I recently bought the Softronic re-flash for my 2004 986 Boxster S, directly from Softronic, and had a pretty good experience until the actual installation of the re-flash. I had contact only with April at Softronic.

The cable to flash the car arrived promptly, and the upload of my original file to their server went perfectly. The next morning, I got the email with the zipped Tuned file (along with the Original file). I followed their instructions very carefully (as they emphasize) and installed it onto my ECU/DME. That whole process went smoothly, too.

When I took the car out for an initial spin, I immediately had a problem. The car ran terribly; it hesitated badly under any kind of acceleration at 3k rpm, 4k rpm, bucked and stumbled up and down the rev range under anything but the tiniest throttle input. It acted like the fuel was cutting in and out. I used the original file they sent and flashed it back to stock, and now it runs fine again albeit with the stock ECU settings.

I contacted Softronic and April returned my call promptly. Unfortunately her first response was that they've sold their file to a lot of people and not had problems, so if I want my money back I can send back the cable. No offer to all to help or ask questions.

I asked her if Scott could call me briefly to discuss what might have gone wrong (on either my part or theirs). Her response was that he's leaving tonight for business and doesn't have time for that. I have to say that, based on what I've read on 6speedonline and elsewhere, I am really surprised and disheartened that the response was, essentially, that it sucks for me but they don't have time to horse around with customers who have a problem.

Before I throw up my hands and go with EVOMSit instead, anybody else have this sort of experience with Softronic? Any advice?

 

I just got Softronic, Had APR software, 987 with X51 3.4L (custom) Scott made me 2 custom files, I know he gets sent everywhere (racing schedule) for porsche. Are you sure you installed it correctly? sending him emails is the best way to communicate. not his softronic account but marine... did you tell him it was a 986, not 987? He would get this info when you sent the ecu info but just to be on the safe side, i specified my car options, year, etc. as well.

here are some instructions I wrote...

http://www.planetporsche.net/reviews...hp?product=278

 

As far as I can tell, I did everything exactly correctly -- I was extremely careful to follow the directions closely (battery charger, computer plugged in to a/c power, etc.) in uploading, downloading, and installing. I gave him everything I could think of in the "comments" part of the original file upload -- Year, make, model, tranny, mods (including manufacturer), my name, email. I did get the "sport" option which supposedly sharpens the throttle response -- although I don't think this was an option originally on my '04 986S. The only thing I didn't say was "986", so I thought it's possible that they mistakenly sent me a 987 file.

I'll try the MARINE email and see if I get any response. Otherwise I guess I have no choice but to get a refund and go to Evo.

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sounds a bit uncharacteristic.

If you do decide to make the switch to EVOMSit I'd be happy to talk to you about your specific likes and dislikes about the stock program so we can tailor something perfect for you. You've also got a money back guarantee, although to this day no one has ever taken advantage of that. Did I mention it's on sale right now too..

Search for TighTT in the Cayman forums, we flashed his Cayman with the newest EVOMSit file not too long ago and he can't stop raving about how happy he is. His car was previously tuned, just not sure by who.

 

I read TighTT's posts, speaks very highly of your shop. If it turns out that I can't get things worked out with Softronic in terms of keeping their product I'll get together with you tomorrow, Tom, and go the EvoMS route. Happy to support a site vendor, too!

 

Scott at Softronic returned my email this afternoon, and sent me a "rev" (-ised?) Tuned file. I'm going to flash that to my DME tonight and hopefully that works. His note didn't elaborate at all on what he revised. I'll let you all know what the result is -- hopefully positive, I've read so much good about Scott and Softronic I really want this to end happily!

 

Hello Peter,

I made sure that you were called ASAP today to offer a refund if you had concerns with it.You had left a message the day before after hours on our voice mail. The file as April should have told you on the phone is the same one that has been sent to many Boxster customers for DE events and modified street use etc. All of the customers love the file and all showed great gains with it and no issues for over 5 years.
I then had personally called you as she said I would later on so I was a bit surprised to find this posted and now posting on it also...

Some changes were made to a rev I sent to you however I cant change a file that has been working great for everyone else. The changes are perhaps more for your requirements. I hope you like it .

As a note I was out of the office today and had been talking to about 50 other tuners and customers as fast as I could and did in fact talk to all of them, including you. I m only one person that everyone insists on talking to yet there are only so many hours in a day. I think we can all realize that a day gets exhausted quickly and then there is no time . Im replying to this at 10:00pm EST so I'm still going. I even made the time to adjust a file for you....


Best Regards,
Scott Slauson

 

Oh yes those posts.... Very interesting reading and drastically edited. This is an exclusive on 6speed.

 

Scott's absolutely right. I vented a bit prematurely when I should have just asked for help or guidance or, even better, just been more patient. Everything he said is true. I'm going to try the revised file this evening and am hoping it works. Even if it doesn't, I have to assume that's just my bad luck or my Boxster hates me. If it's working for everyone else, maybe it's unmasked some other problem with my 986S. We'll see what happens...

Thanks a lot, Scott. Pleasure talking to you, and have a safe trip.

Pete

 

It could have been a glitch of some sort in the installation process.When I first Installed the Softronic software on my cayman I had to Install a Framework software first (Must have been my lousy computer) If the install process is interupted in any way (internet signal) it will not install properly. Hope the install goes right this time it really improved the performance of my 2.7 Liter .I am very satisfied .Please keep us posted .

Scott .Any timeline on the new upgrade Flash for us 2.7 owners? I am waiting for the new version before I order my Plenum .Thanks

 

Unfortunately the revised version had the same effects as the initial version -- stumbling, popping, coughing, erratic under anything but the lightest throttle input. It also idles about one "tick" lower on the tach and idles a bit erratically.

I had previously downloaded the .net framework required to run Softronic's software, so it isn't that. The install, by watching my laptop, went perfectly. And when I flash the ECU back to stock using Scott's "original" file, that works perfectly and the car returns to its normal smooth-running self (albeit without the tune).

At this point, I'm of a mind to try to figure out what's wrong. Scott said, and people on here seem to agree, this same file works for all of his other 986S customers. So there could be something on my car that isn't right but the stock tune isn't aggressive enough to unmask it while the reflash is. MAF sensor dirty is one possibility -- the car only has 11k miles and a fresh BMC oiled filter. Could be that. I'm going to check/clean the MAF tonight and try again.

It can't be that ONLY my 986 disagrees with Softronic's tune. It has to be something...

 

Pete,

Give this a try. Once you have the file uploaded and the process is complete, remove power from the ECU by either disconnecting your battery or unplugging the ECU harness. Let it set for a minute or so, and reconnect. See if that helps.

I doubt it's the MAF, or you would be experiencing the same issues with the stock file, but certainly clean it if it's dirty anyway. That would lead to other issues.

 

Thanks, Tom. Scott at Softronic suggested same. Will try that before messing with the MAF -- as you point out, it isn't throwing a code now but it's something I'll have to rule out if I can't get it to work. Could also be plugs but I seriously doubt that -- car only has 11k on it. Can't think of too many things that would not throw a CEL in stock tune (or with the reflash, for that matter -- no CEL) but make it run so rough when tuned.

Tough nut to crack, but I'm not going to give up until I've ruled everything out that I can. Stay tuned, I guess... Thanks to all (esp. Scott Slausen) for your help/advice/ideas.

 

If ANYONE on this forum ever has a problem with Softronic, I am the unofficial Softronic PR person. We have brought the Softronic name to 6speed and take pride on keeping it highly regarded. I can help you with the install, map loading, or any questions you have. Whether you buy it from us or not, we will help. If you need something more, I have the bat line to Scott.

 

Drasitcally edited by yourself maybe...but not by me.