To AMD or NOT to AMD?

[Golfather]

Thinking of getting my S4 booked in with AMD for a remap and cat-back Milltek Dual...
But just having second thoughts about the cost of all this!

There are cheaper alternatives, eg Revo and Jabbasport but don't know whether I should pay the extra and got to AMD?

After all its not really a CUSTOM map that AMD provide, just a generic map with slight alterations if required.
They just charge premium money due to supply and demand, and experience I suppose...

Any recommendations welcome.

[DavidR]

The AMD software is undoubtledly good but offers poor value for money (if that is important to you) and, as you point out, isn't a true custom map (although this has been debated I maintain my personal view on this) I have used AMD in the past and have been very impressed with their tech knowledge and problem solving skills, but I think the remap in its own right is overpriced and inflexible in its application.

The APR software offers similar levels of performance (for what its worth 338bhp and 407lbft on star performances rollers with milltek cat back) plus the option of switchable programs, security lockout and fault code clearing and throttle position adjustement. The latter are a bit gimmicky but I like being able to go to standard map for driving the in laws about (it's easier to drive smoothly) and also swap maps for optimax and standard unleaded.

[DuncS3]

One thing to note about AMD is that their price does include a RR session, plus (well on the S3 anyway) they warranty the turbo/ drivetrain etc for 6 months - which must add some value

Dunc

[Tomson]

I would go to wish ever reputabe tuner is closest to you, on a forum such as this many people have differnet views and good and bad experiences on all the tuners - QST, AmD, Star, Dialynx etc etc etc.

I like AmD, although they are expensive.
So i tried Dialynx, as they are very close and was impressed - cost less than quoted as well, and i did not need to book a whole day off work.
Many people swear by Kim, not tried so can't comment.

Apparenttly Geoff (ex AmD) was at Dialynx to look at the REVO code as he was so impressed with their map on the RS4.

CHRIST - it's a war zone out there....

Did that help ?, I thought not...sorry

I might try WEST tuning, as have heard no reports from there.

Bugger

oh well, do it yourself ?

[JonnyX]

Paid £480 for a Jabba remap (includes rolling road before and after.)

Mike knows the VAG engines pretty well (he's at least demi-god status with the 1.8T )

Got 334bhp and 505nm on their rolling road - no change to smoothness (i.e. it's still
not smooth). Car doesn't like the hot weather though......

Jon

[Dippy]

My opinion (for what it's worth) is that you won't notice much difference between stage 1 maps from different tuners. That means IF your car is healthy, you should probably go for the best compromise between value for money and location tuner.

The caveat to that is IF your car is NOT healthy then if this is not identified before the remap, the situation MAY get worse. There have been a number of cases of people going to AmD for a remap and finding out that their car has a problem (which AmD insist is fixed before remapping). Similarly I know of a few cases of owners going to tuners without RR facilities, getting a remap but then having big problems because their car has a fault which is worsened by the remap.

After stage 1 you will notice a difference. This is when you will get a significant improvement from a custom map. I know as I have first hand experience. Whilst AmD do NOT provide a custom stage 1 map, they DO provide custom maps when further mods are done.

So part of the equation in selecting a tuner is to decide how likely it is you will do further mods in the future, and if so, how well will that tuner be able to support you.

[DuncS3]

Paid £480 for a Jabba remap (includes rolling road before and after.)

Mike knows the VAG engines pretty well (he's at least demi-god status with the 1.8T )

Got 334bhp and 505nm on their rolling road - no change to smoothness (i.e. it's still
not smooth). Car doesn't like the hot weather though......

Jon

Jon are you happy with the Jabba remap? Can't tell from your post..

Dunc

[Golfather]

Jabba are a waste of time, their 4wd rollers have been out of action for months and they still don't have
a fix date.
Also when I went there last, they seem to know their 1.8T's well but have little or no clue on the 2.7T.

Anyway I stumped up the cash and went for AMD:
Cat back Milltek Dual, and a remap.
Results were good, from a healthy 275bhp to 320bhp and 366lb/ft
Car pulls VERY smoothly, no flatspots or hesitations.
Interesting that they don't replace the original chip, but simply remap the existing code. A la Revo but not serial port?

Dippy you're right, one of the reasons I chose AMD was that I wanted to ensure that the engine was healthy before they did the remap.
Even though i checked with VAGCOM to ensure no codes, I still wanted to make sure that no boost leaks were present and fuelling was correct.
This is something that your average Revo dealer will not be able to assist with, should you experience any problems.

Overall a good job, would recommend them.

Now all I need to harness the power is 993 brakes and KW coilovers...

[Golfather]

Bit of an update:

Checked under the car as the exahust was catching over normal humps.
The bods at AMD have charged premium money to fit it, yet have botched it up:
Clamps are on the wrong way so the bolt extends lower than the system, and the hangers dont line up with the body mounts, therefore exhaust is protruding the valence more than it should.
Had to pay Kwik Fit to re-allign and sort out the clamps.

Real shame. Not happy.

Heres some graphs:

[JonnyX]

No problems with my Jabba remap.... (haven't tried any others to compare though)

"Had to pay Kwik Fit to re-allign and sort out the clamps."

Priceless....

[bjacks]

With all due respect,

The first time I visited AmD they sorted out my 1.8T A3. Un-beknown to me, it was running in limp mode due to a un-connected lambda sensor and was pushinung out 130BHP. After diagnois, it was re-connected, then remapped, and ended up with 190BHP. Three years later the car is still running well (in the hands of my brother) and 40k miles on.

When I had my S3 chipped by Revo, it pinked. They guessed (correctly) it was the MAF, and then that went well (260 BHP).

So, the moral of the story is that AmD will charge more, but they will provide a "health check" whilst on the RR first. People without an RR will just do the business then diagnose if you have a problem after so you have a slight gamble.

You pays yer money and takes yer choice.

Ben

[Julesm]

AmD are worth it for their "health check" and their ability to diagnose and rectify faults.

The Miltek cat back offers no performance gain on reading the above RR results, if anything it appears to restrict power and torque slightly. Replacing the cats is going to release a bit more power and torque so that would appear to be the better option. At least I now know that if I was going to replace the exhaust from the cat back it would only be if the current one was u/s.

[Dippy]

golfather - yes, AmD did similar with my exhaust. The bolts are now bent out of the way, courtesy of the speed bumps. Luckily it hasn't affected the exhaust (although maybe the clamps will need to be cut off next time I need the exhaust replaced).

bjacks - yes you can diagnose many problems without a RR, but not all. Another thing is that golfather knows he has 320 HP because he has the plot. How do you know your car makes 260 HP?

With all due respect to you, if you didn't notice your old A3 was running in limp, you current S3 might only be producing 240 HP and you won't know!

[Golfather]

Agreed Dippy.
JulesM, I disagree. The exhaust has definately made an improvement, as it revs so much more freely.
Remember, my before plot was 275bhp, and that was WITH the Milltek, so pretty much up on the standard 265.

Its worth it just for the noise alone

[DuncS3]

Bjacks has a AMD chipped RS4 atm...