I'm in Mexico so I don't have as many choices for chipping as you do in the US. So far I've confirmed I can get a Wett chip from my local Audi dealer, a Neuspeed from some distributors, and just found there's and Avant Garde distributor, but don't know yet if they offer chips.

Seems that all the above options require to mess with the original ECU in my car, and not getting a spare like you do with APR (ideal for me). I e-mailed APR earlier this week but no response yet. Besides, the US$599 cost plus shipping and import duties could well bring the bill close to US$1000!!!

Now comes my question. The 2000 A3 coming to Mexico sometime next September will have 180HP with the same 1.8T engine (don't have numbers for torque). Are the ECUs on these two cars identical? I could therefore order a new A3 unit and just put it in my car, right?

I know 180HP does not seem a huge gain from stock, but consider I would not loose the factory guarantee and that torque gain should be higher. I think the ECU on the new A3 is the same offered by Quattro Gmbh, which I've never seen mentioned in the forum. Is it available in the States?

Thanks for your attention.

Carlos
2000 A4 1.8T, Fwd, Manual.-Chipping under study!

nt

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What is fly by wire? Can I check myself to see what my car has? Sorry to ask this but my knowledge of English is limited, specially in technical terms.

Assuming that both 2000 A3 and A4 are fly by wire, then it could be done?

My car is a 2000 A4 1.8T. Yes, they were first available in Mexico.

According to a post a few days ago, a fellow from the UK claims his 99.5 *is* fly by wire. Link to thread below.<ul><li><a href="http://www.a4.org/forum/m/a4/156977.phtml">http://www.a4.org/forum/m/a4/156977.phtml</a</li></ul>

no mechanical connection between the gas pedal and the engine throttle (?). Everything is electric and computer controls everything.

I guess you could now say your gas pedal is essentially a very expensive video-game pedal :)

adc

PS: Somebody please correct me if I'm saying stupid things.

I do not have the traditional throttle cable control. I think the A4 had this for a long time. The computer controls the throttle angle, and not you right foot..