vs
Turbocharger OEM Volkswagen or APR
Reviews
Yesterday I tackled the IS20 installation. It took about 4-5 hours and overall wasn't too difficult. The car definitely feels better. It should've come like this from the factory!
Pros: car feels better
Cons: 4-5 hour install
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
12k+ miles later and the turbo is working great, with a single caveat. Every so often I will get some turbo surge under WOT high boost conditions.
Pros: turbo is working great
Cons: turbo surge under WOT
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Passat
Mileage: 19312 km
The turbocharger that APR uses is an actual Borg Warner unit that they modify the housing on. We never have to do any modifying of the APR K04 or the downpipe when installing them.
Pros: no modifying needed
I have 40k on my car (30k on stage 2) and it's flawless.
Pros: flawless
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
Mileage: 40000 km
Mine has over 200k now, still running the stock turbo. I will probably keep this car for awhile.
Pros: long lifespan, stock turbo
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
Mileage: 321868 km
After the stage 1 APR tune almost immediately roasted my IS12's wastegate, I'm about 4 months into an APR stage 3 IS20 setup. Aside from a persistently unenjoyable power delivery, the car's been reliable so far.
Pros: car's been reliable
Cons: unenjoyable power delivery
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
There are IS38s that have failed under stock conditions. You're not going to gain much insight here. Some fail, most don't.
Cons: some fail
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
My IS12 turbo's wastegate failed. Thankfully, it was replaced under warranty at 57k miles, even with a stage 1 Apr tune.
Pros: replaced under warranty
Cons: wastegate failed
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
Mileage: 91733 km
I just replaced my 2015 TSI 1.8 after it lost all compression on #4 cylinder. It is IS20 turbo with the APR tune.
Cons: lost all compression
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
Mileage: 157717 km
I’ve had water pump failure, AC failure, windshield wiper motor failure and an oil leak due to the turbocharger on top of your normal tire, brake, rotor, windshield and oil maintenance.
Cons: expensive repairs
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
Mileage: 125000 km
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