Advice needed!

Nelson_Wilbury · Post by **Nelson_Wilbury** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:56 pm

OK, as most of you will know I will be getting my car chipped shortly. Only thing is i'm starting to seriously worry about warranty...

Now, had been been any other Polo, no problem. But the biggest worry I have is that an ECU for an FSi Polo is Â£800, and thats at my discount!

Now, I know SKN is a well respected tuning chip, but what worries me is that an internal chip will be immedeately detectable to VAG and to be honest I'm not really that fussed about the power, not to risk a huge repair bill anyway.

So i have two options, fit my 9n Votex bodykit. Or have this chip. I know its pointless to ask you what I should do. But what I'll do instead is ask what you would do in the same situation!

So advice would be much appreciated

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:05 pm

Bodykit = lower risk.

Votex bodykit generally =

Bodykit sprayed and fitted by VW dealer = lower risk + more money.

But, didn't one of the Golf MKIV chip options come with a "switch" that reverted to a standard mode for going to the delaers with - this was supposed revert VAGCOM settings to something that wouldn't raise a dealer's suspicions(sp?). Can't remember which company it was (or how you "switched" it), though.

carmadaaron · Post by **carmadaaron** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:13 pm

i would go 4 bodykit as well

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:01 pm

The APR chip had switchable systems, controlled via the cruise control stalk. Was only for the 20vT engines iirc.

hhhmmmm as for the chip/bodykit issue. Look at past expereinces with VW dealers, is a warrenty that great when everytime you take your car there it comes out with more problems than when it went in?

However it is a brand new car and I would be reluctant to forfeit the warrenty. Perhaps go for the kit now and the chipo next year when the cars run in and any major problems have shown themselves.

But on the flip side what warrenty do SNK offer? VW should only invalidate the engine part of the warrenty (is that correct?) so do SNK offer a warrenty to cover any damage thier chip does?

SiDaBa · Post by **SiDaBa** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:28 pm

In that situation i'd say the kit!!

But Nelson, it's a body kit

Nelson_Wilbury · Post by **Nelson_Wilbury** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:37 pm

I really would like the kit, but my Dad refuses to fit it! (he'll fit the roof spoiler but thats it

)

Looking at SKNs site, it looks like they offer a 12 or 24 month warranty, but as its in German I ain't got a clue what it covers

SiDaBa · Post by **SiDaBa** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:02 pm

Can you not get it fitted at work??

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:35 pm

cant you run it through babblefish? or ask Speedy?

SilvaGTI · Post by **SilvaGTI** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 12:11 am

I'd have to say this whole idea of 'chipping' engines scares me. Especailly if the cars new and under warranty. I'm surprised your old man would be against the body kit but OK with a chip!. If I were you I'd get the Caractere kit. Way better looking than the Votex one IMO

Shouldnt affect the warranty either though I dont know if a VW dealer would be willing to fit it

jrw · Post by **jrw** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:16 pm

Do Revo do software upgrades for the FSI cos apparently this is undetectable by VW?

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:41 pm

A lot of companies claim to be undetectable, but i would imagine most technicians would be able to notice the difference in power. Is the SNK system a piggy back ECU or do they just re-programme the standard one.

Nelson_Wilbury · Post by **Nelson_Wilbury** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 7:18 pm

SilvaGTI wrote:. I'm surprised your old man would be against the body kit but OK with a chip!.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. The car is mine, so anything I do to it doesn't involve his say so. But if I were to get a bodykit the only person I would trust to fit it would be my Dad (who won't fit it because he thinks i'm wasting the money).

Car is booked in for the chip tomorrow, fingers crossed

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:45 pm

nice one.

I personally think you've made the right decision. Now for some JBS NOS

(jk)

Petrified · Post by **Petrified** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:57 pm

KarlM wrote: nice one.

I personally think you've made the right decision. Now for some JBS NOS (jk)

Me too.

I've been thinking about getting a body kit fitted since I got the car but have decided against it a number of times.

If it makes a big enough difference I'd love to get the chip fitted too.

Let us know how it goes!!

James.

Nelson_Wilbury · Post by **Nelson_Wilbury** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 7:58 pm

Well, finally got the chip today and saw how it was all done...

Result: MORE TORQUE! I can actually drive on the stuff now, just like a diesel

and it now pulls so much better uphill etc than it did before. The best thing about it is how OEM it feels, it doesn't kick in at a certain point, its active throughout the whole rev range.

I can't really say too much at the moment as the ECU is still setting itself again after being removed, but what I can say with certainty is that the economy hasn't suffered. I was still getting 44-45mpg at a steady 70-80mph and I believe it'll get much better after a few more 100 miles

What the process actually involves is sending the ECU reference numbers to SKN in Germany. Then we wait two hours, in those two hours someone at SKN Germany is modifying the software signals of that particular ECU type. Then is is sent back through IDSN (?) cable back to Scotts motor tune. These new improved signals are copied onto a new chip and soildered back into the ECU. So as you can see this is not just '1 code fits all' like some companies, the 9n FSi ECU has four codes and SKN has different settings for all of them, thats how on the ball they are!

I will be writing a review on my chip shortley for Scotts Mototune (who fitted the chip) but I'm waiting till I get a few more miles under the belt first

Worth the money? Definately!