APR Free Trial

[shortshifter]

I've been thinking about getting my car chipped lately and before i do i want to get a trial from GIAC and APR. I don't want to start a chip war on which one is better- i want to decide for myself. I think $1k-1300 is a fair bit of money to drop on what is effectively 10min of work for the dealers so i think it's worth doing the trials.

I called up one place last week (not going to name names) and was told that if i wanted the APR 6 hour trial it would cost me $100- which would be deductible off the total amount if i decided to buy. I'm not sure if this is standard? I thought the point of a trial was being able to test the product?

I could be completely wrong and this could be standard practice so feel free to let me know if that's the case.

Cheers

[Transporter]

Hmm, nobody like to work for free.
Also, I'm not sure if to install the new file in your car's ECU is only 10 minutes work?

[zhifchik]

I'm in Canberra and the APR trial was free when I did it. They took an imprint of your credit card to charge tyhe full amound should you not come back to be returned to stock. I was happy with that. Would have tried the GIAC tuines as well but there was no local dealer and I had to drive to Sydney to try GIAC.

[shortshifter]

Hmm, nobody like to work for free.
Also, I'm not sure if to install the new file in your car's ECU is only 10 minutes work?

I was overstating with "10 min work" to state my point. I understand that there is a lot of R&D that goes into it. I thought the point of a trial of the product would mean being able to decide whether or not i wanted the product without being out of pocket if i decided i did not.

I'm more looking for what other people's experiences have been with it, if this is standard practice then i might just have to suck it up and fork out $100 to find out whether or not i prefer it to the GIAC tune.

Cheers for the response zhifchik That seems like a fair way of doing it. In doing that they'd then get feedback from people decided against purchasing the upgrade.

[noone]

I have not heard about chargng for a trial, maybe a means to weed out tyre kickers?

You have a few names to consider;
APR, GIAC, Custom Code, DNA, Viezu and others, they vary greatly in cost

Why go with one over another? That will have to come down to your research.

If you don't have any issues (like a boost leak, failing diverter, etc) you won't be leaving without the tune after trying it. Seriously, you might be the first for a chipped Polo, it's a pretty big power gain.

Maybe hit up someone in your area for a spin, I'm in Syd, have APR tune if you are interested.

Don't forget the trial with the stock intake will be a bit wheezy compared to upgrading to the PD160 intake section, really opens up the mid range torque. For the first little while there really isnt anything else you'll need, the lack of traction with the added torque may have you crawling around these threads looking for options on better andlng and traction.

Enjoy

[Ryan_R]

Volkspower loaded the APR trial for free (iirc the website says it's up to each dealer if they charge, but $100 seems a bit much). The trial lasts for 6 hours of ignition time (multiple starts allowed) before automatically switching back to stock the next time you start the car). I was back at the dealer within an hour to purchase the full version anyway.

[seangti]

As noone has said, don't forget that the tune will be best with suitable supporting mods, like upgrading the diverter valve, air intake and turbo intake pipe. The diverter valve id consider essential, the air intake and TIP are certainly nice to haves and optimise the tune. Do it once, do it right and won't need to worry about it again.

[Blitzen]

Never heard of APR charging for the 'Free' trial before!! That's a bit rich!!

[Ryan_R]

APR aren't charging, it's the workshop.

[h100vw]

APR aren't charging, it's the workshop.

It depends what your definition of 'is' is.


shortshifter, if you are looking to make up your mind, I'd wait until after the Polo dyno day up here in Brisbane early next month. You can see all the options in one go. No messing around, all transparent, no bull$hit. I am pretty sure there will be Polo's from all the brands, there. Certainly, a couple of Custom-Code ones and heaps of APRs.

FYI a Custom-Code free trial is only $699 installed and never runs out. Not just 6 hours!

Cheers

Gavin