I am new to the Mini scene with the recent purchase of an 05 MCS. I inquired here at NAM about the necessity of a software upgrade when doing a 15% pulley, catback and CAI. The consensus was that it was unnecessary and folks were doing fine without it. Since I had previous experience with GIAC and because they have a dealer here in Columbus, Ohio [Auto Assets], I decided to have it install. Oh, my! Look, I am not here to sing praises for a mod that does what it is supposed to do. However, the GIAC software performs well above and beyond my expectation. The additional power alone makes it a very worthwhile mod, but the real kicker is that it smoothed everything out - no more stumbles! My driving enjoyment has increased greatly. Highly recommended.

I am also very satisfied with the Milltek exhaust and JCW CAI since I wanted to keep this quiet except when pushing the car. I got what I wanted.

 

I have a buddy who's on his 6th Mini, and he puts GIAC in every one.

 

When I plan my next Helix run for mods or service I plan on having GIAC uploaded. I can't wait.

 

YOu might want to ask them about the RMW product when you swing by

 

I'm pleased w/ the GIAC software as well. Its not a custom tune but it definetly ties the other MODs together and yes it does smooth everything out.
Worth considering amongest the ecu tunes that are available.

 

Can anyone tell me how much these cost?

 

I *Think* they're around $400-$500. Someone with the tune would know better than me though .

 

We charge $325 for the GIAC flash and reflashes are free. Some places might charge a minimal fee if you want an upgraded file (say for instance, you go from a 17 to 19% pulley).

 

Thank you, how do I get it done by you guys?

 

Are you going to be at the Dragon?

 

I wish but Tacoma, WA east is a long haul for me.

 

Ok, well there are two options.

1) You can send us the ecu, we can flash it with the appropriate program and overnight it to you the same day.

We have done this for alot of customers, but if you are a) not comfortable removing your ecu or b) cant be without your car for two days, there is option 2)

2) You can call one of the local GIAC dealers and have your car flashed through them. I checked on the GIAC website, and it seems as though there are 2 shops within a 1 hour drive of Tacoma. You can find the link for their websites here.

While I would be more then happy to flash your ECU and ship it right to you, a better option for you might be to call up these local guys and ask them how much they charge.

 

325.00

 

Some will charge install too. The GIAC guys out here wanted the $325 + 1 hour install = $425.

 

Giac is a great program. I have it on my Jetta and it is awesome. GIAC did exactly what everyone here is saying for my wifes MINI, we loved the performance improvement, but after we installed the "Jesus Head" it just doesn't play nice. Seems to start too lean and cause a big first gear stumble. I am looking forward to next good thing coming from Jan and Helix

 

i love my GIAC.

 

Thank you all for your help. Jeff

 

I'll be the one dissenter. I wasn't really impressed with my GIAC flash at all... I think there are much better alternatives in today's market.

 

Such as...???

 

LDG, FTR, ?RMW?

 

But these are more in the lines of a custom tune.

 

LDG & FBR! both do flashes, but then can also custom tune those flashes on the dyno if I understand correctly. I'm trying to get the custom tune from Mynes Performance in Mesa, AZ. The guy that does their tuning does FBR!'s custom tuning...also from what I understand...please correct me if I'm wrong FBR!.

Who knows what RMW has in store

 

This is so wrong from them... 1 hour install is way too much time. I got mine done in less than 10 minutes.

 

Giac all the way. He has been doing it longer than FBR, LDG, and RMW.

Cutom tunes are great but tuning a car is far more difficult than doing it on a dyno. Car runs differently from day to day and they run differently on the street than a dyno. I know of a tuner who works on allot of VW VR6 turbo cars and while he dyno tunes, he also uses street tuning as well.

I will play it safe and have my fun with my GIAC tune.


"There is only so much juice you can squeeze out of an Orange, then you get pulp....YUCK"

 

Don't get me wrong, GIAC does some amazing things for the Audi/VW community, but it doesn't seem like the guy even tried on the MINI. The advertised results are pretty lackluster and I'm not even sure it achieves that...

I would change software to LDG, but I'm happy with the power that I have now and I don't feel like paying for an additional ECU flash and then getting another flash when I decide to truly build a sleeper...