So I've looked long and hard (I know, I know... that's what she said!) and I've decided to go with the Stasis ECU. My other option was APR, which has the nice programs, so your dealer won't find it, but with Stasis... I don't even have to worry about it, cause the dealer is the one installing it. And as for price, they're just about equal for my car. Stasis is $545, APR is $599. Problem is when I called my dealer, he quoted me a $685 installed!. That means there's a $140 labor cost to remove and reinstall a chip. And they don't even have to ship it to stasis, they said Stasis gave them the software for '08 and older so they do everything at the dealer! That seems a little steep. you guys have any comments, suggestions? The dealer is Continental Audi in Naperville, IL (one of the best in Chicagoland Area)

 

I should've probably mentioned, the $140 labor he quoted me over the phone was apparently set in stone by Stasis, and there is nothing he could do about it... or so he said when I started bitching about it. At least they're giving me a loaner for a day and a half until they make it all happen (they're also doing my 35k maintenance)

 

my APR cost me $600 including install. that was when they had the sale promotion. i guess for $85 more, it's trivial.

 

yeah, I'm getting the Stasis no matter what, I just wanted to see if there's some sort of trick to persuade the dealer to lower the labor cost, or to see if anyone else paid as much for installation. If I had a b8 though, I would've definitely gone with APR, since Stasis charges around $1300 for that one, (excluding labor)... what a rip off.

 

You do realize Stasis is using the GIAC software right? This will not correct the engine light if you decide to go stage 2. GIAC probably the least favored software behing APR, REVO and Unitronic.

The most I have seen reputable dealer charge to upload the program is $50. It like a 10-15 minute upload on the ECU. Do not be fooled that Stasis has their own product so they can charge you more.

In the end it is your car.

 

To be honest, I doubt I'll every go stage 2, just because it involves some hardware mods, which greatly increase the chances of my warranty being voided, and it's also kind of expensive, and as far which ECU i get, I think on a day to day driving to work basis, it's not gonna make that much difference, whether it's GIAC or APR, I don't think I'll be racing at a track too often or anything. Either way, Thanks for sharing your opinion/experience, I did actually read your review 2wdBlazer on a different thread, before I posted, and now you made me think twice about it, so today after work, I'm gonna go to my nearby VW dealership where they install APR and do some research. Good thing is I know a guy there I can trust, my dad has just bought his 5th VW from that dealership, same guy too, so... they would NOT want to lose our business.

One more thing, on APR's site it states there's a sale right now, and I can get 4 programs & all options for $599, and then it lists under "other available options" security lockout, Fault code erase, and anti-theft. So these are all included in that price?
I guess the fact that it says "other" available options confuses me, but those should be the ones included, right? It seems like a good deal, if my VW dealer wishes to charge me less for labor than my audi dealer, and confirms the prices, I'll probably go APR, just because of the nice reviews in this forum, and the fact I can go back to stock from time to time to see the difference and know it was worth it.

 

You will not find a better deal than when APR is running a sale. That price may not include the lockout but is certainly nice to have. I paid like 750 when I bought mine at full price wit just a stock & 93 octane with lockout feature. Lockout was a great piece of mind and was never detected. I would get a high flow cat (will not void warranty) or the test pipe as stage 2 is free and really makes a difference.

Enjoy whatever route you take.

 

So, just a little update. I'm getting my car service today, but I'm not gonna get the Stasis. I'm getting the APR sometime later this week, or next week. I found a place that will install it for $50 (GRD in Chicago), after I tried the VW dealership in my town which quoted me $200 for labor. and the Stasis would've been $140 for labor, from Audi. so... moral of the story is.. Stealerships will always try to rip you a new one, especially if it's not your own. The reason I decided to go with APR is mostly all the reviews of how smooth it delivers power, and the fact I can go back and forth between the programs and see the difference later on.

P.S. If one day for some unknown reason my car's electrics are on crack or completely off, and I'm not able to switch it back to stock before towing it to the dealer, and they find out I have APR, and void my warranty... I will be so pissed! ...but who thinks that'll happen, right?

 

Got the APR, just a couple of hours ago. Instantly felt the difference. 4 programs, lock-out and all other options - $646.50 installed. Great deal, real happy. Can't wait to find the next thing to spend money on for my car. D

 

stage 1 I assume? You will get used to it in a month or 2 and wished you got stage 2. Plus side is you get the upgrade from APR fro free but they may charge a small install fee again. Enjoy