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[STEMO]

I've just had a letter from Vauxhall which reads, more or less, as follows:

This letter is to inform you of a customer satisfaction programme to reduce the exhaust emissions of your vehicle...........An authorised Vauxhall Repairer will carry out a software update to your emissions control system..........Your vehicles fuel economy, performance and noise level will be unaffected.
Please contact your nearest......blah, blah

Now I know a couple of people who had this update done a while back. Not to a Vauxhall, but to VAG cars after dieselgate. My next door neighbour had an Audi TT Black and, when he got it back, he said it was gutless. Of course, once it's done, there's no going back. I have a service plan in place with Vauxhall, and I'm concerned that when I take it in in October for MOT and service, they'll do the update whether I say I don't want it or not.

Has anyone got any experience of this particular update or of it on other makes. Thanks.

[STEMO]

Just got this from the Astra K forum:

I have done update last week unfortunatelly. I didnt know how bad would be.
Bu now is done and i cant "roll back" right?
Car is less responsive to throttle and i think it uses a lot more fuel now. I regret doing this update.
I would say that now engine is "lazy" under 1800 rpms and i have to shift more frequently.
Not happy with how it feels now to drive.

Vx can eff off.

[Nick W]

I'd want a written guarantee that the 'upgrade' will only improve the car before letting any authorised repairer anywhere near the car.

[dave the builder]

Don't forget to ask Vauxhall for the big fat compo payout
apparently diesel fumes are bad for the planet 

[STEMO]

I'd want a written guarantee that the 'upgrade' will only improve the car before letting any authorised repairer anywhere near the car.

I should have asked Google before my knee jerk post, Nick. There is no way her car is going for a remap that will reduce power and increase consumption, just to save a few noxes. As it is not a safety recall, there is no mention of it on DVSA, so it can be MOT'd as normal. Just not at Vx, because the sneaky bastards would do it as a matter of course.

[TheBoy]

They will probably do it at any point they see it, including any servicing or repairs.  Basically because they can claim money back from Vauxhall for doing nothing beyond plugging the computer in.

[LC0112G]

I'd be snipping some wires to the ODB plug and putting my own jumper/connector in - which I would remove before leaving the car with them.

[STEMO]

It's probably getting traded some time next year. In the mean time I'll get my local indie to service and MOT it. Vauxhall Warranty (paid for) runs out in December, and they wouldn't repair any failure unless recalls were up to date, but I'll take a chance on that. I'll ring Vx tomorrow and tell them I want whatever money is in my service plan account refunding.
I'm determined that the bastards aren't getting their hands on it.

[Andy B]

Mercedes say that my ML needs it's software modifying too for the same reason. I ignored their letter as the forums generally say that their cars have flagged up NOX sensor codes more or less as soon as they've left the forecourt after the "upgrade". The fix us then hundred of pounds & MB would have you believe that they don't know of another car that's had a problem. They phoned me to book my car in but I told them what the Web says & I don't intend fixing something that's not broken. She politely said goodbye & that's the last I've heard.
But as above I understand that MB will automatically update any car they see through the door.

[Kevin Wood]

It's nonsense to say these "upgrades" won't affect performance.
If that were the case, why would they have fiddled the emissions tests in the first place?

[STEMO]

Just read a couple of posts on the owners forum. One of them quoted this after VW fiddled about with a Passat:

One of the tested cars is a four-wheel drive Passat Alltrack. Before going to the Volkswagen workshop, we measured 176 horsepower and 379 Nm in torque. After the fix, only 163 horsepower and 369 Nm remained. The numbers may not seem that different but the torque curve has changed completely. Before the fix, maximum torque at nearly 380 Nm was found between 1500 and 2300 rpms. After reprogramming at Volkswagen, the torque curve slopes. At 1500 rpms, the engine only provides 220 Nm. It is not until 1900 rpms we get the maximum 369 Nm. Since this is the rpm interval most used in a diesel car, the effect is felt almost constantly.

[Varche]

I wonder how many of us with diesels have had this upgrade having taken the car in for a” service”?

[Andy B]

I wonder how many of us with diesels have had this upgrade having taken the car in for a” service”?

mine hasn't as it's not been anywhere near a MB dealer in the last 18 months ..... it goes to a local independent 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Just read a couple of posts on the owners forum. One of them quoted this after VW fiddled about with a Passat:

One of the tested cars is a four-wheel drive Passat Alltrack. Before going to the Volkswagen workshop, we measured 176 horsepower and 379 Nm in torque. After the fix, only 163 horsepower and 369 Nm remained. The numbers may not seem that different but the torque curve has changed completely. Before the fix, maximum torque at nearly 380 Nm was found between 1500 and 2300 rpms. After reprogramming at Volkswagen, the torque curve slopes. At 1500 rpms, the engine only provides 220 Nm. It is not until 1900 rpms we get the maximum 369 Nm. Since this is the rpm interval most used in a diesel car, the effect is felt almost constantly.

Thats because they keep the EGR working harder so it impacts boost at the lower rpm

[STEMO]

Just read a couple of posts on the owners forum. One of them quoted this after VW fiddled about with a Passat:

One of the tested cars is a four-wheel drive Passat Alltrack. Before going to the Volkswagen workshop, we measured 176 horsepower and 379 Nm in torque. After the fix, only 163 horsepower and 369 Nm remained. The numbers may not seem that different but the torque curve has changed completely. Before the fix, maximum torque at nearly 380 Nm was found between 1500 and 2300 rpms. After reprogramming at Volkswagen, the torque curve slopes. At 1500 rpms, the engine only provides 220 Nm. It is not until 1900 rpms we get the maximum 369 Nm. Since this is the rpm interval most used in a diesel car, the effect is felt almost constantly.

Thats because they keep the EGR working harder so it impacts boost at the lower rpm

My auto changes up around 1900rpm in normal use, so I'd be down on torque and power all the time. Wifey's is also auto.

[JamesV6CDX]

I'd want a written guarantee that the 'upgrade' will only improve the car before letting any authorised repairer anywhere near the car.

I should have asked Google before my knee jerk post, Nick. There is no way her car is going for a remap that will reduce power and increase consumption, just to save a few noxes. As it is not a safety recall, there is no mention of it on DVSA, so it can be MOT'd as normal. Just not at Vx, because the sneaky bastards would do it as a matter of course.

Absolutely this, Steve.

[johnnydog]

My sons 2010 Audi A3 (2.0 TDi 140) had the emmissions related modification done at Audi a few years ago, and both of us noticed no difference at all in its performance afterwards. Plus, he got an 'exotic' cleaning kit thrown in  . This was when they were offering sweetners in the aftermath of the VW emmissions scandal. I believe they were removing the 'cheat' software, but whether involved any actual changes that would potentially affect performance, I'm not sure. He still has it today, and it still runs as well as it always did.

[STEMO]

I'd want a written guarantee that the 'upgrade' will only improve the car before letting any authorised repairer anywhere near the car.

I should have asked Google before my knee jerk post, Nick. There is no way her car is going for a remap that will reduce power and increase consumption, just to save a few noxes. As it is not a safety recall, there is no mention of it on DVSA, so it can be MOT'd as normal. Just not at Vx, because the sneaky bastards would do it as a matter of course.

Absolutely this, Steve.

It's going for a service and MOT at a local indie on Saturday morning, so after that they can stick it on as a recall if they like, it won't be around next year.

[STEMO]

All done, 12 month ticket, Vx can go and f**k themselves. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

All done, 12 month ticket, Vx can go and f**k themselves. 

It doesn't cost anything to be nice, you know.

[STEMO]

All done, 12 month ticket, Vx can go and f**k themselves. 

It doesn't cost anything to be nice, you know.

Good job, because you'd never be nice if it did 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

All done, 12 month ticket, Vx can go and f**k themselves. 

It doesn't cost anything to be nice, you know.

Good job, because you'd never be nice if it did

My understanding is the further north you go the 'tighter' people become. This is why the man-skirt people north of Hadrians wall never buy a round of drinks.

Barnsleywakefield is quite far north.

[STEMO]

All done, 12 month ticket, Vx can go and f**k themselves. 

It doesn't cost anything to be nice, you know.

Good job, because you'd never be nice if it did

My understanding is the further north you go the 'tighter' people become. This is why the man-skirt people north of Hadrians wall never buy a round of drinks.

Barnsleywakefield is quite far north.

Are lots of scotspersons transgender then?

[STEMO]

Just had a courtesy call from Vauxhall. A cheery sounding young lady informing me that the service and MOT were due on the astra, and would I like her to book it in. I did not raise my voice or use any naughty words at all. I told her that the car had already been done and enquired about a refund of my service plan charges. She said she would put a note on my file (Vauxhall have a file on me?). I thanked her and said goodbye.
Pretty cool, eh? 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Just had a courtesy call from Vauxhall. A cheery sounding young lady informing me that the service and MOT were due on the astra, and would I like her to book it in. I did not raise my voice or use any naughty words at all. I told her that the car had already been done and enquired about a refund of my service plan charges. She said she would put a note on my file (Vauxhall have a file on me?). I thanked her and said goodbye.
Pretty cool, eh? 

Uncle STEMO : Can I have a refund of my service charges please?

Vx Chick : I'll put a note on your file.

Yeh that's pretty cool! 

[STEMO]

Just had a courtesy call from Vauxhall. A cheery sounding young lady informing me that the service and MOT were due on the astra, and would I like her to book it in. I did not raise my voice or use any naughty words at all. I told her that the car had already been done and enquired about a refund of my service plan charges. She said she would put a note on my file (Vauxhall have a file on me?). I thanked her and said goodbye.
Pretty cool, eh? 

Uncle STEMO : Can I have a refund of my service charges please?

Vx Chick : I'll put a note on your file.

Yeh that's pretty cool! 

What I meant was, young'un, that I never swore or lost my rag....now that's cool 

I have no expectations on getting my money back, they can put it up their bottom. 

[Viral_Jim]

You taken up meditation or similar recently step? That really doesn't sound like you you know 

[Doctor Gollum]

Taken up something, that's for sure...

Ooh Matron

[STEMO]

You taken up meditation or similar recently step? That really doesn't sound like you you know 

As recommended by a forum member:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1784298468/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1