Why no tuning option for newer VAG cars?

[berg]

So you can only tune an S4 up to 2011, what are VAG doing to the ECU's to stop our fun exactly?

[tony_danza]

Probably the same as new BMW's. ECU cannot be cracked, some recon they can remove and bench flash, but the queue of people wanting to do that on a £30k+ car in warranty is very small.

Multi point sensor piggy-back ECUs seem to be the only reliable option now. Some of which give outstanding flexibility and bespoke tuning options.

[berg]

Probably the same as new BMW's. ECU cannot be cracked, some recon they can remove and bench flash, but the queue of people wanting to do that on a £30k+ car in warranty is very small.

Multi point sensor piggy-back ECUs seem to be the only reliable option now. Some of which give outstanding flexibility and bespoke tuning options.

multi point sensor piggy back ECU's? Do tell more chap...

[tony_danza]

Popular ones for BMW. They monitor loads of sensors and then progressively change output to increase power in an OEM style. They're really very clever and have a lot of tech, the JB4 lets you control it via an iPhone app!

I'm guessing you'll start seeing these types of things on VAGs soon enough.

JB4.



Hartge

[Hedge]

In laymans terms a tuning box albeit a very clever one.

[tony_danza]

Essentially yes. Only not the ones of old with a few resistors, more a stand-alone ECU.

[Hedge]

The advantage being it is wholly reversible come servicing and potential warranty time.

My only concern would be if the OEM ECU logged max boost pressure and the like.

[tony_danza]

Same as it's always been, if they look hard enough, they'll find evidence - no matter what line a tuner spins you.

[Gasman]

I had one of these on my last BMW very good bit of kit!