MTE back in the UK.

[pault5]

Hi Bobcat,
Why not phone Volvotuning in the morning and ask them?
I am sure they would love to hear from you...LOL...
Paul

[bobcat]

Originally Posted by pault5

Hi Bobcat,
Why not phone Volvotuning in the morning and ask them?
I am sure they would love to hear from you...LOL...
Paul

Im sure they would paul , it would most likely be like the last time hamish rang me (over the falling off turbo), lots of threats and asking me to back off.

[MissDMeanor]

One thing that occurs to me in this debate about any chip is the car insurance......

If customers are told it is undetectable and invisible maybe they will not be informing their insurance companies to avoid paying extra.

What happens if the car is involved in an accident, whether just a knock or a serious RTC? Surely insurance companies, who are notorious for going through claims with a fine tooth comb, would be looking for something like a chip in an attempt to invalidate the insurance???

With that in mind, surely customers ought to be informed that these chips (supplied by whomever) are detectable and not invisible?

This is, potentially, a serious issue is it not???

[Dan F]

Originally Posted by s40R

Dan,

You probably don't remember me way back when you had your S40 from vvspy. Hello again. Sorry to hear Volvo put you through the wringer before they would fess up to thier own problem. Arghh frustrating

Two of them were Upsolute and the customer had to eat the cost of getting ECU back to working properly. Third one was PES, they had some good success chipping Audis but not with Volvos. All three people told me in the end it had to do with inferior solder work on the Boards inside of the ECU. I agree completely with Vadis compatible perspective, I had my TME program on my Volvo for 4.5 years and it was never overwritten by Vadis with numerous updates from Volvo(lucky me). If it was ever overwritten I would just send it to the TME/MTE dealer to re-install the updated ECU program with Vadis upgrades. Based upon my long running with TME success I just had MTE(sister company) custom remap my ECU last Fall the car go's like mad with daily driver reliability. Very pleased!

Best Regards
s40R

Hi.
Yes I do remember you from a while back. Glad to see you have done a lot with your car.
I have a C70 now. I really did like my S40 2.0T and my T4, but now I am on 5 cylinders.
On the subject of remaps, if my RICA map wasn't VADIS compatible I wouldn't have had it done. As my dealer had overwritten the ECU (in its entirety that is why it went back to standard) then it is obviously is OK with it.
I will certainly think hard before I have any ECU work done via anything other than the ODB port in future, as to me it is the safest and least invasive way of doing it.

Later,
Dan.

[TJMurphy]

Personally, this argument is putting me off updating my ECU!

I'd like the supplier to tell me what he's going to do, in advance, and then confirmed in writing on the invoice. So long as I understand it and (all) the risks are explained then fine, it's on my head. I'd be prepared to take his word / invoice in preference to the blurb on the website!

Reprogramming the ECU is what I would call visually undetectable but come on, you're talking 10%+ power hike, who are you really trying to kid here? If it's the insurance company then quite frankly if you cause an RTC and you didn't tell them you deserve to have them whip the ECU out and examine the code (IMHO of course).

This thread seems to be getting a bit heated, I'm almost not surprised the suppliers aren't responding (also maybe VT don't want to reply on a thread which started out about MTE?). I am surprised though that there seems to be confusion over what gets done on these upgrades though - reprogramming or physical change? Isn't this a Yes / No type of question?

[don kalmar union]

I hope that I have made it clear on this site and in any correspondance that to install any MTE software the ECU never has to be opened and the work is done where possible in the customer's presense.

All work is done by addressing the ECU, out of the car and unopened. The one exception is the old shape S40/V40, where the work is done through the vehicle's OBD socket.

Interesting to know why many competitors undertake this work in private in an upstairs room and allways quote 2 to 3 hours wait while it is done.

Anyone know why it takes so much time?


Regards, Don.Norchi.

www.kalmar-union.com

UK distributor of MTE Engineered Software .

[bobcat]

Originally Posted by don kalmar union

I hope that I have made it clear on this site and in any correspondance that to install any MTE software the ECU never has to be opened and the work is done where possible in the customer's presense.

All work is done by addressing the ECU, out of the car and unopened. The one exception is the old shape S40/V40, where the work is done through the vehicle's OBD socket.

Interesting to know why many competitors undertake this work in private in an upstairs room and allways quote 2 to 3 hours wait while it is done.

Anyone know why it takes so much time?


Regards, Don.Norchi.

www.kalmar-union.com

UK distributor of MTE Engineered Software .

I will confirm what don says, MTE have the unlock codes to access the eeproms on the older cars through the ecu connector (as it cant be done through the obd2) so they dont need to take the eeprom out - this was confirmed by a reiliable source.

as im aware not all tuners can do this, and by the no response to the simple yes or no question, im assuming volvotuning cant access the original eeprom through the ecu connector, - so when they say they have all the equipment maybe there getting a bit to excited.

[Traduk]

Originally Posted by don kalmar union

I hope that I have made it clear on this site and in any correspondance that to install any MTE software the ECU never has to be opened and the work is done where possible in the customer's presense.

All work is done by addressing the ECU, out of the car and unopened. The one exception is the old shape S40/V40, where the work is done through the vehicle's OBD socket.

Interesting to know why many competitors undertake this work in private in an upstairs room and always quote 2 to 3 hours wait while it is done.

Anyone know why it takes so much time?


Regards, Don.Norchi.

www.kalmar-union.com

UK distributor of MTE Engineered Software .

Don,

I was present at the premises throughout the entire time that my car was worked on but did not see the process. The first and longest part after the ECU was taken to an upstairs room was to be a series of software checks which I would guess was to determine the revision status of various modules. Probably very important as my vehicle has\had been flashed by Volvo to use the later re-designed Maf and O2 sensors.

The checking process took a long time and although I have no idea as to what it was inter-facing with I was not surprised that it was protracted because my car has three times inter-faced with Volvo in Sweden and that is a slow process. The operative was talking to me during not only that phase but subsequent ones excluding brief progress check visits upstairs and of course the actual flashing process. Another lengthy part was the post flash checks which again appeared to require nothing more than periodic progress checks.

As with the other mechanical work carried out I was impressed by the meticulous attention to detail and the thoroughness of the pre and post flash checks. I was quite impressed to be told that my ECU was up to date with the latest Volvo revisions even though I already knew that as I had paid a Volvo main dealer to carry out those software upgrades whilst having a later design MAF sensor fitted. With my car there is no backward compatibility with the ECU and older sensors. Those sensors are also an important part of any tuning process.

A year+ ago the questions posed by my enquiring mind were answered. I have every reason to believe that the upgrade performed on my car was done with checked knowledge of the ECU software status.

I have often wondered whether the off the shelf re-flashes take into consideration ECU upgrades which may or may not have been done. The Volvo master-tech who did the sensor upgrade told me that he could not assume from the VIN number and had to interface with Sweden to check whether it needed to be done or had been done.

My vehicle was also checked for mechanical soundness and most importantly to make sure that no mechanical tuning devices had been fitted by the previous owner. It was fairly obvious to me that for most of the time the operative's behaviour was comparable with what I would expect during large upload\ download transactions.

I have never been a fan of any method that assumes, within model ranges, that one size fits all especially as subtle but important variations may occur. I had a strong inclination at one time toward BSR but the off-putting factor was mechanical suitability plus my perhaps unfounded concerns over pre-existing software revisions. The same factor put me off any send and return upgrade method. I consider that self-flash or send and return flash carry risks beyond those that I was willing to accept.

You appear to expanded the manner in which you can operate which begs some questions and they are posed to determine the differences between self flash and the process done by someone other than the owner.

(A) do you check for suitability and the potential of damage due to pre-existing faults or manual controllers?

(B) do you check that any Volvo vadis performed upgrades are compatible with the re-program you are going to install?

(C) do you carry out post upgrade checks to verify that the vehicle performs in accordance with expected parameters and with the emphasis on possible engine damage?.

(D) If the upgrade is carried out at customers home or business where no garage facilities are available then how are the above verified if indeed they are verified at all?.

As it was of specific interest to me that my vehicle was thoroughly checked throughout all processes I am interested in how far you differ from a self flash process.

I have been asked by a non mechanically minded friend with a V50 Diesel to find out about undetectable upgrades which will not void his warranty. Other than Rica all I can find is piggy back fly-lead connected chip boxes. Do you upgrade these vehicles and if so, How? I might have a customer for you.

Liam

[Dan F]

Originally Posted by bobcat

I will confirm what don says, MTE have the unlock codes to access the eeproms on the older cars through the ecu connector (as it cant be done through the obd2) so they dont need to take the eeprom out - this was confirmed by a reiliable source.

as im aware not all tuners can do this, and by the no response to the simple yes or no question, im assuming volvotuning cant access the original eeprom through the ecu connector, - so when they say they have all the equipment maybe there getting a bit to excited.

Hi Bobcat.
I am not saying that you are correct, or incorrect in your above statement, as I don't really care, however, playing devils advocate; Why should we take your word for it that you have the word of a 'reliable source' when you don't take anyones elses word? Where is your proof? You keep requesting it from others so where is yours?

On a more general note:
All this nonsense about VT keeping some of their procedures 'secret' is simply a 'lynching' exercise to my eyes. Every tuner does this to one degree or another.
SW Autos for example do a 'secret' mod to peoples cars that apparently negates the need for an ECU remap. Will Stuart disclose what he does? No (not as far as I have seen anyway).
Why? Either it is so specialised he doesn't want others trying it and maybe breaking something (very thoughtful of him), or (and most likely I reckon) he won't say what he does because then other enterprising individuals will realise they can do it themselves without spending much money at all or simply do the same for less.......
No doubt it will now be said by Stuart (or other 'SW-fans') that it is highly specialised knowledge and kit etc. If that is the case, then do then *please* tell us exactly what you do to get 280+WHP from a non chipped car!
After all if we want it done to our cars (As we may do, especially if it is that good) we will want to know what is involved, otherwise we would be just taking your word for it that our cars won't be damaged and it will be OK, and as we are all discussing, just a verbal 'oh it will be OK', is obviously not enough. If you describe the procedure then everyone here will *know* it is safe and maybe a great option for them!
Mind you, in reality all the tuners are as secretive as each other. This is because they all know that if they all have the same tools, the same ECU maps and same knowledge, then what it *all* comes down to at the end of the day, as far as the customer is concerned, is whom is cheaper and has the best customer service.
If XX garage says they have a method to squeeze XX more horsepower from your car without modifying the ECU, they aren't going to let it be known how it is done or someone could either improve it, or undercut their price.
Therefore tuning is not a true competitive market, it is more like who's 'club' you want to be in and who's methods you prefer.
Anyway, that is my take on all this.
Amusing though watching all the testosterone fuelled posturing that goes on around here these days! Bring back the days when people asked for help and got impartial advice from other members.
The only way to bring that back would be to ban all commercial parties from posting. If they want a presence on the forum, they should pay for an advert! Simple as.

Later.

[bobcat]

Hi Dan,

I shouldnt have to open my ecu to obtain an answer to a simple question, the answer to the question will not (either yes or no) compromise the security of the rica product. The method of getting the modified code onto the eeprom\eprom does affect the peformance of the product. I am after all a customer who has purchased a legal copy of the rica software, im sure stuart will tell his customers what exatctly he has done to there cars if they ask, even though he may not give details on exact numerical values. im also sure if you approached swautos with a genuine intend to have his mod done then he would tell you the areas that he mods.

as im aware julie is the only car on here to have had it done, though ive asked for the same treatment when i sell my rica.

volvotunings failure to answer my quetsion i think says it all, when will this misleading stop (wont somebody think of the children!!)

Matt.