dougnash

I also posted this topic in the "tuning" forum, but noticed no other posts related to the Q5 - so I thought I'd try this here, too.

Our 2013 is now out of warranty, so I'm considering tune options to get a little more power out of the motor. What are the popular choices around here?

Thanks!

sszyma

APR, UNI, GIAC, EPL. The biggest question is even if you were still in warranty why would you not tune it! Pulley and a tune is a must have. Pulley install is very easy as well (about 2 hours taking your time).

siren001

My 2015 I just put on Apr Stage 1 and it made a huge difference, its like a different vehicle, I'm only at 25k

dougnash

Do you have a 3.0T Q5? What tune are you running? Can you please provide some insight on your results? Thanks.

dougnash

That's great! Do you mind elaborating a little? Any issues, at all yet? Fuel economy change dramatically? I assume you just running our crummy 91, right? Did you do anything else (exhaust, intake, etc.) or only the tune?

poncho@home

I picked up a Chipwerke Pro piggy back. I imstalled and it had a marked impact on performance with no apparant negative impact.

Initial testing resulted in a .7-.8 improvement 0-60 Mph

I do plan on getting a full tune once my warranty expires as well, likely Unitronic because they are local to me.

2013 Q5 3.0T

siren001

Sure, I have a 2015 Q5 3.0T. I did notice a decrease in mpg when I do step on it, but on the flip-side I did noticed i get better gas mileage when just cruising on the highway.

With only 2 tanks on my car since Stage 1 Upgrade per Fuelly I'm getting 20.2 MPG, keep in mind I live in SF and 50-60% of my diving is though the city over hills. Usually around 18-19mpg pre-remap

I do have 034 Motorsports Throttle Bottle Intake Hose, Stock Airbox, but K&N Air filter.

I'm running the 91 Tune because I can't seem to find 93 etc in Bay Areal.

One thing I've liked since the tune I do notice when I'm going 101 North on the straightaway up the hill by San Rafael in 7th Gear it does pull nicely around 2k rpm without realizing the speed increase, example could be going at 65 than next thing you notice without mashing on the pedal your at 75-80mph.

riceboy22

I've also gotten better gas mileage post-tune. From what I can tell, APR sets their program up so that the "Automatic" setting is tuned for greater fuel efficiency (it seems like it shifts earlier than it did on the OEM tune) while the "Dynamic" setting is for performance. I actually wouldn't mind something in between the two for normal driving.

For the OP's original question, there's really not a big difference between the tunes from the major players. GIAC has program switching if that matters to you. APR has advertised that they have a big release planned for the fall (Stage 2+/3), so they seem to be more active on the platform. I don't see that many cars running Unitronic but they're an option as well. There are also smaller tuners like EPL, but I'd probably only go with them if I needed customization.

I would personally just choose a tune based on what the indy shop you use carries. It's more important that you have a good indy shop than what tune you end up picking.

Yoshimura

It won't be less expensive to repair/replace engine because it's now out of warranty...

dougnash

Great! Thanks for the additional information.