The Pros And Cons Of Audi Tuning
RennSport. RS. Two letters that mean performance. Audi’s performance division continues to deliver the goods both on track and on the street and has made Audi a firm favorite for automotive enthusiasts who want a car that is both a competent daily driver and a formidable racing machine.
What makes Audi that much more desirable is how much you can do with so little. A downpipe and a tune are all it takes to unlock new levels of performance, but is Audi tuning all it’s cracked up to be? We chatted with our performance specialists to discuss the pros and cons of tuning your Audi.
Pros
We’ll start with the good side, all the benefits that come with Audi tuning, and why Audi lends itself so well to being a tuning platform.
Ease Of Tuning
It is almost scary how easy it is to tune an Audi, and you’re almost spoiled for choice! You can go with the classic APR route, flash-tune the existing ECU, the reversible plug-and-play route with a RaceChip, or the best with a Cobb Acccessport. Most of the stock components on an Audi are good for way more horsepower than they come with from the factory, and again you’re almost spoiled for choice when you do decide to upgrade your hardware with both American and European performance brands offering a wide range of off the shelf parts
Improved Performance and Economy
Software tuning not only unlocks more horsepower but can also make your Audi more economical. Unlocking more low RPM torque means using the accelerator less when taking off or sitting in traffic. Combine this with exhaust valves, and your Audi could have a real Jekyll and Hyde situation going on.
Individuality
One of the biggest appeals of Audi tuning is making something that truly is a reflection of yourself. With Audi’s range of engines, body styles, and trim levels, you do have a lot of options to make something that suits your driving style and needs. In a day and age where everyone is chasing horsepower, it’s refreshing to have options that aren’t just the biggest engine with the most power. Sometimes a high-torque 5-cylinder just speaks to you more than an angry v8, and we’re all for it!
Cons
In an ideal world, there would be no downside to tuning and customizing your car, but unfortunately, there are some downsides to tuning your Audi
Parts Costs
Asking a car to do more than what it was engineered to do often leads to parts failing before they should. Combine this with the fact that if you have a fast car, you’re probably going through tires and brakes at the same rate as a DTM team. Being German, Audi parts aren’t cheap, and if you aren’t careful, you could be staring at a parts bill you just can’t keep up with.
Parts Availability
Getting a new engine for an Audi isn’t as easy as going down to the scrapyard and buying a junkyard LS or ordering a new crate motor like you can with American manufacturers. While Audi does manufacture replacement engines, they don’t make them in the numbers Chevrolet or Dodge do. A common modification for the first generation V8 R8 was a twin-turbo kit that often sent pistons flying. The unavailability of these engines has sent many an R8 to an early grave.
Resale Value
Tuned Audis are beginning to gain a reputation in the used car market. Many Audi owners truly love their cars and only move on from their vehicles when problems start coming thick and fast. This has led to many used car buyers offering less for second-hand models that have been tuned as they can’t be certain what they’re getting.
Audi Tuning Professionals In Pompano Beach
We’re all for tuning your Audi, but if you’re gonna do it, do it right. At Foreign Affairs Motorwerks, we’re no strangers to German engines. In fact, we’ve built some of South Florida’s craziest Porsches, BMWs, and Audis. Our performance shop pros understand that tuning needs to be done a certain way and can recommend an upgrade path to get the most out of your RS. Call us today at (954) 746-0488 to find out how we can help you.