Flash existing or buy spare ECU?

[kwimberly]

What are the pros and cons on flashing my current ECU and buying a used ECU from the classifieds on Audizine? Obvious there are warranty issues (from the tuner co.), but it seems like it might be handy to buy a GIAC'd or APR'd ECU and keep my stock one in the trunk for backup.

[mtbrider]

It you get another ECU then you have to either have the dealer recode it for our car or you have to get your tuner to immobilize it so that it will work on your car

[04QuattroTurbo]

I would have gone that route if I have the extra money. A spare is always cool. Sometimes you can brick the ECU with a bad flash, PC's guys know this all too well when flashing the BIOS, same goes for PS3's, PSP's, iPods, etc. Only thing it is very expensive and two you would have to cut the bolts that secure your ECU.

[kwimberly]

So, even though already flashed/chipped ECU's go for like $250 or $300 here and on eBay, the added cost of the immobilizer stuff makes it more cost effective to just go to an APR/GIAC tuner?

[04QuattroTurbo]

So, even though already flashed/chipped ECU's go for like $250 or $300 here and on eBay, the added cost of the immobilizer stuff makes it more cost effective to just go to an APR/GIAC tuner?

I think if I read his post correctly, that if you don't get it recoded, it will not work, yeah, I'd say that's a hassle and may end up costing you more on the long run.