Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d)

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Sat 25 Mar 2006 16:38
Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d) - Oz
Am considering the above for my (pre common rail) 320d. Objective: smoother power/torque delivery, without undue detriment to fuel economy.
Questions arising:
- my insurer will probably accept such a modificaton - but at what sort of increased premium for the increased BHP?
- I believe the installation is more or less a plug-in and adjust operation with little or no drilling etc., and which can be reversed as and when the car needs to undergo some other form of diagnostic check.
Has anyone had experience?

Oz (as was)
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Sat 25 Mar 2006 17:20
Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d) - redafour
I had a tuning box on my previous Audi A4 1.9 TDi 110 and had no complaints. The power delivery was a lot better and smoother with more low down torque. It wasn`t just a placebo effect either as I had the car on a rolling road dyno before and after.As I remember maximum power increased from 95 bhp to 105 bhp and it also had a much wider useful power band. I should add these figures were measured at the roadwheels so include transmission losses not encountered when bhp is measured at the flywheel.
As for the insurance all mine insisted on was proof the mod had been fitted correctly so the firm with the rolling road obliged with a letter to said effect. There was also no increase in premium either but all insurers are different so it will pay to check beforehand.
The box was easily unplugged and removed so completley reversible. Mine ended up on ebay before I swapped cars and sold well all be it for about £170 odd less than I paid for it lol!
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Sun 26 Mar 2006 10:50
Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d) - Bill Payer
redafour - who was your insurer at the time?
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Sun 26 Mar 2006 15:15
Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d) - redafour
redafour - who was your insurer at the time?

>>
I`ve just had a hunt through my old documents and have found that I was insured by Corinthian Insurance at that time via a local broker.
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Sun 26 Mar 2006 15:33
Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d) - Bill Payer
>> redafour - who was your insurer at the time?
>>
I`ve just had a hunt through my old documents and have
found that I was insured by Corinthian Insurance at that time
via a local broker.

Thanks.
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Sat 25 Mar 2006 17:22
Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d) - Craig_1969
I bought a CR-D tuning box direct from Germany from www.cartuning4u.de for 117 euro delivered to the UK. It clips onto the back of the engine (I have a 530d but the same box works with the 320d).

The Van Aaken is basically the same thing it just costs a lot more. On ebay these units go for £100 - £200 so its a good buy, cartuning speak pigieon english but had no problems, and the tuning box is worth it.

Insurance will probably go up £100 ish depending if you tell your insurer.
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Sun 26 Mar 2006 09:41
Aaken 'Smartbox' on a turbodiesel (320d) - Oz
I'll check out these suggestions. Many thanks for info.

Oz (as was)
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