Except then they would just prive their 1.8s the same as the V6 and make MORE money.... so I doubt thats the reason.

 

uhh, thats not true at all. The process of changing programs is exactly the same regardless of the chipping method used. If you get a hardware chip, you have the advantage of taking the chip out and selling it if you no longer want it. You can't do that with a flash unless you sell your entire ECU.

You will find most tuners won't do hardware chips on newer cars now anyway unless there is some issue with the stick eprom anyway. Flashing the eprom is much safer than soldering on a new chip anyway.

 

still no comments on downsides...

with bigger injectors your gonna be running through alot more gas...

go revo, i've heard better things witht he b6's (2002-2005)

 

yeppers REVO is the shizit for B6ers

 

GIAC is smooth and with the injector/FX file you haul ***. BaconBait and anyone else who's been in my car car attest to this.

As far as downsides go, like anything your pushing all the components that lil bit harder so things will fail that lil bit sooner. Take care of your car, pay attention to it and you'll be fine.

 

It’s already been said, but I will reiterate that the reason the 1.8T has such tuning potential over the factory settings that (1) the engine and turbo are likely to last indefinitely (or at least as long as a non-turbo engine) and (2) to create a performance disparity that will cause the uninformed to go with a bigger V6.

VW could not sell the 12v VR6 when the 180hp 1.8T came out in the same year (2002 model year). Why? The VR6 was rated at 174hp and cost about $600 more. So, when VW introduced the 200hp 24v VR6 (in the same model year), they were able to charge $6600 more by sticking it in the GLX! That price difference dropped to $1800 in 2003 when they offered the GLI model. While there were many more differences than just engine performance between the GLS, GLI, and GLX models, VW had made the investment in the 24v VR6 and needed to protect their investment. Still, for $500 you could upgrade the 1.8T to the performance of the 24v VR6. For $1800, you could outperform the VR6.

In a weird reversal of previous pricing strategy, in 2004 the 1.8T GLI was priced more than the VR6 GLI. This was perhaps an effort to clear out inventory of the 24v VR6 as 2004 was the last year it was offered.

I think this holds true for Audi, as well. If you’ve ever driven a 2.8 Passat with 4Motion and compared it with a chipped 1.8T A4 quattro you’ll see immediately the difference. Or compare the 1.8T A4 quattro with the 3.0 A4 quattro (for $8500 more) with 50 more hp and you’ll understand why the 1.8T is so under-tuned.

I’m afraid it’s more about business than the small percentage of enthusiasts who want more performance. With record-breaking sales this last quarter, I’m sure Audi’s market analysis has figured out how to get the most dollars for cost.