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164 Posts
Well guys, it's disappointing to write this since Powerchip has been an M5 community supporter for 5-10+ years? Searching Carbon Buildup software fix, you will see PC was one of the first to help out E39 owners on this issue. I've been a PC customer since May 2010, my first PC tune was excellent both for the car and myself.
Recently I changed cities, 94 octane fuel is hard to come by and the car started running less than ideal in my new location. It was time to update my PC tune... My timing happened to coincide with PC release of the MAFless option back in August. It is now November and I'm still waiting for a 100% functional tune.
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First and foremost, the most frustrating part of PC has been the lack of customer service response. This is the biggest no-no in my mind and not worth any amount of money... I can deal with a product that has issues, but to have service that is ALWAYS late and never as requested just blows my mind. The guys at PC, and Wayne NEVER ONCE delivered a Tune on time and never did they follow-up. If I reported a problem, it usually took some time to get a response and in that response I would get a email stating they would get back to me in 24 hours or they would provide a new tune on Monday. After 72+ hours, I would have to chase them for an update or the required fixes, at some points it even became as simple as can I get a responce from them. PC customer service is nothing but lip service, no support to backup their claims and promises.
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Now with the tunes... I've come to the conclusion that whoever provided the genius behind tuning at PC must have left the company. I've been through countless tunes over the past 3 months, never have they got it right and each tune did not address the reported problem 100%. Lets get one thing straight - going back to OEM software or going back to PC 2010 software returned my car to what I would call normal states. Car maintenance is not the issue here, software is.
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The PC tunes, first, idle... the car has not idled correctly on any of the recent PC tunes. I've tried tunes for 1 week, several km, nothing... MAFLESS tunes idles very high 1500-1000 RPM, and typically hunts. MAF tune idled 1100 RPM first time, 750-800 RPM second time and 400-500 RPM last tune. Why can't these guys get the idle right? PC 2010 tune idles nicely at 600-650 RPM, just like stock.
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Biggest problem with the PC tunes is drivability. Despite living in the Prairies, we have some pretty good river valleys with some serious hill/inclines. The most concerning aspect of the PC tunes is the engine behaviour under load - it hesitates! To me, this screams poor tuning and engine damage. Under my OEM tune, the car does not hesitate; it's somewhat 'sluggish' after driving the PC tune for a year, but it is solid and smooth. The PC tune, as soon as you put any load on the engine, you can feel the engine pull back, adjusts, go, pull back... each tune varied. The MAFLESS tune - useless under load, the car wanted to stall out - even on the highway, is that dangerous? The MAF tune, last versions almost had it 100%, but under the longest and hardest hills, still you could feel the car pull back when you hammered the gas.
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PC's good side? Throttle response on the PC MAF tune is awesome; I've never felt the beast so responsive to throttle input both in normal and sport mode. I have to say, the PC software was pretty sweet in this regard. Power, oh ya, the PC MAF tune was super under light driving conditions - flat road? bring on GT500's, Vette's, anything... the PC tune would rocket the car forward, it really felt like PC strapped a supercharger to the engine.
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What does this mean for me? After testing the crap out of several tunes, I'm going to stick with the best tune they provided, a MAF tune with high idle and hesitation on only the steepest of hills... I can live with these limitations. Do I drive my car often, nope; it's all pleasure driving now... I just have to remember not to drag race uphill. IF my car was a daily driver, I would be on the OEM stock tune right now...
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So, after all this, what can I say? Buyer beware, I'm so frustrated dealing with these guys, and I'm sick and tired of chasing them to fix their product... it's my money, why should I be running after these guys? What's even more frustrating is PC seems to give some people good service and screw other people around? WTF. So ya, if you are willing to put your money on the line, be ready for a non-functional tune and terrible to no support aftersales... go ahead, get the PC product. For me, after 2 months, I've not enjoyed my car at all, I've spent countless Saturdays updating my ECU and testing for hours, a PC tune is worth $0 - nothing, and I mean nothing is worth this kind of headache. Some say you get what you pay for; in this case, you get nothing but a headache and a questionable tune.
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Sorry Powerchip, your service and lack of customer respect demanded this post. If you can't support customers properly, why are you still in business?
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Regards,<o></o>
Andrew<o></o>
Recently I changed cities, 94 octane fuel is hard to come by and the car started running less than ideal in my new location. It was time to update my PC tune... My timing happened to coincide with PC release of the MAFless option back in August. It is now November and I'm still waiting for a 100% functional tune.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><o
></o>First and foremost, the most frustrating part of PC has been the lack of customer service response. This is the biggest no-no in my mind and not worth any amount of money... I can deal with a product that has issues, but to have service that is ALWAYS late and never as requested just blows my mind. The guys at PC, and Wayne NEVER ONCE delivered a Tune on time and never did they follow-up. If I reported a problem, it usually took some time to get a response and in that response I would get a email stating they would get back to me in 24 hours or they would provide a new tune on Monday. After 72+ hours, I would have to chase them for an update or the required fixes, at some points it even became as simple as can I get a responce from them. PC customer service is nothing but lip service, no support to backup their claims and promises.
<o
></o>Now with the tunes... I've come to the conclusion that whoever provided the genius behind tuning at PC must have left the company. I've been through countless tunes over the past 3 months, never have they got it right and each tune did not address the reported problem 100%. Lets get one thing straight - going back to OEM software or going back to PC 2010 software returned my car to what I would call normal states. Car maintenance is not the issue here, software is.
<o
></o>The PC tunes, first, idle... the car has not idled correctly on any of the recent PC tunes. I've tried tunes for 1 week, several km, nothing... MAFLESS tunes idles very high 1500-1000 RPM, and typically hunts. MAF tune idled 1100 RPM first time, 750-800 RPM second time and 400-500 RPM last tune. Why can't these guys get the idle right? PC 2010 tune idles nicely at 600-650 RPM, just like stock.
<o
></o>Biggest problem with the PC tunes is drivability. Despite living in the Prairies, we have some pretty good river valleys with some serious hill/inclines. The most concerning aspect of the PC tunes is the engine behaviour under load - it hesitates! To me, this screams poor tuning and engine damage. Under my OEM tune, the car does not hesitate; it's somewhat 'sluggish' after driving the PC tune for a year, but it is solid and smooth. The PC tune, as soon as you put any load on the engine, you can feel the engine pull back, adjusts, go, pull back... each tune varied. The MAFLESS tune - useless under load, the car wanted to stall out - even on the highway, is that dangerous? The MAF tune, last versions almost had it 100%, but under the longest and hardest hills, still you could feel the car pull back when you hammered the gas.
<o
></o>PC's good side? Throttle response on the PC MAF tune is awesome; I've never felt the beast so responsive to throttle input both in normal and sport mode. I have to say, the PC software was pretty sweet in this regard. Power, oh ya, the PC MAF tune was super under light driving conditions - flat road? bring on GT500's, Vette's, anything... the PC tune would rocket the car forward, it really felt like PC strapped a supercharger to the engine.
<o
></o>What does this mean for me? After testing the crap out of several tunes, I'm going to stick with the best tune they provided, a MAF tune with high idle and hesitation on only the steepest of hills... I can live with these limitations. Do I drive my car often, nope; it's all pleasure driving now... I just have to remember not to drag race uphill. IF my car was a daily driver, I would be on the OEM stock tune right now...
<o
></o>So, after all this, what can I say? Buyer beware, I'm so frustrated dealing with these guys, and I'm sick and tired of chasing them to fix their product... it's my money, why should I be running after these guys? What's even more frustrating is PC seems to give some people good service and screw other people around? WTF. So ya, if you are willing to put your money on the line, be ready for a non-functional tune and terrible to no support aftersales... go ahead, get the PC product. For me, after 2 months, I've not enjoyed my car at all, I've spent countless Saturdays updating my ECU and testing for hours, a PC tune is worth $0 - nothing, and I mean nothing is worth this kind of headache. Some say you get what you pay for; in this case, you get nothing but a headache and a questionable tune.
<o
></o>Sorry Powerchip, your service and lack of customer respect demanded this post. If you can't support customers properly, why are you still in business?
<o
></o>Regards,<o
></o>Andrew<o
></o>
