MTM box and engine longevity

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z4n

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Apologies if this has been brought up many times before but I couldn’t get anything useful just searching the forum.

I am considering buying a MTM M-Cantronic for my A3 8V FL and I am wondering about engine longevity. The car is a 2018 and I am not leasing it, hence I am planning to keep it long term.

Is there any evidence that boxes like the MTM one decrease the life of an engine?
 
Depends how the car is driven. If you hammer it a fair bit, as you probably will otherwise you wouldn't bother getting it done, then the laws of physics mean that wear and tear on various components will be greater than if the car was standard.

Provided it is well maintained / good running order and you try to be mechanically sympathetic i.e. proper warm up, a reasonable cool down period after abuse, and you dont abuse it too often (sustained periods of full power) then the car will probably be fine for many years. There are never any guarantees, though.

If you car is a manual there is a high chance the clutch wont be up to the job. The manual clutches on a lot of these cars appear to be utter ***** and can end up slipping after not that many miles even in standard form.

The main consideration is your warranty. Increasing the boost / performance can irreversibly set a flag in the ecu. I dont know if it always does this, or under what conditions, maybe others can chip in here, but I believe any significant increase will make it happen. Once set it cant be undone and that flag is easily readable by Audi and it effectively invalidates your warranty.
 
It’s like that with any car modified or not it depend on how it’s treated like Damo said.
The mtm tune is quite conservative unlike a remap and you have the added benefit of buying the extra warranty in case it goes kaboom.
 
z4n said:
Apologies if this has been brought up many times before but I couldn’t get anything useful just searching the forum.

I am considering buying a MTM M-Cantronic for my A3 8V FL and I am wondering about engine longevity. The car is a 2018 and I am not leasing it, hence I am planning to keep it long term.

Is there any evidence that boxes like the MTM one decrease the life of an engine?
Click to expand...

@DJAlix has had a MTM cantronic on his A3 saloon for sometime
 
q5man said:
@DJAlix has had a MTM cantronic on his A3 saloon for sometime
Click to expand...

Yes he gave me a lot of tips already. He has been really nice. Needless to say, he really recommended the MTM box
 
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+1 to m-cantronic from me too..
No issues until now, although it is only 10 months and 10k km.

But judging by how smoothly the engine operates, I expect it to last very very long.
It is the closest I could imagine to oem operation, even at CoD switches (the reason why I removed the previous tuning box).
 
z4n said:
Yes he gave me a lot of tips already. He has been really nice. Needless to say, he really recommended the MTM box
Click to expand...

So what more do you need then
 
I did around 20k with it on, no issues.
 
Having recently removed mine to get the haldex pump replaced, took less than 5mins to reinstall.
I was initially disappointed in the performance gain but it is a deceptive little box, after removing could easily feel the difference. The smoothness (in many ways just like the OE delivery) is very deceiving but ramps up nicely at the top end. MTM have been at it too long to make any stupid mistakes, if an engine/turbo/haldex was already on the way out could it tip it over the edge yes but if the car is fit and healthy and looked after I would expect no less lifespan. However you drive a stage1 car will never be as hard as the manufacturers test drivers will have abused an OE mule during their testing.

These are mass produced engines across many car models and plenty of people around the world in all conditions have tuned then way higher than stage1.
 
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Thanks you guys
 
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Are these MTM boxes only for S3’s? Are they available/suitable for a 1.6 tdi?
 
reefer110 said:
Yep, saw that but there doesn't appear to be any reference made to the 1.6 engines, only 2.0.
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No mention of the MTM 'box' as such for the 1.6, only the MTM engine mod at approx 800€ If you go through the process for a 2.0 tdi you get the options shown below, which does show the cantronic box at 1200€.

I'll drop them a line to clarify.
 

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reefer110 said:
No mention of the MTM 'box' as such for the 1.6, only the MTM engine mod at approx 800€ If you go through the process for a 2.0 tdi you get the options shown below, which does show the cantronic box at 1200€.

I'll drop them a line to clarify.
Click to expand...
Suggest you contact them. I actually had my 2.0TFSI gen 2 box 3 months before it was on the website.
 
Just had it confirmed via email that an MTM box isn't available for the 1.6 diesel engines. Shame really as I'd hoped this would be the safe method for me to take, avoiding a TD1 flag.
 
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reefer110 said:
Just had it confirmed via email that an MTM box isn't available for the 1.6 diesel engines. Shame really as I'd hoped this would be the safe method for me to take, avoiding a TD1 flag.
Click to expand...
I would look at TMCMotorsport then. Four channel box (connects to four sensors + power / earth) and works very well as long as you have no other engine mods. Bluetooth version has switchable settings and a warmup delay etc
 
reefer110 said:
Just had it confirmed via email that an MTM box isn't available for the 1.6 diesel engines. Shame really as I'd hoped this would be the safe method for me to take, avoiding a TD1 flag.
Click to expand...

A DTUK FSR+ also worth looking at, connects to 3 sensors and gets all power from them. Bluetooth app allows you select different modes as well as ability to set warmup.

@ABYSS (Andrew) is the man
 
reefer110 said:
Just had it confirmed via email that an MTM box isn't available for the 1.6 diesel engines. Shame really as I'd hoped this would be the safe method for me to take, avoiding a TD1 flag.
Click to expand...

The dealers can still flag your car even if the chip isn’t there. If they suspect it’s been chipped they will flag it and it’s for you to prove it was never there if you need a warranty claim especially for things like gearbox or engine.
Modern electronics can store values within the modules and most chips in essence is increasing boost and fuel so if these modules store values out of the Audi spec then they can/will flag your car if a dealer is looking carefully.
If you modify then be prepared to get rejected for warranty claims.
Td1 is a marker on the Audi system in Germany against your vin and not a mark stored within your ecu. No way to remove it once it’s flagged.
Not trying to sound like a nag or anything but there’s no safe modding to avoid td1. In theory vcds tweaks and mods will get flagged as differences from factory spec so could flag td1, unlikely but possible. All depends on dealer and how skilled the technician is.
 
AlS3BE said:
The dealers can still flag your car even if the chip isn’t there. If they suspect it’s been chipped they will flag it and it’s for you to prove it was never there if you need a warranty claim especially for things like gearbox or engine.
Modern electronics can store values within the modules and most chips in essence is increasing boost and fuel so if these modules store values out of the Audi spec then they can/will flag your car if a dealer is looking carefully.
If you modify then be prepared to get rejected for warranty claims.
Td1 is a marker on the Audi system in Germany against your vin and not a mark stored within your ecu. No way to remove it once it’s flagged.
Not trying to sound like a nag or anything but there’s no safe modding to avoid td1. In theory vcds tweaks and mods will get flagged as differences from factory spec so could flag td1, unlikely but possible. All depends on dealer and how skilled the technician is.
Click to expand...

Yes, TD1 manually done on Audi DB if/when dealer flags. It’s all personal choice in the end. People have plenty of issues with standard cars and claims at times. Have had tuning boxes last two cars over the past 4/5 years, no issues whatsoever. In fact I have not read one post on this or any other forum where tuning boxes have been flagged.

Chipped ecu yes
 
The last time my car went in I didn't remove any of my mods, well the mtm in particular.. The rest are exhaust mods apart from pedal box and with a res delete the exhaust is void anyway.

I didn't remove the mtm though as I was just getting my gear stick replaced as the ring thing fell off.. I didn't expect audi to go do a bunch of other courtesy checks.

The technician did come out and quietly speak to me though, told me to put some tape over the wiring looms to prevent water damage (I had forgot to do it after reinstalling it in a rush). He said he hadn't mentioned the box on any system and made no suggestion about any codes. If I decide for Audi to service it though, it will be removed as I'm sure not all technicians will be as nice!
 
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q5man said:
Yes, TD1 manually done on Audi DB if/when dealer flags. It’s all personal choice in the end. People have plenty of issues with standard cars and claims at times. Have had tuning boxes last two cars over the past 4/5 years, no issues whatsoever. In fact I have not read one post on this or any other forum where tuning boxes have been flagged.

Chipped ecu yes
Click to expand...

Half the time it could be flagged and the owners won’t be aware of it. It only becomes a problem if they try and make a warranty claim. Most boxes are relatively conservative and unlikely to blow the car up or cause major problems.
Im just saying the Audi have caught on to these boxes and have the tools at their disposal.
Totally agree it’s personal choice just saying there’s no hiding if they start looking so be prepared. I’ve got an mtm box for mine and if it blows up I’m ready to take it on the chin not many will be.
 
AlS3BE said:
Half the time it could be flagged and the owners won’t be aware of it. It only becomes a problem if they try and make a warranty claim. Most boxes are relatively conservative and unlikely to blow the car up or cause major problems.
Im just saying the Audi have caught on to these boxes and have the tools at their disposal.
Totally agree it’s personal choice just saying there’s no hiding if they start looking so be prepared. I’ve got an mtm box for mine and if it blows up I’m ready to take it on the chin not many will be.
Click to expand...

Absolutely mate. I remove mine when it goes in, but as you say if they really looked I am sure they could find increased boost etc etc. But at the end of the day, they could decline a warranty claim, but to be fair I tend to change cars every couple years. Going to try and keep this one a little longer as 2.0 TFSI Q5 with 300+ BHP is plenty for now
 
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q5man said:
Absolutely mate. I remove mine when it goes in, but as you say if they really looked I am sure they could find increased boost etc etc. But at the end of the day, they could decline a warranty claim, but to be fair I tend to change cars every couple years. Going to try and keep this one a little longer as 2.0 TFSI Q5 with 300+ BHP is plenty for now
Click to expand...

That’s almost as much as the old sq5. How are you finding the economy? Had a 2.0tdi q5 for about 6 months and that ****** thing couldn’t get 35-40mpg even on long runs.
 
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AlS3BE said:
That’s almost as much as the old sq5. How are you finding the economy? Had a 2.0tdi q5 for about 6 months and that ****** thing couldn’t get 35-40mpg even on long runs.
Click to expand...

I also had a 2.0tdi, that was a slow old thing and not very economical. The gen2 Q5 weighs 100kg less, and very nimble (at least the petrol)

Avg 29-32mpg with general driving, but once on motorway quickly get it up to 36-40mpg. Best on a long trip was 48mpg. It is quick for a 2.0 in a tank body, as is 6.3 0-62 standard but haven’t got round to trying what it is with tuning box.
 
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q5man said:
I also had a 2.0tdi, that was a slow old thing and not very economical. The gen2 Q5 weighs 100kg less, and very nimble (at least the petrol)

Avg 29-32mpg with general driving, but once on motorway quickly get it up to 36-40mpg. Best on a long trip was 48mpg. It is quick for a 2.0 in a tank body, as is 6.3 0-62 standard but haven’t got round to trying what it is with tuning box.
Click to expand...

Might be a good option for the mrs.
Been looking at the new q3 but it feels a bit small.
Still trying to figure out all the options between the 2.
 
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