Drivetrain The Official ALTA AccessPORT Thread
#502
That sucks but I am sure Alta and you will get it worked out. I know that don't help now... I was thinking of trying to get to the stage two tune for mine but after loading the stage one tune and doing some spirited driving today, I think upgrading further without me doing some track time or race training would be pointless..... This thing is fast and furious...
#503
That's one thing that makes me nervous about the AccessPort… what happens if your unit goes bad, gets broken/lost/stolen, etc.? I'd love to be able to make a backup of my stock ECU "stuff" and be able to load it back in there with any AP device if things go to hell for some reason. Right now there doesn't seem to be much of a safety net.
But it backs it up … to the device, right?
Does it back up to a PC so I can make redundant copies of it or include it with my usual off-site computer backup routine (for safety)?
Also, doesn't it require the very same AP device to re-load it back on the ECU? I can't use a replacement device or borrow a friend's device in an emergency to re-load the factory ECU data, can I?
Does it back up to a PC so I can make redundant copies of it or include it with my usual off-site computer backup routine (for safety)?
Also, doesn't it require the very same AP device to re-load it back on the ECU? I can't use a replacement device or borrow a friend's device in an emergency to re-load the factory ECU data, can I?
#504
#505
If so, that may end up being a solution for the "Fatal Error" issue — maybe the AP or cable is bad and a replacement will let him get his stock ECU data back for a service appointment with the dealer.
#506
#507
Ok, next question, then...
Much of the $900 cost of the AccessPort is the development of the ECU maps, right? If someone bought into this at that price, then had their AP device get lost/stolen/broken/etc, will there be an affordable remedy, such as getting a replacement device for the much lower cost of just the device itself? Or will such a person be looking at another nearly $1k hit to their wallet?
Much of the $900 cost of the AccessPort is the development of the ECU maps, right? If someone bought into this at that price, then had their AP device get lost/stolen/broken/etc, will there be an affordable remedy, such as getting a replacement device for the much lower cost of just the device itself? Or will such a person be looking at another nearly $1k hit to their wallet?
#508
Ok, next question, then...
Much of the $900 cost of the AccessPort is the development of the ECU maps, right? If someone bought into this at that price, then had their AP device get lost/stolen/broken/etc, will there be an affordable remedy, such as getting a replacement device for the much lower cost of just the device itself? Or will such a person be looking at another nearly $1k hit to their wallet?
Much of the $900 cost of the AccessPort is the development of the ECU maps, right? If someone bought into this at that price, then had their AP device get lost/stolen/broken/etc, will there be an affordable remedy, such as getting a replacement device for the much lower cost of just the device itself? Or will such a person be looking at another nearly $1k hit to their wallet?
#509
Since Cobb Tuning developed the actual device years ago and provides it to Alta, I would hope they could hook you up with evidence of a police report having been filed. That would help prevent the risk of someone claiming it was stolen, unmarrying it from the car, and selling it.
That would just leave the "what if I lose it?" case.
#510
Ok, next question, then...
Much of the $900 cost of the AccessPort is the development of the ECU maps, right? If someone bought into this at that price, then had their AP device get lost/stolen/broken/etc, will there be an affordable remedy, such as getting a replacement device for the much lower cost of just the device itself? Or will such a person be looking at another nearly $1k hit to their wallet?
Much of the $900 cost of the AccessPort is the development of the ECU maps, right? If someone bought into this at that price, then had their AP device get lost/stolen/broken/etc, will there be an affordable remedy, such as getting a replacement device for the much lower cost of just the device itself? Or will such a person be looking at another nearly $1k hit to their wallet?
Since Cobb Tuning developed the actual device years ago and provides it to Alta, I would hope they could hook you up with evidence of a police report having been filed. That would help prevent the risk of someone claiming it was stolen, unmarrying it from the car, and selling it.
The vendor cannot be responsible for your or someone else's actions. I'd check with your insurance company to see if they would cover the replacement if it should ever be stolen as I would expect it would be stolen from your MINI, meaning someone would have to break into it = insurance claim.
#511
Thanks for the questions and certainly good ones.
Simple answer. If your ALTA AccessPORT is lost, stolen or damaged beyond usefulness, you would (or your insurance company) need to purchase a new one.
We do recommend backing up data to your PC to then have additional copies in case of an issue. No matter what though, ALTA will be able to help you.
Thanks again folks!
Adam @ ALTA Performance
Simple answer. If your ALTA AccessPORT is lost, stolen or damaged beyond usefulness, you would (or your insurance company) need to purchase a new one.
We do recommend backing up data to your PC to then have additional copies in case of an issue. No matter what though, ALTA will be able to help you.
Thanks again folks!
Adam @ ALTA Performance
#512
I went for a proper drive this morning to test out my Tune. I am running a test tune for the 91 octane fuel. It is pretty awesome. I ran a few parameters and they were as follows: Ran it pretty hard for a short time and seen engine temps at about 220 and boost topped out at about 18 lbs. The access port is a cool tool as well, it maps and/or logs 20 or so functions. I really like this tune and the stage 1 tune is about all I can handle with my driving ability. Need to take some driving/racing lessons in my MINI.
I am also running the 91octane test stage 1 image. It is running great. No issues at all. I am seeing the same results as you. My car runs great! What a difference! ALTA is doing a great job and Jeff has been very responsive. The ALTA team has been great to work with. The test car is going in for maintenance this week and I will have to revert back to stock for a little bit (sad sad). But once that is over the IC and exhaust will go on for further testing.
#513
If it gets lost or stolen why would you expect ALTA, COBB, or RMW to replace it or even give a heavy discount on a replacement? If you lose your cel phone, do you expect to get a free one from your service carrier? If you lose an expensive pair of sun glasses would you also expect them to be replaced for free? I could go on and on.
What I was getting at was that if one purchased an AccessPort (dongle + tune), but then ended up needing a replacement dongle down the road (got stepped on or left exposed to the sun in a hot car, for example... you know, life happened), I would hope that ALTA would be able to take care of a customer in such a situation by letting them pay for just a replacement dongle instead of also paying twice for the tune. Just guessing here, but I'd expect that cost to come out around $200-300.
But if by "purchase a new one" you mean pay the full $895 for the dongle and the tune (as discussed above)... well, that would be disheartening.
Last edited by fishbert; 09-20-2010 at 11:50 AM.
#514
The Dimsport tool list price is $369 and it is just a flash tool. I would expect the AP without a tune to be priced higher, probably in the $400 - $500 range.
#515
#516
#517
... unless you're that guy who wanted to snipe your AP from the marketplace.
#518
The way we sell the AccessPORT is the same way COBB sells it how base maps supplied are an added bonus that we give to you guys for free.
If some parts do get damaged, for example, the dongle, USB, screen, those things can be purchased separately or sent to COBB for repair.
I hope that helps clear that up, thanks!
#519
Good to hear. ALTA does seem to provide great customer service all of the time. They have never let me down. It is nice to hear good comments from others as they (ALTA) get my recommendation whenever someone asks me about increasing performance of their MINI. Knowledgeable, fast, friendly, and willing to help.
#520
Looking at the prices at little closer, an AccessPort for the following cars will cost...
Nissan 370Z -- $495
Mazda Speed3 -- $595
Subaru Impreza -- $595
Mitsubishi Evo -- $695
Mini Cooper -- $895
I don't believe for a minute that the little box with buttons on it is $200-400 different from car to car. The difference comes in on the back end, right? Software/firmware development costs and such. And you folks at ALTA aren't working with people on these tunes for free, either.
All I'm saying is that it would be reasonable for a customer in need to be able to get a replacement little box with buttons on it for roughly the cost of the little box with buttons on it (plus some margin, sure). And that this not a figure pushing $900.
Now, I don't expect this to be the case, because no claims have been made to this effect... but it's certainly disappointing if it's not.
When I was saying 'dongle', I was referring to the physical product(s) that are attached to the car to accomplish the given task (including the "little box with buttons"). If that's also what you are referring to -- that if someone's little box with buttons gets damaged it can be purchased separately or sent in for repair/replacement (at some reasonable cost) -- then maybe all is well.
Last edited by fishbert; 09-20-2010 at 03:40 PM.
#521
My guestimate of 400 - 500 was because I don't know if COBB includes any maps when they sell them.
Wow!! That is a surprise as COBB sells their AP at the low end for $495. I wouldn't think a replacement AP device alone should cost more than what COBB is selling them for with downloadable maps included in their pricing scheme. I was under the impression that the extra $300 - $400 was towards the development cost of cracking the ECU. What makes the ALTA version of the device more expensive than the COBB version except the difficulty of working with the ECU files???
The AccessPORT is totally different from anything else on the market. When you pay the $895, you really aren't paying for the base tune, since that is something that's already been made and isn't a custom map for just your car. You're really paying for the AccessPORT and all of it's functions and ability to make your own custom tune later for more power in the future.
The way we sell the AccessPORT is the same way COBB sells it how base maps supplied are an added bonus that we give to you guys for free.
If some parts do get damaged, for example, the dongle, USB, screen, those things can be purchased separately or sent to COBB for repair.
I hope that helps clear that up, thanks!
The way we sell the AccessPORT is the same way COBB sells it how base maps supplied are an added bonus that we give to you guys for free.
If some parts do get damaged, for example, the dongle, USB, screen, those things can be purchased separately or sent to COBB for repair.
I hope that helps clear that up, thanks!
#522
#523
It has a GPS that will remove the speed limiter if it detects the car is at a race track.
And was named Top Gear's Supercar of the Year for 2007.
Not that any of this has any bearing on the cost of its AP (other than its ECU was supposed to be "uncrackable")... just saying I wouldn't mind having one.
Top Gear review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXFSVoVqhYw
Last edited by fishbert; 09-20-2010 at 04:22 PM.
#524
Hang on... we've got one of your co-workers back in post #60 of this thread explaining that the ALTA AccessPort is so much more expensive than the Subaru AccessPort (at only $595) because of "development time more than anything" and "the Mini ECU is way way different and has taken tons of both companies man hours to get to where we are today hence a higher price."
Looking at the prices at little closer, an AccessPort for the following cars will cost...
Nissan 370Z -- $495
Mazda Speed3 -- $595
Subaru Impreza -- $595
Mitsubishi Evo -- $695
Mini Cooper -- $895
I don't believe for a minute that the little box with buttons on it is $200-400 different from car to car. The difference comes in on the back end, right? Software/firmware development costs and such. And you folks at ALTA aren't working with people on these tunes for free, either.
All I'm saying is that it would be reasonable for a customer in need to be able to get a replacement little box with buttons on it for roughly the cost of the little box with buttons on it (plus some margin, sure). And that this not a figure pushing $900.
Now, I don't expect this to be the case, because no claims have been made to this effect... but it's certainly disappointing if it's not.
When I was saying 'dongle', I was referring to the physical product(s) that are attached to the car to accomplish the given task (including the "little box with buttons"). If that's also what you are referring to -- that if someone's little box with buttons gets damaged it can be purchased separately or sent in for repair/replacement (at some reasonable cost) -- then maybe all is well.
Looking at the prices at little closer, an AccessPort for the following cars will cost...
Nissan 370Z -- $495
Mazda Speed3 -- $595
Subaru Impreza -- $595
Mitsubishi Evo -- $695
Mini Cooper -- $895
I don't believe for a minute that the little box with buttons on it is $200-400 different from car to car. The difference comes in on the back end, right? Software/firmware development costs and such. And you folks at ALTA aren't working with people on these tunes for free, either.
All I'm saying is that it would be reasonable for a customer in need to be able to get a replacement little box with buttons on it for roughly the cost of the little box with buttons on it (plus some margin, sure). And that this not a figure pushing $900.
Now, I don't expect this to be the case, because no claims have been made to this effect... but it's certainly disappointing if it's not.
When I was saying 'dongle', I was referring to the physical product(s) that are attached to the car to accomplish the given task (including the "little box with buttons"). If that's also what you are referring to -- that if someone's little box with buttons gets damaged it can be purchased separately or sent in for repair/replacement (at some reasonable cost) -- then maybe all is well.
If you buy a $500 Dell laptop with $400 of additional software pre-loaded on it, and it gets stolen or damaged, should they send you out a new laptop for $500 with that same software included for free to replace it? It's not on a retailer to determine what did or didn't happen in your case, and give you a special break, especially considering how easily they could get ripped off or taken advantage of with that type of situation.
Shoot, if it happens, send me a copy of the police report and I'll spot you the difference if you're that hard up for the cash.
#525
Here's an idea. How about you do something crazy and just take care of your $895 tool and stop worrying about the .0001% chance that lightning strikes your MINI at precisely 10:04pm on Nov 12, 1955 while you are traveling 88mph sending 1.21 gigawatts of electricity into it, requiring replacement. It shouldn't be ALTA or any other company's responsibility to replace something that you lose, damage or have the misfortune to have stolen from you.
And nobody's saying that ALTA should be put out over such a situation (far from it -- they seem to be a company with very attentive customer service and quality products; that's great and should be encouraged!). Just that it would be nice to have an option of purchasing a replacement box for something a little closer to the cost of the box.
Last edited by fishbert; 09-20-2010 at 04:44 PM.