nn7man

There should be a mechatronic swap solution for the TCU. Won't be as cheap as a TCU map but will do the job. It's not been an option so far as it would't talk to the encrypted ECU.

I spoke to them earlier. They have unlocked a SFD2 encrypted ECU on the bench and now want to try the same with a physical car. I'm local to them and let them do some testing of their PCM box on my car before release last year. They're good guys so I'm game for this next stage. They will be in touch in a couple of weeks when they're ready to progress. I'll keep you all posted!

Just had an interesting email from Racingline... "Hi Peter, I hope you are well, I wondered if we could have a chat about the 8.5R, we have potentially made a break through which has worked here however we need to test on a physical vehicle. Is this something you could help us with? Kind Regards" I will be following up!

They've now updated their site with numbers and pricing. Very expensive route to more power by replacing the ECU with a new one. Stage 1 is £2,500 inc VAT for the same results I've got with a Racingline PCM at a fraction of the cost. https://mrctuning.com/site/vw-golf-r-mk8-5-audi-s3-8y-fl-2-0-tfsi-dnff/

Anyone have any performance numbers and pricing on the MRC Tuning offering? They've not updated their website yet.

Where did you hear that? Not sure they've been out long enough to see anything?

For reference, my numbers measured on Racingline's own dyno were approx: Stock 360PS + R600 & do88 Intercooler 370PS + PCM box 420PS + HJS ECE Downpipe 435PS

Get yourself a Racingline PCM box if you're hankering after more. Not expensive and comes with a free upgrade to a proper tune when it arrives. Mine makes 434PS with it so not shabby!

Sounds like you've done most of the powertrain upgrades shy of a downpipe or going stage 3. If it was me, the next upgrades would be for handling e..g. a set of coilovers or lighter wheels. I went KW DDC which retain the DCC but have a greater range of ability and allow some lowering.

Almost certainly a knackered battery, they should have put a new one in when it died on the forecourt.

One more...

I mostly deal with Ed who handles all the front of house stuff, Nathan is around too but more behind the scenes so not sure who's running the show. They don't seem to do any of their own tuning these days, service, repairs with car sales and a body shop is their bread and butter along with pushbikes! All the stuff I've done with my 8.5 I've sourced myself and then used APS to install. Alex, their master tech, is a top bloke. They have a storage unit as well with some Ferraris and McLarens in amongst others. They seem to do maintenance on these too as part of their offering. They also offer MOT's and alignments via next door partners.

Holding its own with the big boys

Big shout out too for Ed and his team. You won't find anyone else with as much integrity and professionalism. Alex, his master tech is a brilliant guy. They do quite a bit more than VAG too, plenty of Porsche and a few McLaren around. Alex was about to start on a DB11 this afternoon after mine.

I'm on 10mm spacers so need 14.5x1.5x38mm bolts i.e. 10mm longer than the oem 28's. I chose Acer Racing (ball seat for OEM wheels) bolts in Natural Ti finish with a Torx 70 head but there are other options available - regular hex head, black etc. https://www.acerracing.com/collections/audi-vw-bentley-mercedes/products/audi-vw-bentley-mercedes-titanium-lug-bolts-m14x1-5?variant=43141748752632 My spacers are H&R Just regular 10mm on their own not much to go wrong! I'd rather run without them but need the clearance over my Racingline BBK. Saving up for BBS FI-R which have ET43 so clear the brakes without any spacing.

The KW's have dropped the car around 25mm, the front now measures 340mm from top of the arch to the centre of the wheel. Despite how the gaps to the arches look, the front is about 5mm lower than the rear so slightly raked. The arch gaps are deceptive as the rear arches are a different shape and sit a bit closer to the tyres on stock suspension. APS did a full geo and DCC reset via ODIS to finish it off. First impressions are really good! The ride in comfort is just slightly softer but the sportier modes sharpen things up and are a bit firmer. The ride is perfect, no clunks or noises and it coped with the unclassified road to my house perfectly. Clearance is fine, no rubbing or knocking. Bravo to Alex at APS for a great job!

Got the car back today after a few days at APS. They installed my KW DDC coilovers, H&R front anti-roll bar with Moog end links, Ti wheel bolts and 10mm spacers, 11mode exhaust valve controller and Zunsport outer front grilles. A few pics:

8R Stage 3, Nice gains, we in the 8.5 camp live in hope...

Looks like something might be coming from APR!

Guess a lot on here buy as a daily on finance deals and are on the treadmill for the next new one, so can only polish it not mod it. Mine is a pure project car, daily'd a bit but no strings so I can do as I wish to make it the car it would have been if VW had no budget for the price point!

So next up: Ti bolts to replace the rust prone cast iron jobs and lose the plastic caps. Anti-Gravity 60aH battery to shed 14kg up front, all OEM fit and lots of cool features 11Mode exhaust valve controller, I prefer this to a simple delete Still got to fit the H&R front sway, KW DDC's and Zunsport grilles.

And a gratuitous engine bay shot. Billet aluminium RL caps to replace the plastic OEM ones for oil, coolant, washer fluid, brake fluid and aircon (x2). RL R600 intake in carbon with matching do88 carbon engine cover. RL PCM unit sat on top of the battery with carbon strap and RL silicone hose upgrades with coolant reroute under the intake. And a RL gas strut, OE steel rod deleted. Not visible, do88 intercooler with big pack silicone boost pipe/hose upgrades in blue.

P.S. don't ignore the weight of the tyres if you're looking to shed some kilos. PS4S are almost the lightest option out there for a road tyre at 9.3kg, the OEM Hankooks are 9.6kg. PS5 are heavier at 9.9kg. The prize goes to the Conti SC7 at 9.2kg

Got the Warmenau's on now wearing PS4S. Racingline 380mm Carbon Ceramics doing the stopping. Wearing Racingline 12.5mm spacers to clear the brakes albeit could go a bit smaller. Self levelling R centre caps and R valve caps complete the look. Maybe some Ti bolts to finish them off and get rid of the plastic caps. Quite a big weight loss per corner versus Estorils on factory brakes and Hankook's which was how it was delivered.