ARD - Lucky Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Hey everyone, With the recent posts regarding ARD Tuning products and services, I wanted to reply with some feedback to those who have questions. I know there have been a lot of opinions on what we do and thought it would be wise to simply put it on the table as much as we can. There are a lot of accusations and some outright falsehoods, so it seems appropriate to put together a response. As far as tuning, I'm very much of a mind that conservative tuning will serve our customers much better than overly aggressive tuning. It doesn't do any good for customers or for us to damage engines or bend rods. At the same time, the whole point of engine tuning is to gain added power and efficiency while considering the limits of the hardware. The calibrations we make are directly based on what our customers request with regard to their build and their goals for that build. We advise our customers when we see room to increase the performance, and advise our customers when we see them asking for something that is potentially dangerous to the engine or drivetrain. Tuning methodology and approach is different for each company and individual, so no two tuners do it exactly the same. My approach to ignition timing, fuel control, boost development, and load allowance is going to be different than the next tuner. This does not mean that I think others are doing it wrong; it is more of an opportunity to meet the needs of local markets and provide what they are asking for. As for the maps; we adjust based on what hardware that vehicle is equipped with. We, at the very minimum, adjust: boost map (setpoint), Fueling, RPM limiter, Speed limiter, and ignition timing, on each finished tune we send out. For builds of greater depth we adjust for larger injectors and different fuels like E85 or higher octane gas. More than a few of our customers are running these types of setups and hopefully they will post up here, but I believe only a few of them are on forums. Customers in Australia, France, even a few forum members here, are happily running E85 maps from us or maps for significantly different fuel qualities. If you have any concern around an ECU upgrade from ARD, contact me. I'll be happy to skype/team view with you to show you what we've done with your file and provide facts about your specific upgrade. I'm sure that there's more than a few of you interested so please email me (ARDideas@gmail.com) and I'll be happy to schedule a time for anyone with interest. With regard to products, if you have a part or product from us and you have an issue with it please contact us. We are happy to provide a replacement part if there is a warranty issue. Just contact us and let us know! Customer service is paramount to us; we strive to provide for our customers, whatever their needs. To some degree I kind of grew up here on VS; from my early days in product development, to the beginning of ARD. I haven't seen it all and I haven't done it all, but I've been very blessed to be a part of some really great things and am grateful to the people, businesses, and friends that have been a part of it along the way. I've pulled back in recent months with my online presence due to work load. I talk with 75-100 folks a day through email, Facebook, and phone calls, so I don't get as much time as I'd like to be on forums and this limits my availability considerably. I know we can't make everyone happy, but I honestly try to keep myself in each person's shoes, to consider their point of view first, and to try and really interpret their needs and what they are asking for. I'm not perfect and sometimes misunderstandings occur, but I don't think I've ever turned my back on someone who had an issue with an ARD product or service. If you have an outstanding need, please get in touch! For those in need of service please contact us via email as that's the best way for me to keep all communication orderly and in one place. Thanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yosser Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Robert, I'm sad that things turned out the way they did - I really am. I'm not sure of the wisdom of getting involved in this to any further degree, but I can't let this pass: As for the maps; we adjust based on what hardware that vehicle is equipped with. We, at the very minimum, adjust: boost map (setpoint), Fueling, RPM limiter, Speed limiter, and ignition timing, on each finished tune we send out. In my case this is simply not true. The only variables altered were in relation to the boost map. I can post the bin files on dropbox (or similar) in order that people can see this to be true if you like, but I guess you don't like. I know you've already accused me of breaching your terms and conditions - terms which neither exist nor, if they did, would I agree to, so I assume that allowing these files to be openly viewed is something you'd take umbrage to. I don't particularly require your response to this, I think we're probably done. I have had my car custom mapped on the road courtesy of the most well respected Volvo tuner in the UK and I'm happy to report that it's going better than ever - and boosting safely too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s70crazy Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 So if you change all those maps at a minimum, how come in the last thread which the photos of the timings maps, limitors and fueling nothing was changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschaefer7406 Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Aww, that's nice. Did you write that or did Michele? :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimka18 Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Sweet, ima email you right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s70crazy Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Awkward moment when you sent email 2 + weeks ago about this exact situation and have yet to receive anything back . REAL good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z31jaime Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 Hey everyone, With regard to products, if you have a part or product from us and you have an issue with it please contact us. We are happy to provide a replacement part if there is a warranty issue. Just contact us and let us know! Customer service is paramount to us; we strive to provide for our customers, whatever their needs. I know we can't make everyone happy, but I honestly try to keep myself in each person's shoes, to consider their point of view first, and to try and really interpret their needs and what they are asking for. I'm not perfect and sometimes misunderstandings occur, but I don't think I've ever turned my back on someone who had an issue with an ARD product or service. If you have an outstanding need, please get in touch! I call BS.... See email below. Robert Arnold To Me Nov 18 Jamie, My understanding is that you are not achieving full boost. Is this correct? If you would like to send us the ECU we can test it on our end. If for some reason the ECU has failed we will replace it with another one at no additional cost. If however we find that there is nothing wrong with the ECU itself there will be a testing charge of $75/hour. Let me know how you would like to proceed. Thank you! Michele Arnold ARD Tuning Me To Robert Arnold Nov 18 Why should I pay for "testing" all you have to do is swap it with another ECU and tune that one for the next guy. your not loosing any inventory, your not loosing any time. if it works fine then all you did was swap the ECU, if its broken then you honored a warranty. The fact that your holding the $75 PER HOUR for testing over my head is really crappy customer service. I spent my hard earned money on your product, I've jumped through 1 year of hoops and testing and swapping parts all to come back to the same conclusion I did MONTHS ago. the tune for some reason is pulling timing. I said this MONTHS ago and you said it had to be something else. Short of pulling the block of BOTH my cars EVERYTHING IS new or swapped. Hell I'll GLADLY ship the tune to any Volvospeed member of your choice to test in their car. BUT I WILL NOT BE HELD HOSTAGE WITH A $75 PER HOUR CHARGE,being left completely up to you. Please let me know how you wish to proceed. Robert Arnold To Me Nov 18 Jamie, If an ECU is sent back to us for a warranty related claim we test it on our end to see if we can replicate the issues at hand or to see if anything else has failed with the unit itself. If the unit has failed then there is NO charge to you as this would fall under our warranty policy and we will send you another ECU with your tuned file. If however we find that there is nothing wrong with the ECU unit itself then the $75 testing fee will be charged to you. This fee takes into account the time spent to test and examine the ECU to find any faults or issues. Again this will only be charged to you if we cannot find anything wrong with the ECU itself. We have reviewed your file again, and again the issue is not with the tune. That being said we are more than willing to take a look at the ECU itself to make sure that this is not a failed unit. Let me know how you would like to proceed. Thank you! Michele Arnold ARD Tuning Lucky, i want to know Where on your site is your warranty policy stating this $75 per hour charge for testing. Because On nothing I got was this ever stated. And I can't seem to find this on your site? THIS SEEMS LIKE AN IMPORTANT PEACE OF INFORMATION FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS that you seem to Omit until its warranty time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimka18 Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 O man, i have a feeling this posting meant absolutely nothing. If your car runs like crap and they dont see NOTHING wrong with the tune itself then someone does not know how to tune properly. I emailed them today i bet you anything im going to get the same email back. Charging 75 bucks to fix his own mistake, What kind of costumer service is that? Bad enough i got ripped off for 600 bucks just to make my car run slower then stock. Now this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIZIO AKA 1 HND MEC Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 WoW!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z31jaime Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 O man, i have a feeling this posting meant absolutely nothing. If your car runs like crap and they dont see NOTHING wrong with the tune itself then someone does not know how to tune properly. I emailed them today i bet you anything im going to get the same email back. Charging 75 bucks to fix his own mistake, What kind of costumer service is that? Bad enough i got ripped off for 600 bucks just to make my car run slower then stock. Now this. i really didn't want to blow up his spot like that, because I did test the tune in a T5M and it worked, but I tested in both my T5 autos and it failed.... so IT COULD 100% be something with my cars.... the Tune hasn't shown and 100% fail rate... but the fact he just OMITS this type of important Warranty information is what ticks me off. I'm not paying him $75 an hour for testing until I see what kinds of tests he is doing. And on what kind of cars. Others have gotten replacements sent without any talk of $75 testing fees..... so why did I get it? I'd love to see him tell you to ship it back for a FREE inspection... Think maybe its cause I'm Puerto Rican i gotta pay $75? (BTW this is a joke) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiksilver Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 i really didn't want to blow up his spot like that, because I did test the tune in a T5M and it worked, but I tested in both my T5 autos and it failed.... so IT COULD 100% be something with my cars.... the Tune hasn't shown and 100% fail rate... but the fact he just OMITS this type of important Warranty information is what ticks me off. I'm not paying him $75 an hour for testing until I see what kinds of tests he is doing. And on what kind of cars. Others have gotten replacements sent without any talk of $75 testing fees..... so why did I get it? I'd love to see him tell you to ship it back for a FREE inspection... Think maybe its cause I'm Puerto Rican? WTF is with Floridians throwing up the race card? I understand you're frustrated, but that's retarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z31jaime Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 Edit it just for you.... LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOHN_CENA Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 i really didn't want to blow up his spot like that, because I did test the tune in a T5M and it worked, but I tested in both my T5 autos and it failed.... so IT COULD 100% be something with my cars.... the Tune hasn't shown and 100% fail rate... but the fact he just OMITS this type of important Warranty information is what ticks me off. I'm not paying him $75 an hour for testing until I see what kinds of tests he is doing. And on what kind of cars. Others have gotten replacements sent without any talk of $75 testing fees..... so why did I get it? I'd love to see him tell you to ship it back for a FREE inspection... Think maybe its cause I'm Puerto Rican i gotta pay $75? (BTW this is a joke) I'm not here to bash anybody at all, but doesn't a manual tune differ from an auto tune? Wouldn't a manual tune run odd / incorrect on an automatic car? I am just genuinely curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorse Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 I'm not here to bash anybody at all, but doesn't a manual tune differ from an auto tune? Wouldn't a manual tune run odd / incorrect on an automatic car? I am just genuinely curious. Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyXXL Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 But regardless if it was a manual tune or not it still ran lean. High 13's that's why it wasn't tested on another car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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