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Please explain remapping!


judith_sw
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Thanks a million for the extra replies! This, however, is going to prompt yet more questions from me ( - tell me to shut up when you've had enough!) jump.gif

Shouldn't I use a main dealer for servicing until the warranty runs out?

Will use of an independent for servicing reduce the trade-in price / invalidate the warranty?

Does remapping put much of an extra strain on the turbo, for example?

Can dealers really tell, even if the remap is 'back to stock?'

...I'd never want to dupe anyone - not in my nature, I'm afraid I'm as honest as the day is long! Just want the best of both worlds ... an even faster car, but one that's worth trading in in 3 years' time, without being dishonest in any way!

Oh this has opened a can of worms ... I thought remapping was something to do with Ordnance Survey a week ago yelrotflmao.gif

Thanks again!

Judith ices_blah.gif

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It will put extra strain on your clutch. If it's already faulty, then a remap could highlight this issue. Otherwise, not many people have reported problems here regarding the clutch. laugh.gif

You no longer have to use a main dealer to maintain your warranty, so you can go elsewhere providing they use Audi parts. Some tuners claim they can reset the Flash-count (the counter that tells someone how many times the ECU has been written to), to zero, and therefore hard or impossible to trace. I'd still be wary that someone could find it, so being up front helps.

I'm looking into the remap from Star Performance, done via the plug-in module so I can revert it when I want. Useful should it break down and I need to reset it quickly! sekret.gif

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Judith - just go for it. A remapped TDi will have such a load of torque you'll be laughing your head off. grin.gif Use a decent tuning house and look after your car and you are no more likely to have problems IMO. Don't rag the clutch and it will be fine, you can blow your clutch up without having a remap. wink.gif

Once your warranty ends use somewhere like APS for servicing with Audi parts and better knowledge than most dealers have. Tell the insurer as its best to be up front with them.

Then, sit back, foot down.....and waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy ECLIPSe.gif

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Cheers for that Lottiefox!

Can I assume, then, that on a standard (longlife) service, any remap won't be noticed unless I've mentioned something or there is an obvious fault? Just a bit scared of facing big bills / forfeiting warranties - I've never done anything like this before, but am now sorely tempted! notworthy.gif

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[ QUOTE ]

Shouldn't I use a main dealer for servicing until the warranty runs out?

[/ QUOTE ]

A European directive came in a couple of years ago to stop the effective cartel that manufacturers had on requiring their cars to be maintained. You can use any dealer or auto specialist to maintain your car, as long as they're approved (i.e. a VW specialist) and as long as all repairs use original parts and all servicing is done to the manufacturer's spec.

[ QUOTE ]

Will use of an independent for servicing reduce the trade-in price / invalidate the warranty?

[/ QUOTE ]

If you trade-in at a main dealer, then the answer is yes. Even though you have a fully stamped book, the fact that some of it is not stamped by a main dealer will mean that the dealer taking your car as a part-ex will mark it as having "service history" rather than "full service history". You've got to balance the reduced cost (if any) of having your car serviced by a specialist compared to the amount you'll lose at trade-in. Typically around £500, but it depends on the age of the car.

[ QUOTE ]

Does remapping put much of an extra strain on the turbo, for example?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because you're increasing the power and torque output, you will be putting more strain on all the components of the engine and drivetrain. I've had loads of cars remapped and never had a problem with anything mechanical which has been directly caused by a remap. Typically, the only time an engine will be put under excessive strain is when you go for a massive upgrade, including cams, bigger turbo etc. You'd probably have to increase the power output of your car to 250+ bhp to have to start worrying about this kind of thing. If you ever do go this far (unlikely but possible!) then there are lots of internal engine components that you'd have to consider upgrading - i.e. get your cash/credit card/overdraft ready...

[ QUOTE ]

Can dealers really tell, even if the remap is 'back to stock?'

[/ QUOTE ]

A lot of people will tell you that they can't, and, typically, just using the standard diagnostics tool, you can't. A remap is a rewrite of the software in the ECU (the brain of the car). Most tuners, including AmD and REVO, use the core ECU software as the base of their remap, so when it's applied to your car, you can't tell just by looking at the version number. No matter what anyone tells you, however, it is possible to tell if a remap has been applied. You just have to look in the right place.

BE AWARE - if an insurance company has any reason to suspect that a car has been modified in any way, they WILL carry out analysis on the ECU. If they find this to be the case and you haven't declared it, all insurance on your car will be void, including paying for any third party's damage. There is a possibility that the legal cover will look after personal injury to the third party, but you will effectively lose your car, and be taken to court for driving a car without insurance. The one thing I've said to people who've asked me "should I tell my insurance company?" is whether you could even contemplate losing your car, your license, probably your livelihood and be responsible for someone suing your a*se off because your insurance didn't cover you.

I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, and I think you've said you will, but I've seen a friend's life completely wrecked because he didn't want to pay the £150 additional insurance premium for having his car remapped.

Judith - the time is right. Stop thinking about it, get your car remapped, and be done with it.

You won't regret it 169144-ok.gif

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Good post Mook 169144-ok.gif

More examples for you Judith.

I had my Octavia RS for three and a half years and I never had it serviced at a main dealer. The VAG independent near me could run rings around a main dealer in terms of knowledge and ability plus cost was obviously a factor. About 40% cheaper. However, I did take it to the main dealer for a couple of warranty items, flasher relay and a broken seat catch. It was quite obvious the car was heavily modified but it's not like I was there for a blown turbo. The dealer was quite happy to do the work because I wasn't taking the piss. I was also lucky that the guy who bought the car from me knew the value of a good independent and the lack of dealer stamps made no odds to him.

My wifes car (Polo 1.9TDi Sport) has also been mapped by Custom Code and that's never been near a main dealer either.

Edit: TBH, it's a real shame I can't take the A3 to JBS for servicing. I have absolutely no faith at all in my local main dealer but the vehicle is leased and the leasing company insist on dealer stamps. So basically I'm paying £100 per hour for a bunch of joy riding idiots to work on my car.

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Thank you so much for all the very useful responses ... and for your patience.

I've called the local Revo guy in Saltney near Chester and will pop in on Friday to have a chat!

If you have any other comments, please keep them coming in! I'm sure I'm not the only grateful reader of this thread. This has been invaluable and I'm impressed at the time and effort people have spent trying to answer my (sometimes inane) questions! bowdown.gifjump.gif

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BTW (more questions) ... been doing a bit of reading up. Which are the recommended remapping companies ( - am going to meet Revo tomorrow night), and what meets are you refering too, Lottiefox? Have lots of weekends free as husband on shifts. Used to go to some in my youth with my dad when I had my *best*/1st car - an ancient but classic 1971 VW Beetle Champion Special Edition in blue metallic ... still going apparently!

Thanks, Judith beerchug.gif

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[ QUOTE ]

BTW (more questions) ... been doing a bit of reading up. Which are the recommended remapping companies

[/ QUOTE ]

In no particular order... Revo, AMD, APR, Custom Code, Jabba, Superchips. They're probably the most popular on the various VAG forums.

Take user reviews and comments with a pinch of salt though. For some reason the subject seems to bring on and almost religious fervour with quite a bit of 'mine's the best', 'no, mine's the best' etc etc. All a bit silly really.

My two pence. On petrol and diesel I've used Superchips, Revo and Custom Code. I prefered Custom Code but Revo was very good and Superchips are much better now than when I first used them.

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[ QUOTE ]

Thank you - may well be at one of them in the future. Are there many of us (I mean girls, honest)? Bet there aren't! lol.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Not enough girls at meets Judith - but don't let that put you off, most of the boys are fairly well house trained. tongue.gif In fact if Ian_C goes you may just be able to get yourself a new butler and he'll tell you facts about your car you never thought possible. 169144-ok.gifgrin.gif

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I have a 2.0T S line Quattro A3 on a 56 plate and i have just had it remapped with Revo and i definately cant complain. It feels like the handbrake has been taken off, much smoother and puchier delivery of power...very impressed! I can't stop driving it, gotta go now, all this talk i think i need a drive.

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