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Post by LandieMark on Mar 8, 2019 10:59:00 GMT
Bob, I'd be wary on a petrol, preferring a remap, but diesels have always been easily tunable by altering the boost and fuelling. You can get cheap tuning boxes and I wouldn't bother with one of those but the DTUK boxes are individually developed and tested and I reckon they are much more trustworthy. Proven on dyno tests as well. I have no intention of using a setting that will give peaky "all or nothing" power delivery and the setting it's on now is where it will stay as it feels ideal. The only downside to how it now feels is the narrow diesel power band - I do miss the higher rev range of the petrol but you can't always have it all ways. And c. 230bhp and 500Nm but 45mpg+ and 30 quid road tax is a pretty attractive combination after all. I’ve done pretty much the same with the Defender. I’ve altered the fuel map by putting in an alternative boost pin so more fuel added for less boost without being excessive. The only thing to watch (on the LR anyway) is exhaust gas temperature on long climbs and at full throttle so it fitted a gauge. |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Mar 8, 2019 11:43:01 GMT
I'll be keeping an eye on the rear view mirror for any signs of excess smoke and whether the DPF begins to regen more often. Plus I can check for any resultant fault codes on OBDeleven.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 8, 2019 13:29:44 GMT
These sort of things always seem too good to be true - surely there must be a downside? I remember reading an article that said the engines have to be set up to work in almost any environment with poor quality fuels and as a result they are far from their optimum set up. In the UK and most 1st world countries, fuel quality is high and the extremes of cold or heat are highly unlikely to arise, so careful tuning just makes the engine run more efficiently giving better economy and better performance. Win win. I read that as well and it may well have been the case in the past. However, with the current emphasis on emissions, fuel economy, downsizing etc. why would manufacturers spend millions to get small improvements when big improvements can apparently be had by simply plugging in a cheap circuit board? They'd just plug one of these in at the port of entry and benefit from selling a car tailored to that market and reap all the benefits. |
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Post by Martin on Mar 8, 2019 13:33:22 GMT
These sort of things always seem too good to be true - surely there must be a downside? I remember reading an article that said the engines have to be set up to work in almost any environment with poor quality fuels and as a result they are far from their optimum set up. In the UK and most 1st world countries, fuel quality is high and the extremes of cold or heat are highly unlikely to arise, so careful tuning just makes the engine run more efficiently giving better economy and better performance. Win win. I’ve read the same. On top of that, mine has been turned down, for a couple of hundred quid DMS and many others will add 100+hp taking it over 550hp. Leaving aside the risks and what you think of tuning, that’s a lot extra but would spoil the car. The facelift 750 has the 530hp version of the engine, but that has 4WD. The Golf is different, it feels like it would be very happy with another 20% (what tuning would give as a min), but it’s quick enough. |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Mar 8, 2019 13:56:54 GMT
I remember reading an article that said the engines have to be set up to work in almost any environment with poor quality fuels and as a result they are far from their optimum set up. In the UK and most 1st world countries, fuel quality is high and the extremes of cold or heat are highly unlikely to arise, so careful tuning just makes the engine run more efficiently giving better economy and better performance. Win win. I read that as well and it may well have been the case in the past. However, with the current emphasis on emissions, fuel economy, downsizing etc. why would manufacturers spend millions to get small improvements when big improvements can apparently be had by simply plugging in a cheap circuit board? They'd just plug one of these in at the port of entry and benefit from selling a car tailored to that market and reap all the benefits. Emissions, WLTP regs, etc. is exactly why the engines are as they are - they need to be a one size fits all approach for the most part. When Volvo launched the T6 S and V60 in Australia and the US they did so with the Polestar Optimisation as standard, with 329PS versus 304PS for Europe. Presumably for marketing purposes in markets that typically expect bigger power outputs. As another example, BMW use the same 2 litre diesel across numerous models but giving different outputs to give you 116, 118, 120, etc. Same engine, different software mapping. Maybe in our electric car future you will be able to buy downloadable power updates.... who knows. |
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Post by Boxer6 on Mar 8, 2019 19:49:37 GMT
I did a thing. I bought and fitted one of these: www.diesel-performance.co.uk/tuning/car/skoda/octavia-iii-vrs-from-2012-onwards/2-0-tdi-184ps135kw-1968-ccm-17/#goI've gone for the CRDT+ box. I guess I was missing some of the performance of the V60, if not the running costs! I fitted it yesterday and, out of 18 available settings, it's on 2-2, which is about where the forums seem to suggest is a good balance. I agree, it's linear, smooth and bloody hell, it pulls like the V60 used to. Feels absolutely effortless at lower RPMs, needing less throttle than before for 30 or 40mph and is happy to sit in a higher gear. By 3k rpm it just pulls relentlessly. I've done this rather than a remap as it is cheaper, easily removable (10 minutes to fit/remove) and can be sold on or reprogrammed for another vehicle if needed. Reviews generally seem very favourable, with no ill effects unless using one of the more extreme settings - which seems a bit pointless given that power and torque are supposed to be the same regardless of programme, the only differences being how and when delivered. In day to day driving I shouldn't notice any mpg difference, although I will need to see how to adjust the trip computer accuracy to compensate, by doing a couple of brim to brim refills and seeing how for out it is. OBDeleven should give access to adjust it. So yes Martin, I'm a modder! Checked for mine; they do it for that too. Claiming 200PS for mine - a 25% increase - which would make it feel utterly ballistic! Would hasten the need for replacing the brakes & pads too, sadly. I will await your findings with interest. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 20:38:59 GMT
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Post by Alex on Mar 8, 2019 21:12:13 GMT
Maybe in our electric car future you will be able to buy downloadable power updates.... who knows. I believe Tesla are already doing this so it’s perfectly possible. |
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Post by Boxer6 on Mar 8, 2019 22:42:39 GMT
I hope it won't upset anyone to know that I'm friends with the owner of that diesel tuning box company and could probably arrange a discount?  Well it certainly doesn't upset me!!  |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Mar 10, 2019 7:16:38 GMT
I hope it won't upset anyone to know that I'm friends with the owner of that diesel tuning box company and could probably arrange a discount? Damn! Bit late now! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2019 16:16:34 GMT
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Post by Martin on Mar 12, 2019 19:03:24 GMT
On the subject of tuning... I’ve just read that SEAT are offering an ABT remap on the Cupra Estate, takes it up to 365hp, doesn’t invalidate the warranty and will be listed by the insurance companies. £500!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2019 19:10:01 GMT
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Post by Martin on Mar 12, 2019 19:17:06 GMT
Didn't think Abt did remaps. Their upgrades are usually tuning boxes... Might be, the article said it was a ‘tuning pack that reprogrammed the ECU’, which reading it again does like a tuning box. More on topic that I though if that’s the case! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2019 19:24:57 GMT
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Post by Roadsterstu on Mar 13, 2019 8:00:45 GMT
Pretty sure they're piggyback ECUs. Five hundred quid isn't bad for a maufacturer approved upgrade, though. Neither is 365bhp in a Leon! My tuning box has been off since the weekend - a clip on one of the plugs broke when I fitted the wiring harness so I have been waiting for a replacement. It arrived yesterday so will be refitted this morning. I then need to do a brim to brim MPG calculation and adjust the trip computer accordingly. |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Mar 14, 2019 11:06:51 GMT
Wiring harness refitted, car suitably boosted.  |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jun 15, 2019 11:41:39 GMT
Bit of an update, 7 months in...
Really loving this car. This is one of those cars that just works. There's no one single thing but as a package it just works. Most reviews are in agreement with that. It's just very likeable. You're not going to get up early just to drive it but it is entertaining enough, brisk enough (especially with the box) and well kitted out. It cruises quietly and comfortably, will do well over 50mpg (I've seen 58 on a 100 mile trip), never seems to drop below mid to high 40s and costs 30 quid a year to tax. Add in the boosted 230 to 235bhp and around 500Nm of torque and it's a decently quick and frugal package. It's plenty big enough for family clobber - the boot is huge and I really don't feel I should have got an estate instead.
Issues so far - the infotainment system very occasionally fails to power up properly, leaving a blank screen with sound or the screen on but no sound. It's done this 3 times and turning the ignition off and then restarting the system seems to work. The driver's electric window is sometimes a pain and won't always lower with the one-shot facility. I suspect the switch might be a bit iffy but it's not often enough to makecme think about a replacement yet. The only other issue, which popped up last week and isn't down to the car itself, is the DTUK box, having been on without issue for about 3k miles, has now started causing the engine to sometimes go into limp mode due to a boost pressure fault code. No idea why but I'm trying different settings to try to eradicate the issue after a week with it off the car to rule out issues with the car itself.
It passed the MOT with no advisories yesterday (it's 2nd MOT) and aside from the puncture issue and those couple of small, niggly faults, it's being thoroughly enjoyed.
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Post by Boxer6 on Jun 15, 2019 22:42:33 GMT
Sounds like you're having fun with it, which is great. I've been humming & hawing re purchase of the tuning kit, but at the risk if being banned, I don't really think I'm going to bother. Unlike you, I regularly see under 40mpg; the round-the-doors nature of my job means that's always going to happen, but like yours, mine will see high-50's on a decent run no problem at all. Seen well into the 60's on a couple of occasion when herself has been feeling particularly fragile! I've had the infotainment blank screen thing once or twice, and mine will almost certainly not be the same as yours! Likewise with the one-touch drivers window, though the passenger side has never done so. Mine is an estate as you know, but really needed for the dogs and model planes; the dogs now need a step to help them get in, as they're not fit to jump in any more.  I still like it, just over a year into ownership, and in no hurry to change. |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jun 25, 2019 9:50:44 GMT
Took it for a blat along tge B664 Uppingham to Market Harborough road last Sunday. Really enjoyable. It's really not a bad car at all!
Tuning box reconnected post-MOT (pass, no advisories). Currently trying different settings, enjoying how punchy it is.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jun 25, 2019 11:06:46 GMT
Took it for a blat along tge B664 Uppingham to Market Harborough road last Sunday. Really enjoyable. It's really not a bad car at all! Tuning box reconnected post-MOT (pass, no advisories). Currently trying different settings, enjoying how punchy it is. That's a good road. I often use that route when going to the office. You just have to look out for the tight hairpin a couple of miles out of Uppingham. |
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Post by chocy on Jun 30, 2019 8:18:24 GMT
I'm glad you are enjoying it.
I updated the head units in the GTIs that I've had and had the same issue, an occasional lack of start up, but always found switching it off and on brought it back to life.
I really should work in IT.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jul 1, 2019 8:06:57 GMT
The glitch in the software for the head unit has, for the time being, disappeared. The tuning box started throwing up a fault again last week so I have changed the setting again. If it does it again I will be contacting DTUK about it. In between time, the car is its usual pleasing self.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jul 7, 2019 20:05:10 GMT
Spoke too soon. Infotainment system has failed to display anything on the screen twice this week, with no sound either on one occasion. GPS antenna is throwing a fault code. Tuning box thrown another wobble and had fault codes yesterday for left and right indicators short circuit. Yet worked fine.
VW reliability. Legendary, isn't it?!
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Post by Martin on Jul 7, 2019 21:07:16 GMT
Spoke too soon. Infotainment system has failed to display anything on the screen twice this week, with no sound either on one occasion. GPS antenna is throwing a fault code. Tuning box thrown another wobble and had fault codes yesterday for left and right indicators short circuit. Yet worked fine. VW reliability. Legendary, isn't it?! You can’t blame them for the tuning box.... Are you sure that’s not causing any of the other electrical issues/confusion? |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 7, 2019 21:10:32 GMT
Spoke too soon. Infotainment system has failed to display anything on the screen twice this week, with no sound either on one occasion. GPS antenna is throwing a fault code. Tuning box thrown another wobble and had fault codes yesterday for left and right indicators short circuit. Yet worked fine. VW reliability. Legendary, isn't it?! You can’t blame them for the tuning box.... Are you sure that’s not causing any of the other electrical issues/confusion? That was my thoughts too, a dodgy aftermarket tuning box interfering with canbus electricals. Plus, of course, VW don't make the head units. Is it still under warranty? |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jul 8, 2019 7:52:06 GMT
No, I can't blame them for the tuning box issues, of course. Not sure if it could be causing other issues although I'd think it unlikely on unrelated systems. A bit more research on that is needed, though.
The infotainment issues are frustrating and I may have to see if the warranty will do something.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 8, 2019 8:47:59 GMT
I'm sure I don't need to say it but don't mention the tuning box if you go for warranty work!
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Post by michael on Jul 8, 2019 14:33:54 GMT
Is the tuning box removable in the sense of pulling it to see if the car starts to work as it should again? That way you'd be able to diagnose if that's causing the issue.
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Post by Boxer6 on Jul 8, 2019 18:29:32 GMT
Is the tuning box removable in the sense of pulling it to see if the car starts to work as it should again? That way you'd be able to diagnose if that's causing the issue. I think Stu mentioned removing it for some sort of work not long ago; even if not, he fitted it himself so I imagine can reverse that, albeit with a few swear words thrown in! |
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