Stage 2 - Advice

[Briggy]

I've had a posting on here for a week or so, looking for an unmodified B7 RS4 : viewtopic.php?f=35&t=114158

There's nothing come up that's really been the right balance between ideal spec, condition, history, mileage, price etc. Up until now, I've excluded any modified cars as it's not really my thing. On the other hand, there are a lot of cars on here that have been breathed on by MRC, who seem to know a thing or two about Audis and the general feel I get is that they really bring the car up to what they should be, rather than beyond its technical limits.

So, I guess I'm asking for some of the pros and cons of buying a car that has had MRC's (or anyone else's, for that matter) Stage 2 treatment.

I should add that I've no intention of ever taking the car on a track. I just have a thing for naturally aspirated V8s with a manual gear box. It's that low down grunt that hints at that dormant power, when you really want to put your foot down.

Cheers,
Bryan

[J130YCE]

I had a stage two done by MRC and I would say in hindsight that it would be the first thing I would do if I picked up a standard car... Just buy one with, simples.

[steview]

Don't be put off by a car that's been to MRC. They just sort the car to the way it should be. I can't see any cons just pros.
If you're looking to buy then I'd suggest test driving both options to put your mind at rest.
Good luck with your search as trade buyers seem to be snapping everything up at the minute.

[MikeFish]

An MRC stage 2 remap is a great mod that every B7 owner should have regardless of whether they are into modyfing or not.

[J130YCE]

+1 lads

[Briggy]

Should I be worried about the increased stresses caused by the additional power?

Does it affect residual values?

Cheers,
Bryan

[JCviggen]

Should I be worried about the increased stresses caused by the additional power?

No. The car will only make roughly what Audi claimed they were making when they sold them. Mods to an NA engine are really just to make it breathe a little easier. It'll be happier for it. This is not like tuning a turbo car to boost well outside of the efficient range and making a truckload extra torque as a result.

[Tile Diver]

Should I be worried about the increased stresses caused by the additional power?

Does it affect residual values?

Cheers,
Bryan

Hey Brian,

I wouldn't be too concerned with any increased stress on the motor, an MRC re-map is only unlocking some of the potential that the motor already has, and we haven't heard of the engine on mapped RS cars blowing up all the time, so pretty sure thats not an issue.

I bought a totally standard car and was in the mindset at the time that it would remain that way, however I've had a few of the common mods carried out (all by MRC) and its transformed the car, not that I felt it was ever driving sluggish, but after the map, carbon clean, CAF and Milltek being fitted the car was a different animal!!

I'd go for a modded car without question and if the work had been carried out in either of the popular establishments I wouldn't be concerned in the slightest!!

Go for it and let us know how you get on!!!

[Briggy]

To use an analogy, it sounds like this is more like an athlete training and eating properly, as opposed to using steroids.

So what does all this stuff mean? I know what a manifold is, but that's it! From MRC's website :

"Flaps removed from manifold, ported runners, ported trumpets, Flap shaft is locked and more porting with step removed in runners."

Cheers,
Bryan

[steview]

Just give MRC a call. They're very helpful and will be able to tell you what it all means.
Don't be put off by a car who's owners have spent thousands on improving them, even cars with suspension replaced by coilovers will save you money in the future.

[MikeFish]

Should I be worried about the increased stresses caused by the additional power?

Does it affect residual values?

Cheers,
Bryan

Additional power? Good one! Don't worry, you'll be lucky to hit the factory power figures due to the carbon build up. Even if you get a carbon clean you will get standard power back but only for a few months until it clogs up again. The way I see it is that the extra power from modifying it just helps to offset the inevitable losses from the carbon.
But the real benefit is not about more power, it is about how much better is it to drive in sport mode than a standard car, and full throttle being available in the lower gears.
With all my mods I dyno'd at 403ps so a fair bit below the 420ps from factory. If I had it cleaned then MRC estimated it would be 430-450 (realistically though it is unlikely to be anywhere near 450 without a stage 2 manifold). But I haven't bothered with it as few months later it will be all clogged up again. I see a lot of people saying they want to buy a car that has been cleaned and people advertised their car's as having been cleaned a year or 2 ago which to makes it no better than my car that has never been cleaned.

[newsh]

Surely there must be a way to mod the car so it doesn't carbon up??

[MikeFish]

Surely there must be a way to mod the car so it doesn't carbon up??

If you can find a way you will make a lot of money.