Lacatus.gabriel93

970A6R8

I was not pleased with the car's performance after Audi's TDI emission fix so I purchased the RaceChip GTS with iPhone app for my 2014 A6 TDI. Initially, there was problem with hesitation and increased rattling noises at around 1500-1800 rpm. I notified RaceChip's tech support and they made a software update. I loaded the update via the app to GTS this morning. Immediate improvement! I've done performance and mileage testing and have seen improvements all around. Driveability is much improved with noticeable power increase. I'm very happy with it and it's definitely worth the money to me.

KevinGary

970A6R8

The monetary compensation is more than worth accepting the changes because most of what I didn't like can be reversed with a tune. The most annoying aspect of the fix is the tendency for the engine to stay at higher revs than prior to the fix. Fine for a gas car but I don't like it in a diesel. Also, there is some minor bit of hesitation in lower revs as well as more pronounce clatter from the engine. Further, I lost roughly 4 to 6 mpg. This is around a repetitive route that I've measured fuel efficiency multiple times with consistent results.

As a result, I went looking for a solution. Because of Audi's generous extended warranty as part of the emissions fix, I did not want to do an ECU tune and possibly void that warranty. So I decided to settle for a tuning box. After speaking with Chipwerke in which they stated that they did not modify their current product to account for the emissions fix, I decided to take a chance on RaceChip. The most convincing argument for RaceChip was their allowance to transfer the RaceChip GTS (the model I selected) to another car if I wanted. My thought was that if I was not happy with the application for my TDI, then I would have them reprogram it to use it on my Panamera Turbo.

As it turned out, I had a couple of minor running issues with the GTS module installed. I contacted RaceChip with the faults (which I think was simply the problems I noticed from the Audi fix but exacerbated). They issued a software update which I uploaded into my GTS module via an app from my phone. And the results were remarkable. Runs noticeably more powerful but yet restored fuel efficiency back to where it was prior to the emissions fix. And no more clattering like a truck.

The characteristics of retaining higher revs are still present because Audi had also reprogrammed the transmission control unit (TCU). Even an ECU tune like Malone or APR cannot change that without also reprogramming the TCU. I've been told by my local shop that Malone is working on a TCU solution. My long term plans is to keep the RaceChip on my TDI for a couple of years and then get a Malone tune (assuming that they will also have a TCU solution). At that point, I'll transfer the RaceChip to my Porsche. I hope this will help with your decision.

KevinGary