A better analogy is would dell send you the new laptop without any software at all on it for significant price reduction. I don't think so.

Seriously, treat your AP like anything else you spent 800-900 bucks for.

There is too much opportunity to "steal" a tune for a second MINI if you could buy just the AP since any maps can be loaded on more than 1 ap at a time.

If your AP breaks - I expect there is a warranty - unless you ran over it =P

 

COBB has a 12 month warranty on the hardware, which I'd have to imagine would still be in effect if the device is sold by a 3rd party such as ALTA. So it's just like almost any other consumer electronics device in that regard. Once out of the warranty period you're likely on your own, again just like most every other consumer electronic device.

 

After thinking about this some more, I can only think of one reason why they would still charge full price if the AP was lost or stolen. There are dishonest people out there that would claim to have lost theirs or had it stolen when it wasn't. Say for instance you are part of a multi MINI family like I am and you were dishonest enough to claim that you lost yours so you could get one for the other MINI in the family.

I would also assume this is partly do to the fact that the AP can also be uninstalled and then used on a different MINI versus the Dimpsort tool that that cannot be re-used on a different MINI without sending it in and paying to have it reset. Having the maps downloadable from the ALTA website (eventually) is a good thing but with them being downloadable in the future it would make committing this type of fraud that much easier.

So I can see why they would want to charge full price after all to replace a lost/stolen device. It is good to hear though that if one gets damaged, it can be sent in to be repaired.

 

The reason something like a Dell laptop doesn't make for a good analogy is that the cost of the hardware that is a Dell laptop is very close to the price being charged for the Dell laptop.

The cost of the hardware that is an AccessPort is nowhere near the $900 price being charged for the AccessPort.

Theft (or a claim of theft) is one of the trickier scenarios.
But certainly, if one can send in a broken AccessPort, it shouldn't cost the whole $900 to repair or replace.

 

 

What, there's no scenic route?!

 

 

I agree, I wouldn't mind having one either

 

oh well, you win some you lose some, hahaha.

Good to hear you got everything sorted out Nuff. Have fun

 

Yea I will have a new one tomorrow. That should take care of the problem.

 

So is ALTAs AccessPORT available for Euro cars?
thanks in advance for the reply!

 

So when's the automatic tune coming on salle?

 

Update #2

My new AP came in this morning. Jeff had my new maps already loaded and ready to go. It is night and day difference. I guess I had a bad AP. Who knows. I took my car out for a 20 min test drive and it is running strong. My catless downpipe will be here tomorrow. I hope to get a few more HP out of that. I cant wait.
Thanks Jeff at Alta for taking care of me. To have a new AP sent overnight was great. I gotta get back to work but I cant wait to till I'm off so I can go drive!

 

There is an option to pull the stock tune off the AP in the about screen and save it to your computer.

Rob

 

I pulled the stock tune from my old AP and I loaded it onto my new AP this morning. No problem

 

Thank Goodness! I was really starting to wonder what was going on with your car!

Soon! We are able to tune and flash, but there are some CEL's that come up that are not clearable yet. If you have a scan tool or a way to clear the codes you can buy one right now. We also found out that you can start and stop your car 4 times to clear them. This does leave a couple other codes on the ECU but nothing that lights up on the dash.

Not yet! This is something we are working on, but its not top priority until all our other maps are out and about.

 

Glad they were able to get you squared away.

 

Me too. I was about to give up.

 

Glad you are not giving up. Jeff counted today and he has created over 10 maps for my Mini just to help test the AT at stage 3. Yep I'm running stage 3 at 91 octane with an auto tranny and zip-bang it is a blast.

 

great!
Looking forward to become your first client in Russia Besides, I have an Auto, so guess it will take time to adopt PA to my car, but it is worth waiting.

 

hmm, tsk - tempting i do have a bavtech tool, so it wouldn't be an issue at all. but .... the auto "special" pricing hasn't come out, and i don't want to pay full price either..... hehe. beta tester discount maybe?

 

I am running the standard Stage 1 tune on my R56 with the JCW kit parts [catback exhaust, JCW CAI] and an ALTA intercooler. Is there a custome map for my set up?

So far the boost in power has been great. Just need to refer to the several "entaglements" I've had with local police. One of them resulted in having to put off additional mods due to being 145 dollars poorer.

 

Good to hear that they got you up and running Nuff. enjoy the extra power!

Anywho...
If ALTA needs anyone to test a AP unit on a stock Auto S in the northeast I'll happily oblige

 

We do have a map that will work with those mods. We don't have a map specifically for the JCW intake and catback with our FMIC on stage 1, but the ECU will see the increased airflow and cooler intake temps to make a lot of power! You'll just need to keep your foot under control around cops or you're going to get tickets!

 

Thanks. I sent an email to request the map. This tune rocks!