I’ll bite: Not a fan.

A lot of money spent on performance when a higher trim could have been purchased. Also, I don’t understand why it’s that low. Makes the wheels look like they are broken. There’s a balance to be achieved between eliminating wheel gap and going too far. In my opinion this is too far, even for “show mode”.

Just my opinion since you specifically asked for: Hate or Love it

 

I’ll bite: Not a fan.

A lot of money spent on performance when a higher trim could have been purchased. Also, I don’t understand why it’s that low. Makes the wheels look like they are broken. There’s a balance to be achieved between eliminating wheel gap and going too far. In my opinion this is too far, even for “show mode”.

Just my opinion since you specifically asked for: Hate or Love it

At the time of purchase in FEB 2022, NO Macan S models were available and I did not want to wait for updated Macan models. Absolutely ZERO in SoCal and I did not want to buy used Macan.
Also, obviously I don't drive my car when its fully aired out. Below is driving ride height.

 

A Macan low-rider! So...drive in a straight line only? Or do you have some kind of air springs?

 

New to forum and posting for the 1st time.

2021 Mahogany Macan 2.0T "Base"
Hybrid IS20
Forge Motorsports IC
Armytrix high flow catted downpipe
Custom APR mufflers
Full Airlift 3H system
Weds Maverick 815F wheels (on the way) OEM Black Shadows will be up for sale when my Weds arrive.

With current Hybrid IS20 setup, dyno'd 316 WHP on mustang dyno, measuring 399 HP at the crank.

Hate it or love it.

View attachment 268484

Gotta agree with Sweetness. It’s your money and you do you. And you’re asking for opinions!

But what is the point of spending all this money on upgrades to still be SIGNIFICANTLY underpowered to a new S, especially a GTS? I am guessing you could have spent a little bit more and actually got a performance Macan, which is what you’re wanting.

And it’s far too low. The wheel gap, which is nonexistent, looks wonky.

Now for the good. The color and wheels are sick!

 

Again, I did not want to buy USED Macan S/GTS and and in FEB 2022, absolutely ZERO S models in SoCal.
Also, I'm getting 316 WHEEL HP measured on Mustang dyno and its 399 HP at the CRANK. So I'm really not under powered. Plenty of HP/TQ thru out all RPM range.

Obviously I can't drive fully aired out.

 

Love the color and the wheels. Too low for my taste. At the lowest point it looks kinda like a VW GTI.

BUT if you are happy, that's all that ever matters. There ain't much in this life that beats the smile per mile you get from a sweet ride.

 

I like how it looks in driving mode. It's crying out for tinted side markers though. I get doing mods but don't get insisting on buying a new one to do these mods to as the manufacturer warranty for most of the mechanical components the car have now been voided anyways.

 

Driving height’s perfect! Show mode is not attractive to me at all on a GTI or any car. That being said, a couple people seem to be reading right past your mod list, in terms of details as well as engine output, which is impressive. I do agree to finding it puzzling to do all of this to a new Macan when’s cheaper one out of warranty would seem to have been a suitable platform. I like that color more than I thought I would - maybe I don’t see them well detailed and in the sun often enough.
Who did your tune, APR (hopefully i didn’t miss that) and how do you like? Has it caused any issues for your PDK in terms of shifting quality?

 

Stertman Motorsport did both ECU and TCU tune. PDK TQ limit raised and shifts are very smooth and downshifts are quicker. ECU tuned for optimal street driving, has good low end TQ, boost holds all the way to redline and AFR under full boost is 11.5~12.5 : 1. If I drive "normal", MPG did not suffer at all.

Answer to everyone's question, IF there was S/GTS model available at the time of purchase, yes, I would have gone with the S/GTS model. Base model was my only choice at the time so I decided to have some modding fun with it because I knew Base model's power output would not satisfy me. With current power output, I am more than happy with it.

My previous WRX Wagon was pushing 360 at the wheels (420 at the crank) and my Golf R was pushing 400 at the wheels.

 

Nice, what is the peak boost level?

 

26 PSI

 

Just a guess 107 th and Kendall Drive ? Love the color !

 

Where is Kendall Dr? I'm from SoCal.

 

looks good man. Enjoy it.

 

You do you! Do what makes you happy, and be happy doing it!

 

Welcome to the forum! One of the best first posts in a while.

 

I like it and probably would have gone a similar route performance-wise had I purchased an older example without a warranty. Nice to surpass "S" power and still have the lighter nose of the 4cyl. Very brave of you to toss out the drivetrain warranty!

I have the same wheels and its interesting to see them at those various ride heights. They are more of an SUV wheel to me and think a bit of wheel gap fits them better, but post some photos once you have the new wheels on.

I guess the exhaust tips should be pushed in a bit more to be flush with the rear but would like to see a rear photo of your exhaust tips and how they interact with the diffuser.

Any plans for water injection? On some prior projects I have done larger turbo upgrades and for simplicity just added water injection versus a new intercooler. WI on top of the new IC should be super nice in the Summer.

 

Armytrix exhaust is now off from the car and I'm doing new setup with APR mufflers.

Will post new exhaust/wheel setup next week.

I thought about water/meth 50:50 but not worth it on my setup. If I want more boost at safe levels, I'll probably go E85 setup.

 

👎

 

You mentioned you live in California. What are you going to do when you are up for SMOG? Or do you "know a guy"?

 

I don’t believe newer cars need SMOG checks until they are 8 years old (something like that). I recently lived there for 12 years and the only SMOG check I had to do was when I first moved to LA and brought my car from out of state. The other 5 cars I owned never needed one. This was in LA county so it could vary in other parts of the state.

 

My Macan will pass smog. No cats are removed.

 

Back almost 20 years ago, I had trouble with getting my Honda Accord SMOG inspected because of my intake that had a CARB EO sticker. Was able to find a small independent shop who didn't care so long as it passed the sniffer which of course it did. What I've read is that CA has gotten stricter and stricter with the visual inspection.

 

I like it! Do you have more pics all around?

 

Once my car is washed, will post few more pictures.

 

Which IS20 hybrid turbo did you use? I love it. Especially the engine mods. I would take the 4 cylinder with mods over the 6 cylinder with heavier front and known maintenance issues.

 

I have TurboSystems Hybrid IS20.

 

Do you have the dyno plots from you dyno runs? It would be great to see the hp and tq curves. I am considering this upgrade path but I am concerned with losing low end tq for city driving.

 

My new wheels finally arrived.

 

Do post pics once fitted ..

 

Please post some details/pics about your custom APR exhaust. Any video?

 

Will post soon.

 

Picture of new wheel setup. Only regret is not getting 21” setup.

I do think Black Shadows match the car better but I wanted something different. I can always get different setup

 

Another picture.

 

Another picture.

The new wheels are growing on me. Do you have any photos from a higher perspective? I like the look of the stock tips on the aftermarket exhaust!

 

Ya got more money than patience. i would have waited for a custom order S or GTS. It was only six months for a build/delivery.

Or do FrankenMacan modifications on a used GTS. You seem like a guy who has a vision, enjoys the process and goes after it, even if slowing down and thinking things through would provide better outcomes in many areas. On the other hand, I am sure you take pride in owning the most bad-ass Base in the world. Enjoy.

 

You asked, I hate it, looks ridiculously out of place for a Macan. IMO you should have left it looking stock or maybe lowered slightly like a GTS. Otherwise it would be a lovely looking car.

 

It's lowered on air suspension, any ride height can be configured in seconds with the push of a button.

 

Still like to see a video of your custom exhaust. Thanks!

 

I will make sure to take some vids this weekend.

 

Love the lowered look on air. In my GTS I have it always in the lowest setting and wish I could go lower LOL!