M7 16%, M7 AGS w/TB and Milltek Catback

With this setup, what should I do about the ECU? What is the best thing for me to do? Is it best to have it custom dyno-tuned or purchase some vendor's package?

I would want to be able to re-flash, if the MINI service was to overwrite my flash.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

But as your car isn't too heavily modded, the "as bought" maps will be pretty good. Depends on price point. MTH lets you reflash as often as you like as you do mods..... That's where I started...

Matt

 

webstrands,
I would ask first- How is your MCS running? Smooth enough or not? If smooth enough then the reason for upgrading ECU is for more power.

If not smooth (you have stumble, hesitation, yo-yo, lag in first gear) then first get the latest stock ECU version of software. See how it runs for you.
Not happy?

Then consider:
MTH- cheap, requires cables but you can borrow some from another MTH user in your area, software can be adjusted as your needs change, but you are dealing with a one man operation and support is only as good as he can provide (along with NAM members that have MTH).

Unichip- Higher price but has some good versions available and can be updated or removed if needed.

GIAC- Lower price for a software flash, tuned more for the 15% pulley(17% or 19% with larger injectors), can't easily be reflashed at this time but hopefully future version will be.

Stock ECU software- leave it alone if all is good enough for now. No added cost. New versions of software always coming out. No warranty issues if something goes very badly wrong after changing ECU software with an upgrade. My MCS is headed towards it's 3rd year using OEM ECU software and it's OK.

 

I just picked up my car on 6/11. Wouldn't that have the latest ECU factory flash?

I'm experiencing hesitation. When I first press on the pedal, it hesitates.

 

Yes, if you got your MINI on 6/11/05 then you do have the latest ECU software installed.

Have you finished break in with 1250 miles yet? The ECU computer learns from how you drive. Some hesitation (lag) is from the throttle by wire mechanism. Try pressing smoothly but firmly- takes a bit of getting used to.

Try driving other similar MINIs at the dealership- do they all react the same to you or if your's different in some tangible way?

 

Evotech is a little more spendy, but you get what you pay for. With 5 complete stage of modification (or anything inbetween, it's completely customizable) it doesn't matter how many mods you've got, because you can fully utilize every little detail. And, at least through us (I think Webb as well) reflashes and upgrades are free after the initial purchase.

 

I have to disagree with the implication of price equating to performance. My advise to you is NOT to get the most costly item expecting that simply because it costs more it must be better. There are alot of claims out there. Search all the threads here on NAM. There are a wealth of very satisfied purchasers of less costly performance products that perform just as well, should we venture to say it...even better , than the more costly items.

The saying is especially true with the Mini and mods, that a fool and his money.....

Talk to folks who have done the mods you are interested in and get their honest opion on cost vs. benefit over the long haul.

 

Any ECU upgrade that changes the DSC program?

 

Any ECU upgrade that fixes the DSC shutting itself off under high boost yet? And I agree, the M3 is programmed to let you slide the car a bit but the MCS is programmed to take away all the fun. Allowing 20-30% slippage at all times before clamping down should do it.

 

Matt,

The biggest problem that I have with the GIAC or Evotech os having to remove the ECU and sending it out for a time. I can't afford to have my car down for that amount of time.

And when it gets overwritten by the dealer, I'd have to remove it and send it down to you, again. That doesn't sound very convenient.

That is what make Franz so unique. He puts fhe power to reflash in the owners hands.

My 2 cents.

 

I am interested in the GIAC software. I thought I read somewhere that they are developing a method of hooking up to the car and "transferring" files over instead of shipping the ECU out...


Has anyone else heard this, or has it been developed?

 

Eurobahn (which I was told is the US version of SuperChips) does a file transfer tune, but they charge $699.00 for it.

That's a far cry from Franz' MTH cost.

 

That is probably the only downside to the Evotech softward, and I agree, it is a hastle to have your car out of commission for a couple of days; especially if the MINI is your one and only daily driver.

EVOtech is far from the most expensive ECU tuning option, we use and sell it because it works right up there with the best of them. We've tried most everything (admittedly not everything, obviously, as there are tons of ecu tuning options) and from our very experienced opinion EVOtech is the one of, if not the best.

The dealer cannot reflash your ecu if you ask them not to. We've yet to have a dealer reflash an EVOtech tuned ECU if the customer just politely asks them to leave it alone.

We wouldn't use something on our own car if it wasn't what we consider to be the best. And we certainly wouldn't take our car to the Car and Driver Challenge with it, if it was substandard. (By the way, look for the announcement on the 28th as to how we did, just a couple more days until the event starts!)

 

I have been looking at all the options myself.....does anyone know what the cost of the cable that MTH uses are?

 

I thought I remember reading that it was near $125! More than the software itself IF memory serves...

Could be wrong though...