Mk5 Golf GTI - Which remap?

[YTee]

So I've decided to remap my Mk5 GTI. It's currently completely standard and the remap seems the best way to make it more fun without making it look/sound like I spend every Sunday evening in Halfords' car park (I'm too old for that).

Currently it only gets road use, but the eventual plan is to use it for track days as well.

I've replaced the cam belt, water pump and DV valve. It's been well serviced and has good tyres on it, so I think I'm good to go.

Question is, which remap? I was looking at Celtic Tuning who claim 255bhp (over 25%!), as do Revo. Superchips Blufin claim 240bhp at around the same sort of price. I'm happy with either figure, for me it's about reliability and the power curve overall, rather than headline figures.

I've heard people saying that Blufin (or other self-administered remaps) are a bad thing, but I've never heard them give a good reason why. Sure, it's not a bespoke map for you and your car, but the advantage is you can remove and re-apply the map very easily. I may choose to do that in order to keep the car standard for insurance purposes on the road, but apply the map for the track, etc.

I actually have a Blufin device from another car that I no longer need, so I could save money with Superchips by only buying the map, not the device all over again.

Any reason I shouldn't just do that? Any had experience with more than one who could recommend a particular one?

Thanks in advance.

[YTee]

Very interesting guide and very impressive figures being quoted. I'm happy with replacing the stock panel filter (was going to do that anyway), but I'm not quite so happy about having to run 98+ RON all of the time. The stuff is expensive.

Food for thought though, thanks.

[YTee]

Thanks for the tips folks.

So out of interest, do companies like R-Tech and Unicorn provide some way to revert the car to standard settings yourself if you wish, or is it necessary to return the car to them?

I'm just trying to find the balance between the improved results of a custom mapping service, versus the convenience of something like Blufin.

[YTee]

Primary reason for wanting to go back and forth is for insurance reasons. It gives me the option of using the map just for track/test use, and leaving it standard for commuting. Not really an mpg thing.

I might well just leave it alone if the premium difference isn't too high, I'm just curious about the options available from those types of companies.

Thanks for the advice.

[YTee]

Thanks VR6, that's an useful viewpoint.

I'm aware they can easily check, which is the cause of my concern, but I hadn't considered that going back to standard from a remap would still be considered a modification. That's the equivalent of putting a standard air filter back in and it still being a 'modified' car. Sounds crazy, but that doesn't mean it isn't true!

Anyway, I'll check the premium difference first. If it's marginal then I'll just stop worrying entirely

I'm leaning towards Bluefin/Celtic to be honest. I don't really want to start changing clutches and risking blown turbos etc. at the moment. That can come later when I promote it to track only!