Hi there! 2017 AllTrack DSG with the APR Stage 1 ECU and TCU tune. I know the exact feeling you’re talking about, because I had it too! Here’s everything you need to know.
The pedal feel you are looking for is best done through coding in OBDEleven/VCDS or installing a pedal controller.
The coding option is “Throttle Response - Direct” and removes *some* of the lurching hesitation. The latest OBDEleven dongle should be about $100 from a reputable site like BMP Tuning or USP Motorsports. I did this and it was a noticeable improvement while stock but did not entirely eliminate the problem.
The pedal controller will give more immediate throttle control and also removes the lurching crawl when you lift your foot off the brake and put it on the gas. I haven’t looked into these but I’ve seen great reviews on these for AllTrack owners.
—These next two options are worth it in their own regard but if you have some extra cash lying around I’d try one of the above two options first. Those two also work with the two below, so they’re not a total waste if you decide to do both. I did the OBDEleven coding first and an APR tune later, but have also used my OBDEleven for auto-open windows with the key fob, hot country mode for quicker and colder AC, and sequential rear turn signals. Worth it.
Third option is a JB4 “piggyback tune”. This bolt on tuner will change the air and fuel ratios like a tune would, and has several preloaded tunes to switch between based on what kind of driving you’re doing. This option is removable and easy to revert back to stock for dealer maintenance. I haven’t done this as I prefer traditional tunes, but this option comes highly recommended by the community.
Lastly, we have the APR, UniTronic, Integrated Engineering, and other brands for off the shelf traditional tunes. These are a “permanent until flashed back to stock” option that requires no additional hardware to install and uninstall (unlike the JB4), aside from needing an authorized dealer to flash it or buying a dongle to flash it at home. These are the most trusted option for performance gains and can also add things like Launch Control and displaying what gear you’re in on the dash while not in tiptronic/manual mode.
My comment on tunes and their relationship with dealers is this: some allow it, some don’t, *better safe than sorry*. Some VW dealers are APR authorized dealers as well and will flash it when you buy it and cover repairs for things that went wrong due to the tune. On the flip side, some dealers will see it has been tuned (even if you flash back to stock, there’s a record of it), and deny warranty claims by blaming it on the tune. That being said I absolutely adore my APR tune and it has been consistent and reliable for me for over a year now. However, I got it because I wanted to go fast and it is now legitimately fast. It has a comparable feel to a stock GTI now that it’s tuned. Something to consider for those inexperienced with fast cars, as this may not be something you want.
Here’s the ideal option for APR and warranty if that’s the path you choose: APR+ is a stage 1 tune that also includes a warranty “replacement”. APR takes over the remaining length of your warranty and covers repairs the same way while you are tuned. It’s a bit more expensive but guarantees you will continue to have a warranty if the dealer decides to deny you.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
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