The G-spot

[Madman]

Surprised to see the C class so high.

I'm even more surprised to see the CLA on this list at all, considering the universal panning it has received from the motoring press.

The psychological power of the badge, I assume?

[12,000 RPM]

If the power of the badge worked it wouldn't be at the bottom of the list

MB has a lot of work to do. The A3 curbstomped the CLA.

[GoCougs]

The dealer charged you $225 for a reprogram?

Actually, $225 less 15% coupon .

It probably takes at least an hour to down load, confirm and test. I do an analogous operation for industrial equipment, and it takes time and a bit of work (and I only use a laptop, not a custom machine).

[Cookie Monster]

My ECU reflashes take 5 min...

An hour to download? Does your dealership have 56k dialup or something?

[12,000 RPM]

A dealership is not going to charge for anything less than an hour of labor regardless of how long the job takes.

[GoCougs]

A "reflash" is typically just downloading new data to existing data registers (i.e., not changing the code, just changing variables), which is a small thing and doesn't a whole lot.

A "reprogram" is typically downloading new code, and surely bet there is hundreds of thousands if not a million or more lines of code in the typically ECU (plus, for my update, the TCU needed reprogramming too). Also, please see the previous link for the steps, numbering 20 in all, which includes warming up the car, connecting a battery charger, turning off various things in the car, going through a n number of software steps, and then turning stuff back on, and then testing driving the car. Also included is surely a chunk of overhead for the custom software app and wiring harness that does the downloading. (Checked my invoice - they charged me 1.5 hours = $225).

All seems normal to me, having down innumerable analgous operations to various industrial machine and robot controllers (let alone Windows updates).

[AutobahnSHO]

reflash= reprogram in most situations.   I seriously doubt anyone bothers to connect a battery charger to a car while updating the software.

[GoCougs]

reflash= reprogram in most situations.   I seriously doubt anyone bothers to connect a battery charger to a car while updating the software.

Stop your prattling.

If it only takes a few minutes there is no "reprogramming" going on - think updating iOS or Android, or Windows. THAT is "reprogramming" and it never just takes a few minutes.

From the TSB:

CAUTION:

• Connect a battery charger to the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery voltage must stay between 12.0V and 15.5V during reprogramming, or the ECM/TCM may be damaged

[Cookie Monster]

A "reflash" is typically just downloading new data to existing data registers (i.e., not changing the code, just changing variables), which is a small thing and doesn't a whole lot.

A "reprogram" is typically downloading new code, and surely bet there is hundreds of thousands if not a million or more lines of code in the typically ECU (plus, for my update, the TCU needed reprogramming too). Also, please see the previous link for the steps, numbering 20 in all, which includes warming up the car, connecting a battery charger, turning off various things in the car, going through a n number of software steps, and then turning stuff back on, and then testing driving the car. Also included is surely a chunk of overhead for the custom software app and wiring harness that does the downloading. (Checked my invoice - they charged me 1.5 hours = $225).

All seems normal to me, having down innumerable analgous operations to various industrial machine and robot controllers (let alone Windows updates).

Makes sense, I guess. There's only so much an aftermarket tuner can do to the ECU. I'm sure the OEM manufacturer can actually do a full fledged reprogram compared to the rewriting of a few fuel maps and timing tables that the 3rd party ecu tuners do, which is why it only takes 5-10 minutes in my case.

Do you get any better MPGs?

I wonder if there's a reflash for my dad's car... probably not considering most of your improvements seem to have been in the transmission.

[GoCougs]

Can't tell about MPG, as right as I had it done I started doing a fair amount of winter driving (winter gas, snow tires, snow driving, ski racks). My hunch it will indeed be a bit better. Prior I had to either really stab the throttle to get a kick down or manually shift to get up/down shifts - now it's much more efficient with the new ECU+TCU programming. Car is far more enjoyable now.

[afty]

Up to 400 hp, interesting.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/12/15/2016-infiniti-q50-twin-turbo-v6-official/#slide-3739742

[GoCougs]

Now that's something I can get behind. If I have to have turbos, it's gotta be Japanese. Thing is that trim level is supposedly called "Q50 Red Sport 400" which makes it sound limited in availability (and color).

Reminiscent of the G37 - looks very good with those wheels:

[68_427]

The new engine plus turbos and intercooler system weighs 15lbs more than the VQ37

[GoCougs]

I saw that, plus, the Q50 itself weighs ~100 lbs more than the G37. Could be a decent package if they can solve the huge reliability problems with the electronics.

[12,000 RPM]

Up to 400 hp, interesting.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/12/15/2016-infiniti-q50-twin-turbo-v6-official/#slide-3739742

You can get 400HP NA

https://www.z1motorsports.com/z1-products/z1-motorsports/vq37vhr-400hp-package-p-7223.html

I am surprised Infiniti isn't using the MB 3.0 TT. Also curious to see what they do for transmissions. They need a DCT. Either way if this is a real full on Japanese V6TT this is pretty good news. I am wondering if this will pop up in the next Z too...

[68_427]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's based on the same architecture as the GT-R engine. 

[AutobahnSHO]

If I have to have turbos, it's gotta be Japanese.

LOL Shoulda known that would change your tune.

[12,000 RPM]

LOL Shoulda known that would change your tune.

He has warmed on chassis dynos too (when convenient)

[Morris Minor]

So after a bit of city driving I can confirm part throttle upshifts in D are sharpened noticeably. Definite recommend. I like the car that much better now - much more pleasurable to drive.

I had this done a while ago. It took if from "terrible" to "barely acceptable."

It's much more pleasant withe the shift in 'S' mode. (but then I think it does not use the 7th gear??)

[GoCougs]

You can get 400HP NA

https://www.z1motorsports.com/z1-products/z1-motorsports/vq37vhr-400hp-package-p-7223.html

I am surprised Infiniti isn't using the MB 3.0 TT. Also curious to see what they do for transmissions. They need a DCT. Either way if this is a real full on Japanese V6TT this is pretty good news. I am wondering if this will pop up in the next Z too...

lol no 400 hp with headers, manifold and a tune.

Japanese have usually built better motors than the Germans, esp. V6s, and I'm sure it'll be the same now with turbo motors.

Thing is the new 8sp ATs from GM and ZF are showing that the slush boxes can compete with low end DSGs, and are inherently more reliable/durable. I wouldn't have guessed it, but there we go.

[GoCougs]

I had this done a while ago. It took if from "terrible" to "barely acceptable."

It's much more pleasant withe the shift in 'S' mode. (but then I think it does not use the 7th gear??)

FWIW I had a reprogram done a couple of years ago too - this is a new reprogram. They'll know if you car qualifies (will make a difference) by hooking it up to to the programming machine.

[Laconian]

$225 for a reflash, eggghhhh

I think my car is under an extended warranty, I wonder if this would be covered?

[SVT666]

$225 for a reflash, eggghhhh

I think my car is under an extended warranty, I wonder if this would be covered?

Generally not.

[Morris Minor]

FWIW I had a reprogram done a couple of years ago too - this is a new reprogram. They'll know if you car qualifies (will make a difference) by hooking it up to to the programming machine.

Thanks for the info. I had mine done in March 2013. And they replaced the transmission three months after that...

I'll schedule something to have them check it out.

[Morris Minor]

If you look closely, you can just make out the red tire valve caps that subtly, almost subliminally, give my car extra allure.

[giant_mtb]

Cute dog.

[Laconian]

Didn't one of you put cool white LED lights in the license plate holder? I saw that a few days ago and thought it looked pretty nice on metallic paint.

[Raza]

Cute dog.

Yeah, I like the dog.

[Rich]

I think the dog looks cool

[Morris Minor]

Didn't one of you put cool white LED lights in the license plate holder? I saw that a few days ago and thought it looked pretty nice on metallic paint.

I did. It does look really good, & more or less in keeping since a lot of the tail lights are already LED out of the factory. I also replaced the trunk light with an LED - that made a a huge difference over the glowworm that was in there before.

(dog has been w/ the family for 9 years - has seen us through some tough times - we love her)