Well I finally got what I've been thinking about for the past year which is a stage 1 Revo remap on my 2014 VRS 220. It was carried out by VAS Motion in Guildford (I think another member has also used them) and Gavin is a top bloke and knows his stuff and you can tell is enthusiastic about what he does. I have used them for years on my Passat, A4 and Ibiza before the VRS. 

 

I talked it through with Gavin and given the mileage (89k) we opted for a sensible low initial boost map. So it still reaches the 300+ hp but less strain on the clutch as delivery is at higher rmp. To be honest I had no idea about this option when I was shopping around and very useful to know that Revo dealers can adjust the maps for various boosts. It allows me to replace the clutch (if and when it goes) with a stock one as I understand the uprated one is very heavy and not great for day to day driving. 

 

I've taken it out just for a 30 min drive and first impressions are very happy with the result. It's tricky as I have been wanting a remap for years even before the VRS since I had my 1.9 tai 130 ibiza and have read a lot (I mean a lot) of forum posts of people's first impressions. So I built up such a large expectation!

 

The power is incredible and it easily wheel spins in 2nd on hot sticky tarmac and tyres (given today's temp), it can also spin in 3rd if it hasn't settled down properly and then 4th and the rest of the gears it just pulls ferociously until you have to back off. So the power is much more than enough, its an animal. The delivery however is more sensible than I have read from lots of reviews. It's noticeably better but not jaw dropping which I don't mind (and could also be attributed to the low initial boost map chosen). 

 

I am absolutely chuffed to have it and I think well worth (£718!) it. Would I go for stage 2? I don't know how annoying the wheel spin will start to get as I think this is big turnoff for me getting any more power. 

 

Would I recommend it? Yes. 

58 minutes ago, briskoda1 said:

  I am absolutely chuffed to have it and I think well worth (£718!) it. 

 

Seems expensive - previous remaps I've had were more around £300 mark.

 

58 minutes ago, briskoda1 said:

 

I talked it through with Gavin and given the mileage (89k) we opted for a sensible low initial boost map. So it still reaches the 300+ hp but less strain on the clutch as delivery is at higher rmp. To be honest I had no idea about this option when I was shopping around and very useful to know that Revo dealers can adjust the maps for various boosts. It allows me to replace the clutch (if and when it goes) with a stock one as I understand the uprated one is very heavy and not great for day to day driving.

 

Interesting to hear they can tailor it.

 

I am a new-ish owner of a pre-fl 230 and while the stock power is plenty for me (I don't think I'd want any more top-end) it really feels lacking in a bit of aggression when it comes to throttle response & low down grunt.  It's made worse because 2nd is such a long gear so it's easy to drop out of the power.  Was wondering if a "mild" remap would be possible.

£718 seems mighty expensive!! Does that come with the pedal box and app to change the drive modes? 

7 minutes ago, JamiePvrs said:

£718 seems mighty expensive!! Does that come with the pedal box and app to change the drive modes? 

 

Why is it so expensive? You get what you pay for.  It’s relatively cheap considering the increase in torque and power and transforms the car. No pedal box etc needed, just mash the pedal and you’re gone.... once the wheels stop spinning..😁

£718 seems abit steep. Do you get free map upgrades? I only paid £550 for a racingline oem+ map with free map upgrades and rolling road printout. 

Had to replace my clutch straight away though as its running more torque than it should, but a call to racingline HQ said it was all gud. Can recommend the Sachs performance clutch for when yours is shot.

I had a Revo Stage 1 on my 2015 220 DSG, for the same cost.  Dramatic and thoroughly enjoyable difference in performance 😎

 

As RB says, you get what you pay for.

 

Gaz

Did you at least get a before and after rolling road printout? 

Not that I'll do it anytime soon, as I can't justify two money pits, but would certainly look in the future for a Revo remap...  Partly due to the reputation and hours of service they've achieved and also because a place a few hundred yards from my work does them. 

 

One thing that works concern me is the economy though...  When driven normally,  say in eco mode, does it use much more fuel?

One big benefit of the vRS over many others is the economy when driven sensibly...  

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by Alex-W

Hah - a lot of comments on the price. I was surprised too, but its the price on Revo website (admittedly in Euros) https://www.onlyrevo.com/product-details/software/skoda/octavia-mk3-2013-/182/stage-1

 

It's £599 + VAT (£718). 

 

No rolling road before and after alas. But I do plan to take it to a local rolling road. It was one of the reasons I went for a reputable remap that I knew its not always possible getting before/after rolling road. 

 

I'll try to response to the others individually but please do ask anything else. I remember how helpful it was for me prior to getting remap being able to ask

32 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

One thing that works concern me is the economy though...  When driven normally,  say in eco mode, does it use much more fuel?

One big benefit of the vRS over many others is the economy when driven sensibly...  

 

Too early to tell but I'm keeping an eye on it just out of curiosity. I only ever use normal mode plus by other half does most of the mileage on it so should be able to see the difference pretty quickly. I would expect mpg not to change. 

Tbh, I'm not entirely convinced that eco/normal/sport make any difference if you're driving normally anyway.  I've had my best economy when in sport.

Be interesting to hear the difference if any.

 

Regarding the rolling road thing, there's a logic I buy into that if you are buying a tried and tested map you just don't need it.  After all, your car doesn't get a rolling road with the factory map.  

If it's custom or you have lots of mods, then yes, but if parameters are as per the map testing, it's surplus to requirements.

Much like a lot of software testing...  You test the software thoroughly and your test of the install is minimal

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by Alex-W

I'm all for a reputable dealer I just thought it was alot. £350-£400 is where I'd expect it to be but if the results are already proven it's hard to argue with! 

 

I hope it's good for you, i think I'm going to get a dtuk box for my tdi. Again for the same reason, proven results.

Definitely get dtuk box for tdi had it on my previous vrs was immense great fuel eco but better bhp very quick cant say the same for my 245 though p..s on fuel but very quick 

10 hours ago, Alex-W said:

.....One thing that works concern me is the economy though...  When driven normally,  say in eco mode, does it use much more fuel?

One big benefit of the vRS over many others is the economy when driven sensibly...  

There are loads of threads on this subject. Some do better. Mine was great well over  40 Mpg on long runs around the legal limit with some occasional fun. It depends on your driving style and if you are constantly stuck in urban traffic etc. 

8 hours ago, pkcskoda said:

Definitely get dtuk box for tdi had it on my previous vrs was immense great fuel eco but better bhp very quick cant say the same for my 245 though p..s on fuel but very quick 

I am sure the 245 Octy is quick, comparatively.  My Golf 245 is good but not as urgent as a Stage 1. I had a 15 reg white VRS climbing all over me recently and I thought 1. This bloke’s keen to get past 2. It’s probably mapped. 

15 hours ago, briskoda1 said:

I don't know how annoying the wheel spin will start to get...

Not sure if you have one fitted already, but would highly recommend a dogbone engine mount, such as those from 034 Motorsport or APR which should eliminate any wheel-hop you're currently experiencing with increase torque. Made my Shark (Racingline) Stage 1 immediately 100% more enjoyable.

I had a stage 1 Revo remap and I had a SPS2 map switcher on my 2003 Leon Cupra 20VT back in the day - basically mapped it to similar bhp levels but a bit less torque than the standard 245 vRS I have now. But It transformed my Leon, the map banged in max torque from around 1900revs and there was no point having them rev out with standard turbo/downpipe and intercooler so you just changed at 5-5.5k revs it made the 6 speed feel like it was short geared. So for normal real world driving it just had a massive shove from nothing and you just danced on the gearbox/clutch trying to keep revs in the range where it was on boost/power.. was great fun. It would if you were lead footed just spin the wheels in 1st way too easily was comical.. so basically you got the thing off the line as best as possible and into 2nd then it just went - car was way faster with traction off too and not holding it back.

This is a roundabout way of saying I wouldn't hesitate going back to Revo if my car wasn't PCH'd and I owned it, whatever they charge is more than worth it and they know their stuff.

 

BTW Dyno plots are for posing down the pub, car meets or forums.. the Mk1 butt dyno tells me all I need to know post remap lol

Edited 25 July, 20196 yr by Scotty72

2 minutes ago, Scotty72 said:

I had a stage 1 Revo remap and I had a SPS2 map switcher on my 2003 Leon Cupra 20VT back in the day - basically mapped it to similar bhp levels but a bit less torque than the standard 245 vRS I have now. But It transformed my Leon, the map banged in max torque from around 1900revs and there was no point having them rev out with standard turbo/downpipe and intercooler so you just changed at 5-5.5k revs it made the 6 speed feel like it was short geared. So for normal real world driving it just had a massive shove from nothing and you just danced on the gearbox/clutch trying to keep revs in the range where it was on boost/power.. was great fun. It would if you were lead footed it just span the wheels in 1st way too easily was comical.. so basically you got the thing off the line as best as possible and into 2nd then it just went - car was way faster with traction off too and not holding it back.

This is a roundabout way of saying I wouldn't hesitate going back to Revo if my car wasn't PCH'd and I owned it, whatever they charge is more than worth it and they know their stuff.

 

BTW Dyno plots are for posing down the pub, car meets or forums.. the Mk1 butt dyno tells me all I need to know post remap lol

Agree I also had a custom map on a 2003 Cupra and first was best avoided unless you wanted to embarrass yourself at the traffic lights. However A/B road acceleration was very strong making overtaking easy in 4th gear from say 40-115mph and once timed 70-120mph in 5th gear at 15 seconds which was impressive 15 years ago (had the map done at 7,000 miles in April 2004).

1 hour ago, Scotty72 said:

I had a stage 1 Revo remap and I had a SPS2 map switcher on my 2003 Leon Cupra 20VT back in the day - basically mapped it to similar bhp levels but a bit less torque than the standard 245 vRS I have now. But It transformed my Leon, the map banged in max torque from around 1900revs and there was no point having them rev out with standard turbo/downpipe and intercooler so you just changed at 5-5.5k revs it made the 6 speed feel like it was short geared. So for normal real world driving it just had a massive shove from nothing and you just danced on the gearbox/clutch trying to keep revs in the range where it was on boost/power.. was great fun. It would if you were lead footed just spin the wheels in 1st way too easily was comical.. so basically you got the thing off the line as best as possible and into 2nd then it just went - car was way faster with traction off too and not holding it back.

This is a roundabout way of saying I wouldn't hesitate going back to Revo if my car wasn't PCH'd and I owned it, whatever they charge is more than worth it and they know their stuff.

 

BTW Dyno plots are for posing down the pub, car meets or forums.. the Mk1 butt dyno tells me all I need to know post remap lol

Dyno runs was not for posing but for reference and making sure I got what I paid for. It also explained why my clutch gave up so quickly which is another reason for having it done.

3 minutes ago, B.DIFFERENT said:

Dyno runs was not for posing but for reference and making sure I got what I paid for. It also explained why my clutch gave up so quickly which is another reason for having it done.

My current car has done 4 dyno runs in 2 years. First standard power for reference, 2nd for stage 1, 3rd and 4th to fine tune the stage 2 (both stage 2 runs were an identical 335.9bhp but at slightly different rpm).

11 hours ago, Ads230 said:

Not sure if you have one fitted already, but would highly recommend a dogbone engine mount, such as those from 034 Motorsport or APR which should eliminate any wheel-hop you're currently experiencing with increase torque. Made my Shark (Racingline) Stage 1 immediately 100% more enjoyable.

 

Very useful to know thank you. Had not come across this. Will def have a look.