MTM M-Cantronic tuning box

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thewanted

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Hey all,

I did a search in this sub-forum but didn't get any results. Has anyone installed the MTM M-Cantronic tuning box in their Audi S1? The QSTuning.com Facebook page has photos of two S1s that have had it fitted, so I was really hoping that the owners post here :)

I'd like to know how easy the device is to install and remove. From what I've read, it doesn't require getting under the car and plugging a sensor in where the undertray sits. Unfortunately the installation guide cannot be downloaded by mere mortals from the MTM site.

Thanks :)
 
Given the boost sensor is the by the undertray as you say, I'd be interested to know how it works without intercepting that...
Only thing I can think is it goes directly between the ECU and all the sensors, but I'm not sure if that's possible with the way the CANbus system works.
Be interesting to see how it's different from my DTUK box...
 
josedebardi said:
Only thing I can think is it goes directly between the ECU and all the sensors, but I'm not sure if that's possible with the way the CANbus system works..
Click to expand...

That's what I'm lead to believe. Not cheap at £1066 + VAT, but still a good £800 cheaper than ABT's offering.
 
If does do that and so has control over all of the 100s of sensors then it should be worth the money. Would have to be a complex and clever bit of kit to read the CAN data, compute it, manipulate it, and send it on to the ECU. I'd say a bargain at £1.2k if that is what it is doing. Far superior to my box.
 
I got the installation guide and a magazine article from QS Tuning.

The M-Cantronic box plugs directly into the ECU. Kim @ QS Tuning says that most of the cars he sees do not have the tamper-proof cage installed.

Certainly tempting, although I can't get the S3 8V out of the back of my mind.
 

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Hmm, nice! S3 drives very differently, much more tame/controlled - the S1 is like a naughty terrier in comparison.
 
Yeah, I can imagine that's true :) Much like you, I'm just a serial car buyer!

I can't think of a single thing the S1 doesn't do well, but it is a little small for my mountain biking stuff. Coming from a M135i it's definitely slower (hence the interest in MTM), but my god does it grip in the corners.
 
Why spend so much money on this when something like a bluefin or REVO can be uninstalled when taking it to a main dealer for service?
 
This doesn't trigger the "TD1" flag in the ECU.
 
skiman said:
Why spend so much money on this when something like a bluefin or REVO can be uninstalled when taking it to a main dealer for service?
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Because even having been reflashed to stock they can still see you have tampered with the ECU programming on the latest ECUs.
 
thewanted said:
Yeah, I can imagine that's true :) Much like you, I'm just a serial car buyer!

I can't think of a single thing the S1 doesn't do well, but it is a little small for my mountain biking stuff. Coming from a M135i it's definitely slower (hence the interest in MTM), but my god does it grip in the corners.
Click to expand...

I had a 135i before my SQ5 - with the S1 at stage 1 it's very similar, if not a bit quicker in a straight line. I'd highly recommend it.
 
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When Audi plug their diagnostic machine into the car, it will tell them that the ECU has been tampered with even if it has been flashed back to the stock firmware. Bye bye warranty...
 
skiman said:
Excuse my ignorance but whats that?
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It's the tick box that VAG use to say - 'this car is no longer stock' on the main database in Germany. It is triggered automatically if the car is plugged into the dealers computer and it detects the ECU has been reflashed at any point, or manually by a dealer if they see changes to suspension/drive train etc (though it's VERY rare they do it manually).
 
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So this MTM Box doesnt flag this up?

I only ordered my S1 last week but Im wanting it remapped, and obviously dont want my warranty to disappear... is this the best thing then?
 
Yep - any tuning box is not detectable, as you remove it (or bypass it) before taking it to the stealers. My DTUK one has a 'BNZ' plug which basically means you can leave the extra loom to the 3 sensors it intercepts on the car (as it's a 25 min job to remove it) and it just loops them back as if the tuning box is not present.
For the MTM box, it may need to be removed, or I guess it may have a 'bypass' mode where it doesn't play with any of the signals.
 
Im used to the good old days of ford RS's where you just plug in a bluefin, play, and remove before taking it to a dealers lol.

So I need to save another grand for this bad boy then. I always thought tuning boxes were bad news?
 
There are cheap ones, (less than £100) which are just a resistor in a box - bad news.

Modern ones, like the DTUK (£400) actually have a mini ECU and in this ones case intercept 3 sensors, including the crank position sensor, so it knows both RPM and the position of the engine. This means it can override the boost/fuel pressure sensors in a safe and progressive way, meaning the engine is still safe etc. It also means you can load different maps onto it (there are 3 on mine, and I actually need to send it back to have the latest one added).

The next step up is the MTM type, which technically is a 'piggy back' ECU, not a tuning box - it has the ability it intercept and manipulate ALL data sent to/from the main ECU. This is why it is more expensive, but it also means you have even more control than just the 3 sensor intercept tuning box.
 
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You guys are so helpful, I appreciate all the info, this is all new to me.

So, realistically if I just want to remap the car, have it be undetectable by Audi and dont want to spend a fortune the DTUK Tuning box is safe and wont cause the engine to detonate etc?
 
That's basically it yea! I've got 6k miles with the box on and no problems.
Give Andrew a call at DTUK and mention me, he'll look after you. He has just got married 3 days ago so not sure if he is on honeymoon tho...
Alternatively, I'm selling my S1, and so the DTUK box too, £300 and it's yours.
 
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Looks like my ECU has the tamper-proof cage, so I won't be installing an M-Cantronic :(

6QW7ZGd.jpg
 
Mine is the same that and my abt tuning box plugs in on the right hand side with no problems
 
Really? I just can't imagine how you would get those plugs out. They pretty much sit flat against the body!

Would you mind taking a photo Ian? Thanks :)
 
Ian - yours was ABT from new right? So I imagine ABT drilled the bolts and then replaced them with new OEM ones at their factory...
 
thewanted said:
Really? I just can't imagine how you would get those plugs out. They pretty much sit flat against the body!

Would you mind taking a photo Ian? Thanks :)
Click to expand...
I have one but some some reason it won't let me post it on here. It says the file is too big
 
You'll have to upload it to imgur.com and resize it :) Copy the BBCode link from there and paste it in a reply here. Or resize it on your PC first and upload it through here.
 
thewanted said:
You'll have to upload it to imgur.com and resize it :) Copy the BBCode link from there and paste it in a reply here. Or resize it on your PC first and upload it through here.
Click to expand...
Blimey Ok I will give it a go thanks lol
 
Hope these are ok. Not too good with computers and stuff, you learn a new thing everyday ;-)
 
Thanks very much!

Yours doesn't have the bolts that mine does :(
 
Kim from QS Tuning said that he's seen cars without the tamper-proof cage fitted, so it's entirely possible that your car never had the bolts.
 
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Oh right. Maybe email Rich at Richter Sport and pick his brains. They are really helpful there. If Audi have done that they are buggers lol.
 
I don't think Rich will want to speak to me :p He's emailed me a few times and I eventually said that I wasn't looking to mod my car. Truth is, I don't want to pay £2k for it :(
 
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Aha right, ok can't remember what mine looked like before tbh. Sorry I can't help you.
 
I have the tamper proof cage :( oh well **** happens, it wont stop me modifying lol
 

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Well if they don't want us messing around with them they should have made them nearer 280 bhp but they don't want to upset sales on the s3.
 
Agreed, however we would still push the boundaries
 
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