Does anyone know? Do they suck? Are they a disappointment? Are people ditching them for something else? For those that have them and hated them - what was the problem? For those that have them and love them - is it because you got a custom tune, which was able to really bring the motor to life? Or is it simply because you can use them more than once, unlike the Shark, which you cannot re-sell?

 

I was wondering the same thing... I think there may be a replacement/new and improved model coming out...

 

Yes, do tell, because I've been considering buying one myself for some time now...

 

The new "Q" chip has greater capability ( higher resolution for finer parameter adjustment ) & blue tooth to store maps on a blue tooth PDA.

 

the "Q" will also cost a lot more money than the old model

 

I understand that a new $2,000 version is coming out soon, but people have been selling the "Q" unichip for the past 6-8 months. Inquiring minds want to know why.

Those who bought it and sold it - why?
Those who bought it and loved it - why?
Those who bought it - did you have a standard program, or a custom dyno tuned program? If you had the standard and then the custom, how much of a difference did it make and how much did the custom tune cost?

I know I am asking a lot, but jillions of people would benefit from the answers to these questions!!!

 

i bought it to go along with my Alta 15% reduction, Alta CAI, Denso Ik22 plugs + Borla Exhaust.

I was running the proper tune for my car, and noticed absolutely no change

No seat of the pants change, not even a plecebo moment happiness when installed. Just an extra unit under my hood.

I removed it and sold it for what I paid for it due to lack of power, and it being and eye sore.

Im much more impressed by ACTUAL ecu modding such as GIAC or MTH (one of these two will be on my car this spring, Likely MTH). I hate the multi points of failure brought on by piggy back systems. I would have over looked it had i felt ANY change at all, but alas.. it is gone,

 

I was also looking into the Unichip a while back and liked the idea simply because it's easily removed if any issues arose and lack of local support, but so many seemed to have been shipped back for reflashing or corrections even standard intake/15%/and catback maps. I ended up with a JCW factory upgrade and it only cost $100 and doesnt' affect my extended warranty, definitely felt the standard difference the various forms or ECU upgrades give you, ie:" tieing upgrades together", "smoother revs and motor", "more power in the upper rev range" so I was and am still happy.

 

have you checked it with a wideband to see what your A/Fs are like?

 

How long ago did you get the Unichip? I know some others that have the older model & had exactly the same experience. On the other hand the new "Q" chip seems to be a great improvment. I can't say how long the "Q" has been out but it has not been all that long.

 

have you considered that the alternatives (like mth, giac, ect...) can't be re-sold as used there by creating the illusion that people are only selling their unichips.

 

mine was origionally installed new on an 05 by WMS.

And later sold to me.

and sold to someone else

 

I did consider that, which is why I wrote "Or is it simply because you can use them more than once, unlike the Shark, which you cannot re-sell?" I did not mention mth or giac because I did not know if those were vehicle specific, but I know the shark is, so I mentioned that one.

The appeal of unichip, all other things being equal, is that a dealer/tuner is 5 mins from my house. The nearest giac dealer is 2+ hours away. With mth you need cables and laptops and a week turnaround time, along with issues about bad customer support. My head is spinning!

 

That would be the older version.

 

I had the Unichip on my MC CVT, then had it ramapped for my new MCSa. Once it was in the MCS, I have noticed much better economy and complementary performance with the 15% pulley, denso plugs, ALTA CAI and hose, Milletek and ALTA air diverter.

That said, my poor MC with its Helix13 and cai just didn't seem as powerful without the UniChip, so I bought one here on NAM this Fall and had it remapped for the MC. Ahhhh...home sweet home...improved economy plus a bit of "pop" when using the stick.

I don't know why people are selling their's, but I remain quite happy with mine, and have never had a dealer come after me with warranty issues, either.

 

mine works lovely. if you need the upgraded improved version then by all means go for it but, if not the old one works great!

 

It's mind boggling that people will think nothing of spending $800 for the unit and then more for tuning when I have seen cars programmed with Dimsport that make more horsepower and torque for about 1/2 the price. Maybe the guy should charge $1000 for the service and get twice as many customers?

Bill

 

"Dimsport"??

 

Bob,
It's been around for years. The software costs 10-12 thousand dollars and then you can modify all types of cars. Don't think you can buy it and easily modify your car as there are many issues with the Mini that makes it harder than most cars to tune. Why do you think MTH and others can't scale large injectors?

Bill

 

I wonder how many "hits" the Dimsport site just got as it got awful quiet in here.

 

It's on my "to do" list, but I'm considering going with 380cc injectors any recomendations? JCW, helix or ????

 

There are at least two tuners on the east coast that I am told that use Dimsport, Luckydog and DMH I think are the two that use Dimsport.

 

I've seen what the Dimsport software can do in capable hands. It's pretty impressive. That said the software itself is pretty damn confusing.

I've also heard rumors that there's a group on the west coast using the software too...

 

Not sure what qualifies as "many" for sale... but what first comes-to-mind is that the UNIChip can be sold, unlike most of its competitors. Quite a few have tried different solutions, but were unable to sell their previous ones. The UNIChip is a tangible, physical product that can be transferred to another...

I personally know some who sold their UNIChip b/c they were going back to stock to sell their MINI. Others didn't want to hassle or deal with the added expense for a few extra hp and improved drive-ability with a dyno-tune...

 

I am talking about the one on the West Coast. They have mapped the car months ago and the results were impressive.

Bill