[Iforb]

Today I dropped the old girl off (E92 335d)with A1 BN in Stevenage for a bit of fault finding and repair and MOT and a service.

I legged it out of there in a rush to get into the office and given the mighty performance of the Courtesy Aygo (with CVT slushbox) then every second counted!

I had been noticing a few issues with the front end and the steering. It was a bit vague, rumbled and occasionally banged about, whilst occasionally shimmying under accelleration or braking. Within an hour or so, the phone rang and Steve was explaining how it wasn't the top mounts as I'd guessed, but the control arms or brake force arms being past their best. Nothing major and not enough to fail the MOT, but aggravating and as it bugs me then there was no choice but to do it right and get them replaced.

Whilst chatting, we discussed adding a few more ponies into the engine with a remap. Obviously I said yes immediately and we agreed on a map that pushed power, but not at the complete expense of economy.

There was also an issue with the brakes binding slightly, but this was quickly solved by a brake fluid change and clean up.

It was only 3pm and I got a call to say everything was sorted and she was ready to go, so I bailed out of a very long and boring meeting as fast as I could and thrashed the poor Aygo mercilessly to get back as fast as possible. Amazingly, no matter how far I pushed the throttle, it didn't seem to make the blindest bit of difference to how slowly the thing went...

When I got back, she was sitting ready and after a good chat with Steve and a look at the old knackered control arms (always a sign of a good garage when they bring out the old parts to show you the issues) then away I went.

First things first. The new control arms made a massive difference. The turn in was sharper, there was no notchiness or wooly feeling, no crashing over bumps and road noise was reduced. All in all, a massive difference.

Next, the remap.

Oh yes. Oh very, very yes. Beautiful linear power, no steps, no gaps, just more grunt everywhere. Throttle response feels much crisper and simply freer. I had a 2 hour back road blast back home and I was hooting with laughter all the way. Just great. I saw better mpg too, despite driving like an idiot. I'm very impressed.

Good work Steve and the lads at A1. You guys have a really good rep and I can see why. As Arnie would say, "I'll be back."

[old grey steve]

Its a Yaris not an Aygo.. do you know what reading this I thought it was a review from AutoCar

But all things said glad your happy everything, it went like a dream as we know the previous keeper had the car looked after by us and as a result everything went to plan

[RajB]

lol at not an Aygo lol.

Good service again Steve.

[Iforb]

A Yaris? Blimey, shows how much attention I paid to it then!

One of my colleagues is going to give you a call. He wants to get his E90 330d mapped.

[Nickos]

ah, the Yaris. I had a guy I used to work with once get on over 100 down hill in a 1L version

[Iforb]

Originally Posted by Nickos

ah, the Yaris. I had a guy I used to work with once get on over 100 down hill in a 1L version

Down a hill? Don't you mean over a cliff? That's the only way I can see one getting up to 100!

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by RajB

lol at not an Aygo lol.

Good service again Steve.

Ta

Originally Posted by Iforb

One of my colleagues is going to give you a call. He wants to get his E90 330d mapped.

Hes booked

Originally Posted by Iforb

Down a hill? Don't you mean over a cliff? That's the only way I can see one getting up to 100!

Spoken to both the cars there a little hurt and said next time you can bloody walk

But as said earlier pleased you're happy with it we opted to sit the right side of safe and opted for a smooth power band rather than wham bam type power delivery which again we could of easily opted for, though we try to steer slightly away from the sort of super aggressive power thing where possible.

Smoothness of the gearbox makes a difference too as yours had been done by us previously as you know now with more torque it should work better(we re set the adaptations so you might find it may have reacted a little differently)but once the car finds its way it will or should drive more efficiently with its new found power fuel economy due to the torque increase should be maintains at least and if you were to drive back to back in the same manor you'd expect to see a reasonable benifit re fuel economy as well.

But keep enjoying it is all I'd say