[justa]

I appreciate that there will be plenty of similar threads but i wanted to be specific !

I've recently bought a 320d - its the 163 bhp version and I've been left feeling a bit cold by its performance - I've been pretty much left for dead by a 1.9 tdi A3 and a Mondeo TDCI...

I've had cars remapped before and I know the massive improvement they offer but I have no experience of tuning boxes. They seem more expensive but obviously you have the option of putting the car back too standard.

Has anyone tried both and can anyone recommend the best of either ? I'm not interested in getting the max power but want to improve performance and make it smoother like a good map should...

thanks very much

[rich1068]

Tuning boxes? You mean the cheapy add ons? Or do you mean the likes of Evolve/Bluefin/whatever?

:edit:

And as far as experience goes then no, I have no experience of 'tuning boxes' but I do have VAG experience of physical 'chip' changes, ECU flashing and switchable maps. Superchips on a Skoda vRS 1.8T, shite but probably down to the agent, Revo flash on the same car like night and day, Custom Code on the same car an improvement again, Superchips Bluefin on an A3 2.0TFSI, excellent. The added peace of mind with a switchable map is well worth it in my opinion.

[BanziBarn]

Tuning box wise, these seem good, as they are more complex than normal ones

They're the only boxes I've really heard about on here, so if it was me it would be one of these or a normal remap.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328040

[justa]

yeah I meant the likes of DTUK etc..

[gkerr4]

not being funny, but if you are being "left for dead" by a mundano or a 1.9tdi I'd be getting that 320d checked out - the 1.9 tdi could be 130bhp, remote chance of it being 150 but most likely 105/110/115 bhp - you should be showing it a clean set of heels pretty easily!

I had spider box on a merc I had last - it certainly gave it a lot more 'go' - and actually used a bit less fuel too (which amazes me, still) but it buggered up the gear changes (it was an auto) it made it change up too early and rev too low at which point the merc engine was realy rough and unbearable - i sent it back.
This was in November last year - they accepted it back on the 25th of november and I'm still chasing them for a refund!

[magic77]

I have had nothing but good experience with the DTUK box, and unlike in old days where they where simply a variable resistor the new ones are far more technical with almost mini ECU capabiltiy with maps and not to mention multiple monitor and modify points. Not just fueling but boost as well

[justa]

Has anyone tried an Elite re-map ?

I know someone that can do these for a good price,

thanks

[Walesy]

I had a Spider fitted to my 320d 163 bhp and it worked well, this was always a temporary solution till the warranty ran out so I get have Evolve impregnate it with a remap, the box worked well and you get good support from Spider if any probs arise. The remap it better imo and much safer plus it seems to drive better over all.
I have read too many stories with boxes causing premature failure of injectors and pumps, so I feel at ease more with the remap.

[parapaul]

I've had experience of a Spider box and a remap, back-to-back on the same car. I can honestly say I think the box felt quicker, but there was nothing between them in terms of smoothness (is that even a word?) or economy. The trip computer was obviously way, way out when using the box, but as long as you expect that it's not a problem.

For me it was a question of permanence. The box just felt, psychologically, like a temporary measure. No idea why!

If I was going to do it again... I really don't know which I'd choose. DTUK's customer service is supposed to be second to none, but if you don't have a problem, you'd never know.

[Walesy]

Originally Posted by parapaul

I've had experience of a Spider box and a remap, back-to-back on the same car. I can honestly say I think the box felt quicker, but there was nothing between them in terms of smoothness (is that even a word?) or economy. The trip computer was obviously way, way out when using the box, but as long as you expect that it's not a problem.

For me it was a question of permanence. The box just felt, psychologically, like a temporary measure. No idea why!

If I was going to do it again... I really don't know which I'd choose. DTUK's customer service is supposed to be second to none, but if you don't have a problem, you'd never know.

It did feel that actually, worked well but you always knew it wasnt a long term solution for some reason.

[Raymo]

Can vouch for the DTUK boxes, have had them on my Astravan 1.9cdti and on the BM, well sorted bit of kit and Andrew is a gent and very helpfull also knowledgeable.