If I took advantage of the REVO 5 hour trial - and I have been sorely tempted for some time - I would want a guarantee that at the end of it the ECU was returned to its completely original state. That would involve REVO in making a copy before installing their programme, and then reinstalling that copy once the trial is over. But from what I have read here and elsewhere that doesn't happen - so I for one won't be going the REVO route....:(

Originally posted by Loukas in this post

....:confused: ffelan,

I started to worry now.....

Have you any feedback for the actual Revo program (not the demo) for similar issues?

I decided to go with Revo because it's difficult to find here good professionals with in depth knowledge in VAG (recent 1.8T complexity of the Fly By Wire system).

Another solution is the ABT chip that is offered here for 1600 Euro:eek:

MTM chip similar price....:(

Loukas, Oettinger has a similar chip which costs "only" 1200 euro, with full factory warranty maintained (here in Holland at least). Might be interesting for you to inform with them - they will dispatch chips directly to other countries.

(1200 euro is still hugely overpriced, IMO, but fortunately for me my employer forked out. A slice of the price will go into the importer's warranty fund, the rest is just handsome profit for the dealer, importer and Oettinger...)

I have just had a long conversation with Kev at Revo...

Kev assures me that Revo has never and never will deliberately make an ecu revert to less than stock. He is very concerned at the issues raised by my car and is investigating it as we speak.

I have to say I am please that Revo have contacted me and are keen to make sure this is resolved. I look forward to hearing where it all went astray!

Kev (Revo Rep),

If demo version is the case here only why don't you fix it correctly and instruct your dealers to reflash back to customers their factory original program?

The option someone to reflash the demo again & again?

But you promise the "real one" adds more power, etc.

A happy customer with the demo will buy the full one if he is handled properly and honestly.

This way the customer trusts you (and your dealers).

I can image my car not being chipped for the next year...running the demo reverted (stock) program...(if ffelan is right the propability of a damage to the car is increased..dramatically?)

Anyway that's your policy but i think potensial customers has to know this...

ffelan,

If you think that others have to know more details i would be happy to read your post ( I will repost it in other local forums also)

I wonder if the Revo drop in BHP after their 5 hour demo would be a deliberate act so that your car feels 'even slower' without their software than it did before, thus making you think after the software has expired that it made an even bigger difference. Am I always this synical? Pretty much.

Damo

P.S. This is just MHO of course.

Wow ...the issue ring some bells there eee...

(I helped a little..)

Dutch4x4,

Oettinger has dealer here also. More than 1200..:(

In case of abroad delivery there is a cost for opening & soldering the new Eproms in addition.

Thanks anyway (i bought the Revo now)

Time will tell if i choosen right...

I personally like the Revo flash way of chipping.....

Originally posted by dab in this post

I wonder if the Revo drop in BHP after their 5 hour demo would be a deliberate act so that your car feels 'even slower' without their software than it did before, thus making you think after the software has expired that it made an even bigger difference. Am I always this synical? Pretty much.

Damo

P.S. This is just MHO of course.

I was thinking the same thing. Will be interesting to see the outcome of this as I have considered Revos software upgrade.

/ Christian

Guys, im not questioning the integrity of the full product.. ive only has issues with the demo...

Originally posted by Loukas in this post

Oettinger has dealer here also. More than 1200..:(

Ouch! I thought that Greece was cheaper with just about everything...

(I remember the Bosch MAF sensor for the Impreza GTT being nine times cheaper in Greece than over here. Was worth the import!)

For VAG group chipping almost everybody (custom also) have similar prices (+1000Euro) with 1400-1500 most of them.

It seems that VAG owners are rich people....:eek:

(or this goes back to the Audi status?? that now is part of the VAG).

In some parts you may be right for the price...i'don't know exactly.

Ouch! I thought that Greece was cheaper with just about everything...

Blame the Euro currency for that...

Chip prices in Sweden ranges from 500Euros up to aprox 1000Euros for Revo who are among the most expensive. I think ABT are the most expensive at 1400Euros for just a chip:rolleyes:

/ Christian

I currently run revo 4bar software with the sps1-tool, when I switch between the programs I can't say I've noticed any difference between the "revo-stock" and the real "stock" program.

But it will be interesting to see what Kev or any other revo-expert could fill in the gap with more technical information on what to expect in the future with the 1.8T vRS engine.

Is it going to be affected in any way by choosing the 4bar fpr software in the long run?

Is the trial software not that good, maybe it needs to be looked at with more testruns?

I don't know, please fill us in!!

Cheers,

FD

RevoKev,

any news on why these strange things occured?

im sure we would all be keen to know the problem has been rectified!

We have been looking into some of these 'stories' of trial code reverting to something other than 'stock'.

Our code obvoiusly leaves a flag in the system so as not to allow the trial to be abused, the only people with software to recognise this flag are our own dealers.

Alot of things are being said by our competitors to disuade customers having Revo software put on their cars, some tuners are also using this as an excuse as to why they cannot tune certain later type ECU's.

Some of the people these rumours have stemmed from are trying to gain an insight into how our product works, and have in the past approached us trying to buy methods and knowledge from ourselves. We don't want to give away our IP and 'dirty' methods are being used to try and get information out of us.

Kev, im not sure if that answer's the situation with mine? were you able to establish dealer errror or was it something deeper?

Vey interesting....im having my ECU reflashed after the doppelganger of the SEAT code has been found all over MY! software

Not happy to find out the ECU is running REVO's version of my original coding

Surely, as the REVO code clearly doesnt revert back to VAG original code, just a version of the original, could REVO comment as to whether or not they are breaking trading standards by advertising it does.

Steve

I am very interested to read these problem's -- if the REVO map does NOT revert to absolute standard - or indeed if it leaves "a flag" -- it most definately is possible to detect this -- and in the case of a car under warranty may cause huges problems relating to voiding of warranty.

I think REVO need to be very carefull with this -- I don't know if REVO are aware of the method used to see if a car has been remapped / chipped - but I can't see ANY way around the safety net that is used in the VAG group.

I think untill such time as REVO give a very straight forward response anyone considering this would be well advised to steer well clear.

I have no personnel experience of REVO or their porducts - and wish them no harm,but I have to say that I am suspicous of their methods -- at least with a chip change ala Jabba - you can revert to absolute stock by refitting original chip.

To say that they leave a flag to avoid repeated "DEMO" is rubbish -- all it takes is a simple database that has to be checked prior to upload -- there is absolutly no reason why they should change the "stock" code in any way shape of form -- especially without making this crystal clear before hand.

I can understand all of the people that want proof or an honest explenation of the demo code, is it the stock code or is it something similar to the stock code?

Anyway in my oppinion if you're not sure with testing the revo-demo or simply feel unsertain, do not do ANYTHING with your car until the warranty runs out.

I think that all those "chipping" solutions made by various tuners (jabba, revo, apr etc) are almost in the same region. It all comes down to what people really want to choose for their cars.

Some feel safe with Jabba others with Revo. I'm sure both are very helpfull in answering questions and so.

In a longterm partnership between customers and dealers, it's better to be honest or else it will result in loosing popularity and with that customers.

Cheers,

FD

well ive just have my ECU reflashed to the original code as opposed to the REVO standard.

two words

ITS BETTER!

Steve

Sorted your Dynatwist yet Steve?

Mine working well and sounds good although I might do some extra cold air plumbing from the front grill.

CheerS.

Adrian.

Well, all this talk of problems with "stock" programs after the trial has expired, not to mention the fact that someone who had problems after the trial (ffelan) seems to be STILL waiting for a clear explanation of what happened with his car, and carpboy having to get his car re-flashed back to a REAL standard can only lead me to one conclusion...

Revo (or their agents) won't be getting anywhere near my car, when it comes to re-map time i'll be calling Jabbasport.

Shame really, cos Revo was under serious consideration.

Not any more !

As for leaving "flags" in the system....naughty naughty :nono:

Adrian,

Will be putting the puppy back on now im back to stock again

Being doing more drivin this afternoon 75 miles....gentle tour through the kentish coutryside.

IMHO the car feels and performs better now, MPG is better and ive go that old kick you in the back of the seat feeling again. I will be off to JABBA for some real performance.

If anyone wants more reading. Have a look at the reported amount of ECU's being fried in the states. CLUB18T

Steve

Originally posted by carpboy in this post

If anyone wants more reading. Have a look at the reported amount of ECU's being fried in the states. CLUB18T

To be fair to Revo, the reports on Club18T seem to be a lot of "i heard from a friend of a friend" type stuff. There's also another thread where someone states a "fried" ECU was simply a failed download, which was fixed by a further re-flash.

However this does not change my opinion as posted earlier, i've seen how a Jabba'd car goes, and it looks damn good to me.

Add into this that Jabba take their time, AND dyno the car before & after, and their price looks even better

Having seen(& felt )the way that Jabba look after the cars & ECU's whilst in their care - plus the fact you have the safety net of going back to actual standard,they win hand's down.

I have always been suspicious of OBD flashing -- when we install new dashpod's -- we have to flash the mileage and immobiliser settings -- the number of blown pod's is no-ones business -- and at

OBD reflashing will be the way ALL tuners are uploading their programs in the next few years...IMHO

I have only heard of REVO failing a reflash, which simply means reflash it again... sometimes back to stock to 'start over' the process. Its happened a couple of times to me. No dead ECU's or anything, just takes a little longer.

A friend of mine works for Audi and he also says programming the dash pods is a 'mare of a job, but this is one time write tho is'nt it on milage? ECU programming is done differently in spare space on ecu's. 8MB flash on new ones too Woohooo......

regards

bill