Softronic in the UK

[Andyoz]

The Cayman R is getting Catless headers next month.

Anyone have recent experience with getting Softronic 'kit' here in the UK (I know it's just a cable and the files comes across the web).

Does it have to come straight from the US and is that now even harder than before?

Any tips appreciated thx...

[STE VR]

I bought my remap package directly from softronic in the US. Design 911 sell the kit but pricey. It was far cheaper to order direct and the support was great. Took about 1 week all in from order to delivery of dongle, file upload and download.

Never looked back. Great upgrade for me. Not sure what the situation is with delivery now though.

718 Cayman S.

[Andyoz]

Great thanks. I bet it works wonders on the Turbo.

Can you remember how Softronic handled the amounts 'stated' on the import...what sort of extra fees did the import cost?

I'll see what he comes back with anyway

At current FX rate $995 cost is £735. Even if there's another £100 on top of that it's crazy to order via Design911

[STE VR]

I remember it being very little. £20 something. It’s only the handheld unit that gets shipped so they put a value in of approx £50 for those purposes.

[Andyoz]

OK great.

So it should be well under £800 landed here versus £1100 from Design911 after discounts...

[anonymous-user]

On Design911 it says:

"Since warranty is always a concern, Softronic also provides you with your original file. With this original file you can flash your car back to stock at any point. If you go to the dealer, there will be nothing visible through the Porsche PIWIS system. Softronic can program your vehicle no matter what country you are from or what octane you use. We have different maps for those running 91 octane or 93 octane and higher."

Presumably the more risk averse would say don't bother if you're running a warranty ?

[Andyoz]

No warranty and not risk averse.

Just want to liven things up a bit sound wise and a slightly more responsive engine is a nice by product.

[STE VR]

Completely understand the warranty concerns. Softronic do claim that it is very, very hard to detect. Worth a read. However, I always believe if you look hard enough it’s there to see. I was still in warranty but trusted/took the risk. 8k miles later and now out of warranty it’s still a superb upgrade with no down sides. It’s a keeper (hmmm) so not too bothered. I do believe it’s the way it could have come from the factory if it weren’t for emissions etc.

[Andyoz]

Softronic landed today so I'll get the files sent off and will report back later as will load onto car pre header install.

[frayz]

Andyoz said:

Softronic landed today so I'll get the files sent off and will report back later as will load onto car pre header install.

Will you be doing a dyno run before the tune to get a baseline Andy?
I know my car was on Softronic, then the previous owner swapped to a live map from Steve Mason from MASE Engineering. Steve was in the UK at the time but im sure they can do it wirelessly these days.

Some old threads on the cars tuning you may be interested in.

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/987-2-tuning-dyno...

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/surrey-rolling-ro...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by frayz on Tuesday 9th February 07:44

[Andyoz]

frayz said:

Andyoz said:

Softronic landed today so I'll get the files sent off and will report back later as will load onto car pre header install.

Will you be doing a dyno run before the tune to get a baseline Andy?
I know my car was on Softronic, then the previous owner swapped to a live map from Steve Mason from MASE Engineering. Steve was in the UK at the time but im sure they can do it wirelessly these days.

Some old threads on the cars tuning you may be interested in.

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/987-2-tuning-dyno...

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/surrey-rolling-ro...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by frayz on Tuesday 9th February 07:44

Simple answer is not at this stage.

I'm in NI, so the options are more limited for me to hand the car over to a Dyno tuner who knows Porsches. If I had a Golf GTI I'd be laughing....

Ninemeister, etc would need a ferry ride or my ECU shipped to them and back.

I also wanted the option of me taking it back to stock anytime I need to rather than skipping off to the mapper again.

I'm not chasing the last few percent performance and Softronic seemed a good half way house between doing nothing and going full out.

Edited by Andyoz on Tuesday 9th February 08:53

[frayz]

Andyoz said:

Simple answer is not at this stage.

I'm in NI, so the options are more limited for me to hand the car over to a Dyno tuner who knows Porsches. If I had a Golf GTI I'd be laughing....

Ninemeister, etc would need a ferry ride or my ECU shipped to them and back.

I also wanted the option of me taking it back to stock anytime I need to rather than skipping off to the mapper again.

I'm not chasing the last few percent performance and Softronic seemed a good half way house between doing nothing and going full out.

Edited by Andyoz on Tuesday 9th February 08:53

Totally understand, makes for an easy plug & play solution. I wasn't aware of what you had available to you in the way of Porsche tuners in NI.

[Andyoz]

frayz said:

Totally understand, makes for an easy plug & play solution. I wasn't aware of what you had available to you in the way of Porsche tuners in NI.

Softronic is a nice non specific name too so I can buy through my company...'R&D Software' LOL

[frayz]

Andyoz said:

Softronic is a nice non specific name too so I can buy through my company...'R&D Software' LOL

[Andyoz]

^^^ My whole R adventure has been about doing things cost effectively, i.e. sourcing the car first of all, then the used headers...

It would be great to be able to hand a car to a one stop shop tuning place with an open cheque book but I just don't get my kicks that way (and don't have unlimited funds).

Must be the engineer in me LOL

[frayz]

Andyoz said:

^^^ My whole R adventure has been about doing things cost effectively, i.e. sourcing the car first of all, then the used headers...

It would be great to be able to hand a car to a one stop shop tuning place with an open cheque book but I just don't get my kicks that way (and don't have unlimited funds).

Must be the engineer in me LOL

Im the same, (engineer). If we had unlimited funds, they would be wearing forged motors and ITBs

[edc]

Have you looked at Cobb?

[Andyoz]

edc said:

Have you looked at Cobb?

I don't think I got that far but I think they have similar reputation?

[Andyoz]

frayz said:

Andyoz said:

^^^ My whole R adventure has been about doing things cost effectively, i.e. sourcing the car first of all, then the used headers...

It would be great to be able to hand a car to a one stop shop tuning place with an open cheque book but I just don't get my kicks that way (and don't have unlimited funds).

Must be the engineer in me LOL

Im the same, (engineer). If we had unlimited funds, they would be wearing forged motors and ITBs

Me and a mate just bought a £450 Mini Cooper to strip out and give a good thrashing. It's MOT'd until Nov and it'll be a miracle if it lasts that long. I'll probably get nearly as much enjoyment out of that as the R

[frayz]

Andyoz said:

Me and a mate just bought a £450 Mini Cooper to strip out and give a good thrashing. It's MOT'd until Nov and it'll be a miracle if it lasts that long. I'll probably get nearly as much enjoyment out of that as the R

Lightweight hot hatches are about as much fun as you can have on 4 wheels. I think only a sportsbike can give you more grins for less money.