Hi all.
I think I already know the answer, but I keep seeing the "chip your car" website come up advertising an ODBII "chip" with various performance gains for cheap.

Has anyone done a real evaluation of them? I think the "you get what you pay for" may hold true with these.

I've had a WRX & Mazdaspeed3 in the past with Cobb's AccessPort (proven gains), I wish they still did Minis. I liked the ease of programming.

Thanks.

 

Don't buy into the cheap.

If you've got an N18 you could install a JB+ and notice a gain, but it costs near the same price as having a proper tune from RMW or Manic and nets less power.

Talk to a Manic dealer and they'll give you the information you need.

 

Yeah, no cheapo for me. I understand the need for a proper tune.
I think my engine is the N14? (2010 S).

 

Contact Way from WMW, he did a Stage 1 tune on my R55 and I loved it.

 

N14 has a couple more tuning options. You can actually get a privately labelled Accessport (branded by Alta) and use that for a tune. They aren't sold new though so you need to find one used.

Otherwise, Manic is an option still. As is Way Motor Works and Revolution Mini Works.

 

First thing I did to my car was the JB+ chip and it was certainly noticeable. Now that I've modified almost everything else I'm considering a Manic tune.

 

I'm planning on a Manic tune for my N18 JCW Coupe later this year. I think there's a place in Tempe, AZ that does them for around $500. And supposedly there's a switch under the hood that let's you turn it off in case you need to visit a dealer for warranty issues that hides it. My warranty is almost up though.

 

Yes we do tuning all the time. The Chip tuning ads you see are false as that is an old school approach that years ago we physically removed a chip and replaced it. Now days we simply connect to the ECU and modify the files on it for the increase in performance. You can simply ship your ECU to us and we will flash it and mail it back.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/perfor...-cooper-s.html

 

$425 gets you multiple custom tunes as well as the ability to read live engine data and read/clear diagnostic codes.

 

On average, how much are WAY's tunes? I just figured out last week that this guy is so close to me.

 

Just go to his website and find the actual price.

 

with the Manic tune, you can get a "SPS switch" which allows you to switch among several different tune maps - stock, and maps A,B,and C. The dealer can set all 3 up. I find it useful when other folks are driving my car... they only get map A at the most.