JB4 type remap vs MSL?

[Tiny73]

Morning All, long time listener, first time caller.

2018 C43, love the car but having come from a REVO mapped A5 3.0 TDi I know how powerful a good tune can be in terms of real world driving and am looking to do something similar with the C43. One thing that “annoys” me about the C43 is the gear change vs the Audi (Yes DSG vs torque convertor is not a fair comparison, I know) that sometimes feels a bit sluggish or clunky.

To my question, I’ve had a quote from MSL but have also been looking at the JB4 option too. I’m reasonably accomplished mechanically (not a complete spanner) and so I’m wondering what’s the difference between the JB4 and something like MSL do? It’s not intended to be “a this is better than that”, I’d just like to understand the differences and more importantly real world experience, i.e. do people leave the JB4 in one map most of the time, is there a difference in feel since MSL appear to look at the holistic experience including economy, gear change and acceleration etc? (In the interests of transparency I’m more inclined to got the MSL route but would like to gather opinions/experience)

Thanks in advance
Tim

 

[AMGeed]

Welcome to the forum Tim.
Whilst MSL remapping is pretty well known about on the forum, I haven't heard, or read of JB4 mapping before.
What do you know about the company? Do you know anyone who has had a car re mapped by JB4?
Those are the questions I'd be asking myself before handing a C43 over.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

The JB4 is a generic plug and play map/set of maps which iirc can be "staged" as your level of modifications increases to make more power.

Acid at MSL will be custom mapping your car, to suit your individual driving style and working with the parameters of your car.

That's the key difference. Hope that helps.

 

[Flash]

Have a look at GAD tuning as well and they have a dyno at their HQ and also customise the remap.

They also can do the remap fully via the OBD port without having to remove the ECU hence significantly reduce risk of damaging it.

MSL I believe cannot tune the latest generation of Mercs via the OBD port.

 

[Tiny73]

Sorry all, yes the JB4 is a plug and play box with 6-8 different maps (assumed they were well known, my mistake).

I’m not too concerned about changing a map, hence my leaning towards the MSL route but I was curious if anyone had used one or both at any stage and had some experiences.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Whilst I've not used a JB4 myself, I have seen the results they acheive on a BMW 335i with full bolt ons. Jaw dropping.

I've always gone for custom maps myself for the following reason:

Just connecting a JB4 or other tuning box assumes everything in relation to fuelling, boost, exhaust temps etc.... is all fine, if you're not also data logging and monitoring.

A custom map will highlight any less than optimal ratios etc.. before you go hooning about. That means the person doing the mapping can either advise you that a bit of work is advisable before you go for bigger numbers or can take account of the subtleties of your car and map to suit.

Just my opinion and I could well be wide of the mark but for me personally a custom map that takes the "holistic" approach you mention is always preferable.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Whilst I've not used a JB4 myself, I have seen the results they acheive on a BMW 335i with full bolt ons. Jaw dropping.

I've always gone for custom maps myself for the following reason:

Just connecting a JB4 or other tuning box assumes everything in relation to fuelling, boost, exhaust temps etc.... is all fine, if you're not also data logging and monitoring.

A custom map will highlight any less than optimal ratios etc.. before you go hooning about. That means the person doing the mapping can either advise you that a bit of work is advisable before you go for bigger numbers or can take account of the subtleties of your car and map to suit.

Just my opinion and I could well be wide of the mark but for me personally a custom map that takes the "holistic" approach you mention is always preferable.

 

[bob6600]

MSL are forum sponsors and have mapped many member's cars on here, all satisfied with good results.

 

[Teego]

In my experience a custom map on a dyno is the way to go.

 

[Tiny73]

Thanks for the input guys, now a follow on question: who do you insure your remapped cars with? I’m currently with Police Mutual (FIL is ex-police and my insurance for the C43 is very reasonable). However they’ve told me they wouldn’t insure me with a +40bhp modification to the car and when I inquired of the specialist insurers I was being quoted £1200 p.a (currently paying around £350 p.a.).

Considering I’m 45 and, ahem, sensible (ish) with 10years plus no claims I thought £1200 was more than a little steep. Any good recos on insurers that won’t pull my pants down if I do go down this route?

 

[AMGeed]

^ 3 months ago, LV were prepared to insure me on a remapped E63 Biturbo for just over £100 more than a standard E63. They wanted £523 pa.

In the end I bought a stock engined car and LV had raised the price so I went with Axa for just over £500.

Priviledge and A-Plan both entertain remapped cars.

 

[E55BOF]

Check out Admiral. I've had no problems in the past with 10% more power; not even an increase in premium. Privilege, ISTR, had the same approach, but they were a good deal more expensive to start with.

 

[sirius9]

A-Plan insurance is good with modified cars. Added a supercharger and only cost 90 pounds extra on my premiums.

 

[John]

I am insured with Admiral and when I modified my E55K in 2014 (by MSLP so I recommend them), my policy price stayed the same despite declaring a 25% performance increase (bespoke remap, exhaust work, smaller SC pulley).

I was 39 then...

 

[Gbrowncls55]

Morning All, long time listener, first time caller.

2018 C43, love the car but having come from a REVO mapped A5 3.0 TDi I know how powerful a good tune can be in terms of real world driving and am looking to do something similar with the C43. One thing that “annoys” me about the C43 is the gear change vs the Audi (Yes DSG vs torque convertor is not a fair comparison, I know) that sometimes feels a bit sluggish or clunky.

To my question, I’ve had a quote from MSL but have also been looking at the JB4 option too. I’m reasonably accomplished mechanically (not a complete spanner) and so I’m wondering what’s the difference between the JB4 and something like MSL do? It’s not intended to be “a this is better than that”, I’d just like to understand the differences and more importantly real world experience, i.e. do people leave the JB4 in one map most of the time, is there a difference in feel since MSL appear to look at the holistic experience including economy, gear change and acceleration etc? (In the interests of transparency I’m more inclined to got the MSL route but would like to gather opinions/experience)

Thanks in advance
Tim

White Lies....great band