APR Stage 3 questions

As said by APR, even tuned, the S4/S5 is still a reliable car, with some aspects of servicing being reduced in respect of the intervals. It depends on how it's driven.

There isn't a lot of components changed from stock, so that gives better reliability than other tuned models/makes.

The gearbox should have had the mods that affected the early generation DSG 501 boxes.

So in theory, the usual checks etc that you would make even if it was a standard car.

Plus now you know to check the upgrades as per the list from APR.

The 'stages' of tune is a bit of an informal state of tune. Stage 1 is remap, S2 is pulley and intake, but how it goes from 2+ to S3, I'm not sure. I did think it was with the larger throttle body, which is APR's 'Ultra charger'. Not sure if there is a definitive list of mods to categorise the 'stage' label.

Bottomline, check it out thoroughly and bear in mind it will be no less reliable than a Standard car, so you get a good car, that has all the mods, you would do anyway.

There are two parts to my response. As Dave noted, APR is a reputable tuner. Based on what I have seen over the years I think APR probably do more research and development that other tuners - they go as far as buying an engine and putting it on a dyno (a real one not a rolling road) so that they can add lots of sensors. So it is fair to say that their tunes tend to have respect to reliability as well as performance. However there IS a compromise between reliability and performance and a stage 3 tune has less of the former in favour of the latter. I don't believe that APR's ultracharger has been trouble-free - maybe some time on mostly US-based Audizine will help with info.

The second part concerns the platform. We like our S5s but we can't say that they are perfect. The new ones have design faults and it takes time for Audi to fix them, and not all get fixed within the lifecycle of the platform. It's all about risk of failure and we have to accept that tuning can increase that risk. I assume that the 2012 S5 is a European model, if so it will have the s-tronic DSG gearbox. It should be the 2nd version which is better than the 1st, but not as good as the 3rd which went into production in 2013 (as far as I can tell). A TCU tune should have raised the torque limit but at 114km there's a chance that the clutchpacks have wear and tear - especialy if the previous owners have launched the car (there is a counter that can be checked). And that is separate from the mechatronics problem which has plagued this gearbox. The engine is solid (it won a design award) but won't last forever, especially when stressed by a stage 3 tune.

My advice - if big maintenance bills would be a serious problem for you, don't buy that car.

Thank you very much for both of your answers, I really appreciate it, since you guys have much much more experience with these cars.

Today I've seen the car in person, and what can I say, it's a beauty.


The car was tuned for 103 octane fuel, but since only 2 places sell that here, they redid the tune and now it runs with 100 octane that is available in Hungary. I heard about the problem with the gearbox, I have to ask the dealership if they modified anything to make it more bulletproof besides the occasional oil change.

Big maintenance bills I meant like if the gearbox shits itself, than that's a big problem, but I think that would be kinda a big problem for almost anyone.
I don't mind spending on the car to keep it in shape with the right components, but I don't want to spend half of what the car is worth in a year, but I think that goes for every car just the numbers change, and can happen to any car if you pick the right one, or in this case the wrong one.

Could you tell me how or where can I see the counter to see about launching the car?

On the engine part, I don't expect it to last forever, it's not a diesel car, but I've seen some impressive mileage on somes, ofc not with this tune. Would tuning back the tune so to speak, like to a more moderate one extend this time you think, or it shouldn't matter now if damage has been done it's done now I have it, and it depends on how am I driving it?

The plan is to go back with money, hopefully next week, take it on a ride, and decide to bring it home or leave it.
The dealer's PR say was that the current owner bought it because it looks good and drives well, but didn't know the capabilities of this tune, and now he is building his home I assume and selling this below price so he can get money faster. He has 2 other cars besides this.
Also someone gave a BMW to the dealership,if they sell that, the owner will buy this S5, maybe a lie, but seemed very detailed about it, so I don't think so.

I have to say I am really in love and my judgement is clouded, I wasn't alone when I went there today to have a clear head next to me who knows more about audis than me, and again I appreciate any kind of input and help, truly.

I do like it in red!

In theory you don't need to de tune for a lower octane as the ECU will pulling timing/ignition with the knock sensors that detect the octane. This why tuners say put the best fuel in you can before a remap, so they get the best out of it, but if you put 95 octane in, it will just pull the timing/ignition back resulting in less power. Most of the time when cars are for sale, the dealer will just put 95 octane in as they're not bothered about the performance or paying the extra for super unleaded.

I am always dubious on car dealer stories, they want to sell the car at the end of the day.

To see the launch counter, you need to have access to Ross tech VCDS or VAG com and get into the diagnostic of the ECU. Unfortunately it's not there at the click of a button on the dash.

It does look like it's been tuned, but not overly modified, as the exterior looks to be standard, which point more towards the owner being more respective to the car. I've put the RS grille on, changed the rear diffuser and exhaust tips - but I still care for my car.

Have a good look through the history of the car. Sounds like the car dealer is a small outfit, which could be a plus point in that he is not just trying to shift a load of metal boxes off his forecourt and has more quality cars!?

Good luck on the test drive! I'm sure you enjoy it! It will feel pretty quick!

When I bought mine it was standard and most probably on 95 fuel, so it didn't feel any faster than my A5 3.0tdi! But after using 99 octane and then going straight to S2, it is fast!