OK, it's Yet Another Chip Review...but this one is slightly different. I live in New Jersey and it seems like there is a serious dearth of high performance tuning shops around here. Actually, I didn't think there were ANY tuners in this great state, even though it is pretty well populated. Well, when it came time for me to chip my 99.5 1.8tqs, I started looking around, and discovered these guys right in my backyard!

Having your tuner local provides so much peace of mind that I can't even begin to explain it. Their prices are pretty typical ($400 for A4's through 99.5, $495 for 2000+), but the fact that I could bring it to them and have them install it made me feel much more comfortable...and I was able to sit there and drive my 'new' car within 30 minutes! The guys were absolutely fantastic and reassured me that I could come back for upgrades or tweaks, if necessary (it isn't, the chip is great).

One of the nice options that PES offers, is the 'socket' system, where they install a socket so you can switch between the performance and stock chips. Obviously, physical inspection is still going to let the cat out of the bag, but at least the maniac mechanics at my dealership will be reined in a little when driving my car around their lot! The socket adds $50 to the cost of the chip, which is a lot more reasonable than $500+ for a new ECU.

The chip itself is sweet...it provides the typical 47hp gain of many of the chips. The midrange is just unbelievable with this thing, even with the ac on! And it just keeps pulling forever, it feels like it wants to go PAST the redline! The rush of going 130mph and STILL FEELING IT ACCELERATING in the small of your back is just plain astounding. The engine revs so quickly now that it took several days to get used to it...from the seat of the pants it feels like the 2.8, but without that nose-heaviness and dull steering.

In day to day use the chip is also noticeable, this is without really revving or using a lot of throttle. The car just pulls much more cleanly from the line, and the knowledge that rapid acceleration is a toe-twitch away is comforting when merging on a busy highway.

There are a few things that seem common with many of the chips, namely the occasional 'surging' sensation and the terrible driveline shudder if you jump out of the throttle when accelerating (if your foot slips off the gas around 5000rpm when you have it floored, it feels like the engine just leaped from the hood of the car). The only other real concern is a slight delay when tipping into the throttle at low rpm, regardless of speed (for example, you have just shifted into second when toodling along and decide to boot it...there is a little pause and then the acceleration hits quite strongly). That's it for 'complaints'. In fact, fuel economy has not really suffered either, when you drive 'sensibly' that is, but with the thrust now available, who can?

Overall, I'd say that the PES chip is, at the very least, the equal of the best chips out there. The fact that they are local, are really great guys who will answer ANY question patiently and completely (no matter how stupid, and without any BS), and offer a line of high-quality and well tested products has led me to this hearty recommendation.

If you want more details on my experiences with the PES-Tuning Performance Chip, just email me at the address listed at the top of this review!