Doug done a health check first before the remap and found no fault codes but a couple of other issues:
1. The timing belt is off but not enough to worry about until cambelt change time. Doug's thoughts where probably not been set with the correct tool.
2. More worryingly the boost is a little off. Thought maybe a knackered DV until I said the 710n's where in place.
Quick pressure test revealed an air leak coming from the passenger side turbo. My heart sank a little, realizing that I dont have enough cash spare for a couple of new turbos at the moment and its going to be our only transport in a couple of weeks.
Got her up on the ramp and found that it was actually a banjo bolt that had sheared off on one of the feed lines. Phew!
For such a small part it proved to be quite a pain in the rear to sort out. Sub frame off, Doug's special "bendy" spanner, a bit of ingenuity without replacing the entire feedline (another feedline was sacrificed for its banjo bolt with an angle grinder and mated up with some silicon hosing) and a couple of hours. Huge sigh of relief from my credit card LOL.
Then on with the remap and up the "rolling road"
I was a little unsure at first as nailing it in third to the redline doesn't really fit with my style of driving. I could feel a difference, smoother certainly, but I expected a little more somehow. Was still happy though, just not ecstatic
All that changed though once I got Doug out the car and on my way home....WOW!!! Its a completely different car now. Doing some overtakes and through the gears the difference was VERY clear. Sitting in fifth or sixth on the motorway and still being pushed back into the seat and watching other cars go backwards was great fun. WOT through the gears from a standing start also saw speeds beyond what I should be doing coming up much quicker. Scaring the hell out of a guy in a Range Sport was also somehow very satisfying when you sail past him while he is gunning it
Anyone considering a remap or health check at MRC...go NOW! Get booked up.
Doug's service was beyond anything I have had at a garage before at either main dealers, specialists or tuning parts places. He was all too happy to let me watch, he explained absolutely everything that he was doing, answered any questions I had and was an all-round honest guy IMO. Even the waiting area is beyond anything I have had the pleasure to sit in before. I have sat in an oily custom exhaust place for three hours with nothing but a dog-eared magazine from 1980 and a broken coffee machine for company. Doug's place was clean, hordes of recent issues of Audi Driver, tea, coffee and cold drinks on tap and plenty of other entertainment too.
Seriously will not be taking the S4 anywhere else in future (except for oil changes maybe) and will be going up for any upgrades I fancy in future.
A big thumbs up
MRC are well deserving of their Audi Driver award.
