Flashing ecu at home (Uni vs IE)

[CxGrey]

Looking into getting a stage 1 tune possibly in the near future. I have narrowed it down to two companies. Unitronic and Integrated Engineering, both of which have a way to flash your ecu at home. Has anyone tried them on their B8 A4s? Which did you choose and why? Is one better than the other as far as quality of tune? Customer service? Ease of use? Compare these two and help me decide. Thanks in advance.

[tominabox1]

I have heard nothing but outstanding things about IE customer service and have been pretty happy with the info they've been able to provide via facebook chat. Can't speak for Unitronic

[CxGrey]

I have heard nothing but outstanding things about IE customer service and have been pretty happy with the info they've been able to provide via facebook chat. Can't speak for Unitronic

Good to know. Thanks. Anyone have good or bad experiences with either?

[red4life5]

I have IEs tune and flashed at home. Anything you want to know I can tell you


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

[CxGrey]

Tell me everything about your experience. Was it easy to flash? How is the customer service if something goes wrong? Whats the power increase like? Was there anything you didn't like about the product or the service?

[red4life5]

Tell me everything about your experience. Was it easy to flash? How is the customer service if something goes wrong? Whats the power increase like? Was there anything you didn't like about the product or the service?

Remember to quote me so I get a notification. 1. It is easy to flash, standard windows computer and a battery charger on the car. From start to finish 7min
2. Customer service was on point. Through Facebook they answer back within minutes; my ECU was special and they had to redo the coding and did it on a Sunday night
3. I hadn’t driven my car in 8 months and went straight to Stage II so power wise I can’t quote you but I drove a stock S4 and they were pretty equal in feeling.
4. I love IE, nothing I didn’t like; just want their K04 kit to come out faster


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

[tominabox1]

Flashed IE Stage 2 last night. Despite what you've heard, it is possible with a Mac (running VirtualBox). Took a bit of fenagling because my powerLink firmware needed to be updated but once i got the different device IDs to automatically mount to the virtual machine during the firmware update process, it worked without a hitch. Apparently it takes some time to "settle" so I'll give it some time, but it definitely pulls harder than the Dinan chip I had though I'll admit it doesn't seem as WOW as I expected.

It looks like the OBDII emissions tests show all passed except Catalyst which shows "incomplete" so at least in DFW area, that *should* pass emissions without needing to flash back to stock. I have not really put enough miles on to tell if that will ever set passing.

[red4life5]

Flashed IE Stage 2 last night. Despite what you've heard, it is possible with a Mac (running VirtualBox). Took a bit of fenagling because my powerLink firmware needed to be updated but once i got the different device IDs to automatically mount to the virtual machine during the firmware update process, it worked without a hitch. Apparently it takes some time to "settle" so I'll give it some time, but it definitely pulls harder than the Dinan chip I had though I'll admit it doesn't seem as WOW as I expected.

It looks like the OBDII emissions tests show all passed except Catalyst which shows "incomplete" so at least in DFW area, that *should* pass emissions without needing to flash back to stock. I have not really put enough miles on to tell if that will ever set passing.

I passed emissions just fine. I agree with you; it hadn’t “WOW”d me yet. It’s fun still with time. I always wanted to go K04 so this is just temporary. Not sure if it’s just IE’s tune or every stage II isn’t crazy. I hadn’t lost until this week, some black Mazda speed & a 335i. Granted the Mazda had to be big turbo and the bmw stock has S4 figures


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

[tominabox1]

I passed emissions just fine. I agree with you; it hadn’t “WOW”d me yet. It’s fun still with time. I always wanted to go K04 so this is just temporary. Not sure if it’s just IE’s tune or every stage II isn’t crazy. I hadn’t lost until this week, some black Mazda speed & a 335i. Granted the Mazda had to be big turbo and the bmw stock has S4 figures


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

I pretty about another 150 miles on with several wot accelerations and it's definitely opening up. Depends on what drive mode I'm in as expected.

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Edit: logged 217.1 g/s on the MAF this morning, highest I've seen yet. Still breaking in...

[keiffr]

I have IEs tune and flashed at home. Anything you want to know I can tell you


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

I heard that I don't need to put a battery charger while doing the ECU flash - is that what you did?

Flashed IE Stage 2 last night. Despite what you've heard, it is possible with a Mac (running VirtualBox). Took a bit of fenagling because my powerLink firmware needed to be updated but once i got the different device IDs to automatically mount to the virtual machine during the firmware update process, it worked without a hitch. Apparently it takes some time to "settle" so I'll give it some time, but it definitely pulls harder than the Dinan chip I had though I'll admit it doesn't seem as WOW as I expected.

It looks like the OBDII emissions tests show all passed except Catalyst which shows "incomplete" so at least in DFW area, that *should* pass emissions without needing to flash back to stock. I have not really put enough miles on to tell if that will ever set passing.

I'm looking to go IE Stage 1 with their Memorial Day Sale. I believe you tried out the Dinan piggyback, is it a night and day difference in performance? I have a dual boot Mac OS/Windows macbook. Thanks for the information about the VirtualBox

[red4life5]

I heard that I don't need to put a battery charger while doing the ECU flash - is that what you did?

They say if you don’t it’s possible to brick your ecu. It takes 2 minutes to hook it up. I would never take that risk


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

[keiffr]

I have IEs tune and flashed at home. Anything you want to know I can tell you


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

Flashed IE Stage 2 last night. Despite what you've heard, it is possible with a Mac (running VirtualBox). Took a bit of fenagling because my powerLink firmware needed to be updated but once i got the different device IDs to automatically mount to the virtual machine during the firmware update process, it worked without a hitch. Apparently it takes some time to "settle" so I'll give it some time, but it definitely pulls harder than the Dinan chip I had though I'll admit it doesn't seem as WOW as I expected.

It looks like the OBDII emissions tests show all passed except Catalyst which shows "incomplete" so at least in DFW area, that *should* pass emissions without needing to flash back to stock. I have not really put enough miles on to tell if that will ever set passing.

They say if you don’t it’s possible to brick your ecu. It takes 2 minutes to hook it up. I would never take that risk


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

Thanks for the feedback man!

[tominabox1]

Huge difference. Much smoother delivery. More power.

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[keiffr]

Huge difference. Much smoother delivery. More power.

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Pulled the trigger and I'm going IE Stage 1 whenever the shipment comes in from UroTuning.com.

I see that you went Stage 2, did you purchase a downpipe and upgraded intercooler?

[tominabox1]

Pulled the trigger and I'm going IE Stage 1 whenever the shipment comes in from UroTuning.com.

I see that you went Stage 2, did you purchase a downpipe and upgraded intercooler?

I'm running a USP hfc with the stock intercooler, stock airbox with afe filter.

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[keiffr]

I'm running a USP hfc with the stock intercooler, stock airbox with afe filter.

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Thanks for the feedback. I live in Cali and I'm concerned with my not passing smog with the HFC. I might look into an upgraded intercooler though. I'm running a stock airbox with an afe filter too.

Do you notice if you engine is a little bit louder when you went Stage 1 and even more so when you went Stage 2?

[tominabox1]

Thanks for the feedback. I live in Cali and I'm concerned with my not passing smog with the HFC. I might look into an upgraded intercooler though. I'm running a stock airbox with an afe filter too.

Do you notice if you engine is a little bit louder when you went Stage 1 and even more so when you went Stage 2?

The hfc added just the right amount of growl for me, I had the hfc for quite a while before I tuned. I don't think tuning changed anything in that department.

Not sure what you can do for Cal emissions.

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[keiffr]

The hfc added just the right amount of growl for me, I had the hfc for quite a while before I tuned. I don't think tuning changed anything in that department.

Not sure what you can do for Cal emissions.

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Sweet thanks again for the info!

[byront8]

Sweet thanks again for the info!

IE stage 2 with 3.0tdi intercooler and HFC, car pulls like a little rocket - sooooo much fun!

[bhvrdr]

Unitronic flash at home here.

No issues on 3 of my audis so far. With Unitronic on the A4 I have the choice of a Stage 1, 2 or their K04 file so the upgrade path is there already. I'm getting the K04 this coming month I hope.

The power deliver is outstanding and never had an issue. The performance improvement took me from a 15.2 second quarter mile to a 13.6 second quarter mile with nothing but a tune on 93 octane.

Mike

[bb-tt]

IE stage 2 with 3.0tdi intercooler and HFC, car pulls like a little rocket - sooooo much fun!

Good to hear. I ordered stage 2 yesterday, and test pipe/tdi intercooler along with some other bits a couple days ago. Hoping to bring the 2.0 avant to life as it seams really "laggie" compared to the TT.

[keiffr]

They say if you don’t it’s possible to brick your ecu. It takes 2 minutes to hook it up. I would never take that risk


2010 A4 S-Line Prestige

Might be a dumb question, but could I use any battery charger/maintainer? Heres the one I have already: https://www.blackanddecker.com/produ...e-charger/bm3b


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[tominabox1]

Might be a dumb question, but could I use any battery charger/maintainer? Heres the one I have already: https://www.blackanddecker.com/produ...e-charger/bm3b


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That'll work

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[keiffr]

That'll work

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Thanks man! I appreciate it!


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[Slim0531]

Finally pulled the trigger and ordered stage IE Stage 1. Hoping for it to arrive early next week.


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[keiffr]

Finally pulled the trigger and ordered stage IE Stage 1. Hoping for it to arrive early next week.


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One of the easiest tune at home software. I was literally tuned in 10 minutes. Good luck and have fun!


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[Slim0531]

Finally I Did my stage 1 IE tune. Definitely smooth and strong. It’s been traffic in the highway here so was not really able to open her up. Now I understand what people are saying about a real tune is much better than just a power module.


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[volnedan]

Finally I Did my stage 1 IE tune. Definitely smooth and strong. It’s been traffic in the highway here so was not really able to open her up. Now I understand what people are saying about a real tune is much better than just a power module.


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May I ask how much you paid? I've seen other comment that they caught a sale, so I signed up for email alerts from both IE website and Urotuning. I was pretty close to doing APR stage 1, but the only shop in my city charges $150 for install on top of the $600 for the tune. Plus I want to have flexibility to switch back to stock if I need.

[Slim0531]

https://www.performancebyie.com/ieb8tunes this is the link to the tune I have. You can flash it from your own laptop. I just sold my car and I have the power link cable here. Not sure if it’s transferable. Maybe someone here could confirm that and if yes, would be willing to sell it to you.


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[Belo]

Hey, just want start of with I know nothing about tunning and went to a place called urotunning and got some prices for a stage one tune but the issue is on my car the piston rings a little warn out ( oil consumption issue, gonna be running a couple bg products to help ) but would a stage on tune hurt the engine more then what it is now or no? Also was thinking of putting a high Flow cat on the car as well ( do you know of any check engine lights coming on afterwards ).
Appreciate any feedback.

[cuda2000]

Do not tune your car unless it is in perfect running condition. Fix everything first. Do all your maintenance. Otherwise you will have new problems on top of your existing problems.

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[Unbrolievable]

Flashed IE Stage 2 last night. Despite what you've heard, it is possible with a Mac (running VirtualBox). Took a bit of fenagling because my powerLink firmware needed to be updated but once i got the different device IDs to automatically mount to the virtual machine during the firmware update process, it worked without a hitch. Apparently it takes some time to "settle" so I'll give it some time, but it definitely pulls harder than the Dinan chip I had though I'll admit it doesn't seem as WOW as I expected.

It looks like the OBDII emissions tests show all passed except Catalyst which shows "incomplete" so at least in DFW area, that *should* pass emissions without needing to flash back to stock. I have not really put enough miles on to tell if that will ever set passing.

I know this thread is ancient, but can you give any additional details about the process of installing/updating the ie dongle on virtualbox? Or a link to any reading material? Thanks!


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