Hi, I'm new to the forum and this is my first post, hopefully not my last...
I just put down a deposit for a 2007 MCS, and had noticed a wire sticking out of the. Odb port. I asked about it and the owner said it was for a device to monitor engine temperature, etc. When I drove it, I noticed a device in the glovebox that I googled later and found out was an accessport ecu tuning device. Should I be worried? I was just looking to buy a stock S, but this one had an Alta air intake and exhaust, and adjustable suspension. I thought some light mods would be okay, but wasn't thinking about ecu tuning. Would this affect the reliability of the car? My priority is for zero engine problems and good fuel economy, since the S is plenty fast in stock form. Would it be worth getting an inspection before completing the sale, or would they be able to find any issues?

 

Send the Accessport immediately to my house for a detailed inspection and report.

It is a great way to get more horsepower and it is well known in the R56 community.

Learn more about it and I think you will be impressed.

If you are not comfortable, let me know and I will make you an offer for it.

 

You can ask the owner to un-install it and the ECU will be set back to stock.
As far as damage caused by it, I can't help you there. By all means get an inspection
Done if you are nervous.

 

Thanks for replying, guys. My concern is partly that the guy didn't tell me he had been doing ecu tuning. He told me it was a temperature gauge, which it is, but it does a lot more. Also, I think he has already uninstalled it and doesn't plan on including it with the car. I wouldn't have found out about it if I didn't see it in the glove box. If he were to give it to me, that would be a bonus because I think it's something like $900 for the access port device!

The car drove very well, I didn't detect any issues or hear anything unusual... Just don't know how aggressive the tuning was and whether there'll be problems down the road. Since he didn't tell me about it, I don't think I'd get a straight answer if I asked how it was tuned.

 

The tunning tool is a nice thing to have...
Done right, the power is safe...(within reason)
Done wrong, and boom!! Stock parts are made to produce stock levels of power........you can make more and be ok...but the most agressive tunes DID have issues.

 

Some people have reported better mileage with the Access Port tune installed. I haven't seen any posts about engine damage caused by the Access Port.

This thread has more information about the Access Port.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rt-thread.html

I plan on getting one myself.

Dave

 

There have been a few broken pistions....these have proven to be the limiting factor...lower boost levels are fine...but things break at the limits.

 

No broken pistons with the Access Port. It is a more conservative tune, than the custom tunes in which there have been cases of engine damage.

Dave

 

Broken pistons have been reported on cars with stock ECU software as well though. It has to do with detonation caused by carbon buildup on the piston tops that's worsened by the motor being DI. There's lots of threads on this topic here. While high boost levels can worsen the issue due to increased heat, the AccessPort tunes that come installed by ALTA are said to help lower the likelihood of this issue by having the motor run a little richer.

So it comes down to whether the guy was running a custom tune on the AccessPort (which could worsen the issue), or whether he was running a canned tune supplied by ALTA (which could help the issue).

I've been running a Stage 1 canned ALTA tune for almost two years now, I love it

 

I don't have a tune but would like to get one. Maybe AccessPort, maybe Evolve but...question for people familiar with the AccessPort and the OP. Can the tune be left on the car(not stock) and not include the AccessPort? If so, what problems can the buyer have down the road when needing updates or repairs?

Should he insist that it be uninstalled and be shown that it is before the purchase if the Accessport is not included?

 

Looks like you lucked out! Drive it with a tune!!!!

 

In regards to the AccessPort, once you've loaded the tune onto the ECU with the AccessPort you don't have to leave the AccessPort in the car unless you want to use it as a gauge to monitor one of the many parameters it monitors. You always want to remove the tune before taking the car in for service since the ECU can be flashed back to a stock tune by the dealership and then you're left with an AccessPort that will not recognize your car. Then you'd have to call ALTA to see if they can get the AccessPort working again, I don't know the exact procedure.

He should definitely insist the AccessPort be uninstalled if it's not going to be included in the purchase.

 

If you do not get the tool to remove or restore the tune, it my be lost...
go to the dealer....and even if you are out of warrenty, they upload new software...you are back to stock....underwarrenty...you might get flagged, and voided.