GTI APR chip mod, and clutch upgrade

[McDub]

I did a search and was surprised how few threads there were on this topic.

I'm seriously considering getting this done to my stock '03 gti.
I just need to contact NRMA to make sure they will allow it. fingers crossed.


Who on here has chipped their car with the APR or simillar?
Can you say what you did, and your opinion on it etc, how the engine goes etc etc?

The price of this mod from this place http://europeanautotech.com.au/produ...pr-ecu-upgrade
says $1500, is that an uninstalled price, and is it something that you can negotiate?

And I've noticed most people reccomend you get the VR6 clutch put in. Do you also put in a lighter flywheel?
How much would the VR6 clutch and lighter fly wheel cost roughly?

One more thing, I've read that the turbo is only good for ~130kw, yet this mod claims 146kw. is that just a difference from the engine to the wheel that i've got these figures from??? or just marketing



Thanks.

[YellowDieselGolf]

NRMA won't cover an engine chip sadly. Try shannons.

http://www.goapr.com.au/products/ecu_upgrade_golf18t.html

[McDub]

NRMA won't cover an engine chip sadly. Try shannons.

http://www.goapr.com.au/products/ecu...e_golf18t.html

I'm actually glad NRMA dont, becaues it made me check out costs with other insurers, the cost to insure with NRMA has now gone up this year (which is bloody strange because i'm actually 25 now...) so there's no way i'm using them.
Market value with no mods and no insurance options costs $1487 with NRMA,
but with AMMI it costs $1175, PLUS there is a check box for "computer chip" under modifications and it doesn't affect the premium.
edit: i just called NRMA, they apparaently do insure chip mods, as long as it's all legal with the RTA etc. Perhaps its been like this since the "unworry" campaign.
anyway i just switched to AMMI then, and am saving $45/month, plus i put down the chip modification

ok so that's the insurance issue's addressed, what about the questions?

cheers

[YellowDieselGolf]

I'm actually glad NRMA dont, becaues it made me check out costs with other insurers, the cost to insure with NRMA has now gone up this year (which is bloody strange because i'm actually 25 now...) so there's no way i'm using them.
Market value with no mods and no insurance options costs $1487 with NRMA,
but with AMMI it costs $1175, PLUS there is a check box for "computer chip" under modifications and it doesn't affect the premium.
edit: i just called NRMA, they apparaently do insure chip mods, as long as it's all legal with the RTA etc. Perhaps its been like this since the "unworry" campaign.
anyway i just switched to AMMI then, and am saving $45/month, plus i put down the chip modification

ok so that's the insurance issue's addressed, what about the questions?

cheers

Oh ok! I was with NRMA, but I cancelled my policy due to mods and valuation issues. They dropped my agreed value by $9000? and raised my premium.

I've driven APR and it's a good chip. Worth every cent

[h100vw]

There's more than APR in the chipping game. A very reputable company for sure but I believe there's better value for money in the market too.

You use a solid flywheel with the VR6 clutch kit, Golf Loon on the forum can probably help you out with one. His shop is in Campbelltown, CamdenGTI.

Gavin


Edited for clarity.

I am the Custom-Code agent in Australia and wanted to point out that there are several places to buy ECU tuning in Australia. There's pro's and con's with all of them, do plenty of research before spending your money.

[quozl]

Don't one of you distribute Custom Code and the other do installs for it though? If so it's a bit rich not revealing that fact to the person and spruiking it like you're just a normal customer.

Cheers Al

[gtimk5]

You wont regret going with the APR tune that you have investigated....
The turbo will cope quite nicely with the mod as well.
Andrew

[No457 Snowy]

McDub,

Mate, I have had the APR chip on mine for about 2 years now and been very happy with it. Very smooth torque and power delivery and a quality company behind it, it'll put a big smile on your face and you'll be glad every time you drive the car.

Do your research with the different chips, just like you appear to be doing, there's a few to choose from, but APR is among the best.

Pete's correct about NRMA and ECU upgrades, they won't tolerate any chips on turbo cars. I had the same issue with them after being a long time customer, and cancelled my policy and moved to Shannon's when I APR'd my GTI.

EDIT: I just read where they have apparently changed this stance, probably from losing long standing accident/claim free customers like Pete and myself.


Snowy.

[quozl]

Mate I don't think the thread needs deleting at all, and I don't think what either of you did is so bad, you just need to say

"This is a great product, in my line of work I have installed it in x number of cars and it has worked perfectly for my customers, if you'd like to speak to them let me know and I can put you in contact for a customers perspective"

That's all I'm saying, I know you guys have it in your sigs what you do and to us it is obvious but to a noob they may have sigs turned off or not even notice the sig, that is why I was saying you should both make it clear in your posts.

It's not that big a deal, I probably could have worded my reply better but I've seen so many chip wars over the years started by minor things like this I was just trying to make the user aware that you guys had a commercial interest in the product and he may want to get independent reviews.

In saying all that I know that both of you guys are totally upstanding in your business practises and I wasn't trying to cast aspersions on that but others might get the wrong idea if you don't just come out and say in plain English

"Look I install these but they are a great product and I highly recommend you shop around and check all the products out, let me know if you want some contacts to talk to who I have done installs for"

That's all I'm trying to get across

Cheers Alastair

[whiteVR6]

Chips

Found this to be an interesting Poll from the US . We should do one here

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4528430

[Golf Loon]

Unfortunately, every discussion of Chip Threads degenerates into a slanging match between promoters of a particular product who are too blind to accept that there are lots of similar products on the market and that everyone has the right to make a quid.

Its interesting that no-one has tried more than one kind of chip. They all do very similar things at differing prices. I`d like to see a shootout with 5 identical G0LF 5s at a racetrack with different chips and the STIG, but I`m sure not all the Tuners would agree.

I personally would choose the one with the most informed installer that was geographically convenient for me in case of any issues.

I have had Custom Code on my T4 TDI for a couple of years now and I`m happy, it flies and I have noticed no reliability issues. I have tried no other product, so will not comment on them.

A bit unfair that JMac should be called upon to delete his post as he is affiliated with a chip tuner, whilst WhiteVR6 presents a poll as fact, despite being very closely linked with a well known chip tuner in Sydney.

Dont believe everything you read on the internet kids, ring around, speak to some real people, see who you trust.

[No457 Snowy]

Lol, yeah chip threads never fail to be great entertainment.

Interesting that couple of pages into this thread I think I'm actually the only response to the OP who asked specifically for APR owner feedback that:

1. Actually has the APR chip in own his car which is a MK4.
2. Doesn't sell or install another brand.


Snowy.

[Jmac]

Unfortunately, every discussion of Chip Threads degenerates into a slanging match between promoters of a particular product who are too blind to accept that there are lots of similar products on the market and that everyone has the right to make a quid.

Its interesting that no-one has tried more than one kind of chip. They all do very similar things at differing prices. I`d like to see a shootout with 5 identical G0LF 5s at a racetrack with different chips and the STIG, but I`m sure not all the Tuners would agree.

I personally would choose the one with the most informed installer that was geographically convenient for me in case of any issues.

I have had Custom Code on my T4 TDI for a couple of years now and I`m happy, it flies and I have noticed no reliability issues. I have tried no other product, so will not comment on them.

A bit unfair that JMac should be called upon to delete his post as he is affiliated with a chip tuner, whilst WhiteVR6 presents a poll as fact, despite being very closely linked with a well known chip tuner in Sydney.

Dont believe everything you read on the internet kids, ring around, speak to some real people, see who you trust.

I did delete the thread on my own accord, tired of the rubbish tagged on to such topics. Should have known better, i wasnt ramming any product, merely adding another Quality product into the mix.
Yeah i will add , Loon says it all , shop and spend what your wallet can afford and trust.
Yawn
Jmac

[Tyler]

Can anyone point me to any documentation that says nrma wont cover you if you have a ecu upgrade?

last time i was talking to nrm they dont care what you have done to your car as long as its street legal... ie with their new easy choices or whatever you just tell them what year model,engine size etc and the amount to want to insure it for and your all done.

[Manaz]

Can anyone point me to any documentation that says nrma wont cover you if you have a ecu upgrade?

last time i was talking to nrm they dont care what you have done to your car as long as its street legal... ie with their new easy choices or whatever you just tell them what year model,engine size etc and the amount to want to insure it for and your all done.

Call them and ask - easiest way to find out.

That said, I'd be surprised if they'd ever figure it out - some of the better known flashes can't even be detected by the dealerships with their software, so how the NRMA would know is beyond me.

That said, I'd not insure with NRMA or AAMI. NRMA will send you to one of their "authorised repair centres" if they can, which are basically exempt from having their work checked by the NRMA after the job is done - they quote low to get the job, and because they often don't do good work in the hope that no-one will pick it until it's too late, you end up with a ****ty repair. I had three repairs go this way before I gave up on them. AAMI aren't so bad, but you get NO choice of repairer at all - you drop the car to them (AAMI), and it vanishes into a big black hole until you get a call to tell you to come pick it up (again, from them) - you never know who's worked on the car, and to me, that's just wrong (I want to see the shop, talk to the guys, and have some level of confidence that they're going to take care of my vehicle whilst it's in their hands).

I found Allianz to be not only cheap (and cheaper if you organise the cover online), but they also allow your choice of repairer. That said, they're not terribly mod friendly (back to the point about whether they could tell if you'd had the car flashed or not...), and Shannons will insure me, include all my mods, allow me choice of repairer, allow me to pay by the month, are track-work friendly, and are cheaper than Allianz - so they're a no brainer for me.

Of course, every person's circumstances are different, and what works for me may not suit you (and vice versa). You need to check with each provider that their product meets your requirements, and then go from there.