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  1. #1
    Established Member Two Rings
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    Does IE or 034 transfer tune to another car

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    I mean to another car you own. Say your vehicle was totaled are we screwed and have to buy the tune again?

  2. #2
    Veteran Member Four Rings S4UCE's Avatar
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    I’m sure either would do right by a customer in this situation. These aren’t big bureaucratic corporations with call center operators reading scripts.

  3. #3
    Veteran Member Four Rings
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    Best way to get the correct answer is to send them an email.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Three Rings
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    They’d probably give you a discount.


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  5. #5
    Junior Member One Ring
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    I was told that the tune is restricted by VIN, so they can’t transfer. I did get a discount on the next tune though, 25%.

  6. #6
    Administrator Three Rings oesman's Avatar
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    That's kind of crappy if that's the way it really is. I get they don't want people transferring/selling tunes to others, but if the car gets wrecked it's kind of shitty to make you buy again. It's just a software license, it's not like they have to send you a physical part.

    This would be like if you had to re-license all your PC software again just because your laptop broke and you got a new one. Hell even Microsoft will let you transfer a retail windows license to a new computer (they do an computer equivalent of a vin lock), you just call them and ask.

  7. #7
    Veteran Member Four Rings SHCKR's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oesman View Post
    That's kind of crappy if that's the way it really is. I get they don't want people transferring/selling tunes to others, but if the car gets wrecked it's kind of shitty to make you buy again. It's just a software license, it's not like they have to send you a physical part.

    This would be like if you had to re-license all your PC software again just because your laptop broke and you got a new one. Hell even Microsoft will let you transfer a retail windows license to a new computer (they do an computer equivalent of a vin lock), you just call them and ask.
    If you total your car, you can claim the tune on insurance, and use the payout to purchase another license
    '18 S4 Prestige; all packages

  8. #8
    Administrator Three Rings oesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SHCKR View Post
    If you total your car, you can claim the tune on insurance, and use the payout to purchase another license
    That's an interesting point. If your insurance agrees to cover the tune specifically then that's fair enough. I've never claimed a tune so I don't know how easy of a fight that is, likely depends on the policy. If insurance doesn't pay out though then I think my point stands.

  9. #9
    Veteran Member Four Rings FromS60toB61.8t's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oesman View Post
    That's kind of crappy if that's the way it really is. I get they don't want people transferring/selling tunes to others, but if the car gets wrecked it's kind of shitty to make you buy again. It's just a software license, it's not like they have to send you a physical part.

    This would be like if you had to re-license all your PC software again just because your laptop broke and you got a new one. Hell even Microsoft will let you transfer a retail windows license to a new computer (they do an computer equivalent of a vin lock), you just call them and ask.
    Only difference being is with software, once the license is locked, it can't be used. What's to stop someone loading the flash on their car, saying they wrecked it, grab some photos off of copart or anywhere else on the web, and getting money back for a tune they can just re-sell. I think that's why they don't do it, because once the tune is on the car, they have no control of it unless the user wants to flash back to stock or any other files.
    19' Glacier S4 Black Optics

  10. #10
    Established Member Two Rings
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    Quote Originally Posted by oesman View Post
    That's an interesting point. If your insurance agrees to cover the tune specifically then that's fair enough. I've never claimed a tune so I don't know how easy of a fight that is, likely depends on the policy. If insurance doesn't pay out though then I think my point stands.
    I think you are right, most insurance companies require supplemental insurance for modifications to be covered. I’m sure you can find a generous adjuster but I wouldn’t want to count on it.
    IE or 034 e85 on any given day | 034 Stage 2 TCU

  11. #11
    Administrator Three Rings oesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FromS60toB61.8t View Post
    Only difference being is with software, once the license is locked, it can't be used. What's to stop someone loading the flash on their car, saying they wrecked it, grab some photos off of copart or anywhere else on the web, and getting money back for a tune they can just re-sell. I think that's why they don't do it, because once the tune is on the car, they have no control of it unless the user wants to flash back to stock or any other files.
    They could just ask for a copy of a police report or insurance document. Same as they do for their discount if you're switching over from another tune (proof of purchase). Furthermore the flash tools call home so the old license won't be able to flash any updates or different tune versions (i.e. 93, 91, E85, etc...) as IE/034 would certainly ban that license/vin when giving you a new license for your new vin. So then you're stuck on whatever version you kept when selling the other copy. They could also just ask you for your new vin up front and unless you already have a buyer lined up you'd be hosed.

  12. #12
    Established Member Two Rings
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    They obviously have your original files on their server. Once you connect the car to their platform they can check what is loaded on your ecu. Don't see why it would be a problem to port the tune to another vehicle in any case of accident or just upgrading, they would just request you flash your old car back to stock and they could check it and flag it on their end.

  13. #13
    Veteran Member Four Rings FromS60toB61.8t's Avatar
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    07 Fahrenheit GTi, 09 S8, 17 GSW S 4-Motion, 19 S4 Black Optics
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    Quote Originally Posted by oesman View Post
    They could just ask for a copy of a police report or insurance document. Same as they do for their discount if you're switching over from another tune (proof of purchase). Furthermore the flash tools call home so the old license won't be able to flash any updates or different tune versions (i.e. 93, 91, E85, etc...) as IE/034 would certainly ban that license/vin when giving you a new license for your new vin. So then you're stuck on whatever version you kept when selling the other copy. They could also just ask you for your new vin up front and unless you already have a buyer lined up you'd be hosed.
    A police report or insurance document can very easily be doctored up and provided. The discount for switching over can be abused as well. Purchase tune from 'X' tuner, purchase the tune you want for the "switching" discount price, return the initial tune and get a refund.
    Yes, your car would be stuck on the tune, but that's what most people who buy them do anyways. I'm sure it would also be easy to get someone else on board for a large discount off of a tune.

    Not saying any of it is right to do, but there are always work arounds for people's good faith that others can/will abuse. It's just easier to not offer them.

    Quote Originally Posted by NotQuickEnough View Post
    They obviously have your original files on their server. Once you connect the car to their platform they can check what is loaded on your ecu. Don't see why it would be a problem to port the tune to another vehicle in any case of accident or just upgrading, they would just request you flash your old car back to stock and they could check it and flag it on their end.
    That can definitely happen. I was more-so saying if the car was totalled and unable to be flashed back.
    19' Glacier S4 Black Optics

  14. #14
    Administrator Three Rings oesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FromS60toB61.8t View Post
    A police report or insurance document can very easily be doctored up and provided.
    Doctoring documents, finding a friend to sell a tune to before you even have it in hand, and being happy with no support and whatever revision tune you're stuck on. Sorry man, but you're working pretty hard to defend a shitty policy, assuming it even is their policy.

  15. #15
    Veteran Member Four Rings FromS60toB61.8t's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oesman View Post
    Doctoring documents, finding a friend to sell a tune to before you even have it in hand, and being happy with no support and whatever revision tune you're stuck on. Sorry man, but you're working pretty hard to defend a shitty policy, assuming it even is their policy.
    Not trying to defend anything, just trying to describe the difference in the original statement you made with software. People get shifty when it comes to a $1000+ product.
    19' Glacier S4 Black Optics

  16. #16
    Administrator Three Rings oesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FromS60toB61.8t View Post
    Not trying to defend anything, just trying to describe the difference in the original statement you made with software. People get shifty when it comes to a $1000+ product.
    Theres plenty of software that works like I described. Not all software calls home and stops working. Hell even Windows doesn’t require internet connectivity yet (coming in 11).

  17. #17
    Established Member Two Rings MoralMiscreant's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oesman View Post
    Theres plenty of software that works like I described. Not all software calls home and stops working. Hell even Windows doesn’t require internet connectivity yet (coming in 11).
    I think the difference in this analogy is that Microsoft probably sells a billion plus windows licenses vs the hundreds or thousands of tunes a niche vendor might sell. If some guy decides to start a literal business selling bootleg Microsoft software, the likelihood that guy is going to affect Microsofts revenue in a meaningful way is low. With a low volume product, being able to scam new copies (or just having a straight bootleg copy) might have a serious impact on their business.

    It does seem like a crappy policy but, I definitely get it. These tunes don't phone home so there is no way to revoke a license, and there would be so much liability in doing so that a small vendor wouldn't dare.

  18. #18
    Administrator Three Rings oesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MoralMiscreant View Post
    I think the difference in this analogy is that Microsoft probably sells a billion plus windows licenses vs the hundreds or thousands of tunes a niche vendor might sell.
    This is a fair point and I do agree that there is a scale factor here. However, you're also better at vetting what you're told when you're small.

    These tunes don't phone home so there is no way to revoke a license
    This is mostly true, they can't just shut your car off, but they can revoke the license and prevent you from using the flashing tool.

    If some guy decides to start a literal business selling bootleg Microsoft software, the likelihood that guy is going to affect Microsofts revenue in a meaningful way is low.
    This is already a huge problem for Microsoft. People are collecting and selling OEM licenses dirt cheap, often from license stickers on junked/recycled computers. If you ever bought a license key from eBay or some non-official site you almost certainly got one. These licenses aren't supposed to be transferrable like normal retail licenses, because they were bundled with a computer at a massive discount. When a license like this fails to pass activation many bootleggers will advise you to scam Microsoft support. Not in those words of course, they'll just say you should call support and claim you repaired your computer, the technician said the mother board had to be replaced, etc... Microsoft has to deal with this constantly and it's basically turned into an honor system. This is why Microsoft wants to start requiring network access for installation, same as flashing a tune, and I'm sure ultimately a subscription model.

    On the other hand tuners selling thousands of units have a lot more discretion. They aren't relying on a team in India processing calls as quickly and cheaply as possible. It would be very suspicious to any reasonable person if there was suddenly an influx of "oh no I crashed my car" requests in such a small pool. How would you even setup a bootlegging scam? It would have to involve two cars for every iteration. You'd be out there finding guys with S4s and hoping they help you scam and not rat you out to the vendor. All the while doctoring police reports, insurance statements, etc... I'm sure there are at least two asshats out there who would try this together, but I can't see this turning into a racket.

  19. #19
    Senior Member Two Rings brandonbanana's Avatar
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    My S4 recently has gotten totaled out. I have emailed IE since I was not able to enjoy the tune for more than 2 months and my car got hit. I hope there's something that they are able to do to help me. I wish you the best of luck in getting either a discount or a reimbursement somehow!

  20. #20
    Senior Member Three Rings angrycatmeow's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arumikpart View Post
    I think you are right, most insurance companies require supplemental insurance for modifications to be covered. I’m sure you can find a generous adjuster but I wouldn’t want to count on it.
    I have $7k of customization coverage and it costs me $100 every 6 months.

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