Anyone installed one? I'm trying to find out if the vrs tsi maps are on the device initially as I don't have access to a windows laptop or PC to install software on and looks like on some cars you have to get your map from their servers. Super chips haven't responded to me yet, hence the question.

Also, if anyone knows if any other remote self installation remap vendors, I'm all ears (don't have the time to drive miles and leave a car for the work, just want a simple plug and play solution)

Edited 9 September, 20169 yr by Mallettsmallett

Bluefin is an excellent product - used previously on a BMW 530d and the results were great.

Also used a company called Shark Perfomance on my Octy Mk2 FL TSI - they have a unit called STS which is essentially the same thing as Bluefin. Again great product, and the customer service is top notch.

Just had a look at shark and unless they offer something quantifiably different, they're a lot more expensive (nearly 250 more)

Any idea why? Sts looks the same to bluefin.

Just had a look at shark and unless they offer something quantifiably different, they're a lot more expensive (nearly 250 more)

Any idea why? Sts looks the same to bluefin.

I've tried both companies, and quite honestly can't see any real differences between the two in terms of quality of the product...it would therefore have to come down to price.

I don't think you'll be disappointed whichever one you choose!

Pretty sure Shark offer a 'bespoke' map through STS, developed for each individual car and depending on whether you want outright power, or torque/economy/stage 2 or 3 etc, whereas Bluefin is a more 'generic' map for the particular engine type.

 

You upload your existing map to the Bluefin server, they then copy that on to the handheld unit, along with a new map which you can then upload to the car. You can switch between the two within minutes. I used a Bluefin years ago on a MK2 CR170 vRS, the gains on a dyno between the two maps were less than impressive tbh. Have used Shark on the same car, with a DPF delete and would definitely recommend them.

 

DTUK box is also worth looking at though, for ease of use & removal when required. :yes:

Pretty sure Shark offer a 'bespoke' map through STS, developed for each individual car and depending on whether you want outright power, or torque/economy/stage 2 or 3 etc, whereas Bluefin is a more 'generic' map for the particular engine type.

You upload your existing map to the Bluefin server, they then copy that on to the handheld unit, along with a new map which you can then upload to the car. You can switch between the two within minutes. I used a Bluefin years ago on a MK2 CR170 vRS, the gains on a dyno between the two maps were less than impressive tbh. Have used Shark on the same car, with a DPF delete and would definitely recommend them.

DTUK box is also worth looking at though, for ease of use & removal when required. :yes:

Yeah good point - I'm using DTUK on my current car and again it's very good.

I have seen the Bluefin device used on a Fiesta ST. Owner needed to use Bluefin PC sotware to upload his current map and download the performance map. From memory the process was:-

#1 Install BF SW on PC

#2 Connect BF to car. BF will download current map from car.

#3 Connect BF to PC. SW will upload old map to Superchips. Some minutes later you will be able to download new map to BF

#4 Reconnect BF to car so that it can upload new map.

#5 You can then swap between BF and original maps whenever you like.

 

On the ST the difference was very noticeable. I am not brave enough to do it on my VRS, but please be a guinea-pig and let us know how it performs. Good luck.

I can't be arsed with jacking a car up to install anything. I'll pay for convenience and reliability any day, I'm not bothered paying for something that is quantifiably better. Also, super chips offer a limited 12 month warranty and I'm still in the warranty period with Skoda, and although I don't have a lead right foot, I'd like peace of mind.

I'd rather sit in my car with a coffee than muck about getting sensors unplugged under the car.

What I need to know, is that, looking at the bluefin guide, in some cases, and not all, you do need to connect to superchips to download a map. This is not always the case, and it appears the unit will have the correct map on in some cases. As I'd have to borrow a laptop to do this, I'd like to know beforehand (also would like to know if the duration between backing up your software to the device, then having to connect to superchips via the laptop software and wait for the updated file to be emailed to you, whether the car can be driven (it can take up to 8 hours to get the file back and this only seems to be Monday to Friday)

I'll probably give them a call.

I can't be arsed with jacking a car up to install anything. I'll pay for convenience and reliability any day, I'm not bothered paying for something that is quantifiably better. Also, super chips offer a limited 12 month warranty and I'm still in the warranty period with Skoda, and although I don't have a lead right foot, I'd like peace of mind.

I'd rather sit in my car with a coffee than muck about getting sensors unplugged under the car.

What I need to know, is that, looking at the bluefin guide, in some cases, and not all, you do need to connect to superchips to download a map. This is not always the case, and it appears the unit will have the correct map on in some cases. As I'd have to borrow a laptop to do this, I'd like to know beforehand (also would like to know if the duration between backing up your software to the device, then having to connect to superchips via the laptop software and wait for the updated file to be emailed to you, whether the car can be driven (it can take up to 8 hours to get the file back and this only seems to be Monday to Friday)

I'll probably give them a call.

 

Ah - the TDI install for the DTUK box is simpler than the TSI, I had forgotten that - no need to get underneath for the TDI  

 

Give them a call - I thought you needed to send them the original map initially, rather than any map being pre-loaded, but I may be wrong. Regarding driving it meantime, I can't remember, but I *think* it simply copies the map, rather than removing it, so in that case the car should be fine to drive, but again, give 'em a shout.  

I can't be arsed with jacking a car up to install anything. I'll pay for convenience and reliability any day, I'm not bothered paying for something that is quantifiably better. Also, super chips offer a limited 12 month warranty and I'm still in the warranty period with Skoda, and although I don't have a lead right foot, I'd like peace of mind.

I'd rather sit in my car with a coffee than muck about getting sensors unplugged under the car.

What I need to know, is that, looking at the bluefin guide, in some cases, and not all, you do need to connect to superchips to download a map. This is not always the case, and it appears the unit will have the correct map on in some cases. As I'd have to borrow a laptop to do this, I'd like to know beforehand (also would like to know if the duration between backing up your software to the device, then having to connect to superchips via the laptop software and wait for the updated file to be emailed to you, whether the car can be driven (it can take up to 8 hours to get the file back and this only seems to be Monday to Friday)

I'll probably give them a call.

 

The Superchips limited warranty only does 12mths/£10K/30Kmiles and AFAIK you WILL get a TD1 flag next time it is plugged into a dealer. Depends how much Skoda warranty you have left I guess

 

Not what I would be doing if I wanted peace of mind though

Installing a map doesn't invalidate an entire warranty.

Installing a map doesn't invalidate an entire warranty.

 

Correct, but I never said it does, however if you have a TD1 flag I reckon Skoda would be able to wiggle out of a fair few things given their behaviour with actual valid failures. It also pretty much kills any post warranty goodwill work you may get after.

 

The Superchips warranty is better than nothing but you are going to be taking some more risk in a car that has more than 12 months warranty left. TD1 flags are difficult, if not impossible to circumvent if you play with the map, and they don't go away.

 

I'm not saying its a good or bad thing either way, just important people do things like this with their eyes open.

Indeed. I am cautious but given I rarely give it beans anyway I think it's a reasonable risk given my driving style and mechanically sympathetic attitude

I have a bluefin installed on mine and its great

Paul, did you have to download a map from superchips and have you had any downsides so far?