What's It Like Living With A Stage 2 MK6 GTI? | Mileage, NVH, Power, And More!

[@radio1981]

I have Stratified e-tuned STG2 2014 Drivers Edition. Finally, one payment left and it is mine forever. No issues, and almost 100k miles. Probably due for carbon clean now, but again, no issues besides having to keep tightening my front sway bar endlinks on my H&R bar.

[@littlelight_mk6933]

I’ve daily’d my mk6 the last 5 years. 4 of them being on APR stage 2. IMO the MK6 should’ve come with a k04, or at least something a with a bit more power potential than the stock turbo. But stage 2 is still fun. I was able to get from NY to MO with my pregnant wife, our 90+lb dog and 2 cats and all our luggage and made 30-31 mpg. I love this car.

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Yeah, a K04 from the factory would have been nice. Power was something the stock GTI always seemed to lack. Stage 2 is awesome though and is much more punchy! Yet still a fair bit down on where a lot of other cars were at at the same time. The fact you can still get 30+ mpg when tuned is amazing on these cars. That GA to ME trip on Stage 1, I had my wife and a fully loaded trunk with everything we would need for 2 weeks (could barely see out the rearview mirror!) and still got 32.2 mpg. Great all arounders, these cars!

[@ScottGoin-y3p]

I have a MK6 GTI. I’ve been doing a lot of exterior modifications to make it unique but as far as the engine goes, I’m going to do a.Unitronic Stage 1+ upgrade, HR coilovers, sway bar upgrades, and a strut tower brace bar as well as charge pipe upgrade, downpipe, and a cold air intake. Eventually a new intercooler and that’s about it. There is a balance between having a comfortable ride and a car that has speed and can take tight turns. I am that balance 😉

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

I'm trying to be that balance too and it sounds like we are going down a very similar path! I have a lot of the same mods but from different brands.

[@JosephHoff-k1q]

Great Videos! I'm a fellow Mk6 stage2 owner as well. Keep'em coming.

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

I'll keep em coming just for you ;)

[@almaadams3631]

Fluidamper will smooth out vibration considerably. It will "feel" faster because you will feel like your motor is at a lower RPM APR stage 2 91,93,100 octane files DSG stage 1 BF engine mounts, full Magnaflow turbo back, GFB diverter, HR touring and 23 rear sway, Tyrola 2 bar brace, Auto tech intake, and of coarse Fluidamper.

[@thefisherman806]

incredibly well made video, godspeed on your growth!

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Thank you so much!

[@gershongabriel7864]

Great video mate!

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Thank you, thank you!

[@harp_attack]

Great video. Good breakdown for anyone looking to pick up one of these. I appreciate the honesty and the way you lay out the information while managing expectations.

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Thanks, dude! Really just trying to be real is all!

[@chrisdavis6853]

I love watching your videos because we have the same ideas. I wanted 4 doors, white paint for easy cleaning, and extra power with little to no noise. I want a fun, sporty car that is practical and is quite a sleeper. I love my white mk6 GTI! Just upgraded to a clutch that will handle 300hp and my turbo waste gate is leaking..... I might as well get your setup, the exhaust sounds perfect for my wants! Great videos :)

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Great minds think alike! An upgraded clutch is in the cards so we really are tracking similarly! Hopefully you can get the leaky waste gate sorted out. Not fun. But thankfully these cars are!

[@rogermartinez78]

On my MK5 GTI I did the following for the suspension: cloilovers, f/r sway bars, polyurethane suspension mounts, chassis braces, front strut bar, aluminum belly pan, 034 Motorsport rubber engine and transmission mounts, and after all this she is pretty docile and not much NVH.

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Yeah, I definitely have more NVH than stock but it really isn't bad. I want new mounts too to really keep engine movement down.

[@blainet3160]

As to the clutch wear, remove the clutch delay valve. I think if more people knew about this we'd see fewer "slipping" clutches. Sure, there's an overall holding power rating but the delay valve slows engagement, intentionally causing slip and likewise faster wear. Remove it and your clutch will feel more consistent and handle higher power better. If someone can't smoothly drive a manual... well...

[@AJRestoration]

Fiesta st might have more power, but the golf has so much more luxury and it actually feels premium compared to the Fiesta.

[@jamesknowles4093]

Does it burn oil?

[@BastianvanWouw]

What maintenance have you done for this to be a reliable daily? I have a mk6 gti as well and am thinking of tuning but people always have different answers for maintenance

[@enzovalisari6847]

What supporting parts do you need to install in order to install stage 2 ecu tune for it yo work properly

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Required is a 3 inch downpipe and recommended is an intake and intercooler upgrade for most tunes out there.

[@VWMANCA]

Hey bro, that vibration maybe from wrapped rotors or brake issues or maybe tires. It's not normal for vibration just cause u put more HP into the car. Maybe u should consider looking into those things

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Vibrations are from the mount inserts I have, that's all. Brakes were done close to this video so that wasn't it.

[@chrisdavis6853]

Have you installed a new turbo or is it stock?

[@TheParkingLotMechanic]

Stock! To go stage 3 requires at least a K04 upgrade so this is the highest stage for the stock turbo.

[@korey420]

​@TheParkingLotMechanic stage 3 is big turbo.. ko4 isn't big turbo .. it's stage 2+ I know Apr says stage 3 but ko4 is a stock turbo... untronic, for example is stage 2+ ko4 ( what I run in my beetle turbo Gen 1) Your build is nice btw!!!!

[@chrisdavis6853]

​@@korey420 K03 is stock turbo for GTI :)

[@intunewithcars9484]

in case you didnt know its a golf lol