Am I mad?

Chuck_Norris

Afternoon all.

I've the car booked in with Joe Power next Tuesday for a remap, and it's getting cruise control on Monday.

In total it'll be costing about €450.

Just wondering am I mad? I think it's a case of buyers remorse before I actually buy.

Car's a 06 Octavia.

Cheers for any opinions.

INEEDANID

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

Afternoon all.

I've the car booked in with Joe Power next Tuesday for a remap, and it's getting cruise control on Monday.

In total it'll be costing about €450.

Just wondering am I mad? I think it's a case of buyers remorse before I actually buy.

Car's a 06 Octavia.

Cheers for any opinions.

Mad, yes you are.

I presume its diesel anyway.

Chuck_Norris

Mad, yes you are.

I presume its diesel anyway.

Yeah, it's diesel. Basically, would love to change the car for a bit more power, and have always wanted cruise control. But changing the car isn't an option due to the other half wanting a wedding for some reason!!

MugMugs

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

Afternoon all.

I've the car booked in with Joe Power next Tuesday for a remap, and it's getting cruise control on Monday.

In total it'll be costing about €450.

Just wondering am I mad? I think it's a case of buyers remorse before I actually buy.

Car's a 06 Octavia.

Cheers for any opinions.

Can you afford to pay for it ?

Can you justify paying for it ?

Do you need it ?

I did 250,000 miles with no CC and while at times it would have been handy I still managed.

I have it on my current motor and I've used it once or twice..... but thats because I am a sting bag and feel it uses more fuel.

Do you need the remap ? Assuming she is a 1.9TDI is the current torque not sufficent ?

If I had 450 quid I'd be sitting on a sun lounger in Spain typing this

Chuck_Norris

MugMugs wrote: »

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

Afternoon all.

I've the car booked in with Joe Power next Tuesday for a remap, and it's getting cruise control on Monday.

In total it'll be costing about €450.

Just wondering am I mad? I think it's a case of buyers remorse before I actually buy.

Car's a 06 Octavia.

Cheers for any opinions.

Can you afford to pay for it ?

Can you justify paying for it ?

Do you need it ?

I did 250,000 miles with no CC and while at times it would have been handy I still managed.

I have it on my current motor and I've used it once or twice..... but thats because I am a sting bag and feel it uses more fuel.

Do you need the remap ? Assuming she is a 1.9TDI is the current torque not sufficent ?

If I had 450 quid I'd be sitting on a sun lounger in Spain typing this

Yes to all the initial questions. Can afford it, can justify it. Do I need it, not necessarily. It's more a case of want.

I've had the car practically from new, and would ordinarily have changed by now, but can't justify changing it.

The torque is alright on, not phenomenal, after having driven my auld mans 2.0 CR A4.

I'm gonna be doing it, just looking for other people's opinions.

heate

If I'm not mistaken all VAG cars are pre wired for cruise it's a case if changing the stalk - there are companies that do this. A lot cheaper than a new car!
On the remap front are you going for 140bhp to 175ish?

Chuck_Norris

heate wrote: »

If I'm not mistaken all VAG cars are pre wired for cruise it's a case if changing the stalk - there are companies that do this. A lot cheaper than a new car!
On the remap front are you going for 140bhp to 175ish?

You're right there. The cruise is costing €135. New stalk, and switching it on via VCDS.

And I'm not going daft with the map. It'll be in and around 140- 155bhp.

copeyhagen

im not too savvy on diesel engine mapping whatsoever, but i got my toyota chaser mapped by tdp and it cost approx 400 for the few hours mapping.

that was an apexi power fc they mapped. would have presumed the diesel mapping would be way cheaper from a diesel tuner?

Graham_B18C

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

You're right there. The cruise is costing €135. New stalk, and switching it on via VCDS.

And I'm not going daft with the map. It'll be in and around 140- 155bhp.

I don't think you're mad at all, two nice extras for your car for 450 quid.

I know people that have spent twice that on just an exhaust and it would get nowhere near the gains that you'll get with the map.

Chuck_Norris

copeyhagen wrote: »

im not too savvy on diesel engine mapping whatsoever, but i got my toyota chaser mapped by tdp and it cost approx 400 for the few hours mapping.

that was an apexi power fc they mapped. would have presumed the diesel mapping would be way cheaper from a diesel tuner?

I've more expensive and cheaper quotes from people, but having done research, Joe's name cropped up alot on any VAG sites as really knowing his stuff.

Chuck_Norris

Graham_B18C wrote: »

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

You're right there. The cruise is costing €135. New stalk, and switching it on via VCDS.

And I'm not going daft with the map. It'll be in and around 140- 155bhp.

I don't think you're mad at all, two nice extras for your car for 450 quid.

I know people that have spent twice that on just an exhaust and it would get nowhere near the gains that you'll get with the map.

That's my thinking as well. To get the same extras as standard in a newer car, I'd be spending thousands.

Can't justify spending thousands, as the car is mechanically sound, with low mileage.

TestTransmission

INEEDANID wrote: »

Mad, yes you are.

I presume its diesel anyway.

Do you mind me asking why?

Atomic Pineapple

TestTransmission wrote: »

Do you mind me asking why?

Drives an Octavia?




I'll leave......

Chuck_Norris

draffodx wrote: »

TestTransmission wrote: »

Do you mind me asking why?

Drives an Octavia?




I'll leave......

All opinions welcome. Including sarky ones.

INEEDANID

TestTransmission wrote: »

Do you mind me asking why?

€450 on 2 things that wont improve the value of the car when it comes to resale.

I'd prefer to put the €450 towards a new car in the future.

I'm one of those that does not think the Octavia is great you see.

Chuck_Norris

INEEDANID wrote: »

TestTransmission wrote: »

Do you mind me asking why?

€450 on 2 things that wont improve the value of the car when it comes to resale.

I'd prefer to put the €450 towards a new car in the future.

I'm one of those that does not think the Octavia is great you see.

Understand completely where you're coming from. As I said in am earlier post, ideally I'd love to be changing the car. But I can't justify spending the thousands to do so.

And the other half would be seriously unimpressed if I changed the car before we get married.

TestTransmission

INEEDANID wrote: »

€450 on 2 things that wont improve the value of the car when it comes to resale.

I'd prefer to put the €450 towards a new car in the future.

I'm one of those that does not think the Octavia is great you see.

Quite a large majority of people here spend money on our cars that improve it but don't necessarily improve the resale value.It's a disease

dharn

CRUISE CONTROL is of limited use in this country there is always a plonker in front of you going too slow or a plonker on your bumper going too fast so you need to brake and accelerate a lot while driving on irish motorways /duel carriageways

166man

Firstly congrats on the soon to be wedding!

As for the car, I reckon it will be 450euro well spent. Cruise control is such a fantastic thing and sitting on the motorway next time you will be glad you did it. As for the remap I couldn't recommend it any more. An uncle and my father both got it done and it makes the car so much nicer to drive. Well worth it. Cruise control will also help resale values of the motor too.

Zubeneschamali

I don't think you're mad, what's that, 6 fills of diesel? If spending a few hundred now means you keep the car for an extra couple of years, they you're saving money in the long run.

I wouldn't be keen on pushing the already 5 year old motor up to 150 bhp, but that's just me. I'd buy the same thing if it was OEM without a qualm.

Chuck_Norris

TestTransmission wrote: »

Quite a large majority of people here spend money on our cars that improve it but don't necessarily improve the resale value.It's a disease

True, true.

I'm no doing any of this to improve resale. I'll pretty much be driving the car into the ground. I just want to make it into a nicer car in which to do that.

Zubeneschamali

dharn wrote: »

CRUISE CONTROL is of limited use in this country

I use it for more than an hour a day.

Ardennes1944

is it possible to do the CC yourself? find a vag computer guy somewhere? i installed CC in my astra for about 40quid. did all the wire fishing etc myself and then got a buddy from opel forum to programme it...might help with you justifying it
people spend way more than that on stupid shoite for their car, dont feel bad:D

Zubeneschamali

TestTransmission wrote: »

Quite a large majority of people here spend money on our cars that improve it but don't necessarily improve the resale value.

What is this "resale value" you speak of? :pac:

TestTransmission

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

What is this "resale value" you speak of? :pac:

Initial cost of car + stupid money spent = bank account in the red

Graham_B18C

INEEDANID wrote: »

€450 on 2 things that wont improve the value of the car when it comes to resale.

I'd prefer to put the €450 towards a new car in the future.

I'm one of those that does not think the Octavia is great you see.

I wouldn't be a fan of Octavias either but making a car nicer to own and live with for the next few years ain't a mad thing to do no matter how you look at it.

If he was to buy a new car, I would imagine Cruise Control alone would cost more than €450.

Reloc8

INEEDANID wrote: »

€450 on 2 things that wont improve the value of the car when it comes to resale.

Mmm..but if selling privately in particular little things often make the difference when the buyer is making their mind up on whether to buy your bus.

OP you seem comfortable with the level of expenditure for what it is and you're not under some mad impression that you'll see the money again when you do get out of it - if so go for it.

Cruise control is nice - there, I said it.

fletch

dharn wrote: »

CRUISE CONTROL is of limited use in this country there is always a plonker in front of you going too slow or a plonker on your bumper going too fast so you need to brake and accelerate a lot while driving on irish motorways /duel carriageways

I use mine now every time I drive....particularly on 60kph roads that the Gardai love to patrol. I leave the setting in the ON position all the time and then just hit SET once I'm at the speed I want to keep to.

V Eight

means you can stay within the speed limit with the cruise - and safer overtaking with the chip - nothing mad about that!

Chuck_Norris

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

is it possible to do the CC yourself? find a vag computer guy somewhere? i installed CC in my astra for about 40quid. did all the wire fishing etc myself and then got a buddy from opel forum to programme it...might help with you justifying it
people spend way more than that on stupid shoite for their car, dont feel bad:D

I've looked into it. Cheapest I could find the stalk was £75 plus carriage on fleabay. So I'm thinking €135 including intillation ain't a bad price.

Chuck_Norris

V Eight wrote: »

means you can stay within the speed limit with the cruise - and safer overtaking with the chip - nothing mad about that!

My thoughts exactly!!!

Chuck_Norris

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I wouldn't be keen on pushing the already 5 year old motor up to 150 bhp, but that's just me. I'd buy the same thing if it was OEM without a qualm.

I know where you're coming from. I'm edging towards the 140 mark myself, on the grounds of being pessimistic.

I've never ha any major mechanical problems with it, but sure as sh1t, something would blow as I have it done.

BuzzFish

Just be sure to keep it well maintained and drop the service interval a bit, using a decent fully synthetic oil. The extra boost from the new map will add pressure to turbo piping so check around to make sure there isn't the start of any wear due to rubbing or perishing on them as this may cause failure sooner rather than later. Just be mindful of the extra pressure on the clutch too as well as the front tyres

Ohhh and enjoy the new lease of life unleashed by the remap... :cool:

EPM

dharn wrote: »

CRUISE CONTROL is of limited use in this country there is always a plonker in front of you going too slow or a plonker on your bumper going too fast so you need to brake and accelerate a lot while driving on irish motorways /duel carriageways

I drive 4 hours a day on Irish motorways with cruise on. I rarely have to brake, I use the rocker switch if I wish to slow slightly and resume when I need to get back up to speed. If you read the road properly you dont need to do much else. I would have cruise engaged 99% of the time and certainly would not buy a car without it. Cruise, air con and xenons are the 3 things I look for in a car as they are invaluable.

OP - I'd go for it if it makes you happy. Two of the best value mods there is imo.

Vertakill

€450 lads... jesus. You'd swear he was taking out a loan to do this.

He's making his car a little more fun and possibly a little more economical depending on the map.

And he's also making his driving experience a lot more enjoyable by adding CC.

And for the 'resale'.. if there were two very similarily priced Octavias for sale and one was a little more powerful/economical and had CC... I know which one I'd be going for.

I think it's a great idea OP and best of luck with it!

Chuck_Norris

EPM wrote: »

I drive 4 hours a day on Irish motorways with cruise on. I rarely have to break, I use the rocker switch if I wish to slow slightly and resume when I need to get back up to speed. If you read the road properly you dont need to do much else. I would have cruise engaged 99% of the time and certainly would not buy a car without it. Cruise, air con and xenons are the 3 things I look for in a car as they are invaluable.

OP - I'd go for it if it makes you happy. Two of the best value mods there is imo.

Already put the HID's last Christmas. Had been putting off doing it for along time, but am so, so glad I eventually did it. Would never go back to having halogens again.

Cruise and a little bit more power are the two things I really want.

But the one thing I miss most from any car I've ever had is an Autochromatic rear view mirror.

Only had the car for six months, but thought that was the best feature of it.

MugMugs

Cruise Control would be great if it wasn't for thise pesky overtaking trucks

EPM

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

Already put the HID's last Christmas. Had been putting off doing it for along time, but am so, so glad I eventually did it. Would never go back to having halogens again.

Cruise and a little bit more power are the two things I really want.

But the one thing I miss most from any car I've ever had is an Autochromatic rear view mirror.

Only had the car for six months, but thought that was the best feature of it.

The mirror is a disaster to install afterwards if you want an OEM one as you need to do wiring and replace the windscreen. You can buy Gentex aftermarket ones alright. More info here. Had it done in my last car aftermarket and it was very handy.

Chuck_Norris

EPM wrote: »

The mirror is a disaster to install afterwards if you want an OEM one as you need to do wiring and replace the windscreen. You can buy Gentex aftermarket ones alright. More info here. Had it done in my last car aftermarket and it was very handy.

Looked into doing an after market OEM, and it looked far more hassle than it was worth.

I'd seen those Gentex ones on fleabay, but couldn't find any reviews for them.

You found it good?

EPM

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

Looked into doing an after market OEM, and it looked far more hassle than it was worth.

I'd seen those Gentex ones on fleabay, but couldn't find any reviews for them.

You found it good?

They make a lot of the VAG ones. It worked fine for me, it's at home somewhere but promised to someone (would've been a perfect fit for your car). I bought mine on done deal actually.

It BeeMee

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

And the other half would be seriously unimpressed if I changed the car before we get married.

Soooo... you're hoping she won't notice the new buttons and the extra power

dharn wrote: »

CRUISE CONTROL is of limited use in this country there is always a plonker in front of you going too slow or a plonker on your bumper going too fast so you need to brake and accelerate a lot while driving on irish motorways /duel carriageways

I use CC the whole time. If there's a slow car in front, just knock it off. If there's a plonker on your bumper... that's all the more reason to stay at a steady and predictable pace.

Chuck_Norris

EPM wrote: »

They make a lot of the VAG ones. It worked fine for me, it's at home somewhere but promised to someone (would've been a perfect fit for your car). I bought mine on done deal actually.

What car did you have it in? How did you disguise the wire for the power?

And lastly, can you remember how much it cost?

Chuck_Norris

It BeeMee wrote: »

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

And the other half would be seriously unimpressed if I changed the car before we get married.

Soooo... you're hoping she won't notice the new buttons and the extra power


She knows about the extra power, she's paying for it as a birthday present.

As regards the extra buttons, she definitely won't notice.

Nonoperational

Not at all mad. Great mods for a reasonable amount of money.

pburns

I've had CC on my last couple of cars and rarely use it, even on motorways. Unless it's adaptive CC or you're using it on an empty motorway I don't think it's much use personally.

The remap might be worth it all right - how much is that?

Chuck_Norris

pburns wrote: »

I've had CC on my last couple of cars and rarely use it, even on motorways. Unless it's adaptive CC or you're using it on an empty motorway I don't think it's much use personally.

The remap might be worth it all right - how much is that?

I can pm the price if you'd like. Not sure if the mods would like me posting it.

challengemaster

INEEDANID wrote: »

€450 on 2 things that wont improve the value of the car when it comes to resale.

I'd prefer to put the €450 towards a new car in the future.

I'm one of those that does not think the Octavia is great you see.

Who gives a toss about resale value when you're driving the car NOW. Making it more enjoyable to drive would be the priority, not giving a crap about what someone else would like the car to have. I'm guessing you just see cars as A-B things given your opinion.

Chuck_Norris

challengemaster wrote: »

INEEDANID wrote: »

€450 on 2 things that wont improve the value of the car when it comes to resale.

I'd prefer to put the €450 towards a new car in the future.

I'm one of those that does not think the Octavia is great you see.

Who gives a toss about resale value when you're driving the car NOW. Making it more enjoyable to drive would be the priority, not giving a crap about what someone else would like the car to have. I'm guessing you just see cars as A-B things given your opinion.

To be fair, I totally see his point. But seen as I've no intention of changing the car in the forseeable future, it's not valid in this case.

Chuck_Norris

Just a quick update. Had the cc installed today, and the personally think it was money well spent.

The difference on the drive back from Galway was amazing. Much more relaxing, and less tired than all the other times I've driven that road.

Will update after the remap tomorrow.

EPM

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

What car did you have it in? How did you disguise the wire for the power?

And lastly, can you remember how much it cost?

It was a Leon. The mirror in the Leon isn't attached to the windscreen so the wire just fitted neatly behind the headlining. Couldn't see it at all. I paid around €120 from memory.

Chuck_Norris

EPM wrote: »

It was a Leon. The mirror in the Leon isn't attached to the windscreen so the wire just fitted neatly behind the headlining. Couldn't see it at all. I paid around €120 from memory.

Thanks for that man. They seem to be a bit scarce on fleabay at the minute. I think they were going for aroun £75.

It's 3rd on list of things to change. After remap, I'll be getting rid of the crappy Federal Tyres, then braided lines & endless pads. The the rear view.

You get your brakes done yet?