ED 30 - Want a chip? Standard a better bet?

[Ollieb7]

I had the Bluefin in my car for two days - unit now returned within the 7 day period which was a shame as superchips customer service is top rate. The reasons for this were as stated below and should be considered not only wrt Superchips but also all the other Tuning products;
1. The 'bird' noise the turbo made during spool up did make me worry about longevity. Even though Superchips do appear to offer good warranty i do not wish to be stranded until repair.
2. On full welly the power deliver felt fine however in normal mode driving between 3.5k to 4k the power delivery was a bit 'spikey' which means that you have to drive round it and therefore at times it removed some enjoyment (flow) from the car. I have owned a EVO VIII MR340 which was a big boost car but it did not have the same characteristic. This spikey trait has also been experienced by another forum member
3. I think the bluefin application (and indeed any chip) would be better suited to a 4 wheel drive car - i found there is a loss of 2nd gear fun as i have to wait to put the car in 3rd before i can enjoy it. A Golf is not as throttle adjustable as say a Caterham or indeed a 205 GTI to modulate power to max effect in 2nd without wheel spin.
4. Personally i like the standard character of the engine where the pull increases as you get nearer the top end of the rev range (makes a good noise too!). Bluefin makes it 'feel' as if the power is all lumped in the middle.
5. In the normal golf GTI the 250hp map that is offered could be better suited to the 2 wheel drive configuration - close to the standard ed30 - and indeed superchips has a top asset in that it has access to real time longevity data from the VW Racing UK cars - however for the ED30 no matter what tuning firm you use none of them have real time longevity experince except that from the owners - us the guinepigs! - i have no idea whether the transmission can cope with an addtional 60+hp over long sustained periods of time. Alternatively if the tuning companies could find out how much safety factor is left in each of the componenets this would allow the owners some form of confidence - case in point  when you phone the tuning companies do they know the tollerances of the relevant components - turbo etc...
6. The standard map feels more 'polished' and to me this is no suprise - has any one have any idea how much a major manufacturer spends on map research over a tuning company? - i would bet it were a lot more and the driving experince would back this up IMO.

I tried the bluefin on a 'b' road and indeed the car was faster but somehow because you didn't need to push so hard it wasn't any more fun than the standard set up (at this point i got a 14mpg average!!!!) Addtionally i ran the car at a steady 80mph on the motorway and stopped during the same journey to return the car back to the standard map and instantly there was a 3MPG gain (27 to 30).
Having tested the difference i was actually glad to get the old car back - i missed its character with the Bluefin!
Still all down to personal preferences i suppose - i use the Golf as a fast road car - if you want something else i'd suggest you forget the Golf and get something a little less lardy!

[djhorace]

Fair post. Depends on how long you plan on keeping the car in my opinion.

[Russ.C]

Interesting post, I feel compelled to put mine back to standard for a few days to see what I think, driven it with Bluefin since like may/june 07. I know what you mean with regards to second gear, you do have to wait for third before you can get any foot to the floor action! Something I miss about my old R! Foot to the floor in any gear - makes it so easy! 
Like djhorace says though, it depends on how long you keep it, a bit selfish I suppose but I get a car for myself to enjoy, not to worry about the next owner! I will keep mine until its three years (ish). Then I REALLY REALLY want an RS4... I can dream!! 

[joesgti]

i want an RS4 aswell, 2009 here we come

oh nice write up ollie 

i personally wouldnt know as ive never driven an ed 30 but the gti with some good boots on is fine to floor in second with a remap, in the dry of course   

[Rhyso]

you going to try a different map?

[Andy B]

We haven't yet even run in our Edition 30, but already it's clear that it blows the old car (pug 306 gti-6) clean out of the water.

We'll probably not bother with performance upgrades (famous last words). I'm sure crack-cocaine is a real buzz too, but what you don't know you don't miss! It's a stunning car right out of the box. 

[Ollieb7]

you going to try a different map?

Nope - As i said i like it standard plus there is a chance i may have to sell it as i'm going to Norway - My restored 205 GTI will be back on the road soon so i will use that while away ..... small taxation problem taking new cars into Norway you see (£26k in tax!!!!!!!!!).
Plus it looks like i will be purchasing my wifes 56 oval rag and the van resto to finish so not much point having another car lying about.
I too fancy a RS4 however in two years when i get back they will be too old for every day - kinda rekon by that time there will be a 5 cylinder twin turbo RS3 to hanker after..............

[JonnyG]

Thanks for posting your experience...it is good to hear both good and not so good experiences !

Your thoughts on the Bluefin are similar to hufcforpromotion's in this thread (and an earlier one?)

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=75158.0

hufcforpromotion went for a GIAC remap in the end, which he thought was a lot smoother, so maybe it just the Bluefin that has this 'peaky' power delivery, and not every map ?. 

[JonnyG]

oops double post

[RedRobin]

In answer to some of the questions raised:

- The 'bird' turbo sound should be only subtle but it's not a sign of anything bad happening.

- Various independent professional engineers have told me that VW builds approx +40% headroom into its products.

All performance car manufacturers inevitably compromise the true potential of their cars because of their need to meet various market territory requirements including emissions.

If you mod, the most important thing is achieving a well balanced package of modifications - A remap is only one component.