Superchip Bluefin Tune or Kraftwerk Performance Tune on MY11 S3

Which tune would you choose?

  • Kraftwerk Performance Tune

    Votes: 2 25.0%

  • Superchip Bluefin Tune

    Votes: 6 75.0%
  • Total voters
    8
charlie89

charlie89

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Hey guys,

I'm looking at tuning my S3 having the Suspension, Wheels, and Exhaust taken care of...

Now I'm keen on having a Kraftwerk Tune which costs almost double what the Superchip Bluefin does, but the Kraftwerk indicates performance figures;

GERMAN Performance upgrades for European automobiles

The Bluefin seems cheaper and a more DIY tune but does not say how much gain you get..


Whats your opinion on the matter? Pay more and give my car to my authorised Kratwerk tuner or pay less and buy the bluefin?
 
I'm running a Bluefin map and I'm very pleased with it. There are extensive discussions about various earlier incarnations of the map itself and Superchips' excellent customer support in developing a better map from about 2007-2008 with members of this forum.

For me, the attraction is being able to upload and download the map through the Bluefin handset. I originally bought my Bluefin handset in 2009 through a group buy on this site (for a 2.0T quattro), then paid Superchips to have the hanset re-programmed with the new S3 map when I changed cars recently. The changeover to the S3 map cost me about £200, which is great value and likely to keep me with Bluefin whenever I change cars again.

Bluefin maps are usually quite conservative, but the S3 map is among the higher output ones - 310bhp and 289lb/ft claimed for the latest version (since about 2008/9). Their website has an output graph for the S3.
 
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I've never used either so can't say which is best, over here I use evolve and I got 319bhp/319lbft off my stage 1, they like bluefin do a tuning box so you would be able to get it in oz, and it's a fantastic map!

Now at stage 2 I'm pushing 360bhp/385lbft
 
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Hmm just imagine being able to say that your S3 has been fettled by Kraftwerk - perfect upgrade for the Autobahn :laugh:

Paul
 
Thanks thus far for both opinions and advice on other alternatives..

May give it some more thought and decide I suppose.
 
i'm been thinking of doing a bluefin and have emailed them recently. They say i will get a extra 45-50bhp from by 2.0tfsi which is enough for me. What really apeals to me the ability to revert back to your stock map which is stored on the device whenever you want. Also when remapping it doesnt increment the flash counter on ecu. We also get a 10% discount from them for being a ASN member. £410 all in i think it was.
 
i'm gonna flash mine with the evolve switch within the hour... will let you know how i get on stage 1.
 
evolve switch done..... holy ****! is all i gotta say... what a difference!
write up coming soon, once i catch my breath back!! cheers jungleman for da info! Sweet!
 
Kash3838 said:
evolve switch done..... holy ****! is all i gotta say... what a difference!
write up coming soon, once i catch my breath back!! cheers jungleman for da info! Sweet!
Click to expand...

haha keep holding your breath, over the first 50-100 miles the map will adapt as the car learns and the power delivery will get smoother and a tad more aggressive
glad to help mate
 
Also considering a remap soon - I like what I'm hearing/reading about Evolve but understand Superchips/Bluefin is tried and tested.

How did you go about getting the 10% discount for being an ASN member from Superchips Bluespark? £400~ seems reasonable with switch thrown in...

Do Evolve do an ASN discount? :p What is the cost for comparison? (Apologies OP if I'm hijacking thread!)
 
I'd say Bluefin between the two and I don't think mentioning others is helping the OP :thumbsup:
 
Hellz said:
Also considering a remap soon - I like what I'm hearing/reading about Evolve but understand Superchips/Bluefin is tried and tested.

How did you go about getting the 10% discount for being an ASN member from Superchips Bluespark? £400~ seems reasonable with switch thrown in...

Do Evolve do an ASN discount? :p What is the cost for comparison? (Apologies OP if I'm hijacking thread!)
Click to expand...

going with evolve wont be a disappointment, not sure if they do a discount, they did a couple months back, just have to ask and drop in that you read my review on here as that may help, i really need to get my stage 2 graphs up!
 
That would be great JM - do you happen to have your graphs from the Stage 1? I've just dropped Evolve an email so hopefully they will respond promptly ;) - Do they know you as Jungleman or is there another name I can drop :)
 
Does the MY11 S3 not have the anti tuning software the same as the other MY11 A3's though? Meaning you need to physically open the ecu to remap.
 
£535.00 for the evolve switch.... i'll write it up once i have laid down 100 miles or so as its still learning the map... only done 2 miles and its a bit rough at the minute. but you see the potential of the map in the first 2 gears. read junglemans write up... i would advise!
 
Hellz said:
That would be great JM - do you happen to have your graphs from the Stage 1? I've just dropped Evolve an email so hopefully they will respond promptly ;) - Do they know you as Jungleman or is there another name I can drop :)
Click to expand...

ive got my graph from stage 1 on my review somewhere, ill have a fresh stage 2 graph from an independent RR on monday which ill stick up, they are normally pretty busy, but hopefully they should get back to you pretty quick, they should know me as jungleman, or paolo depending who you talk to, if you ask for imran though, hes the guy thats looked after my car, but rizz and sal both know me as well

eddyd said:
Does the MY11 S3 not have the anti tuning software the same as the other MY11 A3's though? Meaning you need to physically open the ecu to remap.
Click to expand...

all software can be cracked (in theory), just not sure if they have had a MY11 car in to work out how to bypass it encryption, so would be a case of giving them a call
 
Charlie, out of curiosity as I am in the same boat being in Melbourne, but what is your thought process for not going with one of the local tuners (Revo, GIAC or APR)?
Do you want the hand controller, etc?

Talking about Evolve, they have recently set up in Melbourne and they are charging $1700AUD for a stage 1.
Would be a hell of a lot cheaper to order a box from the UK for 550GBP.
 
poli84 said:
Talking about Evolve, they have recently set up in Melbourne and they are charging $1700AUD for a stage 1.
Would be a hell of a lot cheaper to order a box from the UK for 550GBP.
Click to expand...

as far as i know they havent got an agent in oz yet, more then likely a non related company with the same name? $1700 seems seriously expensive!
 
Anyone have a link to purchase an evolve switch box? I assume it will still flash an Aus spec S3?

Kash3838 said:
evolve switch done..... holy ****! is all i gotta say... what a difference!
write up coming soon, once i catch my breath back!! cheers jungleman for da info! Sweet!
Click to expand...

Great feedback.. I'll look into the evolve switch :)

voorhees said:
I'd say Bluefin between the two and I don't think mentioning others is helping the OP :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I Don't mind other choices.

poli84 said:
Charlie, out of curiosity as I am in the same boat being in Melbourne, but what is your thought process for not going with one of the local tuners (Revo, GIAC or APR)?
Do you want the hand controller, etc?

Talking about Evolve, they have recently set up in Melbourne and they are charging $1700AUD for a stage 1.
Would be a hell of a lot cheaper to order a box from the UK for 550GBP.
Click to expand...

My local APR dealer in Perth is useless and not very helpful hence I wont go down that path.

Perth has no evolve/revo dealer as of yet..

The only dealer I find decent is the RamSpeed retailer in Perth who specialise in Kraftwerk..
(A Kraftwerk tune is around the $1700AUD mark as well.. but that involves the tuner uploading the stock ecu and sending that file to Germany to be altered and overnight is sent back and flashed..)

Right now I'm leaning towards the evolve box from what has already been mentioned..
 
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charlie89 said:
Anyone have a link to purchase an evolve switch box? I assume it will still flash an Aus spec S3?
Click to expand...

this is the evolve site

Home

doesnt look like hes updated the Audi section since redoing the site but if you drop them an email am sure they will be more then happy to answer your questions about the ability to flash an Aus spec S3
 
Different company mate, the evolve I use arnt called evolve technik, they are evolve automotive and it's s different logo
 
jungleman said:
all software can be cracked (in theory), just not sure if they have had a MY11 car in to work out how to bypass it encryption, so would be a case of giving them a call
Click to expand...

Revo | Latest News
The software is cracked, but the ecu still needs to be removed to take the tuning protection out in boot mode. Revo still can't remap purely via obd port on the selected MY11's with the tuning protection. I just wasn't sure whether it affects the S3 specifically aswell.

I would check first before you get a Bluefin or similar sent to Austraila which doesn't work or even possibly damages the ecu!
 
I was going to say that too, after late 2009 they where locked out and and will only be able to be done directly in the ecu.

The ecu has to be removed so a resistor can be soldered onto the ecu so it can get read and write without locking out the ecu.
 
t8ups said:
I was going to say that too, after late 2009 they where locked out and and will only be able to be done directly in the ecu.

The ecu has to be removed so a resistor can be soldered onto the ecu so it can get read and write without locking out the ecu.
Click to expand...

Yeah got an email back from evolve saying it might be locked.

Looks like I'll go local with Kraftwerk :) Expensive but German tuning is always good..
 
Hi Guys.. Saw this post on Kraftwerk Performance ECU tune as I was considering an upgrade on my RS6 wagon. I saw Ramspeed in sydney as a dealer, are there any others in Sydney?. Tune comes highly recommended, but was looking at a competitive shopping. Perhaps another dealer offers lower price?. I'm only after German tune and with warranty and I see ABT offers only a module whereas Kraftwerk offers both the ECU flash tune and a plug and play module. Cheers
 
Kraftwerk Power Module was very reasonably priced at $1850 installed. I checked out ABT and it was a joke at around $4K installed. As far as I saw, same gains offered b Krafwerk ECU plug & drive module and also German Made which was important to me. I also check out MTM and heir module was more expensive. Looks like Ramspeed in Sydney has an exclusive distribution of all as I saw no other local options anywhere online. The remap option was also offered, but I did not want to go down that road. http://kraftwerk.com.au/car_selector_2.php?id=1651
 
Not heard of anyone with kraftwork, but have to say I would NOT want a module installed on my car that cheats the car into over boosting and over fueling. A decent engine remap is the only way to go and there are loads or reputable maps such as Shark APR REVO and BLUEFIN BY SUPERCHIPS, the bluefin is the one I had installed and if you go on there website they will tell you exactly what sort of power gains you will get torque and bhp, the bluefin is the milder of all the tunes and considered a safe tune, A custom remap to your car by someone like rick at unicorn motor developments, this by far the best way to go if your going to stage 2 or 2+ your car.
I'm at stage 1 and may never go stage 2+ but I might be getting a BCS Powervalve exhaust and maybe stage 2
At the moment the bluefin has been great and very reliable with a nice mid range torque delivery, which is best for drivabilty.
Most stage 1 tunes are plug and play or generic map that is tried and tested and quickly flased to your ecu just like the bluefin, superchips have been chipping cars for over 25 years since the first ecu cars like ford cosworths and are heavily involved in top line motorsports so you cant go wrong really.
When I get my exhaust I will get Rick to look at my car I think and get a custom map to my car.
You should be able to get a deal on Eurocarparts and get a bluefin for around £320 if you get a voucher code for them.
 
I have a bluefin for sale if anyone is interested
 
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