Well, it's that time of year again and i'm hoping he will sail through with flying colours but seeing that it's being serviced at Hartwells (i bought the service plan when I got the car) I have my doubts. I have a few questions that maybe some of you can answer... I have a lifelong K&N panel filter in the airbox and a strut brace running over the airbox. Naturally, i don't want to have the K&N filter changed for a stock item. I have the old air filter so I could change it. Should I bother taking the strut brace off so that I can swap the air filters over and then have them change it or shall I just tell them that it's a lifelong filter and doesn't need to be changed, would save me having to take the strut brace off... Also, seeing that the car has been lowered on coilovers and had a remap since the last service should I expect any complications? Should I tell them at HArtwells not to flash the ECU?

Any advice is welcome.

-Duggie.

The way you are talking, it sounds like you are going to get the service work done before the MOT, so I assume that its just due a service as they will not want to "over service" it if you've paid up front when you bought the car. Filter element, well if you don't truthfully trust them fully, then can you trust them to listen to what is being said when you hand the car in? The workshop will probably get passed the car "for a BIG/small service" and if their are being honest it will be serviced with that criterion in mind. I'm sure most main dealers workshops are geared up to do the "usual" services and would get annoyed/charge more if the brace needed removing to gain access to the air filter element - this might work in your favour - but I would play safe if I were you.

As for losing your map - I can't comment, but I'd doubt if they would do something like upgrading software unless pushed, especially as you've paid for this upfront.

they should see its a KnN and not change it, but always worth mentioning it,

if they read your ecu and clear any codes or reset your service trip if shouldnt effect your recent remap, just be up front with them,