Remap Options

D0C

D0C

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I'm getting ever more tempted to remap my RS3. Even the already low insurance only increases a minimal amount if I remap it.

My question is who would you use? I'm probably more keen to get a custom map than one from Revo, APR etc. MRC seem to get good reviews...

Finally, while I appreciate this could invalidate warranty, has anyone any comments on the reliability of these maps and if they know of anyone who has been caught out by Audi having had their car mapped?

All comments appreciated and thanks in advance.
 
If you play you pay! Work on the basis Audi will know and void the warranty imho.

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
 
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MRC have got masses of experience of tuning/mapping Audi's, everything they do is proven by dyno results so that you see what sort of output you are getting for your money. Having said that, APR and REVO seem to have got their act together lately and are also showing some good genuine numbers for their tunes.
A stage 1 tune at around 430ps and 600nm really transforms the car and brings it alive, imho the achilles heal at this stage only being the standard intercooler and swapping the standard OEM brake pads to something better (Ferodo DS for example). DSG maping is also a debatable subject when adding extra ooomph, I admit that I have had mine tweaked a few times to get it just how I like it, however I know guys running stage 2 tunes quite happily without any DSG mapping - as a caveat to this I would warn that the clutch packs get a hard life from the power upgrade (launching for example) and the uprated clamping pressures from a dsg map really help with this.

As for dealers, well I have a great relationship with mine and they are happy to ensure that my car is not plugged into the link to Germany when servicing it (they also have done this for my previous two performance Audi's), however, I do know that some dealers are being particularly vigilant lately and are actually recording any obvious modifications on the car (aftermarket wheels, exhausts, brakes etc) so I guess it depends on how well you know them.
I know of two examples this past month, one was where a guy has removed his map, had Audi perform warranty work on a failed engine component (not related to the tune) and all done with no issues. The other was a guy with a faulty flap solenoid (rattly) on the sports exhaust rear box and the warranty claim was rejected as it was noticed he was running Milltek secondary decats.

Reliability - my rule of thumb for this is to ensure that your car is checked to be running ok BEFORE you have any tuning work carried out (a good tuner will do this). The horror stories usually eminate where someone has had a 'plug and play' tune put on when the car already has a hidden running problem (lean fuelling for example - saw this very thing happen two weeks ago at a dyno session when a guy rocked up with his car running dangerously lean AFR), or has added extra parts like exhaust and filters which are not compatible with the tune. If you warm the engine up before using high rpm and change the oil regularly then you should not have an issues.
 
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Thanks Beebee-one, that's really helpful.

If anyone has a stage 1 tune and lives anywhere near Warwickshire, I'd be very keen to see the results.
 
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Beebee-one said:
MRC have got masses of experience of tuning/mapping Audi's, everything they do is proven by dyno results so that you see what sort of output you are getting for your money. Having said that, APR and REVO seem to have got their act together lately and are also showing some good genuine numbers for their tunes.
A stage 1 tune at around 430ps and 600nm really transforms the car and brings it alive, imho the achilles heal at this stage only being the standard intercooler and swapping the standard OEM brake pads to something better (Ferodo DS for example). DSG maping is also a debatable subject when adding extra ooomph, I admit that I have had mine tweaked a few times to get it just how I like it, however I know guys running stage 2 tunes quite happily without any DSG mapping - as a caveat to this I would warn that the clutch packs get a hard life from the power upgrade (launching for example) and the uprated clamping pressures from a dsg map really help with this.

As for dealers, well I have a great relationship with mine and they are happy to ensure that my car is not plugged into the link to Germany when servicing it (they also have done this for my previous two performance Audi's), however, I do know that some dealers are being particularly vigilant lately and are actually recording any obvious modifications on the car (aftermarket wheels, exhausts, brakes etc) so I guess it depends on how well you know them.
I know of two examples this past month, one was where a guy has removed his map, had Audi perform warranty work on a failed engine component (not related to the tune) and all done with no issues. The other was a guy with a faulty flap solenoid (rattly) on the sports exhaust rear box and the warranty claim was rejected as it was noticed he was running Milltek secondary decats.

Reliability - my rule of thumb for this is to ensure that your car is checked to be running ok BEFORE you have any tuning work carried out (a good tuner will do this). The horror stories usually eminate where someone has had a 'plug and play' tune put on when the car already has a hidden running problem (lean fuelling for example - saw this very thing happen two weeks ago at a dyno session when a guy rocked up with his car running dangerously lean AFR), or has added extra parts like exhaust and filters which are not compatible with the tune. If you warm the engine up before using high rpm and change the oil regularly then you should not have an issues.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight, great read.

What dealer do you use? ;) I assume you are a personal friend for that treatment?

Out of curiousity, how long do you leave between oil changes? My S3 is being put onto 10k yearly when it has its service next month (it is being sold in 4 months anyway though), long life on a performance engine seems criminal. When I take delivery of the RS3, I'd be tempted to drop the oil once every 5k? Even if I have it done at an independent inbetween for the 5k changes or do it myself.
 
AudiNutta said:
Thanks for the insight, great read.

What dealer do you use? ;) I assume you are a personal friend for that treatment?

Out of curiousity, how long do you leave between oil changes? My S3 is being put onto 10k yearly when it has its service next month (it is being sold in 4 months anyway though), long life on a performance engine seems criminal. When I take delivery of the RS3, I'd be tempted to drop the oil once every 5k? Even if I have it done at an independent inbetween for the 5k changes or do it myself.
Click to expand...

I wont name the dealer on here as my 'special relationship' may come under scrutiny if it surfaces from the forum and out into the wild.
I am however, a returning customer that buys high spec Audi's and enjoy a bit of banter with the staff (Sales Team & Servicing dept too), if you are polite and dont cause them too many issues, its surprising what a different service you recieve for booking courtesy cars and even the prices they charge you for services (had plugs and oil done recently for under £300 quid!).

I am a bit fussy about oil service intervals for high performance cars, I had mine changed early at 9K miles (and plugs), however I see that some have extended service intervals which suggest around 18K miles - to my mind, even with advanced oils this is too long for a high performance car, especially if you already have or intend to uprate the power output. Its worth noting that for anyone buying a used RS3, its highly likely (but not necessarily all) that at some point in its life that it has had some sort of performance modification done by its previous owner. IMO, being stingy on oil services is not condusive to keeping the important moving bits well lubed and in good condition.
If you are running a standard engine, I would think that changing oil at 5K intervals is unnecessary. Save yourself some cash and get the oil service done at around 10K miles.
 
D0C said:
Thanks Beebee-one, that's really helpful.

If anyone has a stage 1 tune and lives anywhere near Warwickshire, I'd be very keen to see the results.
Click to expand...

A stage 1 tune is probably the best value you will get for the amount of power output and change in drivability of the car. Everything else beyond that is in my opinion just diminishing returns unless you upgrade the OEM turbo. A good stage 1 should see around 420 to 430ps which is nice, however its worth noting that most stock engines are actually around 385ps. The big news with the stage 1 tune is the leap in mid-range torque, probably somewhere close or even beyond 600nm (442lbs/ft) for a good custom tune. This endows the RS3 with some really nice throttle response and makes the car a quick little beast with little extra stress on the standard components. As with the standard car, let the oil warm up (I like to see 75 to 80 degrees on the gauage) before using high revs and dont launch it every 100 metres, then it should be fine and not have any issues.

If you manage to try a car with decent stage 1 tune you find it hard to resist putting one on your own car!:yes:
 
Spoke to Doug @ MRC. Think I'm quite close to pressing ahead with this and the DSG map. Stage 1 and 600+nm of torque will be more than enough for me.
 
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Fed up of the Golf Rs nipping at your heels @D0C ;)

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
 
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terminator x said:
Fed up of the Golf Rs nipping at your heels @D0C ;)

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Just greed! I can honestly say I've not had any issues with the power. But some more low-end torque would be nice. And of course, to keep ahead of these FL RS3's ;)
 
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If you can be ***** get decat pipes before remap as it release a few more ponies.

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
 
terminator x said:
Fed up of the Golf Rs nipping at your heels @D0C ;)

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

There is a 64 plate white one with black roof doing the rounds in our neck of the woods TX, be warned that it is very quick and will embarass an RS3 running stock power. :wtf:
 
White one followed me out towards m3 yesterday and it sounded great so yes assume it wasn't standard! It shot past and flew down the M3 which is average speed of 50 so he either knows something I don't or will get a ticket :tearsofjoy:

TX.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
 
audi upgrades
D0C said:
Spoke to Doug @ MRC. Think I'm quite close to pressing ahead with this and the DSG map. Stage 1 and 600+nm of torque will be more than enough for me.
Click to expand...

Looking forward to hearing your comments when you do it.
Looking to do the same but not right now. Almost certainly get an uprated intercooler though.
 
@Beebee-one , in the old days one used to have to check the oil a lot. On modern cars I have had I don't think I ever have..

Had the car serviced on Wednesday and they said the oil change warning will reset and I need not worry about it.
I understand that the RS3 is a performance beast but is it still not a case of not worrying about it , at all, so long as you stick to the schedules?
I am on the 2 year/19K plan.
 
I've had a few worrying encounters in the S3 power wise! The worst was a really dog rough, late 90's Seat Ibiza that had been hand painted matt black by an infant. It was unbelievably loud and I really had a job to shake him, I could only just pull away on the straights... that got me a little disappointed. I bet that made his day, his £1500 Seat clinging onto the £38k Audi :fearful:

Other than that, the only car I've had pass me was an M5. I was surprised how much I clung onto his tail though.

My mate with an Ara S3, is forever telling me about races he's ended up in etc.. I never have anybody nudging me on, not sure whether it's because Nano Grey slips under the radar or not, or whether it is just my area.
 
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