2010 S3 remap choices.....

[drjim1]

Guys,
looking at getting my S3 remapped very soon and have been doing a little research into Revo, Shark & AMD, all seem to offer similar gains but much difference in price!

Revo £399
shark £299

i understand both the above are generic and have got great reviews but leave a stock exhaust.

By the far the closest to me is AMD (70 miles) and if I take there deal with a milltek total price is £650 so the map works out at £200

Does anyone know if this is a generic or custom map? can this map be reverted to standard when the service is due like revo or shark? (this option seems really attractive as have 1 year audi warranty)

Another question is the milltek exhaust, will this add to the cabin noise if I go the resonated route? Is there any gains to be had just fitting a turbo back exhaust with a remap apart from the noise as this is the only tuner I have spoke to who recommends it with a stage 1.

Is there anything else to consider?


Sorry for all the questions but want to get this right first time......

cheers

jim

 

[Granta]

Hi jim. If you are changing your exhaust or part of it you will see more performance gains changing the cat to a sports cat or decat. So ideally you want to look for a turbo back exhaust. A cat back will use the standard exhaust which is quite restrictive but will have a different noise to the standard system.

Where abouts are you ? Another tuner is R-tech, which I highly recommend. I have taken 2 of my cars there and they have done great work both times. They can also supply/fit exhausts and stock milltek.

 

[AK47UK]

I was looking at AMD as they are close to me but ended up with a bluefin so I can revert my map. My local AMD puts the car on a rolling road and tune it so I guess that counts as custom but I don't think you get a device to revert the map. They may be able to provide the original map on a disc for a garage to flash for you but I don't know.

 

[warren_S5]

Don't confuse reverting your map back to standard as 'non detectable'. Any tuning programme which is loaded into the ECU will update the counter so whilst you can reset them back to standard for service / dealer visits if they want to go digging deep the software version counter will have tripped.

Do some searching and you'l see we get similar questions about every other day (e.g.: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/214752-2010-s3-8p-revo-v-superchips.html

There is much to consider and at the end of the day don't get suckered in my headline figures, they're only part of the equation. You want the package with support convenience that best fits your personal needs (and pocket).

 

[TopDrawer]

Morning

Revo did me, lots of dealers around installing this, who should be professionally certified

Ive got S3 8P 2007 model, stage 2+ mapped, with sports cat milltek fitted. Cabin noise is fine, just a throaty growl when you get above 4k.

Also be prepared for rev limiter to hit at 7300 rpm, not as per red line on your speedo.

I know mine is quick, how quick not sure and its not really the 0 - 60 times thats affected greatly. 3rd gear 50 - 100 is dramatic though, really sensational, 4th gear same too!

Finally my brother has a 2010 A3 1.8 Turbo (i think its 1.8), he has a stage 1 re map on that and is happy with it, no other mods at all

Tim

 

[S3Alex]

Guys,
looking at getting my S3 remapped very soon and have been doing a little research into Revo, Shark & AMD, all seem to offer similar gains but much difference in price!

Revo £399
shark £299

i understand both the above are generic and have got great reviews but leave a stock exhaust.

By the far the closest to me is AMD (70 miles) and if I take there deal with a milltek total price is £650 so the map works out at £200

Does anyone know if this is a generic or custom map? can this map be reverted to standard when the service is due like revo or shark? (this option seems really attractive as have 1 year audi warranty)

Another question is the milltek exhaust, will this add to the cabin noise if I go the resonated route? Is there any gains to be had just fitting a turbo back exhaust with a remap apart from the noise as this is the only tuner I have spoke to who recommends it with a stage 1.

Is there anything else to consider?


Sorry for all the questions but want to get this right first time......

cheers

jim

Hi Jim,

I went with Revo software,supplied and installed by AMDTuning at Lakeside.

In a sense,it's generic software,but with the facility to be set up for an individual car,if required,by tweaking boost,timing and fuelling,and the owner can also make some alterations via Revo's SPS if you buy one.

Most of us tend not to make any changes,but the SPS is useful for switching things back to near stock levels if required,but as Warren rightly says,ANY remap can leave traces for the eagle eyed dealer,but most just don't look for anything like that.

AMDTuning have always done superb work for me,and I'd recommend them to anyone,but either way,you'll enjoy the results of remapping the car,as it turns it into what it should have been in the first place.

 

[drjim1]

Cheers for all the advice guys!

After the advice both on here and speaking to the three tuners I mentioned, I am swaying towards the AMD root....
It appears AMD are actually doing there own maps instead of being a dealer for REVO, has anyone got first hand experience of this map? (Stage 1)

Another question I have noticed a very very quiet squeak from the Engine when returning to idle in the cabin, couldn't notice it outside but didn't lift the bonnet, hopefully nothing major as car only has 10k
Any ideas? Is there any common faults I need to be aware off?

Cheers
Jim

 

[S3Alex]

As far as I know,AMDTuning not only produce their own maps,but also supply and load Revo maps,and on occasions others as well.

The choice is down to the customer,but feedback on their own maps has always been good.

I chose Revo and stuck with it simply because of the path to where my car is now.

 

[Dave-S3]

Revo is £499 + VAT so effectively nearly £600, shark is £399. Revo is only worth bothering with when the sales are on as it becomes £480.

 

[drjim1]

Revo is £499 + VAT so effectively nearly £600, shark is £399. Revo is only worth bothering with when the sales are on as it becomes £480.

This is my point, for £50 more than the REVO I can get a milltek cat back and remap at AMD.....

 

[mjr901]

This isnt really for the OP as his car is out of warranty, but others may be interested.

As soon as Audi plug it in and run a 'guided' on your car, basically a scan of the ECU, which is normally necessary, and you have a remap, it will immediately pop up with "TD1" and in VW/Audi/SEAT/Skoda world, thats a mapped ECU, a red flag. This will be saved on their warranty system for future reference.

If the problem is directly related to excess power, then theres a chance the claim may get rejected.

If unrelated, then you'll be fine.

So make sure your on good terms with your dealer, and they may just put some blinkers on, after all, they are actually very generous with goodwill.

Dont be afraid by that, get the thing mapped, lifes too short!!

 

[s3_trev]

There is something about the Revo software and that "counter" that you guys are talking about. My Revo dealer explained it to me. Long story short, whatever way the Revo software updates the "counter", its not immediately obvious that the car has been remapped. I think it just shows a different software version, which I think could appear to simply be an Audi software update, for anyone looking. Obviously if Audi or whoever were keen enough they could look deeper, but the counter in and of itself doesn't prove a remap as far as I know, at least with Revo.

 

[Brodster]

I dont know if this will help you but I have a 10% discount running before next weekend on all Shark remaps and Im also an official Milltek dealer if your after an exhaust

 

[mjr901]

There is something about the Revo software and that "counter" that you guys are talking about. My Revo dealer explained it to me. Long story short, whatever way the Revo software updates the "counter", its not immediately obvious that the car has been remapped. I think it just shows a different software version, which I think could appear to simply be an Audi software update, for anyone looking. Obviously if Audi or whoever were keen enough they could look deeper, but the counter in and of itself doesn't prove a remap as far as I know, at least with Revo.

I work for a VAG main dealer, I can assure you the guided session that Audi request with 90% of applicable warranty claims shows TD1 very clearly.

Audi know. Trust me. However they turn a blind eye an awful lot, and quite a few fall through the net.

Usually only a problem if for example your engine complete fails, or turbo issues...

 

[s3_trev]

I work for a VAG main dealer, I can assure you the guided session that Audi request with 90% of applicable warranty claims shows TD1 very clearly.

Audi know. Trust me. However they turn a blind eye an awful lot, and quite a few fall through the net.

Usually only a problem if for example your engine complete fails, or turbo issues...

It may show "TD1" but TD1 does not equal remap does it? Obviously if this TD1 was flagged it may cause them to dig deeper but how do they actually 100% prove the car was remapped? Do they even need to prove it? My car will never be going near Audi again as they are a bunch of muppets but I am genuinely interested in this topic.

 

[mjr901]

It may show "TD1" but TD1 does not equal remap does it? Obviously if this TD1 was flagged it may cause them to dig deeper but how do they actually 100% prove the car was remapped? Do they even need to prove it? My car will never be going near Audi again as they are a bunch of muppets but I am genuinely interested in this topic.

Yes, TD1 in VAG land means the ECU coding has been altered.

More info here --> VWVortex.com - TD1 warranty flag

 

[S3Alex]

This is my point, for £50 more than the REVO I can get a milltek cat back and remap at AMD.....

Then that's a very good offer,and I'd be happy with that.

As to the warranty/remap thing.....it's always best to assume that a remap voids any warranty,and that the failure of any engine/drivetrain related part will not be covered.

On the flip side of that,as you know,mine has been modified a bit,and nothing has failed that would have triggered a warranty call.

 

[mjr901]

Then that's a very good offer,and I'd be happy with that.

As to the warranty/remap thing.....it's always best to assume that a remap voids any warranty,and that the failure of any engine/drivetrain related part will not be covered.

On the flip side of that,as you know,mine has been modified a bit,and nothing has failed that would have triggered a warranty call.

we can't all be as lucky lol, but generally mines been faultless too!

Apart from mine had a new DSG flywheel in January, luckily the blinkers are on and they didn't run a guided session.

I'm a firm believer in " it's not what you know, it's who you know!"

 

[S3Alex]

I'm a firm believer in " it's not what you know, it's who you know!"

I totally agree.

You need someone you can trust to do a good job,and to back that up if anything should break,or go wrong.

I'm very fortunate in having found people who could do that,both for the Cosworths,and now the Audi.....I wouldn't go anywhere else.

 

[mjr901]

I totally agree.

You need someone you can trust to do a good job,and to back that up if anything should break,or go wrong.

I'm very fortunate in having found people who could do that,both for the Cosworths,and now the Audi.....I wouldn't go anywhere else.

I don't even use Audi main dealer for servicing, only for warranty work alone, I use my local independent.

I have to be careful what I say on here, as it's actually monitored by people who work within certain franchises.

The things I see in the dealers, just show half the time the techs arent thinking properly.

Don't get me wrong, some techs know their stuff, but hell, an awful lot need to visit a forum, sometimes I'm telling them what to do!!

 

[S3Alex]

I don't even use Audi main dealer for servicing, only for warranty work alone, I use my local independent.

I have to be careful what I say on here, as it's actually monitored by people who work within certain franchises.

The things I see in the dealers, just show half the time the techs arent thinking properly.

Don't get me wrong, some techs know their stuff, but hell, an awful lot need to visit a forum, sometimes I'm telling them what to do!!

I can appreciate all of those points.....I used my local dealer for servicing up until the time the warranty expired(but AMDTuning for all of the real work),and after that,it only goes to AMD,as the locals admitted there isn't much they can do besides changing the oil or simple things now.

It was quite amusing the last time it was in for a replacement Xenon ballast....what started off with one tech at the car ended up with all of them gathered around it,looking at the changes and then the inevitable questions.....how much power,what's been done etc etc.

It has to be said though that any unusual faults aren't worth troubling the dealers with.....with all due respect,they would never have found the throttle body problem mine developed last year,and if they had,I'd have paid a fortune for it.