ABT Tuning in the UK

[AGW82]

There is lots of talk about remaps and modifications going on at the minute, and I was particularly interested in ABT's products and how their warranty worked in the UK. Below is an extract of e-mail which explains a little more about how things work in the UK for ABT tuning systems..

Before we go on the merry go round again... This is not an endorsement of their products or a statement that they are better than tuning boxes or ECU remaps or any other possible reason for this to turn into another discussion about what's best, it is simply for information for those that might be interested. I've used an S3 saloon in my communication to them but it's the same for all tuning products from ABT

Hi,


I'm looking for some information on how ABT product warranty works in the UK on performance tuning products? I am considering busying a new S3 saloon and would like to understand what would happen with my Audi warranty if I purchased the ABT tuning kit to take it up to 370PS.


Thanks

Hi Andy


We offer the ABT “AEC” or ABT engine controller for this model,

The huge advantage is that is untraceable via the new Audi diagnostic tool as it is a totally separate engine control unit with a different address.

The cost is around £1975 inc vat and includes a full NSA Warranty package.


The NSA is through a Swiss based insurance company, (National Swiss) this will cover you for circa £5000 of liability (at current exchange rates) this does carry a small excess but does also include things like hire car costs etc)


Audi UK do not approve of any tuning, however ABT have a huge relationship with Audi DE (they run the DTM team for example!) so there are good links between the companies.

Because of the large cost compared to conventional mapping we do offer a free trial for you to try on your own vehicle.


We can fit the controller to your own vehicle, you can drive for an afternoon, (subject to a deposit) if you are happy we can fit the real unit, if you are not happy we simply remove, all we ask is you cover the labour cost of £100+vat for the install and remove.

The map is much more refined than conventional tunes due to the additional development that has been placed into each them and will not apply power until the car is fully up to temperature etc.


Attached is a power curve for your information. This is showing an increase to 370PS


Please see - ABT Power EN - YouTube.for a demonstration video.


If you would like to proceed with a trial, please let me know,

Kind Regards,


Rich

Richard Jones
Richter Sport Ltd
0845 3703 227

www.richtersport.co.uk
Unit 17 Avant Business Centre, 23 Denbigh Road, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DT.

Hi Richard,


Thanks for the quick reply. I haven't purchased the car yet, I'm just making inquiries about the ABT tuning system and warranty. But the trial sounds good so I'll keep in in mind for when I do buy the car...


Does the system also prevent the TD1 code that Audi are now using to detect modifications and void warranties? VWVortex.com - TD1 warranty flag


Andy

Thanks Andy

Yes TD1 is eliminated because there is no modification the base vehicle (i,.e the Audi engine ECU).


The Audi systems cannot communicate with the ABT AEC so all readings ref this are unchanged.


Regards



Rich

That's great news...


Do you advise any kind of running in period before fitting to a new car? Do you advise removal of the kit when the vehicle goes in for servicing or maintenance work, if so is it easy to remove/refit?

Is the insurance there only if Audi refuse a warranty repair? how long does it last for 2, 3 years? and is the insurance the same for all the tuning products or does the claim amount and excess go up if you buy a different product e.g. the tuning system for an RS6?


Sorry for all the questions at once, I just want to be clear on the product and insurance offering.


Thanks


Andy

Hi Andy,

No problem - all good questions in fairness!


There is no recommended running in period, that would be discretionary, may be a worth a week or two just so you get used to the car in standard for so you can truly appreciate the difference once tuned however.


The option to remove the device is always there, on a MQB platform vehicle such as the S3 it is straight forwards (1x10mm bolt) and then the bracket can be removed and the harness unplugged (5 mins work realistically)


The NSA is there in the event of an issue arising that Audi will not cover, it lasts for 2 years/ 60k miles in standard form, however does have the below options (would carry an additional cost).


The NSA value is the same regardless of vehicle.






Kind Regards


Rich

[AGW82]

This was the response on the NSA

The NSA is there in the event of an issue arising that Audi will not cover, it lasts for 2 years/ 60k miles in standard form, however does have the below options (would carry an additional cost).

So to me that says if Audi won't fix a fault with the car due to the tuning system, and you are off the road for the repair, you can claim up to £5k for hire car and Audi repair costs

[retired99]

This was the response on the NSA



So to me that says if Audi won't fix a fault with the car due to the tuning system, and you are off the road for the repair, you can claim up to £5k for hire car and Audi repair costs

Was just going to post the same point.

However, and being a little suspicious wrt insurance companies and the tuning industry, it would be good to see the policy wording.

I get the impression that the ABT offering is neither a remap nor just a plug in box. I get the impression that it's a device which is on the car's CAN Bus and thus has access to more car data than a plug in box. Anyone know if this is right?

There's a school of thought which says that that a plug in box can be detected through unusual readings of, e.g. fuelling and boost, is this so and would this also apply to the ABT offering.

[AGW82]

Was just going to post the same point.

However, and being a little suspicious wrt insurance companies and the tuning industry, it would be good to see the policy wording.

I get the impression that the ABT offering is neither a remap nor just a plug in box. I get the impression that it's a device which is on the car's CAN Bus and thus has access to more car data than a plug in box. Anyone know if this is right?

There's a school of thought which says that that a plug in box can be detected through unusual readings of, e.g. fuelling and boost, is this so and would this also apply to the ABT offering.

As far as I can tell you are correct, the ABT product piggy backs form the ECU and can control/read everything the ECU can, rather than just connecting to the fuel rail and boost pressure sensor. I think this is proven by the fact that the system won't allow the full extra power until the engine has reached a safe temperature.

I did try to lead him on the detection thing with the TD1 flag, which I'm assuming is what gets flagged when Audi see these "impossible readings" and the answer was it would not be detected and would not give a TD1 fault. But if it's actually intercepting what the ECU gets then that's probably true.

I might ask for a copy of the insurance Ts and Cs...

[retired99]

As far as I can tell you are correct, the ABT product piggy backs form the ECU and can control/read everything the ECU can, rather than just connecting to the fuel rail and boost pressure sensor. I think this is proven by the fact that the system won't allow the full extra power until the engine has reached a safe temperature.

I did try to lead him on the detection thing with the TD1 flag, which I'm assuming is what gets flagged when Audi see these "impossible readings" and the answer was it would not be detected and would not give a TD1 fault. But if it's actually intercepting what the ECU gets then that's probably true.

I might ask for a copy of the insurance Ts and Cs...

I think the TD1 flag is raised as a result of detecting that he ECU code has been changed via,say, a checksum or some other approach. Perhaps also for 'out of range' readings which would affect performance.

[AGW82]

This is what the units look like.. They definitely have a lot going on...



ABT ECU.jpg

[AGW82]

I think the TD1 flag is raised as a result of detecting that he ECU code has been changed via,say, a checksum or some other approach.

I'm not sure then... He did say in his first responce it was untraceable by the new Audi diagnostic tools..

The huge advantage is that is untraceable via the new Audi diagnostic tool as it is a totally separate engine control unit with a different address.

[retired99]

I'm not sure then... He did say in his first responce it was untraceable by the new Audi diagnostic tools..

Not really looking to buy a tuning product, my car is fast enough, but if I was the ABT offering would be high up on any list.

If I wanted a faster A6 there are 'standard' options such as an S6 or RS6.

Have a test drive next week in an RS6, not in the market for this but invited to 'Audi Sport Showcase' by my supplying dealer.

Really wanted to test an S6 as I might consider one once the mid term refresh is out, but the S6 not available to drive.

[AGW82]

Not really looking to buy a tuning product, my car is fast enough, but if I was the ABT offering would be high up on any list.

If I wanted a faster A6 there are 'standard' options such as an S6 or RS6.

Have a test drive next week in an RS6, not in the market for this but invited to 'Audi Sport Showcase' by my supplying dealer.

Really wanted to test an S6 as I might consider one once the mid term refresh is out, but the S6 not available to drive.

Nice

I have no idea what I'll get next.. It ultimately depends on finances but an S3 Saloon with ABT mod or the new S4 could be a possibility, I'm 18 months away from changing so anything could happen between now and then... Some kind of RS would be nice but I think that will be a stretch too far...

[AGW82]

Further correspondence...

Hi Rich,


Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it.


There are a few rumors going around that Audi can detect sensor anomalies in the ECU i.e. over boost and over fueling this is over and above the TD1 detection. Is there any truth to this and if there is does the ABT ECU prevent these values being sent to the ECU?


Also it would be great to get a copy of the insurance/warranty Ts & Cs is possible?


Thanks

Andy

No problem.

I have not heard of this before in fairness, we do a lot of conventional tuning here (Superchips etc) and TD1 is the only 'rejection' reason we have currently heard of.






There is a proper written document with the policy when it is taken up, but that is a summery, I will see if I can obtain a full version (I only have ones with previous customer data etc)


There are no nasty surprises however!


Regards


Rich