I've had a noisey clutch release bearing for around 12 months and 25,000 miles now and I've finally relented and booked the car in to have a new clutch, DMF and bearing fitted. The garage that it's going to are a VAG specialist and whilst there they mentioned to me their custom remaps, because I'm having work done they offer them discounted to £169.99.

 

The guy seems very knowledgeable and explained how they write their maps. Essentially they write the map for the car in question, they don't use a generic map and just upload it to all cars. I also explained how I use the car and that super unleaded is not an option for me as I could be filling up anywhere in the country. The guy therefore explained that they could write a map around me using normal unleaded, but advised strongly to stay away from supermarket fuel which I'm happy to do. In terms of the map itself they write it conservatively rather than going for big power gains so he said I should expect around 235bhp  from a 2.0l petrol TSi engine.

 

Just wondered what people's thoughts on this kind of map would be?

 

Oh one other thing he mentioned was that they write their maps to try and stay in line with the normal power curve as well so that delivery is progressive rather than all low down etc.

Depends who they are, can you guarantee it will be a good map?

 

The beauty of the well know tuners is there is plenty of feedback about (both good and bad).

 

I have he’d both good and bad maps... not all are equal. 

I'd go off reputation and experience rather than claims and price..

This it I'm not sure how to define a 'good map'... I've had previous cars remapped but not this one.

 

How would you tell if it had been mapped badly?

 

From their facebook page they do a lot of custom maps and they are also a DTUK rep but for mine they said it would be one their own maps.

 

They've done the likes of Golf R's & Bentleys etc from what I can see.

Without it being on a dyne it is difficult, some VCDS logs would help if you know what to look for.

 

Otherwise it’s a case of driving it, is it smooth, does it smoke etc. 

More information needed. The whole custom vs 'generic' mapping issue does make me smile....

Fifth Gear did a test on supermarket fuel v the expensive stuff. The result was no difference in performance but a big increase in price. No surprise there then.

Becomes more of an issue when you have a turbo petrol car, with a revised engine map designed to run on at least 97RON.

I did mention the whole super unleaded thing. I can be filling up anywhere in the country so searching out super is a non starter. The guy told me they could map it accordingly based on normal unleaded but they did recommend steering clear of supermarket juice. I don't go for the whole super vs normal thing either but I can see the supermarkets getting the crap.

I'm going to go for it I think, if it smokes it's coming straight off and similarly if it's not smooth. I'm also telling them to be conservative with it, I don't want high power, 230 - 235 bhp would be nice

I did mention the whole super unleaded thing. I can be filling up anywhere in the country so searching out super is a non starter. The guy told me they could map it accordingly based on normal unleaded but they did recommend steering clear of supermarket juice. I don't go for the whole super vs normal thing either but I can see the supermarkets getting the crap.

I'm going to go for it I think, if it smokes it's coming straight off and similarly if it's not smooth. I'm also telling them to be conservative with it, I don't want high power, 230 - 235 bhp would be nice

You are correct about supermarket fuel they always get the cheapest fuel from the refinery ,ie vapour recovery fuel,and they dont have the same additives added to it either so it makes the fuel cheaper, diesel is the worst from the supermarkets thats why so many people get clogged egrs etc due to poor additive qaulity = dirty engine , 

Fifth Gear did a test on supermarket fuel v the expensive stuff. The result was no difference in performance but a big increase in price. No surprise there then.

The fuel is pretty much the same so performance is the same, its more to do with the additives they put in at the refinery supermarkets always get the cheapest possible fuel so will give u a dirty engine .  

Is there any proof to these claims of supermarket fuel being naff as I've heard it mentioned loads but never seen any supporting evidence

My PD diesel Scout with DPF has been ostensibly run on supermarket diesel for 146k miles with no noticeable ill effects. Still on original turbo, DMF, DPF and EGR, all still in perfect working order.

Back on topic then, is my car going to explode or can I trust a custom mapper

It's a reputable garage, VAG specialist and they have a relationship with DTUK as well (although mine won't be having one of their boxes). If they are mapping it conservatively and sticking to the standard power curve what could go wrong?

Also, what will I need to do to 'break' this new clutch/DMF in? Is there a running in period, barring obviously not doing F1 style starts!