Post APR 6hr trial complications

[turboveedubb]

Hi everyone,

Couple of weeks ago, I had an APR dealer in melbourne give me a 6hr trial of Stage 1 APR. It was the first experience I've had with a chip tune and wanted to compare what other tunes were capable of.

Contacted another tuner in Melbourne who was kind enough to come round and answer all my question and was willing to give me a trial of another tune. Only problem is when he plugged in the device which reminded of a 'bluefin' device. It spat out all sorts of error codes.

I told him that I had an APR trial run beforehand but it's 'all back to stock now'. He told me that the car might be performing at a stock level but APR's code is still in my ECU and that I needed the APR dealer to revert it back to 'full stock' in order for the new tune to work properly.

I've since called back to the APR dealer in question and have called APR Australia's help line and both have assured me that 'stock is stock' and that APR's code 'disappears after 6hrs' and 'if it can be overwritten by your dealer, any other tuner can overwrite it e.g. Giac, Oettinger' (inverted commas are their words, not mine)

This whole things has left me very confused and somewhat frustrated. I'm being told conflicting information by different people.

Can anyone out there help to clarify the situation for me?

Thanks everyone!

p.s. I've done some searching and it seems other people may have had a similar experiece as me.
e.g.
APR Trial - Can't reinstall bluefin [Archive] - VW GTI Forum / VW Rabbit Forum / VW R32 Forum / VW Golf Forum - Golfmkv.com

[fuzion]

I'd comment, but id get in trouble.

ive heard several people in sydney alone with the same problems.

It is "aprs" stock code.. it is not VW's stock code.

[turboveedubb]

And also, I know how sometimes posts about ecu tuning can get people worked up.
Don't want to get anyone in trouble.
I want to side step any of that controversy and just ask the simple question of:

Does 'post APR 6hr trial' Stock = '100% VW' Stock?
If yes then case closed.
If no, then how do I get my original 100% VW stock tune back?

Thanks

[Tim]

And also, I know how sometimes posts about ecu tuning can get people worked up.
Don't want to get anyone in trouble.
I want to side step any of that controversy and just ask the simple question of:

Does 'post APR 6hr trial' Stock = '100% VW' Stock?
If yes then case closed.
If no, then how do I get my original 100% VW stock tune back?

Thanks

APR stock = standard calibration but not 100% stock ECU otherwise your bluefin would work.

[turboveedubb]

Ok, quite a few people are of that opinion. So how do I get my 100% stock tune back?

Thanks!

[h100vw]

This is my take on things.

The APR trial has to be a replacement code in my mind. You have no ability after the trial finishes, to switch between programs, that I am aware of.

They are partially correct that there's no problem flashing over the trial. I have done a few personally. The problem I think you are having, is that you need to read the standard code and send it to Superchips. Superchips alter that and send it back to you. As it's not the standard code in the ECU then there's a conflict occurring.

I am sure Guy will be along shortly to clarify what's happening.

Gavin

[turboveedubb]

Hi Gavin,

That does make sense. The 2nd method of tuning I wanted to try does involve copying the ECU information.
Emailing the file off for it to be altered off-site then sent back and put onto my ECU.

What I'm frustrated about is the reluctance of the APR dealership to put my car's ECU back to the way it was originally presented to them. I've asked them twice about this, first time over the phone, second time in person and they assure me that 'stock means stock'.

[aVex]

turboveedub,

your experience actually changes a lot of things for me. i'm going to be receiving my car soon and will be looking to try at least 2 difference ECU tunes to decide which I should go for. APR would definitely be one of them since the majority has got them done, however if APR dealers are uncooperative and the ability to go back to pure 100% VW then I'm not convinced to go ahead with them.

would you mind privately messaging me which dealer is this in question?

[shinygti]

Hi i had this problem with my mk5 gti after the trial tune from apr. I would suggest that you go back to VW and get them to do a softwear update that way it should over right the tune and load a proper stock VW tune onto your car

[VW Central]

GIAC Software overwrites the ecu and also repairs and fixes the EEPROM and puts it back to original VW coding.

For your closest GIAC dealer visit: GIAC Dealers or alternatively, see your dealer. I would be cautious of going to your Authorised VW dealer as some in the past will make a note of this on your file and it will stay on your permanent record. In future if you may have a large warranty claim they could use this against you.

[Tim]

the OP shouldnt have to fix anything as far as I can see it. The APR dealer should return his car to stock on request. One would think they have the facility to do so. If they dont then they should be the ones to employ the services of someone who can.

[h100vw]

To my knowledge there's only APR and Revo that do trials. Any other tuner would have to reflash the ECU to remove their tune. Trying more than one tune isn't something that's very easy to do in my opinion.

You could get a trial from APR/Revo and then have another tuner flash over the top to try it. If you came to me, I'd want paying and offer you a refund if you weren't happy.

Gavin

[TRGTI]

Hi Gavin,

What I'm frustrated about is the reluctance of the APR dealership to put my car's ECU back to the way it was originally presented to them. I've asked them twice about this, first time over the phone, second time in person and they assure me that 'stock means stock'.

this does not surprise me with their level of customer service.
when i had APR and struck problems, they didn't want to know about it.
but i'm sure there are ppl out there who are happy with them so kudos to them.

[aVex]

this does not surprise me with their level of customer service.
when i had APR and struck problems, they didn't want to know about it.

I wonder with all these problems if anyone has actually taken this up to Consumer Affairs. The more complaints to them and quite possibly they might take action. Most people who flash their vehicles are too afraid to speak with VW for the fear of warranty issues and let things be. I'm surprised that such a reputable APR dealer here is not being helpful, I wonder what would the case be if you approached lesser known ones.

[turboveedubb]

If you came to me, I'd want paying and offer you a refund if you weren't happy.

Gavin

That's exactly how I'm prepared to try out the second tune. Pay first, a 'money back if unhappy' period.