Well, I have been doing my DD and been having a tpough time deciding on an ECU upgradw path.

Considering the rumor that supposedly Mini only allows 14 programing changes (then what.,...you get to buy a new ECU?) and then the rumors that a "footprint cab be left behind by flashing and going back to stock...I sort decided on the unichip method for my stock 04 MCS.

BTW...being an electronics guy, this must be a typical BMW thing since Flash roms can normally take 1000+ flashes!!!

Well 1st off I tried the local Unichip tuner (dealer)...no answer for 5 days now at his phone. BYE to him!

Then i called Unichip itself to get some info....Got that "we value your business" recording garbage (they want you to leave your Ph#...NO CHANCE) for 15 minutes! For $800 they could pick up the phone you would think. Probably have 1 person answering all questions.

This has become the American way of doing business...no employees & no CS...JUST SAY NO!!!!

Heck, if you cannot get before purchase support, what happens when you buy something!!! I have no intention of finding out!

Decision...to heck with all of them (heard about the MTH USA horror stories too)...I will keep my $$ and let em eat cake. My MCS will just stay stock, except for maybe an OCC and strut brace! I am happy with it as is anyway...just wanted to play!

 

have you tried the GIAC? i'm getting my car flashed next week @ Helix in Philly. call Eric @ Helix he actually helped develop the program with GIAC.

 

I have purchased from both mth germany and usa without any problems. None of my files took more than a couple of days to get back and some of them showed up the next day.

The 14 flashes is a bmw counter, not mth, etc...

I can't tell which way is best, but If you think flashing is a pain, then you may want to read more about unichip experiences. They each have thier points.

 

I have also heard that MTH in Germany is ok...but I live here in the US! If they have trouble with their US dist,,,they should get a different one

My decision on the unichip was based on the fact that is was "piggybacked, Yes the 14 program limit is a BMW thing (I have been flashing flash roms for years in computers and have an OBCII tool too (not a pain)...I had my go arounds with BMW Years ago when they required the "special" tool to reset the service light, until the feds got involved! (built my own during that time....just got the pinouts) The local Bimmer dealer still insists you need the tool..Ill informed ( I showed him in the Mini service guide (on CD) that he was wrong...also wnts to pick up the mini line...so far Mini will not give it to him...I will still drive to Niello if they do! (120mi ea way)

Anyway all chipers have good and bad,,,,
Bad CS Not acceptable ...BTW:way thanks alot for the input though...it is appreciated! I am one of those types that when spending that type of $$ I expect CS...a couple of days for CS on custom stuff is fine...not picking up the phone is NOT ACCEPTABLE IMHO (the 60's in me!) Hell, the "Tuner for Unichip here does not even have an answering machine

The other line I love when you call a local vendor for something simple..."Not in stock but we can get it for you tomorrow"...SO CAN I ON THE NET AND WITH NO SALES TAX AND USUALLY CHEAPER TOO.
I pay retail for CS and stores that inventory goods...that what markups/retail are all about!! Inventory is a cost of doing business...Just one reason I retired from the corporate world....

I paid a Mini parts place (not mentioning names but in Calif) full boat plus, for a few interior add ons...they screwed the orders up 3 times in a row and like Ebay's many vendors overcharged on the fgt, and did not ship when promissed. I can drive there in less than 1.5 hrs from Reno...Off my list too! On a nice note have had great experiences with another vendor in Auburn, Ca. Also Niello (the dealer) has been VERY good to me and I bought it used here in Renoi...that is what I call CS!

 

Why would you want an OCC? They don't do much at all and you'll still have a thin film of oil accumulating inside your intercooler whether you have the can or not. ..

Cleaning the intercooler is so easy and quick that you can do it while you wait for the oil to drain when doing an oil change.

 

I also live in th US. I have tried both MTH germany AND USA. I got the standard from DE and tuner from USA. No problems. What I meant by " a bmw thing" is that the counter is only used for dealer flashes NOT aftermarket. What I meant about learning more about unichip is that it may cost you more time, money and frustration to get it tuned completely than you think. As far as I know you can't adjust throttle response without a flash and that makes a big difference in how the car feels.

Good luck.

 

gizzer, I bought my Unichip from Chad (Agokart here on NAM) of Detroit Tuned. Why don't you send him a PM or email him at chad@detroittuned.com. He's a straight-shooter.

 

Thanks Yucca...I am taking the IC off today and having a look see...will clean if needed (19000 mi) and have decided not to buy the OCC. You are 100% correct...this should be a service issue, not a mod IMHO (I like to service my own cars anyway)....Much to tempting to spend $$ on mods that I do not really need with this little beast...I wonder where that sublimital display is that reads...(MOD, MOD, MOD...your Mini!)

 

Let's not go down that well worn path. An OCC is good !

 

Thank you for distinguishing the "Dealer Flashes from the aftermarket flashes" That puts a new slant on things and I will be rethinking my ECU decisions again...now better informed!