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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I was wondering, if I got the Revo software installed on my PD150 GT TDI and purchased the SPS1 key, when the settings are reverted to standard using the key is the Revo software detectable by insurance assessors in the event of an accident, or indeed by my dealer?

Anyone know?
 

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Quote: posted by gt_redeye on 01/12/2004 10:20:37

...detectable by insurance assessors in the event of an accident

AFAIK Yes, if they have the right ECU interrogation tools. I have heard this is standard procedure in the event of an accident. They simply plug in and look at the register/flash thingy (or whatever it's called) and see when it was last done, then they know if they need to dig further.

Quote: posted by gt_redeye on 01/12/2004 10:20:37

...or indeed by my dealer?

They can too, but whether they've got the tools or the expertise to diagnose correctly is debateable. The insurance assessors know far more about the different ways of 'hiding' things!
 

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Bugger.

My mate had read somewhere that the "Revo software was designed with stealth in mind to prevent hackers, reverse engineers, blah blah blah and was undectable by standard disgnostic tools" or something along those lines.

Anyone know then, how much the increase in insurance premium is likely to be? Im 26, 3 years NCB and am paying ?1100.
 

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The current VW Group Diagnostic equipment cannot see the software, however if they are given reason to suspect there could be software on the car they could potentially take the ECU to a tuner or similar and they could dump the code and see it has software in there.
 

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AFAIK depending on the ECU there are several locations for the maps to be installed. The standard map is kept where it is and the Performance Map is stored on a various location. The switch simply tells the ECU which Map or Program to run or use.

Therefore both the standard map and performance map are always stored on the ECU.

The point that Port Programming companies make is that there is no external ECU tampering visable. The programs are changed via a port behind your dash that is connected to the car.

IMO i believe if they looked they could see the Map was present (with correct equipment). But at the end of the day if you have a crash do you really think an insurance company is going to check the ECU??
 

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I guess the general idea of SPS switchability is so your warranty is not void the moment your dealer gets his hands on it. Obviously Revo don't push this but reading between the lines etc etc. Lets face it your average VAG 'technician' isn't going to interrogate the ECU on a 20K service.

Not telling the insurance company and hoping they never find out is a different matter entirely. If you don't tell them and just hope for the best then you are basically uninsured. And we all know what we think of uninsured drivers don't we?

Sorry if I bang on about this (on here and other forums) but the insurance hike is part of responsible modding. If you can't afford it then don't mod.

gt_redeye. I don't want you to think I'm specifically aiming this at you. No offence intended.
 

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Quote: posted by rich1068 on 02/12/2004 19:12:02

Sorry if I bang on about this (on here and other forums) but the insurance hike is part of responsible modding. If you can't afford it then don't mod.

Very wise words there Rich of which I completely agree with.
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Quote: posted by rich1068 on 02/12/2004 19:12:02

<snip>... And we all know what we think of uninsured drivers don't we?

Sorry if I bang on about this (on here and other forums) but the insurance hike is part of responsible modding. If you can't afford it then don't mod.

Thats all well and good in a perfect world where the consumer is treated well by these insurance companies. But that is most certainly not the case. I firmly believe that most insurance is a scam, specifically intended to rip off the consumer and rarely offers value for money. Maybe this is more apparent here in northern ireland where we pay many times what an equivalent policy in england would cost, mainly due to lack of competition.

I also have heard many, many stories of insurance companies backing out of a claim on whatever grounds they can find, pathetic grounds, and indeed have been victim to such a ploy myself only to have to fight it through the courts for 11 months and eventually win, meanwhile being without a car and having to pay the HP (none of these expenses were able to be claimed back)

An example of this is a friend who crashed, admitted responsibility and put it through his insurance only for his policy and claim to be subsequently voided after the insurance assessor declared that the MUD FLAPS on the car were not factory standard.

I have other examples from both my own case and from people I know but I wont ramble. The point is that these companies always try and find ways of backing out of a claim in order to make as much money as possible. A lot of the time they are just chancing their arm with cases that wont hold up in court, but they know that the average joe cant afford to take it to court, or might not have the sense to so they get away with it. Once they get your money they have no intention of honouring their policies or doing the decent thing if theres any way at all they can try and get out of it.

/rant over :)
 

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Maybe this is more apparent here in northern ireland where we pay many times what an equivalent policy in england would cost, mainly due to lack of competition.
Mate Im as scundered as you are with NI insurance being a rip off but the way I see it. You have insurance to protect yourself, you hit someone - you pay (your insurance does). You have no insurance or void insurance (due to alloys, chipping or even something stupid like a spoiler) the insurance company says this isnt the car we insured and backs out of it.

Right where are we now. You have a claim being made against you, and you have no insurance. The claim is against you. The person wants ?150,000 in damages cuz they lost a leg and cant ever work again. You have to pay it. Sell the car, sell your ipod, sell your house or go to jail.

Maybe thats not the way at all, but all insurance companies are pee pee's. Fact

Anybody agree or disagree ? - I still want to remap my baby, just trying to find the way not to get caught, but tis crazy to just ignore it
 

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Anybody agree or disagree ? - I still want to remap my baby, just trying to find the way not to get caught, but tis crazy to just ignore it
Im willing to bet that at least 50% of those on this forum alone have not declared the map (but for obvious reasons, dont want to post that on a public forum!).

At the end of the day, its still a damn sight better than the 1 in 10 @seholes who drive without any insurance whatsoever.
 

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Im willing to bet that at least 50% of those on this forum alone have not declared the map (but for obvious reasons, dont want to post that on a public forum!).

At the end of the day, its still a damn sight better than the 1 in 10 @seholes who drive without any insurance whatsoever.
So using that estimate 50% of the members on here with mapped cars are idiots. Are they not declaring because they're cheapskates and don't want to open themselves up to public ridicule?

And it's not better than the @rseholes with no insurance at all , it's exactly the same as the @rseholes with no insurance at all.
 
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