Audi 3.2L V6

[PricklyPete]

So our A4 is approaching 4500 miles and it is about to be taken on a long trip by my wife...so we dropped it off at the dealership for its first service. Received a 2009 A4 with the 3.2L V6. I have to say, I completely understand why Audi dropped the 3.2L as an option and just stuck with the S4 as the upgrade to the 2.0T. The 3.2L really gives you nothing over the 2.0T in normal driving. Maybe if I punched it on the highway when I'm going 80mph I could tell a difference...but normal driving there was absolutely no difference. The engine noise is slightly nicer, but that's all I can really say. I'm certain with an APR tune, the 2.0T would be superior all around.

 

[ViviTheMage]

So our A4 is approaching 4500 miles and it is about to be taken on a long trip by my wife...so we dropped it off at the dealership for its first service. Received a 2009 A4 with the 3.2L V6. I have to say, I completely understand why Audi dropped the 3.2L as an option and just stuck with the S4 as the upgrade to the 2.0T. The 3.2L really gives you nothing over the 2.0T in normal driving. Maybe if I punched it on the highway when I'm going 80mph I could tell a difference...but normal driving there was absolutely no difference. The engine noise is slightly nicer, but that's all I can really say. I'm certain with an APR tune, the 2.0T would be superior all around.

Agreed. I was quoted for an APR tune with 4 modes, and the switch box, I was 'guaranteed' 55HP+ to the wheels and 100+ FT LBS TORQUE....I just don't want to put the extra ware on my car though.

But man, you get an Audi as a rental? The dealership's around here always give me crappy Dodge Calibur, Toyota Carolla, Aveo, etc. At least it's a free rental though.

 

[PricklyPete]

Agreed. I was quoted for an APR tune with 4 modes, and the switch box, I was 'guaranteed' 55HP+ to the wheels and 100+ FT LBS TORQUE....I just don't want to put the extra ware on my car though.

But man, you get an Audi as a rental? The dealership's around here always give me crappy Dodge Calibur, Toyota Carolla, Aveo, etc. At least it's a free rental though.

I haven't decided on the APR or not...definitely going to hold off until after the warranty...if we still have it, I'll consider it then.

Yeah, the dealership we bought the car from has been great so far (West County Audi in St. Louis). Always give you Audi's for your courtesy car. Unfortunately I'll be moving on from this project soon and I doubt I'll get as good service as the next dealership...but we'll see.

 

[The-Noid]

S6 or S8 if you want power in the big cars!

 

[ViviTheMage]

I haven't decided on the APR or not...definitely going to hold off until after the warranty...if we still have it, I'll consider it then.

Yeah, the dealership we bought the car from has been great so far (West County Audi in St. Louis). Always give you Audi's for your courtesy car. Unfortunately I'll be moving on from this project soon and I doubt I'll get as good service as the next dealership...but we'll see.

AFAIK, if you stray away from the dealership you purchase your car at, they do not give out free rentals anymore. Happened with our 05 Grand Cherokee, the dealership we got it at would always give us a free rental for oil changes, maintenance, etc, but the one close by would never do that.

I have the cert. pre-owned warranty, so I am still holding out to get my APR. I tried a 6 hour test drive with the APR, and it felt a LOT stronger on pulls, still cant' decide if I should put the extra ware on the car or not though, even after warranty.

 

[ElFenix]

so this is like when upgrading to the VR6 jetta was pointless when VAG boosted the power of the 1.8T in ~2002?

 

[PricklyPete]

AFAIK, if you stray away from the dealership you purchase your car at, they do not give out free rentals anymore. Happened with our 05 Grand Cherokee, the dealership we got it at would always give us a free rental for oil changes, maintenance, etc, but the one close by would never do that.

We'll see. When I setup the appt. at West County Audi, they just asked if I would need a courtesy car...didn't ask me where I bought my car or anything...but I guess they could be assuming. I'll be interested to see what the experience will be with the next dealership. I know Lexus dealerships give out courtesy cars like candy. IMHO it really should be practiced by every "premium" brand as a reason why you pay extra for your car/service. If anything, it may persuade people driving older vehicles to upgrade after driving in a newer one.

 

[PricklyPete]

so this is like when upgrading to the VR6 jetta was pointless when VAG boosted the power of the 1.8T in ~2002?

Yes, something like that. Audi just dropped the 3.2L altogether for 2010...and I'm seeing why. The 2.0T does fine with its 211hp/258ft lbs and if you want more power you just upgrade to the S4 with the 3.0T that has 330hp/330ft. lbs. Now that is a difference you will be able to justify.

 

[NutBucket]

Agreed. I was quoted for an APR tune with 4 modes, and the switch box, I was 'guaranteed' 55HP+ to the wheels and 100+ FT LBS TORQUE....I just don't want to put the extra ware on my car though.

Meh, you only live once. Just get the damned tune! Based on what I know about VAG products, major mechanical failure is pretty low on the list of concerns.

Just curious, but what is the cost of this tune? Is it just a generic tune or does it include dyno time?

 

[PricklyPete]

Meh, you only live once. Just get the damned tune! Based on what I know about VAG products, major mechanical failure is pretty low on the list of concerns.

Just curious, but what is the cost of this tune? Is it just a generic tune or does it include dyno time?

When on sale, the APR tune goes for $599...but that does not technically include the install which is different for each shop. Most quotes I've heard was for 1 hour of shop time (~$90) and didn't include any dyno time or anything. I'm sure there are shops out there that may charge more and include more.

 

[ViviTheMage]

We'll see. When I setup the appt. at West County Audi, they just asked if I would need a courtesy car...didn't ask me where I bought my car or anything...but I guess they could be assuming. I'll be interested to see what the experience will be with the next dealership. I know Lexus dealerships give out courtesy cars like candy. IMHO it really should be practiced by every "premium" brand as a reason why you pay extra for your car/service. If anything, it may persuade people driving older vehicles to upgrade after driving in a newer one.

I agree with that 100%, especially when you're paying what ... $125-130 an hour for dealership labor. Audi Carousel uses enterprise for rentals, which could be why. I am dreading the day I am out of warranty and need to get work done, haha.

Meh, you only live once. Just get the damned tune! Based on what I know about VAG products, major mechanical failure is pretty low on the list of concerns.

Just curious, but what is the cost of this tune? Is it just a generic tune or does it include dyno time?

I already have a speeding problem, LOL.

$599 when on sale, and you get the 4 'variations' of the tune. The shop I go to in Minneapolis (IMOLA Motorsports) will dyno it for me too.

When on sale, the APR tune goes for $599...but that does not technically include the install which is different for each shop. Most quotes I've heard was for 1 hour of shop time (~$90) and didn't include any dyno time or anything. I'm sure there are shops out there that may charge more and include more.

Correct, each shop throws in some add-ons, depending on the shop. APR's $599 deal JUST ended last week too. So another reason to wait at least.

 

[coxmaster]

Drove a stage 2 GTI (2.0T) and compared it to my 2.0T Jetta. There is a HUGE difference.

Although, wheel-spin definitely becomes a much larger problem

 

[PricklyPete]

Drove a stage 2 GTI (2.0T) and compared it to my 2.0T Jetta. There is a HUGE difference.

Although, wheel-spin definitely becomes a much larger problem

Quattro baby!!! :awe:

 

[ViviTheMage]

Quattro baby!!! :awe:

Love my QUATTRO . I also love how there is no maintenance required on the differentials either....not like my 05 Grand Cherokee's, which makes sense though...towing/abuse and all.

 

[PricklyPete]

I agree with that 100%, especially when you're paying what ... $125-130 an hour for dealership labor. Audi Carousel uses enterprise for rentals, which could be why. I am dreading the day I am out of warranty and need to get work done, haha.

I guess it depends then on how the dealership handles the courtesy cars. West County Audi definitely has their own "stable" of cars. That may not be very cost effective for a lot of dealerships.

Yeah, once the warranty is over, if we keep the car I plan on doing the work myself...but we'll see.

 

[coxmaster]

Quattro baby!!! :awe:

Damn you! Totally forgot about that.

I see no reason not to tune it then. Have you gotten the "test tune" from APR? IIRC they will give you a flash that only works for 24 hrs to see if you like it

 

[PricklyPete]

Damn you! Totally forgot about that.

I see no reason not to tune it then. Have you gotten the "test tune" from APR? IIRC they will give you a flash that only works for 24 hrs to see if you like it

Right now the A4 is my wife's primary driver...so I really won't get much benefit from tuning it...well not enough to risk warranty denial. If the car is still humming nicely once the warranty is up...we'll likely keep it and I'll tune it then.

Believe me...it is very tempting. I've considered the test tune...but knowing me, that's pretty much a guaranteed purchase.

 

[coxmaster]

Right now the A4 is my wife's primary driver...so I really won't get much benefit from tuning it...well not enough to risk warranty denial. If the car is still humming nicely once the warranty is up...we'll likely keep it and I'll tune it then.

Believe me...it is very tempting. I've considered the test tune...but knowing me, that's pretty much a guaranteed purchase.

That is exactly why I havent done it yet.. Warranty is nice to have, and if i get the test tune i KNOW i'll end up buying

 

[ViviTheMage]

Damn you! Totally forgot about that.

I see no reason not to tune it then. Have you gotten the "test tune" from APR? IIRC they will give you a flash that only works for 24 hrs to see if you like it

6 hour test, and it was amazing. It did cost $40 to try it though.

I guess it depends then on how the dealership handles the courtesy cars. West County Audi definitely has their own "stable" of cars. That may not be very cost effective for a lot of dealerships.

Yeah, once the warranty is over, if we keep the car I plan on doing the work myself...but we'll see.

If I had a garage, I would too..but I am restricted in that area (living in a condo uptown, no space ). So I needed to start a relationship with a decent shop around here, for when I need to do timing belt, cluctch, etc. Stuff I can't do on the side of the road .

 

[PricklyPete]

If I had a garage, I would too..but I am restricted in that area (living in a condo uptown, no space ). So I needed to start a relationship with a decent shop around here, for when I need to do timing belt, cluctch, etc. Stuff I can't do on the side of the road .

This is actually my concern as well. I do have the space to work at my house in SC, but I haven't been living there for nearly 2 years...and I'm not really planning on moving back to it in the near future. Will likely be parking in the street or in very restricted areas that will not allow me the opportunity to work on the car. We'll see...4 years is a long time from now so I don't know where I'll be living then.

 

[NutBucket]

I already have a speeding problem, LOL.

$599 when on sale, and you get the 4 'variations' of the tune. The shop I go to in Minneapolis (IMOLA Motorsports) will dyno it for me too.

Meh, sounds like pretty fair pricing.

Don't forget, its not how fast you go its how quick you get to the speed limit I achieved similar gains with a ECU reflash in my Subie and haven't found that I speed any more than before. I just enjoy the nice kick when accelerating up an on-ramp or passing people.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Meh, sounds like pretty fair pricing.

Don't forget, its not how fast you go its how quick you get to the speed limit I achieved similar gains with a ECU reflash in my Subie and haven't found that I speed any more than before. I just enjoy the nice kick when accelerating up an on-ramp or passing people.

Accel in my 2.0T is already great..quattro hugs the road VERY well. But it's by far, the best, bang for the buck upgrade. I'll need to swap out DV though, they always put in crappy ones anyway. As far as that though, I 'should' be good after I do it.

Once my warranty is up in 1.5 years, i'll probably end up doing it.

This is actually my concern as well. I do have the space to work at my house in SC, but I haven't been living there for nearly 2 years...and I'm not really planning on moving back to it in the near future. Will likely be parking in the street or in very restricted areas that will not allow me the opportunity to work on the car. We'll see...4 years is a long time from now so I don't know where I'll be living then.

I also might move out in 1-2 years, so who knows. I've done plug changes/filter changes on the street, beyond that, I don't want to do anything else, haha.

I can do rotors/pads at my BiL/sisters house if they aren't busy. Just did the Grand Cherokee....4 rotors/pads, 8 plugs, filters, oil change, etc 2 weekends ago. Hard to schedule a good time though, for work like that.

 

[Vette73]

I don't know how much a upgrade the 3.2 is over the 3.0L. But my SiLs 04 A4 with the 3L is gutless. My old Mazda truck seems like it has more pull. Mind you the truck weighs less.

 

[PricklyPete]

I don't know how much a upgrade the 3.2 is over the 3.0L. But my SiLs 04 A4 with the 3L is gutless. My old Mazda truck seems like it has more pull. Mind you the truck weighs less.

The 3.0 in your sisters car: 220hp/221ft lbs max torque at 3200 rpms (3600lb car)
The 3.2 in the 2009: 265hp/243 ft lbs max torque at 3000 rpms (3800 lb car)
The 2.0T in the 2009: 211hp/258 ft lbs max torque at 1500 rpms (3600 lb car)

For the 3.2l, the max torque doesn't kick in till 3000 rpms...so it is not punchy around town...but will definitely get going if you punch the accelerator. The 2.0T gives you a lot of torque early making it feel stronger around town...and it really doesn't lose to much on the highway...not to mention the 200lb difference in weight. You're SiL's 3.0 took even longer to get max torque and was down in power a decent amount to the 3.2.

 

[Excelsior]

I can understand you not getting the tune now since your wife is the primary driver....but get the tune asap if you drive it more. That + DV is all you need really. Huge upgrade for the money.