Facelift APR Stage 1 tune

[Ben Palmer]

Just got my APR stage 1 tune installed on my 2018 RS3 saloon yesterday and wanted to share my thoughts/hear those of others who have gotten the tune. I live in Chicago, Illinois where 93 octane is at every gas station. We also have plenty stations that sell E85. I elected to have the map switching capabilities and programmed them as follows.
Map 1 : 93 Octane (primary map for me)
Map 2 : 91 Octane
Map 3 : E85 <--Can't wait to fill her up with this.
Map 4 : Stock

PERFORMANCE
Very noticeable increase in the vehicles performance. The throttle becomes a lot more responsive with less lag when pressing the peddle. The car pulls hard and just keeps pulling. I am very impressed. As if the car wasn't hard enough to drive calmly before, it is now that much more difficult. I just want to plant the peddle to the floor over and over.

SOUND
I was a little disappointed in this category. I feel like the noise from the exhaust is just a bit more tame. The crackle and pops seem to have decreased maybe 20%. This is noticeable upon start up and most of all when the car downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear. That back-pressure sound you get pushing out the exhaust at 2,000 RPM when the car downshifts was a thing of beauty. For those who own this vehicle should know exactly what I am talking about. That 3rd to 2nd downshift noise for me is noticeably quieter. I am not sure what caused this, but my GUESS would be the fuel burning more efficiently now that the ECU has been tuned. If I am correct, I would think this is a positive thing as far as performance goes, just not for the sound that we all crave.

Overall I am very happy I got the tune done and already looking forward to leaving work and driving this beast. Just wish I could INCREASE the noise level but do not want to get rid of my factory sport exhaust.

 

[Terminator x]

91 octane

TX.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk

 

[Toshers]

Great stuff. I have my car booked in for the APR stage 1 map on the 23rd July. What mods are you running? IC, intake pipe, filter etc?

I'm considering fitting a decat downpipe to release a bit more power and noise. The car will also then be ready for stage 2 when APR finally get around to releasing it...

 

[Ben Palmer]

Great stuff. I have my car booked in for the APR stage 1 map on the 23rd July. What mods are you running? IC, intake pipe, filter etc?

I'm considering fitting a decat downpipe to release a bit more power and noise. The car will also then be ready for stage 2 when APR finally get around to releasing it...

The only mod I have are Mid Pipes. (deletion of the secondary cat in the US market)
I plan to (eventually) get a IC and downpipe, whenever APR releases theirs.

 

[Ben Palmer]

91 octane

TX.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk

Yeah LOL.
The only reason I created a map for 91 octane is for when I move to Arizona in a couple years. From what I have heard they (unfortunately) do not sell 93 on the Western coast.

 

[Deep penetrator]

Just got my APR stage 1 tune installed on my 2018 RS3 saloon yesterday and wanted to share my thoughts/hear those of others who have gotten the tune. I live in Chicago, Illinois where 93 octane is at every gas station. We also have plenty stations that sell E85. I elected to have the map switching capabilities and programmed them as follows.
Map 1 : 93 Octane (primary map for me)
Map 2 : 91 Octane
Map 3 : E85 <--Can't wait to fill her up with this.
Map 4 : Stock

PERFORMANCE
Very noticeable increase in the vehicles performance. The throttle becomes a lot more responsive with less lag when pressing the peddle. The car pulls hard and just keeps pulling. I am very impressed. As if the car wasn't hard enough to drive calmly before, it is now that much more difficult. I just want to plant the peddle to the floor over and over.

SOUND
I was a little disappointed in this category. I feel like the noise from the exhaust is just a bit more tame. The crackle and pops seem to have decreased maybe 20%. This is noticeable upon start up and most of all when the car downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear. That back-pressure sound you get pushing out the exhaust at 2,000 RPM when the car downshifts was a thing of beauty. For those who own this vehicle should know exactly what I am talking about. That 3rd to 2nd downshift noise for me is noticeably quieter. I am not sure what caused this, but my GUESS would be the fuel burning more efficiently now that the ECU has been tuned. If I am correct, I would think this is a positive thing as far as performance goes, just not for the sound that we all crave.

Overall I am very happy I got the tune done and already looking forward to leaving work and driving this beast. Just wish I could INCREASE the noise level but do not want to get rid of my factory sport exhaust.

Sounds great pal thanks for sharing. I went the Revo Stage1 map but I think there very similar in there Performance, after all there’s only so many ways to skin a cat lol.

I’ve got drop in filter (BMC) and a modified RS Sports Exhaust and it sounds epic, I believe the sound on my car has increased slightly after the remap.
Decat DP going on next week now (Rogue Performance) and I just can’t wait. Running 99ron over here, I’ve just placed an order for a barrel of 57ltrs of E85 so I can’t wait to try that lol

 

[Ben Palmer]

Sounds great pal thanks for sharing. I went the Revo Stage1 map but I think there very similar in there Performance, after all there’s only so many ways to skin a cat lol.

I’ve got drop in filter (BMC) and a modified RS Sports Exhaust and it sounds epic, I believe the sound on my car has increased slightly after the remap.
Decat DP going on next week now (Rogue Performance) and I just can’t wait. Running 99ron over here, I’ve just placed an order for a barrel of 57ltrs of E85 so I can’t wait to try that lol

Luckily for me the E85 is easily available at many local stations. I am only afraid to try this cause once I taste that power, I wont be as happy on the standard 93! haha

When you say, "modified RS Sports Exhaust" what are you referring to? What's been modified?

 

[Deep penetrator]

Luckily for me the E85 is easily available at many local stations. I am only afraid to try this cause once I taste that power, I wont be as happy on the standard 93! haha

When you say, "modified RS Sports Exhaust" what are you referring to? What's been modified?

I know what you mean about the E85 lol

So my Exhaust has had the resonator delete, didn’t have secondary cats anyway, the back box has been opened up and reworked and all the sound deadening material removed so it now sounds great. With the Decat on it will sound simply simply lovely lol

 

[Leo-RS]

Sounds great pal thanks for sharing. I went the Revo Stage1 map but I think there very similar in there Performance, after all there’s only so many ways to skin a cat lol.

I’ve got drop in filter (BMC) and a modified RS Sports Exhaust and it sounds epic, I believe the sound on my car has increased slightly after the remap.
Decat DP going on next week now (Rogue Performance) and I just can’t wait. Running 99ron over here, I’ve just placed an order for a barrel of 57ltrs of E85 so I can’t wait to try that lol

57 litres of E85? Where from? They only sell them in 25l barrels? Aaoils and Demon Tweeks are the only 2 places I can find it in the U.K. unless you know of another supplier? What price are you paying?

 

[Deep penetrator]

57 litres of E85? Where from? They only sell them in 25l barrels? Aaoils and Demon Tweeks are the only 2 places I can find it in the U.K. unless you know of another supplier? What price are you paying?

Oh yes your right lol

I got 1 57l barrel of 102ron and 2 barrels of E85 so 50l,
My bad. Oh and from a supplier on eBay who is based near Derbyshire. He’s out of stock now I believe.

 

[Leo-RS]

Oh yes your right lol

I got 1 57l barrel of 102ron and 2 barrels of E85 so 50l,
My bad. Oh and from a supplier on eBay who is based near Derbyshire. He’s out of stock now I believe.

Can you send me his details mate and what you are paying for the E85 as it’s about £130-140 a barrel for 25 litres delivered from the 2 companies I mentioned.

Remember to buy yourself a pump too.

 

[Deep penetrator]

Can you send me his details mate and what you are paying for the E85 as it’s about £130-140 a barrel for 25 litres delivered from the 2 companies I mentioned.

Remember to buy yourself a pump too.

When I get home I’ll dig the details out mate.

 

[Deep penetrator]

Can you send me his details mate and what you are paying for the E85 as it’s about £130-140 a barrel for 25 litres delivered from the 2 companies I mentioned.

Remember to buy yourself a pump too.

Hi mate, sorry for the delay..

I didn’t send you a pm as I forgot from being **** faced lol

So the guy I purchased this stuff from via eBay sent me an email today and a refund as he couldn’t fulfil the order and it seems a genuine mistake. He expects some more E85 in stock end of this month or start of August so when he informs me I’ll post it up for you and anyone else.

 

[Seanix]

I know what you mean about the E85 lol

So my Exhaust has had the resonator delete, didn’t have secondary cats anyway, the back box has been opened up and reworked and all the sound deadening material removed so it now sounds great. With the Decat on it will sound simply simply lovely lol

Impressive stuff about the stock backbox being modified
Any chance U got photos of the opened muffler?

I can imagine this sounding epic with what U have done.

What about drone though? Surely there is drone at certain rpm's/gears. Interested in Ur feedback.

Cheers.






Current: 2018 RS3 Sedan
Past: 2016 RS3 SB

 

[Deep penetrator]

Impressive stuff about the stock backbox being modified
Any chance U got photos of the opened muffler?

I can imagine this sounding epic with what U have done.

What about drone though? Surely there is drone at certain rpm's/gears. Interested in Ur feedback.

Cheers.

Current: 2018 RS3 Sedan
Past: 2016 RS3 SB

Hi mate,

I don’t have pics I’m afraid as I wasn’t there when the guy worked his magic I was in the pub waiting lol.
It does sound extremely good. I’m sure I posted a video somewhere in another thread. When driving around in comfort there’s absolutely no drone and it’s slightly louder than stock in the same mode, put it in to Dynamic and it’s sounds sooooo good, there is the slightest bit of drone at a certain rev range but it’s nothkng to write home about and it soon passes.

 

[Deep penetrator]

Impressive stuff about the stock backbox being modified
Any chance U got photos of the opened muffler?

I can imagine this sounding epic with what U have done.

What about drone though? Surely there is drone at certain rpm's/gears. Interested in Ur feedback.

Cheers.
Current: 2018 RS3 Sedan
Past: 2016 RS3 SB

 

[Seanix]

Hi mate,

I don’t have pics I’m afraid as I wasn’t there when the guy worked his magic I was in the pub waiting lol.
It does sound extremely good. I’m sure I posted a video somewhere in another thread. When driving around in comfort there’s absolutely no drone and it’s slightly louder than stock in the same mode, put it in to Dynamic and it’s sounds sooooo good, there is the slightest bit of drone at a certain rev range but it’s nothkng to write home about and it soon passes.

Just saw the video U posted. Sounds great .

Do U know if the exhaust place straight piped the muffler or did they just remove the sound deadening.

U may be the first one who has modded the stock exhaust on an rs3. Good on ya mate

I like it






Current: 2018 RS3 Sedan
Past: 2016 RS3 SB

 

[Deep penetrator]

Just saw the video U posted. Sounds great .

Do U know if the exhaust place straight piped the muffler or did they just remove the sound deadening.

U may be the first one who has modded the stock exhaust on an rs3. Good on ya mate

I like it






Current: 2018 RS3 Sedan
Past: 2016 RS3 SB

Hi mate,

With regards to the back box (muffler) he removed all the sound deadening material and yes he reworked the pipe work to give it more volume.

This mod was the first thing I did on my M4 and my M3 so it was obviously the first thing I was going to do on this RS3 and I love the results

 

[Ben Palmer]

Just wanted to post an update on my original posting about the SOUND.
Over the past few days the original sound of the vehicle has returned, and possible even slightly louder. Its as if the car had to relearn the ECU or something?
Whatever the case, I am very happy with the results now and would highly recommend to anyone thinking about getting the APR tune. You will not be disappointed!

 

[Seanix]

Just wanted to post an update on my original posting about the SOUND.
Over the past few days the original sound of the vehicle has returned, and possible even slightly louder. Its as if the car had to relearn the ECU or something?
Whatever the case, I am very happy with the results now and would highly recommend to anyone thinking about getting the APR tune. You will not be disappointed!

Good to hear. I was a little disappointed to hear apr toned down an already toned down exhaust

The exhaust is different on start up though isn't it. No more rattle from the W.G?





Current: 2018 RS3 Sedan
Past: 2016 RS3 SB

 

[Ben Palmer]

Good to hear. I was a little disappointed to hear apr toned down an already toned down exhaust

The exhaust is different on start up though isn't it. No more rattle from the W.G?





Current: 2018 RS3 Sedan
Past: 2016 RS3 SB

That is correct, I am NOT getting the w.g. rattle anymore and it is quite refreshing. I HATED starting my car for someone and they're looking at me like something is broken!

 

[Leo-RS]

91 octane

TX.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk

91 octane in US is 95 here in U.K.
93 octane in US is 98 here in U.K.

 

[Powerenhancer]

91 octane in US is 95 here in U.K.
93 octane in US is 98 here in U.K.

This. Europe use RON and pump fuel in the USA is actually PON (pump octane number), which takes into account the MON value.

Our fuel is relatively good here. Every 95 RON sample I have submitted for test has come back in the 96.x range. 99 RON is usually closer to 100 than 99.