We're about to take ownership of a friend's pampered, low mileage 2007 Octy Scout tdi140 primarily for carting the mutt and a caravan around and I'd like a bit more go and stop (purely for safety's sake, of course!) whilst improving the mpg if possible. What successful (and preferably truthful) lines have you used to convince a sceptical other half  that it's a good thing?  And what recommendations can you make for each department?

Cheers.

Iz. 

39 minutes ago, tintinandcharlie said:

What successful (and preferably truthful) lines have you used to convince a sceptical other half  that it's a good thing?  And what recommendations can you make for each department?

Cheers.

Iz. 

 

Hehe, good luck. My recommendation is stick with what you've got and enjoy a good peaceful relationship.

 

Tdi140 has plenty enough of low down torque, remapping won't make a significant difference at that end, it may make it smokier and potentially more MOT fail prone? If its a DSG, more torque is definitely  bad.

 

More mpg, asking for your cake and eating it. The computer may convince you it does, but its probably lying as most mods don't alter the default assumptions the fuel calc relies on. Placebo.

 

More stop, don't see the point unless you're a rally driver. Just make sure the brakes have been properly maintained (they probably have not), strip, clean, grease, reassemble, with new discs and pads if necessary. Presumably your caravan has brakes too, make sure they are serviced and adjusted correctly.

 

 

Upgrading the front brakes to VRS 312mm rotors is an easy mod, just need the bigger rotors and carriers, pads and caliper are the same as original scout fit.

Thank you for those tips.

Are there any easy software setting changes that can be made to gain extra functions? It's an ex dealer demo car so has a full house on all the hardware. Not sure what has been 'activated ' though....

With VCDS you can do one or two small things, I have enabled dual rear fog lights, front fogs as DRL at reduced brightness, front fog lights as night time turning lights, front and rear tear drop wipes, rear lights on with DRL's, selective unlocking and alarm chirps, adjust how often the headlight washers operate.

I believe you can also change the steering weight which I thinks is the only possible performance upgrade but I might be wrong.

I'd disagree with not getting a remap, a good one with no high torque peaks will not harm the car and should not produce more smoke if it is done correctly, it can actually lower emissions if also done correctly as they can burn more efficiently, I have remapped a lot of VAG cars in the older PD style and they have all benefited from increased power all through the rev range making overtaking easier and cruising more efficient, adjusting driving style can yield better mpg but to be honest the claims made by some remappers on fuel saving is rubbish, you don't remap a car to not explore the extra grunt.

 

A remap makes the car much more driveable as youhave power in all the range rather than just a big wad of it, makes it more progressive to drive.

 

A 140 can go to 170bhp and increased torque from around 240 to under 300lb ft of torque, the torque is what you need when towing.

 

As for the persuasion I tend to find my right foot planted with 'er indoors' in the passenger seat tends to snap the head back and any grumbles are gone as she gasps for breath lol ;-)

 

 

 

 

Addenton, how do I get access to vcds? Is it only available through a dealer or could I get hold of a licence for private use?

T2000, thanks for the encouragement.  I think I'd already decided to push for the remap on towing effectiveness grounds and I've sown the seed there.  Your comments confirmed my thoughts. Any recommendations on a remapping company ? I'm in Didcot.

And I don't suppose you know part numbers for the carriers and discs please?

Many thanks. 

Edited 22 October, 20187 yr by tintinandcharlie

3 hours ago, tintinandcharlie said:

Addenton, how do I get access to vcds? Is it only available through a dealer or could I get hold of a licence for private use?

http://www.ross-tech.com/distributors.php