So, here it is. My official review of my Unitronic Stage 1+ ECU tune and Stage 1 DSG tune. I've taken a few days to placate the stress and sour aftertaste of my initial experience with the Uniconnect+ system, but after having my ride saved by their outstanding Customer Support, and discovering the culprit of my issues was most likely on my end, I feel I can give an accurate recount of the transformation my car has undergone now that I've had a chance to take her out on the road and open her up a bit.
Stage 1+ ECU Tune
I'll be honest in that I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it came to the power difference. The numbers seem misleading, almost impossible: 220 HP to 310 HP and 258 LB-FT to 347 LB-FT equates to a 30% increase in power.
Thirty. Percent. That is a huge, amazing leap in capability just from software, and I had my reservations as I approach an empty onramp leading onto I-95 early Thursday morning. I didn't hesitate laying into the throttle.
The power doesn't hit you all at once as it isn't really centered on any one spot throughout the powerband. Instead, there is simply more power everywhere. From the lower gears and low RPM all the way up to 6th, the car just
pulls so smoothly and strongly that it is very easy to slip right past your intended speed by about 20-30 MPH. It doesn't feel like the GTI has been pushed beyond its limits, this tune feels like the GTI has been made into what it
should have been from the factory. That is the best way I can describe it. The car just wants to
go the second you press the pedal. Its like a big dog pulling stubbornly and steadily on the leash. If I could pick one word to describe the tune, it would be mature. The car is faster in every sense of the word, but doesn't lose it's sense of refinement nor does it gain a 'boy racer' feel.
Driving normal doesn't change, save your MPG. During tame commutes or long roadtrips the GTI remains compliant and calm whether I'm minding the pedal or the CC is doing it for me. Driving spirited, on the other hand, becomes a whole new experience. Passing is a thoughtless and trivial process now, even in D. I've already had a few mall crawlers and soccer moms try to cut me off when they feel like doing 10 below in the middle lane, and I want to pass them. I'm already a bus ahead by the time they hit their blinker. Every gear is stronger and more capable, and the engine roars (as much as a L4 can) with purpose. I gave a Mustang GT a surprise when he had to actually put more work in than expected to pass me, and I'm pretty sure I heard the jaw drop on a Focus ST I pal around with at a specific onramp every once in a while when I vanished around the first bend before he was even in 4th.
The tune was exactly what I wanted it to be: a significant, noticable power increase that did not change the formula of what makes this little car great.
Stage 1 DSG Tune
With all that power, though, the REAL winner of this combination is the DSG tune. I am not sure where to begin, simply because the tune makes it feel like you're driving a brand-new vehicle that you have to re-learn (in good ways).
So the DSG does a bunch of wizardry in regards to rev limiters, clamp pressure, and torque-mojo. But the biggest changes revolve around three areas: Drive, Sport, and Manual.
Drive with a stock DSG is a racing machine ... a racing machine dedicated to getting to 6th gear as fast as possible. MPG. Noise reduction. Whatever their reasoning, VW decided to program the logic to get to race to the end of the gears as swiftly as possible. It is anemic; lethargic. Trying to pass in D is like trying to pass on dessert -- its just not going to happen.
With the new Drive mode, however, it changes much of the shifting points and logic to shift at somewhat higher RPMs, giving you the chance to use the power in your engine to get up to speed, and once you let off the gas a bit then it begins to work it's way into 6th for the anticipated commute. Don't be fooled, though, if you need to WOT then Drive will give you the ability to go. It blends the best of both stock Drive and Sport together to make something that is every-day commuter friendly, and also totally capable of tapping into the 300+ ponies under the hood.
Sport Mode, however, gets the biggest makeover. Gone is that racer-boy jerky downshift garbage. Gone is holding onto 2nd through 4th gear like they were possessed by evil spirits. Sport Mode takes the new Drive Mode and makes it hold onto the gears a bit longer, and shift a bit later, to draw out as much of the peak HP and Torque as that engine can give. Sport is, believe it or not, commuteable as letting off the throttle after hard acceleration will signal the DSG to upshift after a second or so. Drive normal, and Sport eventually migrates to a more MPG-friendly gear. Lay into it, though, and it quickly reminds you why its called "Sport Mode."
Manual even gets some love. Gear changing is much, much quicker and the noticable delay between pressing the paddle and getting a gear change is nearly gone. I honestly don't see myself using manual as much as I used to, though: Sport Mode has taken it's place because the shift points are THAT good. I still use the paddles to downshift and engine brake, when appropriate.
I can't speak to launches, as I haven't done one yet, and probably won't. I don't see the need to.
Oh, and the DSG is no longer confused when you brake gradually while slowing to a stop, then have to get on the gas because the light turned green. I am SO happy that is gone! The DSG now feels like a proper DCT. Its not perfect, but it is decades ahead of you when it comes to figuring out what gear you'll want to be in next based on how you're driving.
Was it worth the $1300 and the two days of downtime due to me being literally in the 1% of customers who had problems requiring it?
ABSO-****ING-LUTELY.
Oh, and Utah? Here is my pre-tune and post-tune MPGs. Keep in mind its based on about ~30 miles of commuting one-way, with about 65% Highway and 35% City Driving. Numbers in Drive mode are from me doing the speed limit on all roads, and no aggressive acceleration. Sport numbers indicate me flowing with traffic which is about 10 MPH above the limit on highway, and about 5 MPG above the limit in city driving. I also am much more aggressive on the throttle in Sport mode.
Pre Tune:
Drive: 32-34 MPG
Sport: 25-27 MPG
Post Tune:
Drive: 34-36 MPG
Sport: 30-32 MPG
