was told by the APR Rep that the 08's have a higher revision of the DV, and they have not seen many issues with it. I plan on calling APR back to confirm this.

Thanks for your response.

-Blake
__________________
2008 A4 2.0T Avant quattro S-line APR-93
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-08-2008, 01:37 AM
movala4 movala4 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location:
Posts: 85
Send a message via AIM to movala4
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

i went with GIAC and am very happy. it definately puts me back in my seat when i stepped on it. Luckily I have only gone through one DV valve. Ive had the chip for almost a good year. I paid $220 to get the DV valve replaced.
__________________

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-09-2008, 09:25 PM
harryd14 harryd14 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ATL
Posts: 725
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

i would honestly go with the chip... if you are considering it enough, and think that eventually down the road you are gonna get it, you might as well get it now while the deal is going on so you can get the free programs and save $150... but thats just my $.02
__________________
2005.5 A4 2.0Tq 6speed

-Snub Mount
-Carbonio CAI
-Smoked side markers
-Smoked front bumper reflectors
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-10-2008, 02:27 AM
dmfan016 dmfan016 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 264
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

i have an 08 quattro and i blew my dv in less then a week its still a plastic DV no matter what revisions they did....plastic is weak
__________________
"America is all about speed; hot, nasty, bad ass speed" - eleanor roosevelt
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-10-2008, 10:24 AM
bem1 bem1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 70
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

dmfan016, what did you replace it with? Another factory branded or aftermarket?

Per APR, the G Revision DV has been up to par, and they have not had any issues in their testing.

Thoughts?

-Blake
__________________
2008 A4 2.0T Avant quattro S-line APR-93
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-10-2008, 02:36 PM
harryd14 harryd14 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ATL
Posts: 725
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

if your looking for an aftermarket dv, forge has a lot that ppl like to put on their audi's, one of the most popular is the 007 forge dv
__________________
2005.5 A4 2.0Tq 6speed

-Snub Mount
-Carbonio CAI
-Smoked side markers
-Smoked front bumper reflectors
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-12-2008, 01:24 AM
incrementalg incrementalg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location:
Posts: 467
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

Quote:
ORIGINAL: bem1

dmfan016,

What year is your Audi? I was told by the APR Rep that the 08's have a higher revision of the DV, and they have not seen many issues with it. I plan on calling APR back to confirm this.

Thanks for your response.

-Blake
I heard the same thing re the dv valve in the '08. I'm gonna upgrade the dv valve when I chip, just to prevent a hassle at a later time. (it'll fail when I won't have time or space to deal with it)
__________________
2006 A4 2.0T
2003 Allroad 2.7T
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-12-2008, 03:18 AM
fellinlovewb7 fellinlovewb7 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location:
Posts: 14
Default RE: APR ECU Upgrade - to buy or not to buy

Get the chip, no question... it really does make a difference. also there are numerous others who have driven many miles on chipped car with same DV and had no problems and I've heard the failure rate is not all that much higher on a chipped a4 than it is stock...
__________________
Mods so far
Llumar Ceramic Based Tint 50% windshield and front 35 rear
H7 plasma xenon bulbs (HID to come later)
HiLEDs 120 12v .5w bulbs for city lights, side markers
HiLEDs around license plate and under each door
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Advertising

Featured Sponsors


New Sponsors
AMSOIL - Performance Oil Technology
K&N Engineering
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:39 PM.

© Internet Brands, Inc.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.