Last week I had my HSE SDV6 remapped by DMS of Southampton http://www.dmsautomotive.com/index.php. I have used DMS a few times in the past on previous cars of various types and they've always done an excellent job although they aren't cheap. On the SDV6, they promise a power increase from 295hp to 328hp and more importantly, a torque increase from 443 lbft to 546 lbft, both of which are entirely believable after having driven the car in a variety of conditions over the last few days. It is now genuinely brisk and I'm rather wishing I'd paid the extra cost for the Dynamic model! I was hoping that the remap would eradicate the sluggish throttle response that I and many have complained about and the remap goes some way to doing that because there is a fair bit more torque at low rpm, according to the installer. The throttle response is quicker but there is still a small delay before any meaningful action when pressing the throttle. I drove my wife's BMW X3 2.0d over the weekend and the throttle response in that is still way better than the RRS despite having a fairly weedy engine and the same ZF 8 speed gearbox. The DMS installer had an interesting slant on this; according to him, L-R have deliberately designed in this sluggish throttle response in order leave themselves room to improve it in the future in line with small engine upgrades so that any new model feels appreciably faster even if it isn't. Cynical, eh? One thing I am confidently expecting with the DMS remap is a modest improvement in fuel consumption which is often counter intuitive for many people. However, the increase in torque as a result of the remap allows the gearbox to hold on to a higher gear for longer and this leads to better fuel consumption (providing you don't mash the throttle every time to take advantage of the improved performance of course!). I can actually feel this during everyday driving. If past experience with my other cars is anything to go by, I should see a 5-7% fuel consumption improvement. Last point; DMS claim that their remap is not detectable by current L-R dealer diagnostic equipment so my warranty should be safe (although BMW and Porsche drivers should be aware that, according to my DMS installer, their diagnostic equipment can detect the remap).

Interesting.

Did DMS have to remove the ECU in order to carry out the remap? 2014 L405 SDV8 RR Autobiography

2012 RRS SDV6 HSE -Orkney Grey with A/B bodykit - Now Gone
2007 RRS TDV6 HSE - Zermatt Silver - Gone

JasM, I didn't stand over the DMS installer whilst he did the work but AFAIK, the ECU is not removed and the remap is downloaded through the diagnostic port but it's worth speaking to DMS direct if you want to understand exactly what they do

mikef wrote:

...... Last point; DMS claim that their remap is not detectable by current L-R dealer diagnostic equipment so my warranty should be safe (although BMW and Porsche drivers should be aware that, according to my DMS installer, their diagnostic equipment can detect the remap).

You just want to hope that your local LR dealers don't monitor threads like this and put 2+2 together in the hopefully miniscule event you need to claim for something.....

As Jasm asks, did they open the ECU, No point having in an undectecable map by a computer if the seals on the ECU are broken in the process  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Quote:

The DMS installer had an interesting slant on this; according to him, L-R have deliberately designed in this sluggish throttle response in order leave themselves room to improve it in the future in line with small engine upgrades so that any new model feels appreciably faster even if it isn't.

I don't believe that statement for one second. L/R have tried to dial it out with several gearbox software upgrades because of so many complaints by their customers.

Your dealer will be able to tell your car has had a remap, just by taking it on a test drive. If you can tell the difference, they certainly will.

Compelling case but I just don't want to take JLR on if anything ...but anything, goes wrong,

I'm feeling less confident, in respect of quality and future unknown issues with the L494 2014.5 SDV6 AB Dynamic ... Fuji /Santorini Pan roof and 22's
2013 Porsche Boxster S 3.4
2014 Audi A3 S line Quattro
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Ady 555 wrote:

Your dealer will be able to tell your car has had a remap, just by taking it on a test drive. If you can tell the difference, they certainly will

All very well until their snapshot of the transmission shows a 130Nm discrepancy between demanded torque and actual, assuming the increase is that much.

....I rest my case.....and DaveW should know  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

DaveW wrote:

All very well until their snapshot of the transmission shows a 130Nm discrepancy between demanded torque and actual, assuming the increase is that much.

I'm sure he can Mike, but he will need full details of your vehicle first.... Pm Dave your vin number or reg number.

No need for any vehicle details but basically if there was a mechanical issue with a trans for example, part of the interrogation would be to see how closely matched to each other the torque signals are between engine and trans.
Very easy indeed for us to see and obviously that level of increase would be somewhat outside of the production tolerances we'd expect to see.

Live data can be viewed via diagnostics for demanded torque, and torque produced.

No idea if at the factory, more info can be viewed than what is available to dealers/aftermarket tools

Just hope there are no warranty claims

My IID Tool will tell me engine torque in the transmission live values section so it must be trivial for LR to check. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Mine only reads a max of 440Nm. Would like to know what it's actually making