Golf Girls 103TDI Build

[3R Technik]

Welcome....So a cruise to the mount is in order then...lol

[tigger73]

Ah sneaky. Well I'm safe knowing not many people can figure out what you did lol.

Yes it's a bit sad really

I don't know anyone down in this area that has VCDS or VAG-COM. If I could afford it I'd think about investing in the software myself as most people seem to be 500km away from me.

If you get yourself organised I can bring my cable with me when I'm down in a couple of weeks (I usually have it with me in the car anyway - just in case). If there's any little bits of coding you need we can do it then.

I think I know who you are talking about. Do you know anyone that he's done work for?

Yes me . I'm not sure what the dealer service is like in Mt Gambier, however in Adelaide you're more than likely paying $200/hr to have the apprentice work on your car.

I rather have a 30 year experience mechanic who cares about his work/knows VWs inside out doing the work.

Plus when your vehicle is tuned it will get flagged at the dealer whereas with the independent it won't. You'll still need to go to the dealer for any warranty work, however for the standard servicing a lot of people with tuned cars steer clear of the dealers for that reason.

Transporter can also do autologic tunes if you're interested but sounds like you're already heading down a path (at least it's an option that doesn't require travelling). Other option you have for diesel tuning is to remove your ECU and send it off to get flashed. I think DNA Tuning in Melbourne have done quite a few diesels also.

However nothing beats local support when you have issues with a tune so if you're happy with the guys you're dealing with I'd keep going down the path you're on.

I really like the idea of the door warning lights. And the interior lights sounds nice and easy. I have planned to change the window buttons but it's not cheap if I keep with my OEM plan.
Of course if I wanted to stop complaining about money I probably shouldn't have bought a VW.

Not sure where you're getting parts from but one place for a lot of these bits is bold-sport. There's quite a few people that have used these guys for parts (including myself). They're not necessarily the absolute cheapest but service and quality are good and they ship out pretty quick. Happy shopping!!!

[Golf Girl]

Yes it's a bit sad really

Of course you did just explain it on a forum for all to read lol. So perhaps not so secret now.

If you get yourself organised I can bring my cable with me when I'm down in a couple of weeks (I usually have it with me in the car anyway - just in case). If there's any little bits of coding you need we can do it then.

That sounds great. Would you be able to code the rear badge camera? Could it be installed before hand and not coded and not have any troubles until it was coded? Hmm may have to consider blowing the budget and get those R tail lights. Better crunch some numbers (and see if Matt can put up with me complaining about spending lots of money ) My local service centre was willing to have a go installing the RVC and keeping the price the same as Transporter, no real experience in this but it meant no traveling fees.

Yes me . I'm not sure what the dealer service is like in Mt Gambier, however in Adelaide you're more than likely paying $200/hr to have the apprentice work on your car.

The local service centre is pretty good. Never had any troubles with them, and they always serviced my Getz too.
They installed my RNS510 for me for $120.

Plus when your vehicle is tuned it will get flagged at the dealer whereas with the independent it won't. You'll still need to go to the dealer for any warranty work, however for the standard servicing a lot of people with tuned cars steer clear of the dealers for that reason.

Then why have I read on many forums and been told that they tune is undetectable?

However nothing beats local support when you have issues with a tune so if you're happy with the guys you're dealing with I'd keep going down the path you're on.

Yep I'm pretty happy with them. Get a good feel, and he's local which means a lot to me.

I've heard of bold-sport. It looks like really nice stuff.

[AdamD]

That sounds great. Would you be able to code the rear badge camera? Could it be installed before hand and not coded and not have any troubles until it was coded? Hmm may have to consider blowing the budget and get those R tail lights. Better crunch some numbers (and see if Matt can put up with me complaining about spending lots of money ) My local service centre was willing to have a go installing the RVC and keeping the price the same as Transporter, no real experience in this but it meant no traveling fees.

You can have the camera and the tails physically installed but not coded, and although the camera won't work, the tails will and the car will be A-OK to drive.

The RVC coding tells the RNS and CECM that the camera is installed; without it, the camera simply won't be displayed (although I believe the mechanism itself should still operate - ie pop out - when reversing; that is driven by the physical connections rather than software codes IIRC).

The tails coding is just telling the CECM that LEDs are fitted; LEDs draw less current than regular incandescent bulbs and so if the module hasn't been coded, it will throw a bulb-out warning on the dash because the low current draw from the LEDs looks to the module like a blown regular bulb.

When it comes to installation of these things, a dealer who's happy to help is great, but just make sure they're also careful, and don't just throw an apprentice at the job. Instructions for them to follow are essential, and because of the trim to be removed for the RVC install, they'll need to be careful not to scratch parts or do a ham-fisted job. So care and quality are key. If you've got a good relationship with your service manager and are confident that they'll treat your car with respect (as you tend to find more often in regional dealerships), then your local should be fine, as long as you ply them with good instructions.

Then why have I read on many forums and been told that they tune is undetectable?

A few years back, some tunes were undetectable: they could be concealed from the dealer by being deactivated/switched, and locked out. (APR offers this functionality on some of their tunes - you can switch back to the stock tune, and lock out the switch functionality with a code so it's hidden to an end-user.) However, the VW systems have since become a lot smarter, and they now have the capability to detect if the software installed on your ECU has been modified/replaced. When the dealer plugs the car into their VAS computer (which may not happen at every service, but usually does), VAS establishes a connection between the car and the VW systems back in Germany. It will often look at the checksum of the software running on the ECU (think of that as the fingerprint of the software), and if it differs to what they're expecting, the car will be flagged by VW as "TD1" - which means that the car has been modified. The checksum cannot be spoofed/faked/concealed with current technology, so you should consider any aftermarket tune to be discoverable.

A tune may make warranty claims difficult for certain types of failure related to the engine/drivetrain. Although under Australian law VW are required to demonstrate that any modification you have made has caused or contributed to a failure before denying a warranty claim, in practise it would be very difficult to contest any decision they'd make, so just be aware of this. I'm not saying don't tune - tunes are fantastic - but go into it with an understanding that there is the possibility of consequences, and if that's unacceptable to you, then perhaps you should wait until the car is out of warranty.

Of course when Damien (Tigger73) comes by and you get a ride in his stage 2+ Tiguan, there's just no way you'll ever want to put off tuning.

[Golf Girl]

Welcome....So a cruise to the mount is in order then...lol

Its a long way to drive for a meet but its a long drive you get to have in your super nice VW's.

I moved recently and my travel time to work increased from 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
While the time on the road means earlier starts and later finishes I do enjoy ever minute I spend in the car.

[tigger73]

Of course when Damien (Tigger73) comes by and you get a ride in his stage 2+ Tiguan, there's just no way you'll ever want to put off tuning.

Joy rides are free. LC runs are extra


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Golf Girl]

You can have the camera and the tails physically installed but not coded, and although the camera won't work, the tails will and the car will be A-OK to drive.

That is fantastic. Now just have to talk to Matt about whether to get it installed locally and have Tigger (and of course will be offered something for his help) or just wait and have MRL do it and not bother Tigger. My local service centre might not have the experience but if anything goes wrong they'll have to cover it. MRL has the experience but was vague on the price and may add traveling charges.

Instructions for them to follow are essential, and because of the trim to be removed for the RVC install, they'll need to be careful not to scratch parts or do a ham-fisted job. So care and quality are key. If you've got a good relationship with your service manager and are confident that they'll treat your car with respect (as you tend to find more often in regional dealerships), then your local should be fine, as long as you ply them with good instructions.

A good point about instructions. I had them do the RNS510 install and instead of putting the gps box behind the RNS as some very good instructions on forums suggested it was placed on top of the front dash. My dash mat hides most of it but the wire is still visible. The probably just followed VW official install instructions.

The checksum cannot be spoofed/faked/concealed with current technology, so you should consider any aftermarket tune to be discoverable.

Possibility of consequences, and if that's unacceptable to you, then perhaps you should wait until the car is out of warranty.

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****.
Will they be pissed off that I've put a tune on? On a service will any updates put the tune back to stock?

I've got just under a year left on my warranty I think. Hard to be sure because it was ex demo the warranty started when the dealership registered the car, not when I bought it. I'm usually a cautious person and hold warranty as something very important. But its getting in the way of everything I want to do.

I had planned on waiting until after the warranty had run out before getting a tune but this offer fell into our lap and to delay it that length of time would pobably void the offer.

Either way there is a risk. Aaaaahhhh now I have doubts Perhaps its because I keep reading that people are all selling their VW before the warranty runs out as they don't believe VW is reliable anymore.

Of course when Damien (Tigger73) comes by and you get a ride in his stage 2+ Tiguan, there's just no way you'll ever want to put off tuning.

Oh I know I'd love the tune. I didn't know I was a hoon until I went from my Hyundi Getz to the Golf. Golf has power! And I'm already loving the DSG tune. Give it another year after the tune and I'll probably be eager for a stage 2 lol. Want to turn my TDI into a GTD.

LC runs?

[Dutch77]

Either way there is a risk. Aaaaahhhh now I have doubts Perhaps its because I keep reading that people are all selling their VW before the warranty runs out as they don't believe VW is reliable anymore.

..

LC runs?

The majority of VWs have no issues at all. This is particularly the case for the diesel/DQ250 DSG combination in your vehicle. Tigger and Adam will no doubt repeat this. If the tune is inevitable, than roll with it now and enjoy it.

LC = launch control.

Oh, and a belated welcome.

[tigger73]

That is fantastic. Now just have to talk to Matt about whether to get it installed locally and have Tigger (and of course will be offered something for his help) or just wait and have MRL do it and not bother Tigger. My local service centre might not have the experience but if anything goes wrong they'll have to cover it. MRL has the experience but was vague on the price and may add traveling charges.

Honestly it takes longer to unpack/boot up the laptop than it does to change the setting. But if you're getting MRL to do service work and/or other work of course he could do it too.

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****.
Will they be pissed off that I've put a tune on? On a service will any updates put the tune back to stock?

I've got just under a year left on my warranty I think. Hard to be sure because it was ex demo the warranty started when the dealership registered the car, not when I bought it. I'm usually a cautious person and hold warranty as something very important. But its getting in the way of everything I want to do.

I had planned on waiting until after the warranty had run out before getting a tune but this offer fell into our lap and to delay it that length of time would pobably void the offer.

Either way there is a risk. Aaaaahhhh now I have doubts Perhaps its because I keep reading that people are all selling their VW before the warranty runs out as they don't believe VW is reliable anymore.

The old dilemma of if/when to tune. Basically this is the way I see it:

1) You change your cars over often and definitely prior to warranty expiring/60k major service and/or before the tyres/brakes wear out. You can probably afford to fix the car should you break it. Go for it!!!!

2) You keep your car 3-5 years and change it over reasonably regularly and you want to tune it then you're probably best off tuning it relatively early in it's life and enjoying it for the maximum amount of time. If you wait until your warranty is over then you'll only have the tune on for a (relatively) short time. If something breaks you'll be up for the repairs anyway... so you may as well have put the tune on earlier and enjoy it for longer

3) If you plan to keep the car longer term (10 years/200,000km) then for sure you can wait until the warranty expires. You'll still have quite a few years of enjoyment/value out of the tune and it will probably prolong the life of the car by not tuning it too early in it's life. If you're planning on keeping it long term I'd definitely recommend minor service intervals (oil/filter change every 7,500km) and you'll still be up for the repair bill should you break it

The GTD runs the same 6 speed DSG that's in your car (so do Golf R and GTI) so I wouldn't be too worried about tuning it up to GTD levels of power/torque as it will certainly be within the limits of the transmission to cope with.

Oh I know I'd love the tune. I didn't know I was a hoon until I went from my Hyundi Getz to the Golf. Golf has power! And I'm already loving the DSG tune. Give it another year after the tune and I'll probably be eager for a stage 2 lol. Want to turn my TDI into a GTD.

You can never have enough power... and the torque from the diesel engines is certainly enjoyable.

The diesels are less tuneable as they have restrictive exhausts (DPF) to catch all the soot. Unfortunately it's not legal to remove these so stage 1 is about where it's at for diesels. Though you can still get some nice power gains and some tasty amounts of torque too.

I would be more concerned about going with a tried and trusted tuning company.... or one that will back their tunes should anything untoward happen to your engine (touch wood). 99% of people that get their cars tuned don't have a problem. It's the 1% of cases when things don't go as planned and how the tuning company handles it that can make all the difference.

LC runs?

Launch Control is only available in the Golf GTD, GTI, R and Tiguan . Just in case you need to get home from the shops in a hurry and you're lined up next to another car at the traffic lights. Has to be done once in your life, though will probably void your warranty too....

[Golf Girl]

Honestly it takes longer to unpack/boot up the laptop than it does to change the setting. But if you're getting MRL to do service work and/or other work of course he could do it too.

Well I guess its back to hitting the phone for some quotes.

The old dilemma of if/when to tune. Basically this is the way I see it:

1) You change your cars over often and definitely prior to warranty expiring/60k major service and/or before the tyres/brakes wear out. You can probably afford to fix the car should you break it. Go for it!!!!

2) You keep your car 3-5 years and change it over reasonably regularly and you want to tune it then you're probably best off tuning it relatively early in it's life and enjoying it for the maximum amount of time. If you wait until your warranty is over then you'll only have the tune on for a (relatively) short time. If something breaks you'll be up for the repairs anyway... so you may as well have put the tune on earlier and enjoy it for longer

3) If you plan to keep the car longer term (10 years/200,000km) then for sure you can wait until the warranty expires. You'll still have quite a few years of enjoyment/value out of the tune and it will probably prolong the life of the car by not tuning it too early in it's life. If you're planning on keeping it long term I'd definitely recommend minor service intervals (oil/filter change every 7,500km) and you'll still be up for the repair bill should you break it

Hm. Well 1. is unlikely. We live on one wage and I can't afford spend that sort of money each time in such a short period.

2. is the most likely based on my history with the Getz. I had claimed I would keep it until I ran it into the ground but it had some issues that bothered me so I had it for about 6 years.

3. I what I like to think I'll do after putting so much effort, love and $ into the car.

Calling it a GTD is a little joke Matt and I have.

The torque is impressive and I love it.

The diesels are less tuneable as they have restrictive exhausts (DPF) to catch all the soot. Unfortunately it's not legal to remove these so stage 1 is about where it's at for diesels.

Yes... not legal...

I would be more concerned about going with a tried and trusted tuning company.... or one that will back their tunes should anything untoward happen to your engine (touch wood). 99% of people that get their cars tuned don't have a problem. It's the 1% of cases when things don't go as planned and how the tuning company handles it that can make all the difference.

I feel pretty good about who we are using. The local factor and their generous offer made it an offer I couldn't refuse.
Looks like it will be scheduled in for some time this week.

Launch Control is only available in the Golf GTD, GTI, R and Tiguan . Just in case you need to get home from the shops in a hurry and you're lined up next to another car at the traffic lights. Has to be done once in your life, though will probably void your warranty too....

Well my golf isn't a GTD so no launch control for me. But I do like putting it into sport mode now at a set of lights. Which is as close as I'll get.

You'll have to show me the real deal.