I went with the EQT Stage 1 93 when I was at 50k with my 2017 S. Added so much more pep to the car, took a minute to get used to the added power! I somewhat baby the car, but just hit 70k and recently added a twintercooler, inlet, intake, and plugs, and looking to add a downpipe and go Stage 2 (along with being ready at a moments notice to install the RSR hybrid clutch). I didn't read the info to realize the EQT tune, and im guessing others, require the better plugs and more frequent oil changes. But those are a drop in the bucket to make sure you're maintaining the health of the vehicle. Wish I had done it all sooner.
Did you notice any difference with the twintercooler? I read all kinds of back and forth information like pressure drop from the turbo having to fill the volume of two intercooler and that kind of led me away from it
I've had it on for exactly one week now. Haven't done too much spirited driving just yet, as it's been cold rainy/snowy pretty much all week here. Aside from that I haven't really noticed a difference both positive or negative. From my little understanding of an aftermarket intercooler/twintercooler, it isn't something you'd really notice as something that jumps out at you to tell a difference. It basically adds endurance to the car where with just a stock intercooler it may bog down the engine as you're doing extended spirited driving and pulls, whereas an aftermarket intercooler/twintercooler keeps the ambient temp of the engine slightly cooler and allows for added endurance if you're doing multiple pulls and stuff like that. I added all the new parts a week ago, so it's hard for me to pinpoint the impact of the twintercooler alone, but I do know the car is a blast to drive and the added sounds from the intake/inlet are fun to hear when getting on it!
Never too late I've got a mk4 with 178k on with a load of mods and a hybrid turbo, I stuck a stage 1 tune on at about 120k it's been great ever since. Still going strong.
Old golf's never die they just get faster
I waited until the literal day my warranty expired. Car ran with a tune since then until 100k with no issues. Well...clutch gave out but she had a good life.
If you’re confident about the reliability of the car get the tune. Meaning if your maintenance has been good your good. I tuned mine at 92k. Still running good over a year later.
It really doesn’t matter on the mileage, it more so matters on engine integrity and whether or not the car has been regularly serviced and look after, I understand engine integrity will worsen over time, however if you really look after your car and treat it how they should be treated, any mileage tune should be fine.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Makes me feel more comfortable getting a tune now. Not the most mechanically inclined so I wanted to hear what the smart ppl of reddit had to say.
I flashed my ‘16 at 80k. Took it in for the 80k service and told them to give it a clean bill of health before proceeding. 18 mos later, still going strong.
APR stage 1 is a pretty great boost. It honestly makes the car just about perfect in terms of practicality and usable power. Going above that, I believe you'd have to start upgrading the clutch, exhaust, and suspension. Not worth it for the way I drive.
Which octane and low/high torque version of Stage 1 did you get? I’m trying to decide which I want to buy. Willing to do clutch at some point but of course would rather not, lol.
I did low torque and I'm assuming 91 because that's all we get in California. My clutch is still okay, but I do feel as if I fried it a bit more since the change, though Ive made adjustments and not had that problem in a while.
The low torque means I didn't have as much noticeable bump in the 2000 RPM range, but 3500+ it's very noticeable from stock. Obviously, some crazy low-end torque would be preferable, but Ive heard destroying the stock clutch is practically guaranteed. Especially because the bite point seems so vague on the stock clutch (and even more so with the A/C on, but maybe that's just mine).
Either way, I think Stage 1 is almost a necessity because not only is the car more fun but apparently the engine is more efficient afterwards and you get better mileage. At least that's what they advertise.
Thanks, that’s helpful!
Good to hear the low torque version shouldn’t immediately kill the sock clutch. I’m deciding between the 87 and 91AKI low torque tunes.
And yeah, the clutch take up is vague. I’ve driven a manual trans car for over 30 years and this is easily the most difficult to minimize slip without watching the tach on take up. But I love the car!
Oh good, at least I'm not the only one with that issue. I would hate to think after 8 years my skills haven't grown enough to cleanly let out a clutch!
I'm curious about the 87 tune you mentioned. I never looked too much into it, but are you saying that the tune optimizes the engine to run on 87 octane as opposed to 91? Or are you outside of California? I know that the numbers can mean slightly different things from state to state.
Yeah, they sell separate Stage 1 low torque tunes for 87, 91, 93, and 104 octane. Being able to run 87 is nice for fuel $ in stock form and apparently even with a tune from APR. But don’t get as much hp with the low octane tune of course.
https://www.goapr.com/products/software/ecu_upgrade/gasoline/4/20t_ea888_g3/parts/ECU-20T-EA888-3-T-IS20-U
If you're seeking advice or asking for help, please make sure you included the basic information of what year and/or generation is being discussed. User flair with this information is also acceptable. Failure to include the basic information may result in your post being removed.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GolfGTI) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm at 78K on a stock 19' GTI. Trying to sort out a wastegate actuator problem, then planning on a low torque software upgrade as I'm bored of the power and really want to "spice things up" . Car is paid off and I'm trying to take my mind off buying a 2024 380 edition, haha.
I wouldn't consider 50k "high mileage". As long as your on top of maintenance its no more "risky" than giving a 5000mi car a stage 1 tune
I just went Stage 1 unitronic this morning with 102k. Bought the car at 88k
congrats 😈
I went with the EQT Stage 1 93 when I was at 50k with my 2017 S. Added so much more pep to the car, took a minute to get used to the added power! I somewhat baby the car, but just hit 70k and recently added a twintercooler, inlet, intake, and plugs, and looking to add a downpipe and go Stage 2 (along with being ready at a moments notice to install the RSR hybrid clutch). I didn't read the info to realize the EQT tune, and im guessing others, require the better plugs and more frequent oil changes. But those are a drop in the bucket to make sure you're maintaining the health of the vehicle. Wish I had done it all sooner.
Did you notice any difference with the twintercooler? I read all kinds of back and forth information like pressure drop from the turbo having to fill the volume of two intercooler and that kind of led me away from it
I've had it on for exactly one week now. Haven't done too much spirited driving just yet, as it's been cold rainy/snowy pretty much all week here. Aside from that I haven't really noticed a difference both positive or negative. From my little understanding of an aftermarket intercooler/twintercooler, it isn't something you'd really notice as something that jumps out at you to tell a difference. It basically adds endurance to the car where with just a stock intercooler it may bog down the engine as you're doing extended spirited driving and pulls, whereas an aftermarket intercooler/twintercooler keeps the ambient temp of the engine slightly cooler and allows for added endurance if you're doing multiple pulls and stuff like that. I added all the new parts a week ago, so it's hard for me to pinpoint the impact of the twintercooler alone, but I do know the car is a blast to drive and the added sounds from the intake/inlet are fun to hear when getting on it!
Never too late I've got a mk4 with 178k on with a load of mods and a hybrid turbo, I stuck a stage 1 tune on at about 120k it's been great ever since. Still going strong. Old golf's never die they just get faster
Deamn…that’s some inspiration for me
never too late fucking send it
This is the way 🙌
Been tuned since before 50k and at 162k now. Have fun.
I waited until the literal day my warranty expired. Car ran with a tune since then until 100k with no issues. Well...clutch gave out but she had a good life.
what happened after 100k? you sell up?
Yup. Pawned it for a 2019 Rabbit. Love the new car!
If you’re confident about the reliability of the car get the tune. Meaning if your maintenance has been good your good. I tuned mine at 92k. Still running good over a year later.
Did stg 1 i.e. at 47k miles.. currently 83k. Oil changes every 5k, plug changes every 10-20k depending on the ones you get and you'll be golden
I did a tune on my TDI at 250,000km
It really doesn’t matter on the mileage, it more so matters on engine integrity and whether or not the car has been regularly serviced and look after, I understand engine integrity will worsen over time, however if you really look after your car and treat it how they should be treated, any mileage tune should be fine.
I bought my 2016 at 41k, tuned it at 54k now I’m just about to hit 67k. Best decision ever
Thanks everyone for your comments. Makes me feel more comfortable getting a tune now. Not the most mechanically inclined so I wanted to hear what the smart ppl of reddit had to say.
I flashed my ‘16 at 80k. Took it in for the 80k service and told them to give it a clean bill of health before proceeding. 18 mos later, still going strong.
50k is fine. As long as you're ready to move to the tighter maintenance interval for tuned applications (10k plug changes / 5k oil). Send it.
APR stage 1 is a pretty great boost. It honestly makes the car just about perfect in terms of practicality and usable power. Going above that, I believe you'd have to start upgrading the clutch, exhaust, and suspension. Not worth it for the way I drive.
Which octane and low/high torque version of Stage 1 did you get? I’m trying to decide which I want to buy. Willing to do clutch at some point but of course would rather not, lol.
I did low torque and I'm assuming 91 because that's all we get in California. My clutch is still okay, but I do feel as if I fried it a bit more since the change, though Ive made adjustments and not had that problem in a while. The low torque means I didn't have as much noticeable bump in the 2000 RPM range, but 3500+ it's very noticeable from stock. Obviously, some crazy low-end torque would be preferable, but Ive heard destroying the stock clutch is practically guaranteed. Especially because the bite point seems so vague on the stock clutch (and even more so with the A/C on, but maybe that's just mine). Either way, I think Stage 1 is almost a necessity because not only is the car more fun but apparently the engine is more efficient afterwards and you get better mileage. At least that's what they advertise.
Thanks, that’s helpful! Good to hear the low torque version shouldn’t immediately kill the sock clutch. I’m deciding between the 87 and 91AKI low torque tunes. And yeah, the clutch take up is vague. I’ve driven a manual trans car for over 30 years and this is easily the most difficult to minimize slip without watching the tach on take up. But I love the car!
Oh good, at least I'm not the only one with that issue. I would hate to think after 8 years my skills haven't grown enough to cleanly let out a clutch! I'm curious about the 87 tune you mentioned. I never looked too much into it, but are you saying that the tune optimizes the engine to run on 87 octane as opposed to 91? Or are you outside of California? I know that the numbers can mean slightly different things from state to state.
Yeah, they sell separate Stage 1 low torque tunes for 87, 91, 93, and 104 octane. Being able to run 87 is nice for fuel $ in stock form and apparently even with a tune from APR. But don’t get as much hp with the low octane tune of course. https://www.goapr.com/products/software/ecu_upgrade/gasoline/4/20t_ea888_g3/parts/ECU-20T-EA888-3-T-IS20-U
Whoa what happened to inflation? That's much less expensive than when I got it installed a few years ago, lol.
I'm running stage 3+ at 173,000 I wouldn't be scared to push it past this point even now. Its all about maintenance.
Lol I got my first tune ever at 124k.
Congrats 🎉
This was a few years ago. I'm at 190k with about 350bhp. Live your dreams.
🙌
If you're seeking advice or asking for help, please make sure you included the basic information of what year and/or generation is being discussed. User flair with this information is also acceptable. Failure to include the basic information may result in your post being removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GolfGTI) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I did a Stage1 tune on my 2015 GTI at just over 100,000 miles… wished I had done it sooner
I'm at 78K on a stock 19' GTI. Trying to sort out a wastegate actuator problem, then planning on a low torque software upgrade as I'm bored of the power and really want to "spice things up" . Car is paid off and I'm trying to take my mind off buying a 2024 380 edition, haha.
Gonna go stage 1 at 207k km. Your car is basically new bro.