The chip makes an incredible difference in the performance of the car. I have driven chipped and non chipped 2.0t's, and the difference is performance is absolutely there. (Don't even get me started on the Stage 3 large turbo vkit.
:lol
The chip makes the car a lot more driveable, with better pickup and less throttle application needed to get where you are going. I do reccomend that if you get the car chipped, you also upgrade the diverter valve as well. I have the APR R1, and it is is great not only in performance, but it is maintenance free and has a lifetime warranty.
As far as brand goes, everyone has their preferred brand. I like APR for a variety of reasons. They have a nationwide dealer networ, fully stand behind their products, have a host of other APR branded parts to accompany the chip, have a telephone hotline that you can call, and are in my opinion the best balance of the chip between maximum power and driveability. The APR chip also offers features that the other companies do not, such as the ability to erase Check Engine Lights, different modes to change octane levels of the ECU depending on what situation you find yourself in. The APR chip is also a hidden system which means that it is virtually undetectable, and they do not modify your interior by adding controllers, buttons, holes, etc. like some companies out there. Everything is controlled right through the stalk. Last but not least, APR is having a sale on chips right now:
http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_20tfsi_trans.html
You can't beat an almost 100 lb ft increase in torque for such a small amount of money. :thumbup:
