Chip Dilemma, What Would You Do??

[surfnsail]

I know there are about a million and a half threads on this site about chips, and I am not asking which chip is better, so please don't get too mad... but here is my chip dilemma:

Just bought a 2005.5 B7 2.0TQM and am looking to get a chip. I have done my research, searched the forums, and I am still stuck, and hoping for some advice, or at least some insight into what some of you guys would do. As I see it, I have four options.

1) APR. Pros: I had an APR chip for my old 1.8T B5 A4, and I liked it. I like the company, and I like the idea of being able to switch programs using the cruise control stalk. They are having a sale right now, buy a chip with one program, get a fully loaded chip, so for about $750, I can get every program. I also like the lockout option for when warranty issues come up at the dealership and the throttle body reset. Cons: A lot of people seem to be complaining about fuel cut problems with APR. I am not planning to do much more than chip and exhaust, so maybe it won't be so bad. The closest APR dealer to me is about 75 miles away.

2) Revo. Pros: Everyone seems to like their chip. They are also having a big sale right now, and I could get a pretty comparable chip to the APR for about the same price. Cons: The closest Revo dealer is also about 75 miles away. No switching between programs without controler.

3) GIAC. Pros: Everyone seems to be happy with their GIAC chips too. Sounds like a good product. I have a local GIAC dealer (like 2 miles away!) Cons: No sale going on with GIAC=expensive! Have to use controller to switch programs. On AWE's site, they recomend not gettingg hte X-chip if you have the old model fuel pump, which I do.

4) Don't get a chip. Pros: Save money for the impending doom of our lousy economy :) No worries about warranty coverage, since I do have a CPO warranty that I would like to keep. Cons: Car stays unexciting power wise, and I stay frustrated knowing the potential is there, but I haven't tapped it.


So a few questions for everyone. What would you do? Why? Is it possible to take the car to the dealership in stock mode and have the chip be undetectable with all 3 companies? Any experience with this? Anyone know any more about the GIAC X-chip and the old model fuel pump that came on the 2005.5 model (anyone have a old model pump with X-chip)?

Thanks for all the help and insight you can provide. BTW, I love my new car, B7 A4 2.0T FTW!!

[outlaw77]

I say go with apr. I just took my car to the dealer to replace my torn dv. I turned the program back to stock and nobody said a thing. It was replaced under warranty w/ no hassles and my dealership are warranty nazi's! As for power, they are all the same. I've had apr for years now and have not one single problem with them.

[GottaAudi2]

Debates re tuners aside, I say do it. I have APR 93 program, car is under warranty. Yes I am concerned re the certain destruction of my powertrain (as many threads have discussed), but it's not like I drive at full throttle all day. If anything in this economy, I drive with a light foot and like to watch the MPG meter hit 28-29 average. You do though use the extra power when you need it - which after the initial week of 0-60 and 30-70 runs to validate your purchase, only is called on when you've got a situation that demands it - passing slow traffic quickly, merging in a difficult situation, etc. I've had APR for a long time now. Just don't be a maniac and I think the new software will have no bad side effects.

[acidrome]

AWE tests were done along time ago. As a GIAC-X user I used it with the stock fuel pump for 20k and no problems. I recently just bought and installed the autotech fuel pump a little over 2k and it feels great. If you plan on modding the car (potentially BT) I see no problem getting GIAC-X and upgrading the fuel pump in the future. I don't know how the mod friendly the dealerships are up in Santa Barbara, but Penke Audi is extremely mod friendly and are aware of every mod to my car. Yes you can still switch back to stock if you'd like when going to the dealership without a problem if you are worried. All in all it makes more sense to go with whichever company is closest so if you ever get any updates from the dealership in the future and reset your ecu you are close to the shop that installed your chip. It your choice just be sure your happy with which ever shop you go with.

[AudiWxGuy]

When I get my next job, hopefully in a few months, I'm going reward myself by buying the GIAC-X File and the AWE Fuel pump. I've been in an A4 with both APR and GIAC and I have to say that GIAC was smoother. Power felt similar, but the delivery of the GIAC-X power felt better. APR software made the car hard to drive smoothly.

I actually had APR in my car and got rid of it in under a month. I'd rather have less power and a smoother power band. I put the money towards exhaust instead, and I haven't regretted it since.

Hope that helps!

[EMAXX]

I will be getting the APR chip installed in my car once I get the 5000 mile service done on my car. I'm at about 4300 miles, so I'm getting close.

[b6onboost]

Go with GIAC since its 2 miles from your house. Even though the chances are you won't have any problems with APR or REVO, they are over an hour away. Power is all very similar.

Dealers don't 'look' for chips. They don't care unless something big breaks. Most software is transparent to the dealer unless they pull boost logs and see your car has boosted higher levels than stock.

[agorich]

i would go w/ giac. yes you can't control it from the cruise but its not like you wouldn't take the time to change it to stock before going to the dealer anyway. also, X chip is the way to go for the price. the most hp/tq i think out of the chips. if the old fuel pump will work, why not...but if I were you...i still wouldn't risk it. i've ran through a few cars and never had issues w/ having to get them serviced...but I also never had a chip...still dont, but not for long. =T ....besides...if its 2 miles away, the money you will save just by having it so close to home will make it cheaper in the long run. EVEN PAY FOR ITSELF!!! haha, not really though.

[Quattro]

if your going to do bt, go with giac, else you an choose whatever will give you the best deal. I love my Revo, havent had any problems yet!

torn dv is common though.

[Bmeister]

2) Revo. Pros: Everyone seems to like their chip. They are also having a big sale right now, and I could get a pretty comparable chip to the APR for about the same price. Cons: The closest Revo dealer is also about 75 miles away. No switching between programs without controler.

REVO enables you to do more than just switch programs if you spend another $120 beyond the Select to get the switchable Select Plus; you can have the standard performance program, stock setting, anti-theft and then have up to an additional 3 custom programs with the Select Plus that you can adjust for future mods to your engine or for changes in climate (i.e. summer/winter) or fuel quality without going back to the REVO dealer. All you need is a few seconds to switch programs, Also, a few seconds on your PC is all you need to re-code the Select Plus...and they provide guidelines for you to follow if you don't log your own data with VAGCOM.

[davis449]

I've had APR in Stage I and Stage II + Fuel pump form and haven't had any problems. I blew the standard PCV and DV components, but I was fully prepared for that to happen and, unlike most, I didn't need a post in here to bitch about them when they blew. It's just a part of owning this car.

[Sharkfin]

After reading the original post, that is exactly how I've been thinking lately. I've wanted to get APR for a year now but so many people are complaining. I too will only be getting an exhaust and testpipe on top of that but I don't want fuel cut either.

Let me know what you decide!

[Entropy333]

You know..I think a lot it depends on how much you actually want to get into modding your car.

I am APR chipped w/ an intake and pretty happy with what I have. I think exhausts for our cars are pretty ridicoulously priced when you consider the gain vs. money spent. I feel like once you go exhaust/test pipe, you might as well get a fuel pump and after that stuff just starts snowballing. I paid $750 for my fully loaded chip and $250 for my intake. I feel like it made a big difference on how my car performs. However, I am not about to spend $2500 to get a marginal (but noticeable) increase in power and probably lose some fuel economy. If a Big Turbo kit was $3000, I would seriously consider it, but at $5500 to 6000 it really doesn't seem worth it. I could buy a nice used motorcycle for that price range that would take me 0-60 faster than any of our cars could ever dream of.

So I say chip it, maybe put an intake on it and leave it. APR has been fine for me, but everyone has their own experience.

~James

[Geoffafa]

GIAC.... convinience... thats what you need the most, because if something ever goes wrong you will need their help... and as far as not ebing able to select programs... you will most likly run on one single proram most of the time... so iwouldnt the the easiness of switching as a serious factor in choosing....
i would tell you to run revo, just because its the smoothest and IMO the best chip on the market for the fsi motors, but 75 miles is a trek in case anything would ever go wrong

[RedS-line]

i agree with the oem hater. i dont know much about giac but being nearby to the dealer is a big plus. do they still offer free trials on the chips? if so, go try them all out and pick the one that suits you most for your most common route.