APR, REVO, MRC or others for B8.5 S4

I've been back in touch with MRC who are making progress which is good news! They need a screen grab of the mechatronic controller details via VCDS though and I'm miles away so just wondered whether either; someone near Brighton with VCDS is willing to meet up or, whether someone else with a CREC engined S4 could get this screen shot across to the guys at Mrc?!
 
I have VCDS so I could do it from my car. However I'm not completely clear on which screen they need since there are several 'windows' for each controller in VCDS. Maybe you can ask MRC to PM me with more details?
 
I have VCDS so I could do it from my car. However I'm not completely clear on which screen they need since there are several 'windows' for each controller in VCDS. Maybe you can ask MRC to PM me with more details?

That would be great - could you pm me your email as I'm terrible with technology! I can then cc you into the email chain. Top man!
 
I've sent my e-mail address by PM (called a 'conversation' here?).
 
Still no news from either MRC or APR on when they might crack the Simos 16 ECU. Has anyone else heard any rumours or news from Revo or others?! So frustrating that the c7 S6/RS6/7's are being mapped already. I really fancy the extra power now!
 
I've heard rumours that it's getting closer, but still nothing concrete. Fingers crossed MRC will have it cracked in the next few months.
I'm thinking about getting my 1st service sorted out first, just to check any minor niggles before getting the work done.
 
@Chiefbadger - I know we discussed this separately however your comment above does not quite match my plans, at least in the way that I read it.

As we know a stage 1 or 2 tune threatens our warranties (at least the engine and transmission parts) and so it is wise to 'log' an approved Audi service because as we know any 'goodwill' from Audi is dependent on having such a record. In my case my S5 is coming up to a year old but has only done just over 4000 miles. According to the service schedule (it was delivered on the variable schedule) I won't need an oil service or inspection service for a while. So for me to kick off a service record I might as well just get an oil change, since apart from the cost of the oil (which it will need anyway), an oil change service is the cheapest thing to get done at an Audi dealer.

Whereas the matter of "just to check any minor niggles before getting the work done" is rather more important than just getting a service record. In fact it is essential to ensure that the engine and transmission are in good shape before modifying them. However this is not the job for your local Audi dealer it is a job for specialists, and what better specialists than those who will do the modifications? As MRC show on their website, they offer an engine 'health check' as a separate service, however it is also included in the cost of their tuning packages. In my case I might also pay to extend that to have a more complete inspection done so that I am confident there is nothing else awry, particularly on the underside of the car.
 
One more thing. I read a post on Audizine about a new A6 which has the CREC engine. In that thread someone else with a new S4 confirmed that it does NOT have the CREC engine. This matches what I already believed that for some reason Audi introduced the CREC engine for the S4/S5 in Europe in mid 2014 but not in North America. The fact that it is now in the new A6 over there probably doesn't change the fact that there is no incentive for the US tuners to crack the SIMOS 16, unless of course that ECU is being used for other models and we don't know about that. So I think we are reliant on European tuners to get it cracked.
 
Forget goodwill on transmissions, and if mapped they'll blame anything on that anyway...wouldn't risk your warranty tbh

Someone mentioned to me that MRC maps were hidden/'encrypted' (doesn't seem like the right word to me...?) so its either impossible or perhaps difficult for Audi techs to detect?

No idea how much truth there is to that...

Im with you and wouldn't want to compromise my warranty on a brand new car....but the power gains are ridiculously hard to ignore...!!!
 
When mine went into Audi to change the new mech unit I had put in, under parts warranty, they didn't pick it up.
The silicon hose to the airbox is quite subtle and the original box looks the same so not easy to tell.
If your exhaust is std as well you're probably OK, as this is an obvious sign it could be mapped.
To be honest unless you have a massive cone intake and badges on the car, I'm not sure they would find it. They never found my stage 2+ Apr remap on my B7 and that had milteks on it as well...
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrEskimo
When mine went into Audi to change the new mech unit I had put in, under parts warranty, they didn't pick it up.
The silicon hose to the airbox is quite subtle and the original box looks the same so not easy to tell.
If your exhaust is std as well you're probably OK, as this is an obvious sign it could be mapped.
To be honest unless you have a massive cone intake and badges on the car, I'm not sure they would find it. They never found my stage 2+ Apr remap on my B7 and that had milteks on it as well...

Don't tell me that...my GF will kill you and me now....
 
  • Like
Reactions: razza1
I have had a few cars mapped while under warranty and never had one detected but MINI did once reflash my ecu and whined the tuned map but my tuner reflashed for me for free thankfully
 
Just had a small update from my tuner no word yet but when I replied with let's hope it's soon he replied with this below!!

" It should do....

There is alot of pressure for the new ECU to be supported now.

Also, a very very similar ECU is used in the new Porsche models, and they have cracked that version, so it looks promising

Kind Regards "
 
Its just a waiting game really. As soon as the first software recalibration has been rolled out then the rest will follow suit. Its always the case. No time frame for Shark as of yet bu wont be long.
 
Its just a waiting game really. As soon as the first software recalibration has been rolled out then the rest will follow suit. Its always the case. No time frame for Shark as of yet bu wont be long.
That is just it once 1 cracks it they will roll it out I'm just looking forward to a bit more poke mine is nearly a year old now and will be in for its first service in about 80 days
 
Someone mentioned to me that MRC maps were hidden/'encrypted' (doesn't seem like the right word to me...?) so its either impossible or perhaps difficult for Audi techs to detect?

No idea how much truth there is to that...

Im with you and wouldn't want to compromise my warranty on a brand new car....but the power gains are ridiculously hard to ignore...!!!

Based on what you have written here and elsewhere it sounds to me that you should not give in to temptation and keep your car standard and warranty intact. If @razza1 uses the word "risk" in the context that the consequences are unacceptable then I would agree with his advice "wouldn't risk your warranty tbh". Having come from the B5, where ownership involved the acceptance of risk of turbo failure which is an engine out for replacement job, I was somewhat disappointed to find the same situation with the B8, but for the gearbox and a significantly higher bill. It looks like the risk on a 2009 car is considerably higher than on a 2015 car but the risk is still there. If you couldn't afford the replacement cost then it would be madness to threaten your warranty.

Of course acceptance of risk is personal and perhaps I am lucky that I can afford a new gearbox. Yes I'd be gutted but I can afford it.
 
I use will @ performance tourqe he has mapped most of my cars and been very happy he also mapped my dad's RS6 and all I can say is wow
 
MRC have cracked the later Golf R now
So it wont be ling fir the S4 I imagine
 
One more thing. I read a post on Audizine about a new A6 which has the CREC engine. In that thread someone else with a new S4 confirmed that it does NOT have the CREC engine. This matches what I already believed that for some reason Audi introduced the CREC engine for the S4/S5 in Europe in mid 2014 but not in North America. The fact that it is now in the new A6 over there probably doesn't change the fact that there is no incentive for the US tuners to crack the SIMOS 16, unless of course that ECU is being used for other models and we don't know about that. So I think we are reliant on European tuners to get it cracked.


I don't think EURO-US engine codes ever match, well on the B8 at least?
 
Just had a small update from my tuner no word yet but when I replied with let's hope it's soon he replied with this below!!

" It should do....

There is alot of pressure for the new ECU to be supported now.

Also, a very very similar ECU is used in the new Porsche models, and they have cracked that version, so it looks promising

Kind Regards "


Shall we say it's being "beta" tested by a well know tool company. It will be out :)
 
Any one know any thing still no word from p tourqe

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
 
not head anything, small market 16 it seems and a large leap from 8. Seems like the GEN3 golf didn't help either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bob stone
Mrc are still working on it and confident they'll get there soon. They have been saying this for about 6 months though ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Nothing that I've heard. Starting to think it might never happen . . .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Whilst I am as frustrated as you guys I have faith that MRC will give us something at some point. In 2014 I was looking to buy a used S4 or S5 and the options list was more important to me so I'd have gone for a B8 or B8.5. I remember that I was a bit concerned about getting a B8.5 because the ECU (the SIMOS 8.5) had not been cracked yet. Again I had faith that MRC would do it, but of course the doubts started to creep in. Anyway I can't remember exactly when MRC finally did it but a quick search revealed this thread. At the end of March 2014 the forecast was "It'll be another few weeks, possibly 2 months before we're ready for a release...". When did the B8.5 launch? Sometime in 2012 wasn't it? So it took 2 years to release a tuning package for that car. Cars started being built with the CREC engine in Summer 2014.
 
pez, I can't write from experience since unfortunately none of the tuners have a package available for the newer engine that Audi started installing from mid-2014, however it is my understanding that MRC do have a genuine technical advantage over the others (although if this is not true I'll gladly be corrected). Now whilst both APR and REVO are excellent tuners, theirs are off-the-shelf tunes. They are designed to be a standard package that can be installed by distributers without necessarily having tuning skills (and don't take that as a criticism). However MRC offer custom tunes. I believe that their stage 2 package includes air intake mods that are not always included by the others. But importantly as part of the package they make sure that the remap takes best advantage of the hardware mods there and then on their rolling road. They notice things like exactly how good the fuel is in the car at the time, so it is clear that they are tuning YOUR car and not just another S4.

So again, nothing against any competitive tuner, but there is a tangible difference in going to MRC.

As for REVO being a "geneneric" tune as opposed to "custom" While being somewhat true, it's also somewhat misleading.

Their maps all start as custom maps, then under massive testing and R&D they hone that custom map to its pure perfect form. Then they release it. You will note revo is not the first to release maps, you can have a map right now or the right map.
 
  • Like
Reactions: xpoweruk
As for REVO being a "geneneric" tune as opposed to "custom" While being somewhat true, it's also somewhat misleading.

Their maps all start as custom maps, then under massive testing and R&D they hone that custom map to its pure perfect form. Then they release it. You will note revo is not the first to release maps, you can have a map right now or the right map.

I think the point Being made was that Revo/Apr etc are not tweaked and tailored to each individual car. Clearly they are well researched and highly reputable firms that spend a huge amount of time and r&d.

MRC (from what I have read and researched so far) seem to have a base map, that they then tailor to each individual car over a number of hours. I.e it's not a plug and play, it takes into account any minor differences between different engines etc.

Absolutely nothing wrong with the established big names!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have contacted MRC for an update. Seems that they haven't made as much progress as they wanted to.