1.9TiD re-map. What are my choices?

[Tim O]

Again giving consideration to getting my 2008 Vector Sport 1.9Td re-mapped to give it a bit more performance. I know that both Maptun and Hirsch offer a product but both are very expensive.

Are there any cheaper options?  Any downsides? I'm assuming tyre life will take a serious hit, but what about things like clutch, drive shafts, gearbox etc?

BTW I'm near Oxford/Aylesbury. Anyone able to recommend a garage which can do this for me?

[Max Headroom]

Hi TimO

I guess you must be somewhere in/near Thame?

Oxford SAAB may be able to help out but I'm sure there will be a few more suggestions along soon! 

[Tim O]

Good guess, indeed I am in Thame!

I asked Oxfrd SAAB a while back about a Hirsch upgrade but they never got back to me. I know Hirsch are offering discounts but are still horribly expensive. I'm hoping thre are cheaper, but recommended, alternatives.

Anyone?

[Max Headroom]

I think Phoenix is not far from Aylesbury area so he may know some options for you when he logs in.
Im surprised Oxford didn't get back to you - they have been pretty good in my experience - Petemate will agree with that, Im sure

[Tim O]

My dealings with Oxford SAAB have all been positive, would happily go there agin, but not at Hirsch prices.

[sgould]

There are lists on this website.  It's a new site, so i don't know whether the list it commercial.  There are specialists I know that are not on the list.  But have a look and see.

There is even a list of tuners.  Again I have no idea what they do or where they are etc.

http://the-saab-specialist-register.com/saab-tuning/

I think your nearest Saab Specialists are people like Belsyre in Oxford, DCA at Bucklebury nr Newbury, CJSaab Services towards Henley, Maybe Saab Centre between Buckingham & Milton Keynes.  Also BVP in Slough.  And the old main dealers.  Oxford and Reading.  I've heard of someone in Aylesbury, but I've never tracked them down.

[Tim O]

Thanks all.

The fellow nr Aylesbury is :

http://www.swedishcarclinic.co.uk/index.html

I've been there a couple of times with my previous SAAB, nice fellow with a good set up. I believe he was at one time the service managerat Squire Furnaux when they were in Aston Clinton/Tring.

I'll have a look at the list and get on he phone.

[Audax]

My dealings with Oxford SAAB have all been positive, would apply go there agin, but not at Hirsch prices.

Hirsch prices are negotiable, might be worth a chat with them.

[TomPaine]

Would recommend CJ Saab as in sgould's post above. Clive is ex-head Reading Saab spannerman and very good, though busy and sometimes hard to get hold of.

Though it's a measure of the regard in which I hold Saabtech, formerly of Stevenage now of Welwyn, that I go there from Oxford. I'd talk to them about anything like this - massive expertise, and very honest and price-conscious with it.

[Geoff1951]

  Any downsides? I'm assuming tyre life will take a serious hit, but what about things like clutch, drive shafts, gearbox etc?

...insurance...

[sgould]

The Hirsch upgrade only on my wife's 9-3 made her insurance go up by 10%.

I know nothing about modern diesels, but the opinion of people whose knowledge is good, recommend a remap rather than a tuning box.  the tuning box changes the information going to the engine controls and fool it into producing more power.  The remap will increase the power with the full knowledge of the engine ECU and so retain any safety functions.

The way I look at it is like a speed limit.  Your car will be capable of exceeding a speed limit, but a remap would be like changing the suspension, brakes and tyres on your car.  A tuning box would be like changing the speed limit signs on the road.

[sean treacy]

hi timo,i am also in thame,i had my aero tuned by abbotts,but have you tried browns up on the industrial estate.when i was looking to have my car tuned i see they could tune most saabs but by ecu or tuning boxes i am not sure but possibly worth a phone call.