Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip?

1031 Views 21 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Revelate, Feb 7, 2002

Revelate

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2002

I called Bahn Brenner Motorsport in Auburn, WA today to get an Upsolute chip for my '02 Jetta 1.8T. From everything on this forum, I assumed that $325 installed meant that's all it costs... $325 + tax.
But Bahn Brenner charges $65 for removing the stock ECU and installing the modded one, and explained that the "installed" part included in the $325 is just for soldering the new chip on. They also don't allow the customer to remove/replace it themselves, so the $65 is a required additional charge.
Is this the normal experience that everyone has? Now that the Upsolute is at $400 and not $325 as I previously thought, GIAC is looking more tempting.
[EDIT: clarifying the post]

[Modified by Revelate, 11:47 AM 2-6-2002]

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

mahoodlum

· #2 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Revelate)

I don't know I had mine done for $325 no installation fee for me. You should check with upsolute to see if it is their policy to charge an install fee.

A-Money

· #3 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (mahoodlum)

The part about not allowing you to remove and install the ECU is total BS!
GIAC is the way to go. I just got my updated 2002 AWP program and WOW is out I have to say. Way more power and way smoother. If you want a GIAC chip go see Matrix Engineering. The chip is $495 (NO TAX!) installed with a socket. They only charge $20 to remove and replace your ECU or you can do it yourself right there in the parking lot and carry it in. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by A-Money, 8:01 PM 2-6-2002]

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Gambit

· #4 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (A-Money)

quote:[HR][/HR]...Way more power and way smoother...[HR][/HR]

I hope you are refering to more power than stock

and not more than Upsolute...
FWIW I paid $335 for my UP because I needed a new chip.

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Bug_Power

· #5 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (A-Money)

NO it is NOT a required fee by any rep. That is just the price if we do it. The install fee's vary from dealer to dealer, but typically most charge 0-$60 for ecu removal. Mostly this is shops that re-sell our product. I know that some of the others charge a fee for thier resellers since it's how they generate their profit. Typically they pay just as much as you would for the program maybe a tad bit less. They shouldn't charge you any more if you bring it into them ready to be chipped as it's the same as mailing the ECU to us, we don't have to pull the ECU's so it's much less time consuming.

spooldswede

· #6 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Revelate)

Got mine for $300 installed last summer!

Thanks Garrett!! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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Cypher2k

· #7 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (1.8Trippin)

My GB we paid 250(USD) and that included install.

Revelate

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Bug_Power)

Bug_Power, thanks for the info. The guy I talked to said it was required, so I didn't think to ask him about just bringing the ECU in. I called back to confirm that I can bring in just the ECU, and he said I could, but sounded a little annoyed and went on for a while about how it wouldn't be guaranteed or covered for any problems and that I'd have to pay to come back if it didn't work.
It sounds a little shady to me. I understand that they can't test it on the car that way, but if they can't solder a chip on a PCB correctly, or if the chip is somehow fried, he told me that it's my responsibility to pay for them to fix their mistake. Not what I call customer service.
A-Money, isn't Matrix Engineering in Portland? That's a long drive for a chip, but if I could coordinate with TT Tuning and have them install an exhaust at the same time... hmmmm.

Also, do you have dynos before/after any of your upgrades?
My plan has been to get a FM exhaust after I recover from remodeling costs (gotta love being a homeowner!) in a few months, but I still cringe at the cost, plus the install time. Thinking TT might be the way to go if I can get them install it, since the only issues I've heard with the TT exhaust revolve around exhaust leaks from a poor/difficult installation in their multi-peice system. If they can't do it...

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du-du

· #9 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Cypher2k)

hey, I got my done at Bahn Brenner for $325. You have to remove your ECU other wise they charge $65 to remove for you. I don't think it's true that they don't allow you to remove your own ECU, cause I did it myself and paid $325.

Bug_Power

· #10 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Bug_Power)

I guess if you were to install it incorrectly or short it out I could see the issue. However the soldering and chip should be covered. Reguardess of what your local rep says. If you have any other questions talk to [email protected] I guarantee you will be pleased with what he has to say.

A-Money

· #11 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Gambit)

quote:[HR][/HR]
I hope you are refering to more power than stock

and not more than Upsolute...[HR][/HR]

Go back and read some more...

"I just got my updated 2002 AWP program"

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Phishy

· #12 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Bug_Power)

quote:[HR][/HR][email protected] I guarantee you will be pleased with what he has to say.[HR][/HR]

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Valois and UP will take take care of you don't worry about that http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
I have a fair amount of experience dealing with UP and Valois (Rberube) and only positive things to say, they generally go beyond your expectations as far customer service goes

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Gambit

· #13 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (A-Money)

cool man - sorry, just sounded like so many other posts on here "My chip is SOOO much better than any other even though I've never tried another one" I should have known it wouldn't be like that coming from you.
BTW have you had a chance to dyno your car with previous/current version of that chip?

spaceman_spiff

· #14 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Cypher2k)

quote:[HR][/HR]My GB we paid 250(USD) and that included install.[HR][/HR]

that's tasty... i have to keep my eyes open, apparantly.

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1.8taeboi

· #15 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Revelate)

if you're going through bahn brenner and going to take out the ecu yourself, you might as well go through lanny richardson(upsolute dist) in california...if you need help taking out ecu(doubt you'll need help, it's really easy), lemme know, I'm in federal way

wolfsburger

· #16 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (1.8Trippin)

quote:[HR][/HR]Got mine for $300 installed last summer!

Thanks Garrett!! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[HR][/HR]

Same here! Garrett P did that and my Forge DV, no install charges. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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adityaax

· #17 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (wolfsburger)

More props to Garrett, chip and Bailey, no charges http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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Bruce_M

· #18 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Revelate)

that is wierd that they would say that to you. i had my chip put in by them and they told me if i wanted to save $65.00 i could pull the computer and give it to them..they charged me $65.00 and put in the DV and chip and since i was one of the first 02 cars we had to do alot of playing and swapping of programs and Larry and Jon were just awesome down there!!we spent about 5 hours on my car and they never said a bad word about it!!! call Larry down there and tell him Bruce told you to call and he WILL take care of you!!

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G-Funk

· #19 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (Revelate)

Fees? What fees? I payed 275 out the door of my up rep.

jim wilson

· #20 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Does everyone pay an "install" fee for their Upsolute chip? (G-Funk)

quote:[HR][/HR]Fees? What fees? I payed 275 out the door of my up rep. [HR][/HR]

Up still does group buys, but only if there are 15 or more people. I charge $25, I find that to be a fair price for getting my hands dirty(doesn't really cover the risk though). When G-funk came for an update I almost broke his wiper. I have been very lucky, with hundreds of installs I have only split the cowl on a couple cars(where the clear plastic is to see the vin), however I have seen a customer crack his window trying to remove a wiper. The customer has the choice of removing his own ECU. I look at the $25 as an incentive for the customer to "DIY" and a fair price to the guy who doesn't want to mess with it. I have seen shops charge $70-$119 for this 10minute job(5 in 5 out), so I feel I am more than fair with my $25 charge.

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