Differences between APR and ABT ECU tuning

[Nath]

So there is a fair bit of information around about most of the ECU upgrades available, but very little about ABT that I've been able to find.

Hoping not to start a chip war can someone comment on the differences between APR and ABT.

This I know, ABT claim the following for around $2100:
increase to 191kw (260bhp) and 360Nm torque above stock

Whilst APR seems to claim the following for around $1700:

254 horsepower 189kw (254bhp) and 402Nm of torque above stock

Now aside from the obvious can anyone tell me the advantages/disadvantages of either system?

Does the ABT system have the 'programs' as available with the APR, this is something that I see as very handy to have so may be a deal clincher.

[niulf]

I am looking for ECU upgrade for new GTI as well. APR was the first one I considered. But later, I decided to go for Bluefin. The main reason is the price. Bluefin is 435 Pounds on their official website and you can order it from UK dealer for 339 Pounds. They doesn't have official website yet in Australia, but it's coming soon. There are some local dealers selling Bluefin products in Australia for AUD$800. APR is only USD$599 in the states and all programs are also included for that price Compare to Australia, we only get 2 programs but needs to pay $1700 which is almost three time more. For that price, I'd like to do the dyno tune rather than just remap the ECU by someone use a laptop.

[h100vw]

I am pretty sure that ABT don't do switching like APR.

Is there someone in Australia that supplies ABT, not sure I have heard of one??

If switching is important to you, then you have not got many choices. There are flash loaders available from several other tuners.

I had APR on my S3 before putting Custom-Code on it, I used it to see it work and put it back to full power again.

Not sure I'd ever use the feature, I don't lend my car out and don't have dealers to worry about.

Gavin

[logger]

Now aside from the obvious can anyone tell me the advantages/disadvantages of either system?

Quality support for the APR product is only a phone call away and that has to considered an advantage if you were ever to have any issues.

[Nath]

Yeah there is an ABT dealer, Ramspeed.

Switching is definately a must, not only for when it goes in for a service, but also when the wife drives it, she would probably smash the car given all that power as shes only ever driven her Volvo...

Whilst APR may be $599 in the US, that isnt normally the fully loaded price and is their 'special' for christmas, and anyway thats in the US, not here.

As for Bluefin etc not really tech savvy enough and prefer someone with some training to tinker with my toys, in fact the only one I pull apart is my PC..

Has anyone dealt with ABT or had an ABT upgrade here?

[h100vw]

My wife drives our S3 and doesn't have any problems. It's still just a car after all. Plenty of women drive quick cars, doesn't mean they will bend them.

Bluefin is bordering on idiot proff from what I have seen. Its no different to updating firmware in the grand scheme of things.

Gavin

[Nath]

My wife drives our S3 and doesn't have any problems. It's still just a car after all. Plenty of women drive quick cars, doesn't mean they will bend them.

Bluefin is bordering on idiot proff from what I have seen. Its no different to updating firmware in the grand scheme of things.

Gavin

Lol wasn't meaning to imply that women cant drive, just that my wife can't drive very well, scares the crap out of me most times..

[Tim]

ABT have been in and out of our market via several different companies over the years. I dont know if you will get a great deal of feedback about their new flashes just yet though as

have you had a chat to ramspeed yet? ive only really heard good things about them up till now. Last i heard they were working on a couple of supercharged R32s!

[elisiX]

Mate I had my 2006 TT Quattro tuned by Derek at European Autotech in Mona Vale with APR.

Paid like $2k for it and I absolutely loved it. A great system.

I too read about the APR price in the states being approx $599 USD and questioned the price directly with Guy on ozaudi.com recently.

A few days later the xmas sale price came along but its still miles away from the price in the US. Sure the market is different here (smaller) but come on!.

In saying that - I know APR - I trust APR and I will most likely fit my new GTI with APR.

[Nath]

ABT have been in and out of our market via several different companies over the years. I dont know if you will get a great deal of feedback about their new flashes just yet though as

have you had a chat to ramspeed yet? ive only really heard good things about them up till now. Last i heard they were working on a couple of supercharged R32s!

Yeah I'm getting the impression that there isnt too much on ABT outside of the EU, not even the US

Dropped a quick email to Ramspeed and got a response with the specs and price but just wanted to see if anyone had anything to say about them and ABT.

And yeah I think they did Anthony's R32 which he is now advertising for part trade and might sell on, monster of a car that one.

[elisiX]

Mate its very hard to have a conversation like this without it becoming a war. It's just too subjective.

I personally would go with a company who has been in the local market for a good stable period of time.

[Nath]

Yeah thinking I should have just asked straight out about ABT and left our the APR side of things, o well......

I'm sure they're all good systems but I should've been wary of the signs....

[elisiX]

lol..

The troll is a beast who answers to nobody.

[FIR-26T]

HI fellas, just the topic i was looking for......

New owner of a PIRELLI and will most likely go with the APR tune even though i didnt research the competition.....
The extra 60+kw using a APR tune on the PIRELLI, i am very keen to drive and test out....

Is there anyone here in Sydney that has installed the APR tune that can take me for a spin, and put a bigger smile on my face?????

With the gain of so much power has anyone considered installing a LSD, to get the power down to the ground with the MK V Golf's????

Joey

[Nath]

Not sure if there is anyone around with the APR tune on their Pirelli, however APR from memory offer a trial for a few hours that you can have installed, if you like you go back you pay and they load everything you want, if you dont then it becomes inactive and thats that (i think).

You should go have a look at the trial through EA (the only APR dealer in Sydney) and have a good run yourself and see if its what you're after.

Congrats on the Pirelli, nice car I'm sure you'll have a blast in it and welcome to the forum