octane level wouldn't cause that level of missing horses
the APR/REVO map being switchable will allow the choice of running on different octanes - such as 91/93/99 and a valet mode
the custom code wont allow this, its mere a generic map loaded to the car, often not in real time but as an over right
my personal experience of Custom Code, on the mrs's EOS it unlocked almost 50 horses and 50 torques, but not the smoothest power curves in the world - this map was done in real time as it was one of the first to be done by them. however still happy with the map for what she requires from the car
Also had it on my MK4 .:R32, drove 300 miles to gti international with no worries, had the car mapped at the event, drove it home with flat spots and hesitation at 3.5k rpm. CC knew this problem exisited and i either had to live with it or wipe it.
i think CC is fine for some cars but hiccups on others and doesn't really give you much to play with for your money. This is a common discussion on alot of forums regarding CC
A little extra cash gets you tried tested secure APR or REVO maps, with multi level control and customer support.
"you pays ya money ya takes ya chances" is not how i prefer to do things, you get what you pay for however does apply