Which remap should i choose?

Johnnyb

Johnnyb

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Hi everyone, i have about 2000 miles on my 2007 S3, and im considering a remap.
I have narrowed it down to a few from reading previous threads,

:Bluefin - this seems to be very popular, but i have noticed it can cause a few problems?

:Revo - gives around the same gains but dont know enough about if the chip is detectable or not.

:Giac - Judging from what i have read, this seems to be the best all round, but i have heard only little about the company, are they reputable? anyone had any probelms?

I have also spoken to awesome gti about the forthcoming APR remap which they say should take the car to around 305bhp, i have previous cars tuned by APR and had no problems, but if anyone knows that the other tuning companies are better i would appreciate your advice as im not exactly an expert on these things.

Finally what im wanting out of the remap is low - mid end performance, im not really too bothered about the top end, i much prefer the surge in 1,2,3,4th

Thanks in advance:)
 
Hi guys,

Sorry for the late reply, i read a post on here about a week ago and someone had been having problems with their bluefin, i cant seem to find the thread but they were in the process of taking it back to the dealer as the car was hesitating or something.

So as i say, i really dont know which one to choose, they all sound good, are most remaps the same? in terms of how much power you gain low-mid range and top end? or are some specifically aimed at a certain part of the rev range?

The car is awesome as standard but from past experience in having remaps it is definately worth the money

Thanks again!
 
Hello TDI-LINE,

That link is interesting and has also made me remember something the awesome gti said!

When i rang them to ask about the APR remap they said something along the lines of APR are using the same program as Oettinger and will be ready in about a week.

310bhp is an excellent gain, i have to say im steering more towards GIAC, APR or Oettinger, but im aware i might look as if i dont know what im talking about

Cheers:)
 
I'd be leaning towards Oettinger also if you want a company that's been around for more than 50 years tuning VAG cars then it’s this one. I find that all companies produce the same approx amount of power but it’s the delivery that’s different. What you will find with this company is the experience and the knowledge to extract power without running excess boost – also taking into consideration the drivability and longevity of your engine….

Remember it’s a turbo charged car and any cowboy can extract more power by increasing boost levels

APR now own Oettinger so all knowledge and technology is shared hence the programming for APR and Oettinger will be identical like in my previous Gti tune.

Oettinger also offer warranty on engine and gearbox for 2 years so they are a little more exxy than APR pricing.

Cheers
Mike
 
I tried to get the Oettinger offering - issues getting someone to return telephone calls :( RSD are a top company, but you cant buy stuff if people dont come back to you.

I have the Superchips map on mine now and I'm not awaer of any problems, certainly havent experienced any. Can also recommend APS in brackley for carrying out any work as its a thoroughly professional outfit.
 
Thanks for the replies again,

I must have been dreaming about that thread on the bluefin problems!

Im gonna ring APR at the end of the week and see what they are offering, also, does anyone know how much the Oettinger remap costs?

What is the bluefin remap like? do you get alot more grunt lower end?

Surely when our S3's are 300bhp or over we can pretty much compete with anything on the road?

Thanks
 
I had a bluefin on past mk5 Gti, no problems at all plus you do get a decent 12 month warranty included in the price which is extendable after that period but limited to 30K per year.

I think the post you are thinking of was to do with issues with an alternate engine part and not the actual remap but I too can't remember exactly what it was, I seem to remembr the 'poster' saying the fault could be replicated when switching between maps, get searching I'm sure you will find it eventually!

Awesome are also a superb company offering great service, I'll probably stick with Superchips/Bluefin again as I've had nothing except exceptional service from them in the past (5 cars mapped so far), I opt to visit their HQ in Bucks and have them carry out the upload as they then carry out a road test and RR session as part of the service, Agree with comments about APS too, superb company with realistic pricing.
Whichever you choose 300+ bhp is not to be sniffed at, rather than being lead by price I'd go for a longstanding reputable company with a warranty and switchability, let us know how you get on :)
 
Thanks Spin,

Im gonna see what APR come up with, then will consider what to do, but you have all put my mind at ease with the bluefin i would defenately consider that. Is it as easy as it says on the website to do the remap yourself? and if you went to a dealer will they let you have a trial?

Thanks
 
Johnnyb said:
Thanks Spin,

Im gonna see what APR come up with, then will consider what to do, but you have all put my mind at ease with the bluefin i would defenately consider that. Is it as easy as it says on the website to do the remap yourself? and if you went to a dealer will they let you have a trial?

Thanks
Click to expand...


It's very easy to use Bluefin and once your handset has been 'twinned' with your cars ECU switching from standard to remap is a really easy and quick process via the diagnostics port so ideal for dealer visits.

Spin
 
Ooh forgot to say no free trial but I believe its a 7day money back guarantee but you won't use it :)
 
Cool,

I will keep you all posted then, its probably gonna be APR or bluefin

cheers
 
Hi JohnnyB

Only just read this, to answer you question the Revo is completely undetectable. Everytime the ECU is remapped/reflashed it does count up though so although the dealer doesn't know what has been done it does know the ECU is however many counts on from the day it left the factory.All remaps add to this counter as does anything the $tealer would o in the way of update.
A neat feature on the Revo though is to reset the couter to zero if you ask it to do so when adjusting any other settings in the remap, ie in my case I had the adjustment made for using higer octane fuel as well as a little more boost.

In terms of keeping up with other cars, I enjoyed a nice jaunt down the A43 (the 70mph Dual carriageway that goes from M1 to M40 past Silverstone) on Tuesday night with an M3 (E46) and a TVR Griffith who I think was quite amazed that I kept up with him as he floored it away from one of the roundabouts. Very exhilirating:racer:
 
Hey there,

My last car, in fact was an M3 E46, i had to get rid as it was costing me a bomb on tax, but i do have to say they are nowhere near as nice to drive as the S3, the clutch was really stiff and the gearbox was notchy, in terms of power i honestly have to say, another 40-50bhp on my S3 i rekon will feel faster than the M3.

As for remapping, there are just so many reputable companies to choose from, i really dont know what one to pick, as i have said before i want the remap to give the car more power at the lower end rather than top speed.

Thanks
 
I don't know if it really helps or not but I went witrh the Revo for 2 reasons:
1. the guy I dealt with was really knowledgeable and answered all the question and concers I had and was local to me if I needed any future help.
2.Revo specialises in VAG so I thought that maybe gave them the edge over say Superchips who are more generalists.That said though I had a Superchip remap on my 330 and never had any reason to fault them.

Probably comes down to service and then price?
 
Do Revo offer any form of warranty now?

I ask this because I have been tempted by Revo in the past as they do superb work but the lack of a warranty put me off.

I spoke with Superchips/Bluefin today regarding my wifes 2.0tdi dSG and the possible transfer of my bluefin from my previous A4 to her car - the result being NO Charge for this service as its within 12mths of the original map, great service yet again which should take her car from 140bhp to @180 as its a DSG. The process can be done via postage to get the handset unlocked but I have opted for a 'reset' as they term it at the HQ in Bucks and am paying £50 for a RR session with before and after runs.

Either way my current favourites when the time comes will be Bluefin or Revo in that order with reliability/service/warranty & price being key factors.

Keep searching Dude...
 
Thanks,

Copperband, whats the power like at low-mid range with the REVO map? there is a dealer local to me, so i might go have a chat with them, im also gonna call Awesome gti tomorrow about the APR map, so i will let you all know what they say
 
audi upgrades
J. you might be best doing what I did and having the 5 hour trial.I don't think you can ever get a clear perspective from what someone else describes. Not sure about the warranty,I'm sure they do cover it all though,best check the website.
 
Spin140 said:
I spoke with Superchips/Bluefin today regarding my wifes 2.0tdi dSG and the possible transfer of my bluefin from my previous A4 to her car - the result being NO Charge for this service as its within 12mths of the original map
Click to expand...

That's brilliant!!

When I got mine bluefinned I told the sales rep I would be getting an S3 before the end of the year so he told me they'd do a new map probably for only a third of the price if it's within 12 months. Free for me please :rockwoot:
 
Hey there,

Did i read somewhere that bluefin offer upgrades? what kind of upgrades? do they create new remaps?

Thanks
 
Johnnyb said:
Hey there,

Did i read somewhere that bluefin offer upgrades? what kind of upgrades? do they create new remaps?

Thanks
Click to expand...


No, although they continually update their generic maps if minor issues are identified the upgrades I mentioned are more to do with the actual bluefin handset and its functionality, they are soon to release an updated version which will allow the user to view things like fault codes, on some of the more advanced Bluefin applications the user can even select things like vehicle disable/immobiliser for holidays etc.
 
This is a great thread. Been thinking of what map to go for myself.

Being an old-timer of this site and its previous incarnations, I've seen countless threads about which map is best, which to go for, custom map vs generic maps etc. And the decision is still difficult. I'm non the wiser of which to choose.

My first thoughts were to go to a tuner who is well respected, someone who can check your car over first and rolling road it before and afterwards. The tuners I was considering were Star Performance Scotland for the GIAC remap, APR (just down the road from me) and Superchips Bluefin.

The star performance GIAC map is a good option, but comes in at over 700 quid with map, programmer and second program. Plus fuel costs to / from Scotland.

APR - I rang them last week. No map available yet, and could not tell me when it will be available. Their words to me were that an S3 ECU image had been sent to the US, and they are awaiting information on whether a map is done yet.

Both GIAC and APR are American companies. Both with a lot of experience in Audi's and tuning. But I'm not sure if I have much faith in companies developing a map in a country where they don't get the S3. Is that being too cautious? I mean, what testing can they perform if they don't have the car? Or do they have an imported S3? Or do they have a Golf or Leon with the alledged same S3 engine?

For me, it is those things ruling out GIAC and APR.

So that leaves Superchips Bluefin. I have heard nothing but praise for the company both on here and from a mate of mine....but...I can't get the "superchips are unreliable" stigma of yester-year, out of my head. But they are who I am leaning towards, amazingly.

Decisions, decisions.
 
I got the following quote from AmD Technik for my S3 (arriving early sept):

Down Pipe and high flow cat......................£663.29
Cat back system......................................£492.50
Remap...................................................£499.00

Free fitting on exhaust (Milltek).


Has anyone here used AmD before? are they any good?

Cheers,

Alex.
 
siu00adg said:
I got the following quote from AmD Technik for my S3 (arriving early sept):

Down Pipe and high flow cat......................£663.29
Cat back system......................................£492.50
Remap...................................................£499.00

Free fitting on exhaust (Milltek).


Has anyone here used AmD before? are they any good?

Cheers,

Alex.
Click to expand...


AMD were bought out earlier in the year I believe by Big Boys Toys so can't really comment on the current AMD. They used to have an excellent reputation and I have had a lot of work carried out from exhaust fittings to suspension mods on VW's but over the last couple of years they lost some of their strongest employees to competitors with some even setting up their own rival company (APS, Brackley) complete with all their specialist knowledge.

Speak to Ed Jackson at APS and I am sure he will better any quote offered by AMD.

Spin
 
I spoke to APR yesterday and they said they still dont have a remap ready, they are a good company but you would think they might have thought about getting one out sooner, because of the wait im considering bluefin or GIAC,

I spoke to 2 REVO dealers near me, they hardly knew a thing about the remap and just sounded very unprofessional which has put me off.

Has anyone gone with GIAC? If so, how do you rate it?
 
Had my car giacacd (made up name) by star performance. 238 bhp. 303 torque. Definately pulls a lot better,no probs so far. Better fuel economy. Better all round performance.
 
Bluefin DSG 140 here and no problems. Done around 16k with the map on and only have good things to say. A Company builds it's reputation on service and SuperChips are second to none. They are always helpful when ever you ring and appear to be very knowledgeable in what they do.

Oh, and oldlaw, you might want to recheck your signature :)
 
AL_B said:
Both GIAC and APR are American companies. Both with a lot of experience in Audi's and tuning. But I'm not sure if I have much faith in companies developing a map in a country where they don't get the S3. Is that being too cautious? I mean, what testing can they perform if they don't have the car? Or do they have an imported S3? Or do they have a Golf or Leon with the alledged same S3 engine?

For me, it is those things ruling out GIAC and APR.


Decisions, decisions.
Click to expand...

GIAC used my car to develop their map for the S3. We tested about 6 different incarnations to eventually end up with the figures and plots shown on their website: http://www.giacusa.com/images/giac_s3flash_nomods98ron.jpg

Jim at STAR is professional and we had the car on the rolling road for about 12 hours before he was satisfied with the results.
 
CJP80 said:
Jim at STAR is professional and we had the car on the rolling road for about 12 hours.
Click to expand...

Is this normal for most remapping companies? I would be worried if a company had only spent 12 hours in testing and developing a remap. How could they be confident about potential reliability issues if they only had 12 hours testing uner their belts?
 
Oh, and oldlaw, you might want to recheck your signature. Sorry Marms you lost me their.
 
313PS, thats impressive from a remap, how does the car feel? there is a dealer near me so i might go have a chat with them
 
Don't forget that you can have Select+ with Revo on the S3.

Multi programs and variable boost / timing.

Paul
 
It depends on what kind of mods you are planning in the future. This week I am getting methanol injection installed, although APR has been working great, I kind of wish I went with Revo because it's more flexible by allowing you to finetune your setting to your mods...
 
Hello again,

I have finally decided which remap to go for, the bluefin seems to be the best bet for me, it has a good reputation on this site, the company has plenty of experience and its a good price.

It claims to give a 42bhp gain, is that correct? or will it be slightly less?

Gonna be getting it at the end of the month unless someone thinks i shouldnt?

Thanks
 
hello i im going to have the five hour revo free trial tomorrow only trouble is im not sure from what i,ve herd it,s the one for me. a friend on vag20v.net said it,s a bit aggresive and all over at about 4k another lad said after the trial you are left with a revo standard map which means it will need removing before it can be mapped by someone else
 
Hi Guys, I'm new to this site - have an S3 on order due to be delivered on October and have been looking at chips.

Has anyone considered MTM? They seem to be one of the premium german tuners that have a good relationship with Audi.
 
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