APR Chip cost...
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APR Chip cost...
I am very close to getting my 2001 180 TT chipped. However... Is $816 too much to pay for a 20hp gain? Since the APR allows several programming options, I am not sure what I *really* need. The shop that I am going to said that I'd need the following options:
$499 For the ECU reprogram
$149 FlipSwitch Technology - (i.e. - Stock and Chipped)
$ 89 Fault Code Erase/Throttle Body Alignment (FCE/TBA)
$ 79 Labor
$816 Total
This is all from the www.goapr.com web page. The guy at the shop is nice enough, but I was figuring on $499 + labor. Does this seem reasonable?
Trevor
$499 For the ECU reprogram
$149 FlipSwitch Technology - (i.e. - Stock and Chipped)
$ 89 Fault Code Erase/Throttle Body Alignment (FCE/TBA)
$ 79 Labor
$816 Total
This is all from the www.goapr.com web page. The guy at the shop is nice enough, but I was figuring on $499 + labor. Does this seem reasonable?
Trevor
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Two things: Why the labor charge? (I didn't pay one) and you won't need the $89 option if you ....
have a VAG-COM or know someone who does. Also, I could have sworn the extra program was $99, but I could be wrong.
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Should not be a labor charge to install a chip! That is cheap.
If they would allow you to do the soldering on your own then fine, charge a labor charge, but not a single chip tuner will allow even a certified master solderer (no such thing) to solder the chip themselves. I know a few people that have asked! They didn't want the downtime.
I would walk into the place with my ECU in my hand with it already opened and if they still charge you $89 for soldering about 50 pins, then send the ECU directly to APR and don't deal with the local guy. It takes only a few minutes to solder the chip into place.
I would walk into the place with my ECU in my hand with it already opened and if they still charge you $89 for soldering about 50 pins, then send the ECU directly to APR and don't deal with the local guy. It takes only a few minutes to solder the chip into place.
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Re: remember that we had the apr folks install our chips -- sounds like trevor is having his...
Correct. They are an authorized dealer in this area. I understand that they need to take a cut. Fine. I fully understand the R&D cots involved with the chip. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't buying things that I didn't need. My wallet can deal with $816, I just wanted to get some comments. This group never let's me down 
Trevpr
Trevpr
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Re: Should not be a labor charge to install a chip! That is cheap.
I'm not going to haggle over $89 to install the chip. I was more looking for comments on the throttle body and error code reset features. What do they do? Those of you that are APR-enabled: Do you use these features?
I've done quite a bit of reading on this forum and vwvortex and everyone seems to really like the APR chip.
I've done quite a bit of reading on this forum and vwvortex and everyone seems to really like the APR chip.
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Well no bady has really answered the the question so here goes....
As Ellen has stated, if you have the Vag.com or someone that has, you dont need the FCE or the TBA feature. This makes sure that the throttle plate in the throttle body is in the correct position. Apparently for some reason they will get out of alignment and this is a way to get it where it should be....
Fault Code erase is just that, it erases any fault codes that could be recorded so that the dealer will not see them. Sometimes chips will throw codes such as max boost pressure exceeded, or if you over rev the motor. These are red flags to dealers and should be considered a good investment.
The EMCS (flipswitch) will come in handy 98% of the time because when you take the car to a dealer and put it in the *stock* mode, it will be all but undetectable, the other 2%? well you throw a bearing or something major and they investigate all possible causes, they might find your ECU has been tampered with.
IMHO, what you are getting is a good deal all in all.
I plan on getting the race program as well
Fault Code erase is just that, it erases any fault codes that could be recorded so that the dealer will not see them. Sometimes chips will throw codes such as max boost pressure exceeded, or if you over rev the motor. These are red flags to dealers and should be considered a good investment.
The EMCS (flipswitch) will come in handy 98% of the time because when you take the car to a dealer and put it in the *stock* mode, it will be all but undetectable, the other 2%? well you throw a bearing or something major and they investigate all possible causes, they might find your ECU has been tampered with.
IMHO, what you are getting is a good deal all in all.
I plan on getting the race program as well
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Re: Well no bady has really answered the the question so here goes....
Sean -
Rule! This is exactly what I wanted. Thankya sir. If I can get a ride up to the shop tomorow I should have it done by the end of the day.
I'll wave to you from a low-earth orbit.
Rule! This is exactly what I wanted. Thankya sir. If I can get a ride up to the shop tomorow I should have it done by the end of the day.
I'll wave to you from a low-earth orbit.