Starting to get an itch for a bit more power.

For those who have gone stage 1 to stage 2, was it worth it? I know it won't give bucket loads of more power so just wondering if it was worth the extra investment. Which I presume would be an exhaust, air intake and software upgrade? I've currently just got an intercooler and stage 1 producing 211bhp.

Thanks.

In one word? No.

 

And before somebody thinks it's a twincharger specific issue or that there have been problems with the car because of the stage 2 I will reply in advance: No, it has nothing to do with the 1.4 TSI engine, car has been as fine as it's been while stock and stage 1 equally. With maybe a few exceptions, that I don't know of I just always like to leave a margin for exceptions, the Stage 2 is a decision that hardly makes any sense on any car out there. That been said we do many irrational things and still like them... Now I helped you a lot with that, right?

Wow I must have sounded very discouraging judging by the silence...

 

Let me elaborate a bit. Power increase with a stage 1 is a good 30bhp over 180 (~17%) and around 60Nm over 250 (24%) as stock which is definitely noticeable past 3.5K when the turbo takes over on its own. Cost is not much and is practically still within factory tolerances. You can upgrade peripherals if you like to, but that is necessary maybe only when you plan to push hard for prolonged periods of time, on the track maybe, or driving under especially rough conditions (heat, load etc.) I'd say for the occasional flooring you can practically leave everything stock (ok minus plugs) and still be good with just a software map. Cheap, easy and strong. Perfect.

 

Then you think I liked that, it was really simple so I wanna do it again/go further. So Stage 2. Now you have to start counting: cold air intake, upgraded BOV, intercooler, a new exhaust system. You're already ~1500£ in and then you get your stage 2 remap. You take it for a ride and if you're being honest you'll rpobably think, hmmm ok it might be a bit quicker on 4th gear and probably doesn't die out so soon, but maybe only slightly... Not nearly the difference you felt going stage 1 from stock and that's normal as you've added a mere 10-15bhp over 210 that you had already (oups that's less than 5%...) and torque is practically unchanged, 10-15Nm more at best. You think WTH? Doesn't make sense that I spent so much for barely noticeable gains? Oh yes you did. It's because stage 1 used most of the available potential of stock engine and turbo and left too little to be claimed from the stage 2. And if you don't like noise, drone, and turning people's heads when you drive by you're now stuck with an exhaust that does just that. You've already lost a part of the stock comfort and daily usability that was still intact at stage 1. Not to forget you must now be much more careful with maintenance, checking plugs and coil-packs more often etc.

 

Not that the above are necessarily bad, some people are prepared to do those sacrifices in order to get every last horse out of their engine and don't give a damn about the financial evaluation of every procedure and value for money ratios. But usually in forums, you can very easily hear/read the opinions of exactly this type of people that favour tuning in almost any state and that like to focus purely on the performance and +/- 1 bhp, whereas you don't usually hear a lot on the loss of practicality and comfort that comes with it.

In one word? No.

 

And before somebody thinks it's a twincharger specific issue or that there have been problems with the car because of the stage 2 I will reply in advance: No, it has nothing to do with the 1.4 TSI engine, car has been as fine as it's been while stock and stage 1 equally. With maybe a few exceptions, that I don't know of I just always like to leave a margin for exceptions, the Stage 2 is a decision that hardly makes any sense on any car out there. That been said we do many irrational things and still like them... Now I helped you a lot with that, right?

 

It's sad to say but I tend to agree with newbie. Stage 1 is worth the money for the performance increase you get. Stage 2 involves a lot more expensive hardware to make any noticeable gains. So if you are thinking of selling the car anytime soon then don't do it.

 

However there is a saying "anything more then a hand full is a waste". But that being said "you can still have a lot of fun with waste"....lol. With stage 2 my car it is now 10km/h faster down the main straight of my local track compared to last year and if I could put the power down better out the corners it could be even faster. On most tracks it is between 1 and 2 seconds quicker now. Then for another 1 or 2 seconds improvement next year on the track I would be needing to double my budget again and so it goes on and on.

Edited 28 October, 201510 yr by mmmRacer

It's sad to say but I tend to agree with newbie. Stage 1 is worth the money for the performance increase you get. Stage 2 involves a lot more expensive hardware to make any noticeable gains. So if you are thinking of selling the car anytime soon then don't do it.

 

However there is a saying "anything more then a hand full is a waste". But that being said "you can still have a lot of fun with waste"....lol. With stage 2 my car it is now 10km/h faster down the main straight of my local track compared to last year and if I could put the power down better out the corners it could be even faster. On most tracks it is between 1 and 2 seconds quicker now. Then for another 1 or 2 seconds improvement next year on the track I would be needing to double my budget again and so it goes on and on.

 

Oh I forgot that one. In Greece we tend to say that with mods like Stage 2 you are "marrying" the car, meaning it's both harder for it to sell as it is without (paying for) removing all the upgrades and harder for you as well to accept the inevitable loss of investment as you are not getting back but a tiny fraction of what you've spent. Just something to keep in mind as well. That is not necessarily bad for people that are tuning their cars on a clear purpose (track/drag days), but if it is only about the occasional flooring (which is what most people are doing) then I can't possibly see it being justified.

 

After my experience with the vRS it either has to be a simple stage 1, gives the extra punch that makes the car compete against 220-250 bhp stock cars while retaining full comfort and drive-ability, or... stage 3 BT where you obviously spend big cash but also can get to 320+ where it is clearly something completely different. Stage 2 alone will probably make you more frustrated than happy with the results for the money spent and hybrid is not exactly the safest way to go for a number of reasons.

 

I was browsing the S5 forums a while ago and a guy was asking the same question, he had a stage 1 and wondered whether it was worth going for stage 2. Just to give you an idea, the B8.5 Audi S5 gets an immense 111 bhp increase from 333 to 444 bhp simply with a software map, and then stage 2 hardly adds anything more as it takes it from 444 to 458. I was amazed to read replies like "Yes sure it's totally worth it, it's not the numbers rather than the feel of the car" and I was wondering are these people serious at all? I mean sure it's hard to admit wrong decisions, and even harder when disucssing car tuning and all that, but the only reason the car would "feel" different after it got a mere 15 bhp on top if its 444 would be because your wallet would weigh much less due to all the money spent for stage 2.

 

In that sense, 15 bhp more on a 211 bhp vRS might not be that bad after all. Might actually be a value for money mod for stage 2 standards... 

Thanks for the detailed replies! Sorry for the late reply, your reply was helpful I was going to reply a while after but then just forgot.

I was expecting the answer to be no I think, but it's interesting to hear your opinions. I thought I'd ask just in case there was an argument to do so.

I've recently got a new job which has enabled me to save quite a bit, so I'm saving for a mortgage and a new car (although I probably can't do both considering the car I'm set on is a Mercedes CLA45 AMG haha)

Looks like I'll stick with stage 1 I do want to upgrade the brakes at some point and still tempted to take the weights off but I think that will be all. Cheers guys!