Kim Collins / QST. Anyone used them?

[edcase]

Thoughts and comments?

Looking to get to or just above the 500 mark and liberate some extra noise.

thanks
Ed

[bobjebb]

The MTM products are undoubtably good, but I have to say in my case, the CS didn't live up to much, so I personally wouldn't choose them again. But lots of people like to.

They are massively more expensive than the likes of the younger tuning companies starting out - and the names of APS and MRC may be 'new', but the experience these guys have is vast.

I've asked Ed Jackson from APS to come to the meet we're trying to organise and he's going to join us and answer any questions people might have. Come along if you can make it.

[mwcltd]

Used them for many years. Always does at least what it says on the tin. MTM are Audi recognised tuners and QST are their Uk agent. I had my RS6+ upgraded to 505BHP and then more recently 540BHP. The work was done on time and very professionally.

[edcase]

The reason I'm considering them first and foremost is their link to Audi, esp. regarding any possible warranty issues with having engine work done.

Having blown best part of £15k modding a scooby previously, I'm still toying with the idea of leaving the car standard, but its impossible to ever have too much power and it would certainly be nice to hear the lovely V8 a little more.

[bobjebb]

I'm sure others will know more, but I'm not convinced their link with Audi is anything other than one of general recognition, ie if any dealer wants to be difficult over a warranty, they will be. I don't think there is any form of official partnership going on, and I'm not sure that saying it's an MTM remap/exaust will hold any more water if the dealer wants to wriggle.

Worth looking into though and I may be wrong. I'd be more inclined to ring your favoured dealer and let them know you are considering some upgrades by proven tuners and you'd like to ensure that there will be no 'issues' with warranty unless of course its directly related to 3rd party work.

EDIT*

I've just spoken to the technician at my dealer and told him of my ECU remaps. He was pretty wooly, as I would expect, but said that certain warranty claims would be now void if they are 'related to ECU's'. UNLESS I go via their own tuning program which happends in this case to be Oettinger. So as I thought, having MTM products would make not a jot of difference - at least in my case.

[edcase]

My dealer specifically told me that I would have no problems if I used Kim Collins as that was who they also used. I guess I'd like that in writing though

[ashleyadam]

No tuning company is approved by Volkswagen Group UK

[SteveH]

Surely thats a missed business opportunity!? When you consider the market place... The Mini is a classic example where people are willing to pay a significant sum considering the base price to have the car tuned by a BMW "approved" tuning house

[bazza]

I thought Oettinger was approved by the Volks group.

Ive had Oettinger upgrades in all my previous cars and both Audi and Volkswagen have not brought this up as an issue.

On my last S4 it said on the warranty document that the oettinger upgrades were appoved under warranty.

As far as i know, as long as the vehicle is in dealer warranty, all Oettinger upgrades are covered. Third party warranty may be an issue.

Im about to get my new RS6 tuned by RSD and i have spoke to the dealer and they have no problem with this and the warranty. (should get it in writing though)

Hope this helps

Cheers

Bazza

[bobjebb]

That concurs with what I was told by my dealer, they add 150quid or so for their trouble though, so guys like us who benefit from forums like this would be wise to go to RSD directly. I have presumed that RSD just happen to my dealer's preference, but maybe they are the unofficial "official" tuner of Audi/VAG?

It's all a bit rediculous though as it implies Oettinger are the fountain of all knowledge, yet they have failed to produce a sucessful upgrade for the RS6 Plus, quoting the ECU "rejected the code"

As such, the technician I spoke with today began to tell me that the Plus couldn't be upgraded, and was very surprised to hear from me that indeed it can, by several tuners and very successfully! He is calling RSD tomorrow and supposed to be calling me with their views on the subject. If they decide they now can do the work I may have to do my stage 2/3 there to save any sleepless nights RE my warranty, and they are EXPENSIVE!!

[ashleyadam]

I thought Oettinger was approved by the Volks group.

Ive had Oettinger upgrades in all my previous cars and both Audi and Volkswagen have not brought this up as an issue.

On my last S4 it said on the warranty document that the oettinger upgrades were appoved under warranty.

As far as i know, as long as the vehicle is in dealer warranty, all Oettinger upgrades are covered. Third party warranty may be an issue.

Im about to get my new RS6 tuned by RSD and i have spoke to the dealer and they have no problem with this and the warranty. (should get it in writing though)

Hope this helps

Cheers

Bazza

If you go to Oettinger site you will see nothing to say they are Audi approved tuners which is a fact anyone would shout about. OETTINGER Technik GmbH is certified in line with ISO9001/2000 and is acknowledged by the German federal office for transport as a vehicle manufacturer - Taken from there own site.

[bobjebb]

Perhaps it's a dealer by dealer thing then, mine says Oettinger or we'll be difficult regarding your warranty, Ed obviously has the same but with MTM so in your case it makes sense to pay the extra and use Kim Collins I suppose. It's all a bit annoying though, If I was a tuner I'd be approaching dealers to do demonstrations and perhaps getting stamps of approval? They'd clean up, especially with the diesel tuning opportunities.

[bakerdcb]

I think its down to individual dealers and who they choose to 'jump into bed with' as it were. I know Bob that your car is a Listers one and they have tended to use Oettinger but I believe they will use a number of recognised tuners now. They tend not to put anything in writing with regards to warranty, which suggests Audi themselves have no part in this, but as far as claims are concerned, if the dealer says its OK then Audi tend to honour it. Dealers will stick by their customers 'IF' the work was done through them. I'm sure Audi UK themselves are aware of this type of 'agreement' but turn a blind eye so long as dealers don't abuse it.

I tried several times to get an Audi dealer to put in writing his agreement to honour my warranty with an MTM upgrade. He never has but there has never been a problem with him honouring everything he promised verbally so I've learnt trust him now, especially when he put a second years warranty on the car at his expense to prove his faith in the car's integrity and its MTM upgrade.