Tuning Box Recommendations

[KarenJ]

Hi Everyone.

Please can you help me?

I had a test drive of a Ford Focus ST today, gorgeous orange 2008 model. I did like it but the 20.7mpg was a bit of a shocker and it seemed slow compared to the torque I have on the Leon?

I've been in 2 minds on whether to change my Mk1 2005 Leon TDI FR for some months now, I keep looking at the Mk2 Leons and Focus ST's but they just don't seem to have the X-Factor for me!

The other half said what about spending £400 ish on a plug and play box for a little more fun instead of spending £1000's, it will probably keep my happy for another year or so so I'm wondering what recommendations you have and any issues you have had if you've had one fitted.

Many thanks!

 

[rallynut]

better off getting a custom remap for your car the tuning boxes arent very good to honest they wont make the most of your car

 

[S3 AKR]

The best tuning box is the one left on the shelf. Get a proper remap. You'll love it, but watch the clutch.

 

[MJ]

i'll third the notion of not having a tuning box. tuning boxes work by sending false signals to the ecu and ultimatley it ends up in tears. For £400 of your hard-earned you could have a very good re-map which will yield better results and be safer for the reliability of your car.

 

[sssstew]

a good remap is the way to go like said above, and they have come down in price so much now too.

 

[Husbandofstinky]

What's wrong with the Leon? Or should I refrase it 'what can the Focus/Mk 2 Leon do more than your current FR?' and (the follow on) 'is it really worth it?'

IIRC, you haven't had it that long.

But a remap all the way is the answer, a box is just a little to rough and ready.

 

[KarenJ]

Me being fickle... I think, I Love the car but a bit bored by it?

Just wanted a new toy to play with so maybe a re-map and drop the suspension a bit will keep me happy for a bit longer?

Had the FR since July 2008.

 

[MJ]

Sell the baby and buy a hybrid turbo set up

 

[S3 AKR]

Ebay won't let you sell babies or body parts. I tried. 37 times I tried. 37. I need a more cunning plan.

 

[MJ]

facebook market place is a little more relaxed

 

[Husbandofstinky]

Me being fickle... I think, I Love the car but a bit bored by it?

Exactly what I thought and I knew you hadn't had it for that long either (thought it was less than that though).

My advice is to spend a bit of cash on it (especially a map) and give it a new lease of life. Obviously you'll have the usual clutch X factor but that's by the by.

They always say you don't miss something until its gone and I sincerely think that about the Leon. Start driving something else for a while and you'll miss it and look forward to getting back in it again (especially when its got a bit more zip). Both the Leon and the Accord are very good cars to drive in there own way and after a while you miss driving the other one. The 306 is a very good car to drive too (205 chassis and had many 306's over the years - new).

My advice would be to work out the cost to change - say £4k (guess) and spend that money on something you would like as another set of wheels e.g. soft top, classic car, something you've always fancied, a tool - an estate or whatever. Running costs are more or less on par (you'll only use the same amount of fuel/rubber/servicing whether its two cars or just one - all things being equal), the only real additional costs are insurance and road tax.

To me it makes economic sense as it means that the cars will last longer and on that basis you are less susceptible to the ravages of depreciation (i.e. changing a car every two to three years).

Just a different school of thought which in the long run I reckon you save money (and I'm very good at that).

At the end of the day its your call.

 

[perky85]

Remapping is the way to go.

Not only can you get a good custome remap for cheaper than a tuning box, a remap changes all relevant settings to run in sync.

As already said, tuning boxes just trick the ECU & don't change all parameters!!

 

[ChrisGTL]

What did you like about the Focus over the FR?

I'm guessing more power and better handling? £1000 would transform your FR and £1500 would transform it even more with some beefy ARB's.

Best mods IMO are;

Remap
Shocks & Springs
ARB's front and back
DS2500 brake pads and 312mm disc upgrade
ShortShift

Done

 

[KarenJ]

What did you like about the Focus over the FR?

I'm guessing more power and better handling?

Yep the handling was lovely - sometimes the FR is like driving a boat.

Colour and looks of the ST - it has to be the orange one!

And it didn't seem fast to me - Other Half was trying to explain torque power as the Leon has more?

MPG was a killer - 20mpg on the test drive, the journey to the garage was about the same distance and the FR did 46 mpg.

A new clutch would be needed too?

And here's my other point - would you spend £1500 on mods on a 5 year old car?

 

[ChrisGTL]

If you like the FR enough then yes I would spend 1.5k on a 5 year old car, all depends if you like it enough to put money into it.

The boat suspension can be easily fixed with some good suspension kits like the Eibach sports kit - this will make the car feel more solid in the bends.

The clutch is a tough one to answer, my personal experience was to need a uprated one a month after the remap but other TDi owners are still on the standard clutch years after a remap. Just pot luck i'm afraid.

If MPG is important to you then I think you will struggle to find a car that returns the same as your FR with similar power.

Good luck with your descision though, weigh up the positives and negatives.

 

[PompeyPete]

Ebay Tuning boxes...??

Hi Guys, I think i already know what you're all about to tell me but i have seen tuning boxes on ebay similar to this one: ITEM; 290480518728, ending on 26-Oct-10 19:27:39 BST - TDI/Diesel Tuning Chip PD Seat Altea Arosa Leon +38BHP £20 ish......... I just wanted to get a real handle on if they REALLY do actually anything ?? or are they just a gimmick. I might consider a REVO stage 1 remap anyway...£295 for members of this forum i have heard...!!!

 

[ChrisGTL]

Hi Guys, I think i already know what you're all about to tell me but i have seen tuning boxes on ebay similar to this one: ITEM; 290480518728, ending on 26-Oct-10 19:27:39 BST - TDI/Diesel Tuning Chip PD Seat Altea Arosa Leon +38BHP £20 ish......... I just wanted to get a real handle on if they REALLY do actually anything ?? or are they just a gimmick. I might consider a REVO stage 1 remap anyway...£295 for members of this forum i have heard...!!!

Yes the tuning boxes do increase power, but they use 'cowboy' methods to trick the ECU into delivering more fuel/air.

A proper map will re-work the parameters in the ECU - safetly increasing the power.

Tuning box's havn't had the countless hours of R&D to make sure your car within its limits.

 

[Husbandofstinky]

And here's my other point - would you spend £1500 on mods on a 5 year old car?

You'll more or less loose that on the Focus assuming you're driving off the forecourt (difference between retail and part ex).

New car syndrome.

£1500 will go some way on the Leon - map, clutch, ARBs and engine mounts I reckon. You might want to change the suspension though if that's you greatest bug bear first (ball park £500+).

If you really want the Focus though, then buy it as no matter what you do with the Leon isn't going to change that.

 

[seatcupramad23]

reading this thread, an have to say tuning boxes are w**k remap n better clucth/flwheel kit. and with the money u sae take ur girl out shoppin n im sure she ll make u smile for weeks

 

[jxnfr]

Remap all the way in my opinion!!