1000 mile report after XC90 engine tuning

[yeoman]

I have an diesel 05 plate XC90. I just love the car but did not like the pull at low gears.I decided to chip the engine.After weighing the pros and cons(economics included) of a remap and a plug in device, I decided to go for the plug in which I bought from Diesel tuner Uk.
I must say that the car has been transformed.
It drives superbly now and seems quieter.
I took it to see a mate of mine whose who had test driven the XC90 and was very critical of the acceleration and he is mightily impressed too.(he had also test driven the VW Tuareg V10)

I now average 35.5 mpg on the motorway,but have not noticed any improvement in the intracity mpg.

If there is anyone who is considering chipping his/her Xc90,my advice is GO FOR IT!!

[ojock]

Do you have the Geartronic version?

[yeoman]

Yeah,I do.

[Genghis]

Was your model the 190 BHP? - I saw people were chipping the 150 BHP version - did not know you could do the D5 190 BHP? - if it was this one how much did it cost?

[yeoman]

As far as I know, There are only 2 versions of the 2.4 diesel geartronic(163 BHP and the 2005(on 55 plate in all likelihood) 183BHP.
Mine is the 163 BHP and the figures quoted by the makers of the chip are, 163 BHP increased to 198 BHP and torque increased from 340NM to 430NM
The cost was about 320 quid.

[Genghis]

Thanks for the reply - I did have a guess at the figures.

My one (2005 model) seems fine - although depends on the turbo lag sometimes when you want to pull out & quickly accerlate not a lot happens but you get used to it after a while.

Enjoy your upgrade!!

[avtur1]

Thanks for the reply - I did have a guess at the figures.

My one (2005 model) seems fine - although depends on the turbo lag sometimes when you want to pull out & quickly accerlate not a lot happens but you get used to it after a while.

Enjoy your upgrade!!

I've read the comment about poor pick up on a few occasions now, is it possible that this is the traction control limiting the engine output to aviod wheel spin? The comment is usually made about pulling out or moving off quickly. Does the tuning box make a significant difference in this situation?

[yeoman]

I've read the comment about poor pick up on a few occasions now, is it possible that this is the traction control limiting the engine output to aviod wheel spin? The comment is usually made about pulling out or moving off quickly. Does the tuning box make a significant difference in this situation?


You will find on speaking to anyone who has had an ECU upgrade or Tuning box fitted that the car is so much quicker, smoother and driveable.This is not only at low speeds.I actually belive that it makes it a safer car, as roundabouts in particular can be tackled more safely.

[doctorstephen]

Hi,
I got my tuning box installed yesterday and fully agree with the original comments. Pulling out of roundabouts much better, and a smoother accelerations through the rev ranges.

Are you intending to remove the box when you car goes into service next? or will it be ok just to leave the box in the car? I am just a little worried my dearler voiding the warranty if they see the box.

Steve:Dancing_sorry:

[del0266]

Hello, I'm new to this forum but have read many postings as a guest - including your original question back in April!

I've got a two year old XC90 D5 Geartronic and I've been considering performance improvement.

I was thinking of using the volvo tuning guys in bromsgrove for a chip remap but also consdering the diesel tuning uk option. Is there a particular reason why you went the route you did?

What about the dealer warranty issue?

Cheers

[tj101c70]

I've got a two year old XC90 D5 Geartronic and I've been considering performance improvement.

I was thinking of using the volvo tuning guys in bromsgrove for a chip remap but also consdering the diesel tuning uk option. Is there a particular reason why you went the route you did?

What about the dealer warranty issue?

Cheers

For a bit more info try http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=16649

Just sold my 05 year XC90, (my 4th)
All the previous 3 ran a PSI tune box, along with my current one, an improvement on the standard 163bhp,, until last Christmas,, when I downloaded a RICA upgrade to the ecu,(£590) Certainly now pulls much better than standard car, and noticeably more that the powerbox,

My 5th XC has just arrived, and will download another ecu upgrade next week sometime,, not had any warranty issues on any of them !!

[yatesspud]

how much does the upgrade cost and does it invalid the warranty? thanks.

[tj101c70]

Hi

See my post above re cost (£590),,

Just remap the ECU on the Exe, had 2 warranty items done on the last XC (Steering arms,& Headlamp) no problems

[toothdoc]

one question remains.
why dont volvo do it?
i have a 3 1/2 yr old xc90 which was one of the first in the uk.
i did complain about the acceleration from rest and the garage did attempt a software upgrade but with no real improvement.
i would be very wary about fitting these non volvo parts / upgrades even if they do make the vehicle easier to drive as if you then develop a warranty claim as i bet volvo uk will refuse any engine claims citing tampering.
barry

[tj101c70]

No problems, my first was a feb 03 (52) plate, ran in to 1000 mile then a tune box was fitted, a vast improvement to the pick up,, and could be removed when service time due !


beside your,s is out of standard 3/60k warranty ?


why dont volvo do it?
they have partly, for 06 year uped it to 185 brake a lot better take off that the 163, (even better with a sofware remap :) )

[yatesspud]

I thought about a chip upgrade and asked Volvo about any warranty issues and was told a chip would void my warranty. I would appreciate views as i don't want to void my warranty but would like to get the chip purely for the "lag" problem on pull away. Tanks.

[tj101c70]

Just do it,, ?? why tell them ?? undetectable

As posted before on this thread, my first 3 had the box fitted, the last one (54 plate 163bhp) had a box for the first few thousand, miles, then a ECU upgrade,
had 2 visits to the dealers, (steering arm recall,, warranty on headlamp) no question of void warranty
The current (55 plate 185bhp) has had the upgrade after 1000 miles, now 226 brake :)

[andy1577]

Very interesting posts. I've got the 185bhp and want to do the upgrade but most posts have been from people with the 163bhp. Have you had any problems at all with your uprgade and was it easy to do?

[tj101c70]

Hi Andy,, Np problems whatsoever on my current 185 Exe

Very easy to do, its a download, and have to alow about a hour !!

[andy1577]

Who did the upgrade for you? I looked at the thread you posted previously and there seem to be a couple of different options.

Have you noticed any improvement on the mpg?

Does the car feel noticeably quicker, but as safe?

[tj101c70]

Who did the upgrade for you? I looked at the thread you posted previously and there seem to be a couple of different options.

Have you noticed any improvement on the mpg?

Does the car feel noticeably quicker, but as safe?



Fortunately, have the facility via VIDA to do the downloads myself,(PM if more detail required :) )

The download route is the best way to go, if you intend to get the vehicle for a few years ! had to tell with fuel consumption, whether its down to the engine running in as the miles climb, or the software !! but impression, its slightly better.

Car is quicker !! but its the extra oomph & midrange torque that a improvement

[StevePritchard]

Hi,

Bit of a shameless plug, but here is my installation http://www.pragmatik-ict.co.uk/XC90.cms that I got from my friend (who's website it is).

The benefits of the PBox are:

a) Easy to fit/remove. I did it myself (in the rain, as the pictures show), and can remove it for servicing in 5 minutes.

b) Should you choose to leave it on for servicing etc, or have any problems with Volvo not honouring the warranty because of the PBox, then Steinbauer will pick up the bill for you.

It's a totally different car with the extra 33BHP, taking it from 163 to 196BHP. I can't wait to get my hands on a new one as the same box takes the 185 up to 225BHP, so I'll be taking the PBox with me to my next XC90.

Cheers,

Steve.

[RoscoMac]

Can I ask what your Insurance Company's reaction was? Mine (esure) has said they won't cover a power upgrade :-(. Did it make much difference to your premium?

Thanks

[StevePritchard]

I was with Volvo Insurance (Royal and Sun Alliance) and they wouldn't touch me with a barge pole with the upgrade, despite the new version of the same car having only 9bhp less than my modified vehicle. However, Elephant.co.uk gave me a quote which was about £150 or so more than the Volvo Insurance which was the cheapest the previous year by far. From memory, I think I'm paying about £700 with full NCB.

Cheers,

Steve.

[Diggerv70]

Wow that is a lot, my wife is quoted at £560, just shows that any upgrades or modifications DO affect premiums!

[StevePritchard]

Yeah, that sounds about right - that's what I was paying before.

Cheers,

Steve.

[Beeman]

Hi drstephen, areyou still plsd with box?? How did the dealership(warranty) and yr insurance co react?

[tedm]

i have a 3 1/2 yr old xc90 which was one of the first in the uk.


Wow, mine must be the very first in the country then being a 52 and just over 5 years old!

:wink_smile:

[StretchyV8]

Diesel Tuning UK do 3 different tuning boxes for the XC90

CRD2
Green Power
& Red (Power)

which one did you use?

[AB-UK]

Can the original posters (Yeoman & drstephen) tell us what their insurance companies think of their upgrades?

I have the 163hp version and have always been concerned about the poor start-off performance, especially at junctions and roundabouts. I wrote to Volvo 3 years ago about this and all they said was that it performs to specifications - crap specs from a company whose previous byword was safety!

My fully comp insurance is about £350 but I suspect this might increase a tad if I install the upgrade box or chip.

[yeoman]

Can the original posters (Yeoman & drstephen) tell us what their insurance companies think of their upgrades?

I have the 163hp version and have always been concerned about the poor start-off performance, especially at junctions and roundabouts. I wrote to Volvo 3 years ago about this and all they said was that it performs to specifications - crap specs from a company whose previous byword was safety!

My fully comp insurance is about £350 but I suspect this might increase a tad if I install the upgrade box or chip.



Hello,

I will be totally honest and say I have not and will not be informing my insurance company even if my premium would only go up by a penny!

As the module is a plug and go device and the engine reverts back to normal once it is removed,I take it off when going to have the car serviced and fit it back 10 meters from the dealership.


This is one of the main reasons I decided against an ecu remap as you cannot undo it before taking the car in to the dealership.
I have now done 21,000 miles since fitting the module and I am as happy as larry with it!

Cheers

[Clan]

I've read the comment about poor pick up on a few occasions now, is it possible that this is the traction control limiting the engine output to aviod wheel spin? The comment is usually made about pulling out or moving off quickly. Does the tuning box make a significant difference in this situation?


if you floor the throttle when pulling away its slower than initialy using a small throttle opening and then progressivly opening more as the car starts to move ,,, try it !

[Viper_7]

Any kind of upgrade shouldn't affect the warranty, unless said upgrade caused the problem that your claiming under warranty for.

It's up to Volvo to prove that the upgrade caused the problem.

It will void your insurance though if not declared.

Increasing the performance like this is a bit like overclocking your CPU.
The manufacturers build in quite a bit of slack on components to ensure they are not at their upper limits all the time and cause reliability problems.

Over clocking CPU's can and does give better performance, but it can also lead to problems.
Just as any re-map or after market "box" can cause. However the people who do the re-map's and provide these "box's" have also looked at the tollerances and they will only go so far as well. So all in all it's a sound upgrade but there will always be that reduction in reliability to a point.

vipes

[AB-UK]

Yeoman's honesty to the forum is appreciated, if not his honesty towards his insurance company. To echo Viper's point, if you are involved in an incident, whether it is your fault or not, and your modification is found by the police and/or insurance investigator, your insurance may be invalid.
It is a risk you take, but also a risk for third parties (such as your family) who might be dependent on an insurance payout one day.

Sermon over! Suffice to say I would not do this, and I am simply trying to ascertain how much of a premium increase I am likely to experience should I decide to openly opt for a performance upgrade, whether box or chip.

[yeoman]

Yeoman's honesty to the forum is appreciated, if not his honesty towards his insurance company. To echo Viper's point, if you are involved in an incident, whether it is your fault or not, and your modification is found by the police and/or insurance investigator, your insurance may be invalid.
It is a risk you take, but also a risk for third parties (such as your family) who might be dependent on an insurance payout one day.

Sermon over! Suffice to say I would not do this, and I am simply trying to ascertain how much of a premium increase I am likely to experience should I decide to openly opt for a performance upgrade, whether box or chip.

Dear AB_UK,

As a matter of fact, I am less likely to have an accident with the upgrade than without!
Prior to fitting the module,roundabouts in particular were a harzardous undertaking.
I have a family and do not drive ina way to risk my precious cargo or other road users!

The other advantage of the upgrade is the improved fuel economy.My average of the past 10,000 miles is 35.2(according to the computer)

I appreciate the risk of something going wrong will not make this suitable for everyone,but I guarrantee that if you drive one withe the modification, you will not go back.Ironically, all the volvo main dealers i have contacted will (unofficially of course) recommend companies that do the upgrade.As a matter of fact, one of them does the remap in house!!!!

There you go!

[tem]

Dear AB_UK,

As a matter of fact, I am less likely to have an accident with the upgrade than without!
Prior to fitting the module,roundabouts in particular were a harzardous undertaking.
I have a family and do not drive ina way to risk my precious cargo or other road users!

The other advantage of the upgrade is the improved fuel economy.My average of the past 10,000 miles is 35.2(according to the computer)

I appreciate the risk of something going wrong will not make this suitable for everyone,but I guarrantee that if you drive one withe the modification, you will not go back.Ironically, all the volvo main dealers i have contacted will (unofficially of course) recommend companies that do the upgrade.As a matter of fact, one of them does the remap in house!!!!

There you go!

We hear what you say - BUT, If the "Insurance Company" do not know that you have carried out a "Modification", then your Policy could be invalid.

An "Invalid Policy" could lead to "Criminal Proceedings", as driving on the Public Highway, without proper Insurance, is breaking the "Law".

I just hope that no member of this "List" is in an accident with you. (Or anyone else)

tem.

[AB-UK]

Yeoman,
I fully appreciate what the "upgrade" could do regarding improved setting-off at roundabouts etc. - and to my mind it IS a safety improvement, and if anything IS likely to avoid accidents where tardiness at moving is a factor.
This is why I am interested in peoples experiences with these upgrades.

I too have a family which is why my last two cars have been Volvos.
However, I will not drive around in an uninsured car, which unfortunately you seem happy to do. You may not be able to avoid an incident - improved car performance or not. There is little you can do about uninsured unlicenced yobs who steal cars or buy £50 jobbies at the pub (the council estates are full of such people - and I don't apologise for stating the obvious) and drive around with no regard to other road users - they have little to fear from the law, and you can't sue them to recover any costs. There are many such yobs near my abode, and it is a real concern.

Imagine one these totalling your car and injuring you or any of your family - the car is examined by the police, the modification discovered - insurance deemed invalid - the intensive physiotherapy or specialised equipment you require for rehabilitation will not be paid for from this source, and you face prosecution.

I couldn't look my wife and children in the eyes and tell them this is the risk I am prepared to take on their behalf.

Hmm - another sermon - I must stop doing that! Nuff said.

I would have thought insurance companies would welcome this improvement for the XC90, but I'm sure they will want a higher premium, safer car or not.

I would like some info from "upgraders" who have informed their insurance companies and drive their cars legally therefore.

I wrote to my previous insurance company asking for information about increased premiums if I "chipped" my car, but they didn't even reply. I was waiting for a response from others before writing to my current insurer.

[chf]

If you are interested by this debate and are looking for info, I suggest you surf and search the following forum www.alfaowner.com were there is a large community of alfa romeo owners that did remapped or chipped their cars ....

Happy hunting

Chris

[willu]

Yeoman , which tuning box did you buy from Diesel tuner uk? Been onto their website and curious as to which one you have.

[TexasDave]

I was waiting for a response from others before writing to my current insurer.

I've only joined the last page of this thread so I don't know how it has developed, but I would agree with those who say it is best to tell your insurer. I didn't always feel that way - pre-family I had a Porsche which I chipped (to great effect!) and didn't tell the insurer. This was on a 10 year old rare car with several owners and I reckoned that if ever anyone was smart enough to find the chip and verify that it was not OEM, it would be difficult to prove that it was me that put it there. Regardless, that chip was used by a huge number of owners of that model, some of whom told the truth and as I recall, the insurers were generally OK about it - some not even upping the premium - and that is on a performance car and with mostly mainstream insurers. I really can't imagine that chipping an XC90 is going to cause more than a 10% increase in premium.

*This was all in the UK by the way - my forum name is a bit misleading!

[biturbo]

I love to bring an OLD thread back from the dead :)

In the past 7 years has anyone got anything more to add to this?

Thinking more towards the reliability of the Auto Boxes with all the extra torque.

[EdmundIJones]

I've just read this and appreciate it's from times gone by but the same arguments about chipping and informing insurance companies apply.

I've never chipped a car or modified one other than changing the stereo that I did declare (and they didn't care less) so I've no real opinion about declaring engine mods but something did occur to me while reading through the posts.

If you knowingly modify an engine and don't declare it then it should invalidate your insurance BUT what if you buy a used car which has been modified already and as you're not a car technician or expert you are not to know. When the insurance company asks if it has been modified when you take out insurance you'd say no in good faith. Where would things stand then as technically it has been modified and the new owner didn't declare it. The owner I guess would need to prove that he/she didn't do the mod themselves in the event of an accident and the mod being found by investigators.

This is why when I buy a new (used) car and the insurance company asks if it has been modified, I always answer "Not that I am aware off". I'm not committing insurance fraud then unknowingly and hopefully they would have me on record saying it should it be needed.