Just a note from someone who isn't associated in any way with any tuning company and has no commercial interest whatsoever:
With all the rumblings going on about various types of re-maps / tuning devices, I thought I should post my own feedback about my own car which has seen 21k+ of Turbochipped miles in the past 13 months from new. This is because I feel that a public forum is somewhere that people will come to look for genuine feedback from genuine users. They will not want (nor understand) all the external politics which may come up in a search for such feedback on this fine site. So here it is - plain simple and to the point:
Turbochip Pros:
Even after more than a year I still drive with a bigger grin than the next D3
Turbochip Cons:
Other than the initial cost - NONE
NO black smoke
NO strange engine behaviour
NO issues from dealers / LR
NO insurance problems
NO regrets
Is it any better (or worse) than any other tune on offer? Who the hell knows I can only sum-up my own experience.
Would I do it again?......... I wouldn't have a D3 without it 8)The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom
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1st May 2007 3:10 pm
n1cktdv6
Member Since: 20 Mar 2007
Location: Warrington
Posts: 1161
Re: Turbochip - 13 months and 21000 miles
My experience (though not 13 months yet) is similar to the above. I too have not seen issues from dealers, black smoke, or any differences just a much nicer car to drive. Have also driven a non Tchipped D3 and the difference was shocking.
Has already been said but I wouldn't want a D3 without !
NickD4 HSE....Probably, but not quite decided yet.
3.6 TDV8 Vogue
XC90 SE Lux
A8 Quattro TDi
D3 SE
1st May 2007 3:27 pm
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1st May 2007 4:02 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Nice sentiments Still doesn't help as a comparator though does it ....what would really, really help those still making up their minds is an independent group test with benchmarking - 0to60, 30to50, 50to70, real BHP,Torque and MPG results, etc, etc.
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1st May 2007 4:37 pm
Mossy
Member Since: 01 Jul 2005
Location: Hollyoaks, UK
Posts: 2682
DG wrote:
Nice sentiments Still doesn't help as a comparator though does it ....what would really, really help those still making up their minds is an independent group test with benchmarking - 0to60, 30to50, 50to70, real BHP,Torque and MPG results, etc, etc.
No?
You'd probably need to factor in fuel loads, spec, weight differences for a truly accurate side-by-side as well as all the rolling road stuff. My thoughts... If you're happy with the result, whatever the route then and smile D3 HSE V8...
1st May 2007 4:40 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23369
Good post JMC. I have also driven 21k miles in 13 months with a Turbochip re-map. I waited for 1.5k miles before having it done.
I'm delighted with it, no issues at all.
I decided on Turbochip as it was recommended by Abbott Racing Motorsport, who have prepared several fast Saabs for me over the years.
I can't comment on the other providers products, as I haven't tried them.
A group test would be interesting, but I suspect that they would all be very similar. To be fair, it would be best to use the same D3 & have the ECU re-mapped by all the different tuners. As it seems to me that the TDV6 can vary considerably in performance & mpg.
1st May 2007 5:21 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Mossy wrote:
You'd probably need to factor in fuel loads, spec, weight differences for a truly accurate side-by-side as well as all the rolling road stuff. My thoughts... If you're happy with the result, whatever the route then and smile
Or even do a comparison with one the forums D3's (someone who can subjectively compare) with each tune loaded up and a known test route run each time.
1st May 2007 8:06 pm
Ian62
Member Since: 17 Mar 2007
Location: Cyprus
Posts: 238
Just driven back from London after having the car Turbochipped by Alastair , who drove down to see me on Sunday!. Great service, 10 minutes and all was done. Car far smother than before and those pull aways are simply awsome. To be honest, I have read a lot about the Turbochip and it was the guys here, after reading about it, that made me go for it. But how many would come out on a Sunday Stadt Panzer Power
2nd May 2007 4:51 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15214
OK JMC /Nick
On the basis of your non biased opinions, I'm getting convinced
[after all, I now need to spend some more cash on the beast]
...... what chips do you run?I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
http://www.turbochip.ltd.uk/The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom
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Club Orange, Mint or Fruit
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2nd May 2007 9:58 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10438
I know lets take 4 re-mapped D3s to Morocco 2 with a JE tune and 2 with a TC tune. Load them up with similar loads and drive overland. Then we will see who's smokes most and who's goes faster.
Oh hang-on we did that.
At the end of the day every tune will make your D3 nicer to drive. And lets face it even if you have the fastest tune whats the chance of using it against another D3. The blue Pearl has now covered lots of miles and I have never encountered another D3 to "show off my extra power" apart from when we have a disco3 meet that is
Going to contradict myself now
Lets say a scientific test was carried out and the ABC123 tune won. So off you go and get the tune installed Sods Law dictates that next day you will pull up to a set of lights your D3 will be full of fuel with the missus sat next to you holding a take away, kids and dogs in the back. Guaranteed a D3 will pull up next to you with the lesser 321CBA tune, the driver will be alone with 1/4 a tank of fuel and will kick your ass of the lights.
JMC glad you are enjoying your tune it is the way forward In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
2nd May 2007 10:38 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Point taken chap...but I'm sure you will understand that it's only natural to want to 'compare' things eh
....remember that time stood at the urina......
OK maybe you don't 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
2nd May 2007 11:01 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
I dropped a chip in Betsy tonight. It was a curly cheesy sort, with salt and pepper, and I'm sure she is faster now. 8)
2nd May 2007 11:19 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
I can only sum-up my own experience.
Still doesn't help as a comparator though does it ....what would really, really help those still making up their minds is an independent group test with benchmarking - 0to60, 30to50, 50to70, real BHP,Torque and MPG results, etc, etc.
...mmmm sounds gorgeous !!
