ABT Engine Remap for Q7 4M 3.0TDI 272PS

[andyhud007]

So, a little info, that I've decided to take the plunge and get a serial engine management unit fitted to my new Q7 by ABT (prounouced "AB-Ter"): Chip tuning, aerodynamics, rims. ABT Sportsline is the world‘s leading Audi and VW tuner

Ive been doing a lot of research and ABT (based in Germany) are renowned for high quality products for the VW Group cars and engine management is no exception

My Q7 (4M) is the 3.0TDI 272PS and although if you search around online there are companies offering upgrades for sub £300 I have opted for a proper system that sits "in-line" with the current ECU as opposed to actually updating the core Q7 ECU itself.

This means a few things:

1. The original ECU remains untouched
2. Audi Diags carry on as normal
3. Audi Warranty is intact (checked already)
4. ABT offering a warranty and insurance on any damage if something occurred upto a large monetary value
5. The system can be removed at any time to return the car to 100% stock.
6. My insurance company have quoted a yearly premium increase of £35.

Main changes:

• BHP from 272 to 325
• Torque from 600Nm to 680Nm
• Top Speed from 234Kmh to 240Kmh (not that I care)
• 0-60 from 6.3s to 6.1s
• CO2 Emission per BHP from 0.55g(km *bhp) to 0.46g(km *bhp)

I'm getting the work done by Richter Motorsport based in Milton Keynes. They are the sole reseller for ABT in the UK. ABT did say I could come to them in Germany and have it done at their HQ but its an 11 hour road trip and I couldn't convince a certain someone!

The below attachment (PDF) is the output changes from Stock to the new ECU update.

4M00_130_325_CRTC_AS_E (1).pdf

And here is the option at the ABT online configurator: http://www.abt-configurator.com/en/A.../4M00/30TDI272

My car will go in for one day (while I hang around) and the ECU info will be downloaded from my car and sent to ABT in Germany. They will then send back the configuration based not only on the stock Q7 4M ECU for my engine model but also a specific software configuration for my actual car/VIN.

Any future software updates from Audi will not affect this.

I won't lie, a little nervous but also excited to see what happens. Some increased PS, Torque and potentially some economy improvements.

Time will tell. I'm aiming to get this done next week so will keep you posted

Cheers

Andy

[Bathurst]

Hi Andy,

You can never have too much POWER!

How did you confirm your Audi warranty would remain intact?

[andyhud007]

Spoke to Audi and my dealer basically...

ABT will provide warranty for all drivetrain related issues from this upgrade. I'm still going over the small print (not paid a penny yet either) but everything looks to be as it should be

I also had a gear short shifter fitted to my old Audi A5 Cab. Granted not the same as an engine update but the principle was the same. Audi warranty intact except if that caused something to break (which is fairly obvious)

ABT and Audi work pretty close.

Cheers

Andy

[A7_UFO]

I've heard scary stories (I have no basis to prove whether these are true) that main dealers can still detect the software even though the tuning box runs in parallel.

Out of interest, what differences are there between the Q7 272 engine and the same engine in the SQ5? Is it just remap or are the injectors different?

[NickTyler]

I have modified cars in the past and always took for granted that the warranty (if any) would be shot. Audi will always be able to tell if they look hard enough as there will be codes stored for over boost etc.

I would be very tempted to go down a similar route but I would be worried if anything did happen there might be an argument between Audi and ABT as to who pays which could drag on.

Top speed and 0-60 is all well and good, but the difference in the mid range and 'overtaking' would be where it really counts. A few more mpg on the motorway is never a bad thing either.

[A7_UFO]

that's exactly my POV. Being cynical, I would anticipate any claims would be a huge battle to fight....so I plan to wait 3yrs when the warranty runs out.

[sm02fly]

Interesting post, thanks Andy.

I'm also interesting in the engine options as I have gone for the 212PS engine... I'm unsure if there are any physical/mechanical differences between the 212 and 272 engine options other than the mapping? After speaking with a friend who works for an Audi main dealer he implied that any remaps on the ECU may well be overwritten during updates, but there may be options available to the mechanic to leave the remap in place- so a grey area still.

Whether ABT is the option for me I am not sure, as €3,000 is not much different to just ordering the 272PS in the first place...

[andyhud007]

HI guys

Thanks for your comments, and to be honest all entirely valid. This is not something I have ever done before which was part of the reason for the post.. to see if it aired any feedback

The ABT AEC Module sits 'in-line' as opposed to a replacement ECU or a modification to the factory ECU. Its literally a second harness with its own computer and I assume interacting with the data being chucked out the stock ECU. I'm not expert but thats my hunch

As I say, the warranty included covers all drivetrain related issues, if they occur. Here is a screen grab of what is covered. Everything else, is not (at least by this specific policy)

Capture.jpg

The other reason I'm doing this is because of a 20% discount they offered, and given the price tag, thats a fair saving.

Open to any other thoughts/comments

Thanks all
Andy

[Scott K]

MTM cantronic is the other one to think about. They have worked with Audi for 20 + years and the box can be removed in 5 minutes. £1300 though which is still quite expensive but might be worth it if you are worried about the warranty.

[A7_UFO]

Out of interest, Andy, how much have Richter quoted?