Tuning box reviews?
Discussion
Just looking for real user reviews of tuning boxes on modern diesels.
Thinking of going for one for the T6 Transporter. Its a 140. the van moves well when empty but once loaded up it does really hamper the way it pulls.
Its on a lease and under warranty so a remap is not an option.
Has anyone used the newer types of plug and play boxes as i know they are able to control the fuel and boost better than they used too. I know a remap would be much better but it isn't an option.
Thinking of going for one for the T6 Transporter. Its a 140. the van moves well when empty but once loaded up it does really hamper the way it pulls.
Its on a lease and under warranty so a remap is not an option.
Has anyone used the newer types of plug and play boxes as i know they are able to control the fuel and boost better than they used too. I know a remap would be much better but it isn't an option.
Had a Ronbox on a previous diesel. 80k miles done overall with it fitted and not a problem. It turned a slow car into something with more than enough fifth gear shove for the hills of Spain where I lived.
Obviously a remap would have been better but that wasn't available where I was so a box had to do.
Obviously a remap would have been better but that wasn't available where I was so a box had to do.
I've had 4 different tuning boxes on my cars over the last 12 years.
Fabia vRS, Mitsibishi Colt D, Mercedes C & CLS 350 CDi and current KIA Ceed 1.6D
They have all been positive, but with a couple of reservations.
All gave more power, making the cars far more pokey. Fabia vRS went from 143 to 163hp with 318lb ft torque, so whilst it gave no problems in my ownership, would likely have affected the DMF eventually. The Colt 1.5d made 125hp and 195lb ft on a rolling road, plus knocked 1.2 secs of the 1/4 mile time, so very effective. My current KIA using a TDI Tuning 2 channel box is knocking out about 174hp and 250lb ft, has a sub 16 secs 1/4 mile time and is not to be sniffed at for a 1.6...
The issues I had was with the DTUK box I used on the two Mercs were nothing to do with the box itself per se. The loom that was given was prone to the heat from the engine and I had 2 replacements whilst using it on the C350. The only other thing of note was that you couldn't actually turn it up past level 1 of 3. Doing so made the car go like the clappers for 100m and then go into limp mode, but this was something I knew might happen before buying it. Properly adjusted it gave great performance gains with my C350 making 260hp and 490lb ft. Fitted to the CLS, the car was making over 300hp and 560lb ft, which gave 14.0 secs 1/4mile, so was well under 6 secs to 60mph.
I an obviously a fan of them but you need to understand what it is you are buying. All gave improved performance, none improved my fuel economy. For what you describe a tuning box might have a positive effect for you too, as they are give very noticeable increases in torque and flexibility/acceleration in higher gears.
I cannot ignore my primary concern for you. I personally would be very hesitant to use this on a leased VW, as I know that they can be detected if they have been used, which might give problems if the something out of the ordinary were to happen.
Fabia vRS, Mitsibishi Colt D, Mercedes C & CLS 350 CDi and current KIA Ceed 1.6D
They have all been positive, but with a couple of reservations.
All gave more power, making the cars far more pokey. Fabia vRS went from 143 to 163hp with 318lb ft torque, so whilst it gave no problems in my ownership, would likely have affected the DMF eventually. The Colt 1.5d made 125hp and 195lb ft on a rolling road, plus knocked 1.2 secs of the 1/4 mile time, so very effective. My current KIA using a TDI Tuning 2 channel box is knocking out about 174hp and 250lb ft, has a sub 16 secs 1/4 mile time and is not to be sniffed at for a 1.6...
The issues I had was with the DTUK box I used on the two Mercs were nothing to do with the box itself per se. The loom that was given was prone to the heat from the engine and I had 2 replacements whilst using it on the C350. The only other thing of note was that you couldn't actually turn it up past level 1 of 3. Doing so made the car go like the clappers for 100m and then go into limp mode, but this was something I knew might happen before buying it. Properly adjusted it gave great performance gains with my C350 making 260hp and 490lb ft. Fitted to the CLS, the car was making over 300hp and 560lb ft, which gave 14.0 secs 1/4mile, so was well under 6 secs to 60mph.
I an obviously a fan of them but you need to understand what it is you are buying. All gave improved performance, none improved my fuel economy. For what you describe a tuning box might have a positive effect for you too, as they are give very noticeable increases in torque and flexibility/acceleration in higher gears.
I cannot ignore my primary concern for you. I personally would be very hesitant to use this on a leased VW, as I know that they can be detected if they have been used, which might give problems if the something out of the ordinary were to happen.
Edited by Reffro on Thursday 17th August 16:58
I wouldn't put one on a lease car. With leasing as cheap as it is I think I'd be more tempted to just lease a faster model.
I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
I've got a racechip box and it's been good. Noticeable improvement in power with slightly better fuel consumption. It does feel a bit funny when the boost comes in but only because it pulls harder than before. Not sure of the actual figures but a claimed 30bhp increase. No issues at all with it.
spookly said:
I wouldn't put one on a lease car. With leasing as cheap as it is I think I'd be more tempted to just lease a faster model.
I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
No way for any VAG ECU at the moment to detect tuning boxes at present. I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
xjay1337 said:
spookly said:
I wouldn't put one on a lease car. With leasing as cheap as it is I think I'd be more tempted to just lease a faster model.
I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
No way for any VAG ECU at the moment to detect tuning boxes at present. I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
Reffro said:
I've had 4 different tuning boxes on my cars over the last 12 years.
Fabia vRS, Mitsibishi Colt D, Mercedes C & CLS 350 CDi and current KIA Ceed 1.6D
They have all been positive, but with a couple of reservations.
All gave more power, making the cars far more pokey. Fabia vRS went from 143 to 163hp with 318lb ft torque, so whilst it gave no problems in my ownership, would likely have affected the DMF eventually. The Colt 1.5d made 125hp and 195lb ft on a rolling road, plus knocked 1.2 secs of the 1/4 mile time, so very effective. My current KIA using a TDI Tuning 2 channel box is knocking out about 174hp and 250lb ft, has a sub 16 secs 1/4 mile time and is not to be sniffed at for a 1.6...
Could you give me a link for the box you use with the Kia pretty please? Mine is the std 136BHP and it is slower than my mum in treacle. TIA! Fabia vRS, Mitsibishi Colt D, Mercedes C & CLS 350 CDi and current KIA Ceed 1.6D
They have all been positive, but with a couple of reservations.
All gave more power, making the cars far more pokey. Fabia vRS went from 143 to 163hp with 318lb ft torque, so whilst it gave no problems in my ownership, would likely have affected the DMF eventually. The Colt 1.5d made 125hp and 195lb ft on a rolling road, plus knocked 1.2 secs of the 1/4 mile time, so very effective. My current KIA using a TDI Tuning 2 channel box is knocking out about 174hp and 250lb ft, has a sub 16 secs 1/4 mile time and is not to be sniffed at for a 1.6...
spookly said:
xjay1337 said:
spookly said:
I wouldn't put one on a lease car. With leasing as cheap as it is I think I'd be more tempted to just lease a faster model.
I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
No way for any VAG ECU at the moment to detect tuning boxes at present. I've got a Golf R Estate lease, and can't see the point in tuning it any further.
Given the possibility that sensor feedback could result in a dreaded TD1 flag at the dealer, personally I wouldn't chance it. Invalidating the warranty won't be popular with your lease provider and I could see them penalising you heavily for that. Even if a box has been reported not to cause a TD1 flag, it is entirely possible that a dealer ECU update during service could add additional code to spot new tuning boxes. All it takes is a few lines of code to spot abnormally high acceleration, which would not be blocked by the tuning box, and they could flag the car.
OpulentBob said:
Could you give me a link for the box you use with the Kia pretty please? Mine is the std 136BHP and it is slower than my mum in treacle. TIA!
This is the one I use. https://tdi-tuning.com/car/kia/ceed/16-crdi-134-bh...
It been faultless, I turned it up to max after a day of it adapting and its been brilliant. You don't feel a huge kick in the pants, but the way the needle of the speedo moves you know its working.
Having run the car at Santa Pod, it definitely making the claimed power. 0-60 in 7.8 secs shows that...
Reffro said:
OpulentBob said:
Could you give me a link for the box you use with the Kia pretty please? Mine is the std 136BHP and it is slower than my mum in treacle. TIA!
This is the one I use. https://tdi-tuning.com/car/kia/ceed/16-crdi-134-bh...
It been faultless, I turned it up to max after a day of it adapting and its been brilliant. You don't feel a huge kick in the pants, but the way the needle of the speedo moves you know its working.
Having run the car at Santa Pod, it definitely making the claimed power. 0-60 in 7.8 secs shows that...
Thank you! Very tempted...
Sorry to hijack the thread and please tell me to F off if you want me to create another!
I have a 2013 F30 320d and pay for the BMW warranty. If I were to purchase a DTUK tuning box, would they be able to tell it was in use (if I remove it) if it ever went in for warranty work?
Thanks!
I have a 2013 F30 320d and pay for the BMW warranty. If I were to purchase a DTUK tuning box, would they be able to tell it was in use (if I remove it) if it ever went in for warranty work?
Thanks!
That's a nicely resurrected dusty old thread there chap 
Most tuning boxes manipulate the injector duty time downstream of the ECU's commands, so aren't detectable, unless you are a plum and leave it cable tied to something in plain sight. Only remaps are detectable as the software signature/checksum is different to what it left the factory with, although how many dealers go to the trouble of sending a data dump to Germany, who knows.
Most tuning boxes manipulate the injector duty time downstream of the ECU's commands, so aren't detectable, unless you are a plum and leave it cable tied to something in plain sight. Only remaps are detectable as the software signature/checksum is different to what it left the factory with, although how many dealers go to the trouble of sending a data dump to Germany, who knows.
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff