APR Ultralink | Tune Your Mk7 Golf or GTI at home with APR software - no dealer required.

[@RobSullivan-c3h]

I just went stage oen APR tune with the ultralink yesterday. Tip: dont let your Macbook or computer time out for power saving in the middle of flash. lol. So far so good. I traded in my 2016 mk7 R for this 22 Mk8. i miss my 16 but this 22 drives much more nimble and like my gti did. Great video thanks. also APR credited me with the tune I purchased for old R and I only paid for ultralink device. GOAPR

[@DadWagon]

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching and glad it working out well.

[@karstgeo7290]

Great one man! So kudos to Arin/APR for finally getting this done. I have always wanted to try the 100 tune and run it on like E40... I hear it's spicy. I agree with your 100% being that I have done the Unitronic thing, very covert and scary at first hahaha. This APR setup looks very modern/easy to use. I drove Jason M's AT with the APR 93 IS38 tune back to back with mine and we even did some drag racing on our way to Helen a few years ago...honestly, about the same...APR has a little more boost/Unitronic has more timing advance. To me, this really help them out with new customers for those that want a simple set/forget experience. I dig that you can change launch control RPM (I haven't noted much difference in times from 3500-4000 b/c the 1.8 TCU tunes from APR/Uni don't build boost on launch) and the auto upshift/kickdown is great; I really want to eliminate auto upshift on mine but Uni doesn't offer it unfortunately. Yes, having logging would be good, Uni does. However, I get it...most folks have no clue and shouldn't be doing it anyway and often just think something is wrong and I'm sure it's a PITA for companies like this to tell some kid his -1.4 knock is perfectly normal hahaha

[@DadWagon]

Thank you thank you thank you! So far, I can honestly tell little difference. I need more time behind the wheel with it and to push it a little harder. I'm most curious if to see if I get some of the similar EPC issues due to cutting, and logic tells me it shouldn't be different. I can imagine the disabling of auto up and down would be appealing for you on the track. Uni only offers disabling kick down? I remember it offers one or the other when selecting.

[@karstgeo7290]

@@DadWagon yes, Uni only offers disable of auto kick-down/downshift in manual mode...really not a huge deal but auto cross it sucks to have it auto up shift when you just want to bounce the limiter sometimes. The Uni issue with cutting is due to the aggressive timing and the need to run a bit of E85 to settle the KR; APR likely doesn't have this issue.

[@philliprollman7421]

Great video and thanks for the awesome details...i have a 24 GTI that im getting this for but i don't know what i should set the launch at!!.. what do you recommend thanks.

[@DadWagon]

Awesome and glad it was helpful. I really do know the best launch RPM settings. Maybe we'll get some other to way in on their suggestions.

[@extrememike]

That's a sick VWagon!

[@DadWagon]

Thanks dude!

[@spoudaois]

Whats different about i 38 and stage 1 tune? Also is ther TCU for Manual trnasmission.

[@axellopez4518]

So let’s say I swap from a is12 to a is38 Will this tuner help me make it so it will run right and just alone with the turbo swap will run right without the tune ? or would I need to go to professional tuner to adjust boost and fuel mixtures and all that stuff?

[@enzoreis7354]

If i buy the dealer option, do I still have to pay the extra $500 for a stage 1 tune for example? Just seeing because if so I think it’d be more worth my buck to diy.

[@mrtv1453]

I have the same question,im currently on stage 2 from the dealer and if i buy this one,is it gonna count my purchase and let me flash and reflash it for free?!

[@stephbarbershop2518]

What sort of tuning or adjustability is in a tune? without paying for another. just octane and launch rpm? rev limit?

[@Matt-gbbyy]

Look into jb4 tune if you want more options. They have data logs too. This is more basic user friendly I think.

[@abdullahahmedameer]

Hi dude, nice video. i really enjoyed it Fun little device I was wondering about the pricing of the 1.8t tunes . I had a question: Do you advise the is38 upgrade on golf 1.8t speed automatic [ not dsg ].

[@TheManPrice]

The DSG is the automatic

[@DadWagon]

Honestly , I don't know much about the golfs the autos that are not DSG. Is that still the 09G trans? Check out the forums or the facebook groups because I know there are a few guys with that transmission - but not sure if they've turbo swapped or not.

[@BOATSAT]

@@DadWagonI have that teanny they don’t have TCU tunes for it and is not recommended unless trans is built or swapped since anything above 300 Torque will blow the tranny

[@abdullahahmedameer]

​@@TheManPrice09g is not dsg

[@gabrieldetwiler7078]

How does the Apr tune feel compared to Unitronic

[@DadWagon]

it's been about 15 minutes of driving... so not much to compare yet. mostly the same.

[@Nitramrec]

O.K. At least you have tuned your VW Golf. But what does "IS38" and "Stage 3 - IS 38" mean? What did you get and could you experience on your test drive?

[@DadWagon]

I have swapped out the is12 turbo (stock turbo) for the golf r turbo (is38) on my car, so it needs a different tune.

[@Realericpickens]

APR saying the battery needs to be above 14v during tuning, looks like it worked fine below that here, right?

[@DadWagon]

It did work just fine at 11.4v or whatever I was at. I was also on the battery tender.

[@raykupal]

it is very risky.... flashing takes time and if it drops and cuts off in the middle of flash, you could brick your ECU

[@admsoccer]

@@raykupal but what would you do if you had a battery tender already attached and still showed 11.4v? Buy a new battery?

[@raykupal]

@@admsoccer is the battery tender the right size for your battery? I guess the idea is to have a constant voltage and amperage to keep the electronics powered up while in progress.

[@juancarlosvloz]

You sir earn a thumbs up & also a a subscription.

[@DadWagon]

Thanks my man 🧍‍♂️

[@ls6stroker850]

i went on the ultralink website and all i see is stage 1 and tunes for different APR turbo none for an IS38 2016 Golf R just the high torque stage 1 tune there is no different tunes for a Mk7R with catted downpipe, fmic, and bolt ons

[@jeffreyroche1193]

I had my apr tune take off my stage 2 so I could pass emissions. so I go to put it back on and they said APR has stage 2 file locked now, Im so pissed! I paid a couple hundred buck to have it removed, now I cant re instll they said only stage 1 now

[@lunaticleone8534]

Contact them wtf

[@baconator233]

Is there ECU, TCU files available for MK8 through the ultralink?

[@andrewhunt4802]

Yes, I have a 23’ Arteon and they have MQB EVO4 tunes available

[@SliderFury1]

​@@andrewhunt4802late question but if you see this, are you able to select the low-torque version of the stage 1 tune? And how does the customization of the DSG TCU tune work? And what about the APR warranty?

[@francisbadavi9290]

Thanks for posting. Great video and very educational. I do have two questions. I have the manual stick shift Porsche Cayman 718. I have plenty of horse power and torque coming out of the stock engine. My only interest in the at home APR tuner is to turn off the F&^%$ annoying "engine stop/start" button. Based on your experience with the APR tuner, if I purchase the tuner for my Porsche, can I go through all the options and program the tuner so that the only mod it does is to turn off the "engine stop/start button"? My second question is about the TCU tuning. Since I have a stick shift, I don't need to worry about the TCU tuning, correct? Frank

[@DadWagon]

Answer to your second question: Correct - don't need to do TCU. First Question - I don't know the answer to this. I don't believe start stop options are available through UltraLink tuning. I have another video about removing this challenge on a Tiguan. That was done through a small piece of electronic hardware. Check it out.

[@justinnixon2426]

I just bought this because I already have stage 1 with low torque output, but have upgraded my clutch and would like to get the high torque output version and it doesn’t give me the option! And wanted to try pops and bangs but that’s not available either! 😖

[@n3tfury]

Did you contact APR? If so, what did they say?

[@puzzy12]

Also interested in this as I have stage 1 already. Any more info?

[@evanhaddad1960]

I'm a bit confused about the pricing. So the ~$100 or whatever is just for ultralink device. But then you still have to spend $500 on a stage one ECU tune, only you have to do it yourself, no? That's about what it costs at a dealer, if not more expensive because you have to pay for the device. I was hoping you'd get the tune for a couple hundred less in the device because you have to do it all yourself, which isn't easy if you don't have a garage with internet outdoors, outlets, battery chargers, etc. Seems like it would cost much more using this device, whose only convenience seems to be letting customers spend more $$ more easily rather than making this a cheaper and more accessible option. What am I missing?

[@DadWagon]

you hit it. it really comes down to 1. whether you want to work through a dealer or not and 2. if you want the ability to make adjustments or be in control of your tune without the need of going back to the dealership. For me, $150 is totally worth not having to call a dealer, work it in to my schedule, dropping off the car, scheduling pickup... and I just prefer to DIY in general.

[@raykupal]

well at least with this, you can tune back to factory if you need to and go up to higher stages when you are ready.... you just have to pay more of course... like everything else... except for pirated stuff

[@curmudgeon76]

The convenience is worth the extra $ IMHO. The tax time sale saw $25 off the ultralink & $50 off each tune. Essentially, I paid retail for the ecu/tcu tunes and got the ultralink for $25. I have top tier 93 readily available near me, so that's the tune I purchased. If I'm taking a road trip and I'm uncertain about available fuel, I can flash to the 87 tune in 10 minutes at no cost. When the weather warms up and I install the is20 that's been sitting on a shelf in my garage I have the ability to upgrade the software immediately. I'd say it's well worth it.

[@robertwinston2496]

You got it, but remember, even if you chose to buy the tune and have a dealer/tuner shop do the install, you still pay THEM the labor as well. The only benefit to having a shop install the tune is if something else proves wrong in the process. I have a '16 Golf R 6MT Stage I 93 High Torque tune installed, and when they did the install, we found that my turbo waste gate rod was out of spec, causing an EPC error code as soon as I got into boost. The shop then took care of correcting that as part of my install purchase cost.

[@ccv1616]

I see that on the tune for my Audi 3.0T, the cost of the tune is reduced by the cost of the Ultralink so well worth it to be able to tweak the tune at will.

[@SeaSnake123]

Would and ultra link be able to provide me if my car is already tuned with APR? I believe the previous owner tuned with apr but don’t know what they did. Thanks

[@sheikestrada]

Hi! I gonna buy a gti with is38 turbo change, the car have stage 2 plus, if I buy the apr ultralink, i will get that same tune if I start the app with my email? I gonna want change the octane sometimes, but i dont know if i need buy the tune again or that stay in the info of the car in apr

[@shannonmcatee9610]

I'm already apr is38 , 2+ Would this let me add anything I didn't have tuned? Launch, louder pops, etc

[@DadWagon]

Depends on what engine you have (1.8 vs 2.0) and what maps are available for your vehicles. You should be able to go to APRs website and see which maps are available for your vehicle.

[@TheBigfatclown]

You should activate your Windows on your Mac....lol! Good review , just ordered the Ultralink. Cheers, great chanel!

[@runrideread]

not a chance.

[@DadWagon]

@@runrideread Haha, never! thank my man!

[@joelcendejasluna3576]

Does it work with a manual ?

[@DadWagon]

Yes

[@JacksonPowell-g6d]

Hey man, I have a mk7 gti and I’m looking for a stg 2 pops and bangs tune. Does APR offer one on the ultra link?

[@DadWagon]

You'll have to look it up on their site. I dont know off hand.

[@mrtv1453]

Not available to use on MK6 GTI platform!!!

[@zaycunningham5865]

Do you have to use that website to make your tune ?

[@SunfishProductions]

Can you install the stage 1 plus and get the warranty policy with this?

[@jaugerinos]

As long as your car still under factory warranty then yes the APR warranty applies.

[@lilbrownboy7919]

will the IS38 tune work in a tiguan?? or does it depend on the engine.

[@DadWagon]

No, because the tiguan does not have an IS38 turbo.

[@user-ne7nl5mo8s]

Hello I have a question. what is the stage level IS38 ? Thank you.

[@DadWagon]

Stage 2 + IS38

[@Peylix]

For map swapping. Is that through the web portal too? If so, oof. I understand initially buying and flashing needing it. But if you have all tunes made. If you need the web portal (which requires online). That's a huge miss. I know you can hotspot phone data on the go. But that's not a fool proof way.

[@DadWagon]

Yes, my understanding and what I saw is that it's all through the marketplace and reflashing the ECU.

[@Peylix]

@@DadWagon RIP. That's unfortunate. There's a station that I've used for 100 that has nearly no reception for cells due to location. If I was still with APR and wanted to swap to that file after filling up. It would be a struggle. Could always go fill a few 5g cans and go drive to a spot that has it to fill and then flash. But that would get old fast lol Hopefully they build a phone app or PC app that can store and allow offline flashing. APR, if you're reading this. I know that you know, that locking this to an always online web portal is going to be a huge point of contention for many.

[@mrjkstark]

@@Peylix Seems like it's geared more toward folks who just want to set it and forget it but don't necessarily have easy access to an APR dealer.

[@karstgeo7290]

@@Peylix most folks that want to do that kind of thing aren't the target audience here anyway, they are Cobb tunes or something more custom like Simos etc.

[@Peylix]

@eo7290given one of the most requested features from APR has been on the go map switching like the MK5 and MK6. I find it hard to believe that this is a non issue. Something as simple as map swapping should be simple and not locked through a web portal. One of the main reasons why I left APR was because of how out of the way one had to go for a simple map swap. Now that we can flash anywhere is a huge plus, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have data. It's 2 steps forward, 1 step back.

[@Need.more_boost]

I dont see a Is38 tune for my 19 gli, anybody know why?

[@morganschroeder8179]

Pretty sure gli and gti has the is38 tune under stage 2. Go read the information on the website at the bottom of the page when you select the tune you want, should have a mandatory and recommended hardware list somewhere aswell

[@xanderbeyea9977]

If I buy a stage 1 tune do I need to spend an additional 624 dollars to go stage 2?

[@Naudeh1]

No they have an upgrade program. They’re discounted.

[@DadWagon]

I don’t know the cost, but yes you will need to spend money to upgrade your tune - which makes sense.

[@roquesolorio8842]

is stage two available in the US?

[@JShayy]

Install in while your on a vpn lol idk

[@Lexxxx-d8h]

Does it fit the Mexican jetta gli?

[@DadWagon]

No idea

[@brandont103]

Damn. Already have an APR ECU + TCU tune ($1800+ CAD) and was going to buy this device just to tune octane up and down at will. It's $129 USD + $69 USD shipping (to Canada) + Sales Tax. Totalling $229 USD = $315 CAD! No thanks! Their shipping cost to the Greater Toronto Area is atrocious lol.

[@WolfnWool]

Ok.. so the battery doesnt need to be at 14.14v, just on a charger it seems. Good to know, i was about to spend 300 dollas on a snapon one 😅. Btw, what was that song in the vid?? That shit was knocckin!

[@Cynical709]

can you tell me what options are avail with the apr tune ei lauch control, no lift shift etc. looking at ordering an ultralink. i just want to make sure ill be happy with whats availab le

[@AshleySchirripa]

I thought you couldn’t use a Mac?

[@n3tfury]

he's got windows on it. whether that's a VM or dual boot, not sure, but you need windows.

[@veryblank3797]

You sound like DailyDose

[@DadWagon]

Thank you?! Who's that? Send me a vid.

[@MarcusHalverstram]

This is yourrrrrr daily dose of apr

[@sonnyjunior6321]

Why anyone would buy this over an Accessport is beyond me.

[@DadWagon]

I don't know much about the AP, but i just did a quick look up of Cobbs available maps and their website doesn't currently show any stage 2 or IS38 maps available for the 1.8T... so there is a reason for me.

[@sonnyjunior6321]

@@DadWagon I don’t understand why so many people in the VW crowd think that if you get an accessport you have to use cobbs maps lol literally no one uses them. Stratified and EQT are the top two tuners for VW/Audi via the accessport. They offer both staged and custom tunes.

[@n3tfury]

because people that want a mild tune and want something that's very reliable? not hard.

[@sonnyjunior6321]

@@n3tfury and you can get both of those things from an accessport…. whilst still spending less money than the ultralink+tune somehow lmao As far as reliability, a properly done custom tune from a professional will ALWAYS be more reliable then some off the shelf cookie cutter tune like APR. Custom tunes also allow you to decide how mild/aggressive you want the tune to be. Funny enough, apr tunes are actually quite aggressive when it comes to cranking on the turbo. They’re very boost heavy. Probably why we see most instances of premature oem turbo failure on Apr cars lol Apr has done a very good job of brainwashing it’s customers. Do your research, not hard.

[@hovan2yourjunk]

@@sonnyjunior6321Help me out…I just picked up my GTI under 2 months ago. Have some a few bolt-ons but not tune yet. This is all new to me. Was leaning towards APR because my intake is from them and the process seems simple. However…I’m all about saving money and putting towards my wheels!!

[@jhamm15]

Is the 87 octane tune available with this at home device. Didn’t see it listed on the computer screen