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acuss01

Member Since: 27 Jun 2014
Location: London
Posts: 225

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Bowler Stage 1 Tune

Took our truck up to Bowler yesterday for a Stage 1 remap. Decided on Bowler as they claimed to be "the only company officially recognised by Land Rover" and able to "work with the LR dealer network to ensure my warranty is unaffected".

I had previously contacted site sponsors Alive & BAS and was impressed with both of them. But what swung me away from them was simply the warranty protection ...and I have to admit the kudos of a Bowler sticker

.

Both Pete (BAS) and Gary (Alive) were very decent, especially the latter who I had initially booked it in with. I suppose if I was going to give honest feedback BAS put me off a little by pushing their self-fitting ECU and app which didn't appeal to my 'turnkey' solution aptitude. Alive on the other hand were very willing to fit the ECU, but i think potentially oversold me with an upgraded intercooler (which Bowler says is unnecessary) and second back-up ECU. This all added up to far more dough.

Anyway my verdict on Bowler...? DO IT!!!!

Basically it turns a tractor into a proper road vehicle with plenty of 'umphh'. I could pull away in second from standstill in my 110 carrying 6 passengers and a fully loaded roof rack. I could approach and drive around any roundabouts without changing gear and could then out-run any other vehicle joining the motorway.

It just makes sense…. All of a sudden you have a completely different proposition... If Landrover made Defenders like this in the first place they'd sell like hotcakes! I think you have to be one determined buyer (like I was) to purchase this vehicle without the hope such a transition being possible.

Frankly remapping was low down my priority list when I first took delivery of our truck, but boy am I glad I pushed it up the agenda now... Can't wait to get back in it! Oh and I love my stickers... 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack

14th Jul 2015 7:54pm

Likeomg

Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2640

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey

I think there may be some confusion here...

Most companies have a stage 1 which doesn't require an intercooler... stage 2 however does i had alive's stage 1 till i fitted my intercooler and now with all my extras I'm i think 'PP4' - performance package 4. to be fair i don't think theres any products performance wise i don't have..

every bit extra adds more, bowler claim a stage 2 of 195hp and 515Nm which i find highly unlikely would be reached on a standard intercooler?

So i think you got confused between stage 2 alive and stage 1 bowler..

but i fully agree with you, a remap is one of the most important things.

14th Jul 2015 8:04pm

YOLO110

Member Since: 14 Feb 2015
Location: Perth Oz and Stansted UK
Posts: 1642

Sounds great!

Is the Bowler re-map a new physical ECU, or do they write/remap the fitted one? YOLO... You Only Live Once...

14th Jul 2015 8:08pm

Barney12

Member Since: 09 Jun 2015
Location: South West
Posts: 744

2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey

Very interesting. This is on my want list but the warranty issue was putting me off.
Can you reveal cost?

Oh and come on we need some pictures of the stickers

14th Jul 2015 8:08pm

acuss01

Member Since: 27 Jun 2014
Location: London
Posts: 225

No confusion Likeomg.

Alive offered me a Stage 1 with a new intercooler. 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack

14th Jul 2015 8:11pm

apt100

Member Since: 05 Mar 2015
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 1547

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green

Have you get any more explanation about the warranty?
Are you saying it doesn't affect the standard LR 3year warranty, or do Bowler offer their warranty or....?

14th Jul 2015 8:11pm

acuss01

Member Since: 27 Jun 2014
Location: London
Posts: 225

Bowler wanted a thousand notes plus VAT. They provide a brand new ECU with their maps. They give you your old one back. Fun being at their garage, sat in a few of their rally cars and spoke to their engineers.

I don't get the impression they do much business with the general public. Slow communication and they aren't very sales orientated - but in a way that was reassuring…

Sticker pics to follow.. 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack

14th Jul 2015 8:15pm

Likeomg

Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2640

interesting, stage 1 doesn't require a intercooler normally.

14th Jul 2015 8:15pm

acuss01

Member Since: 27 Jun 2014
Location: London
Posts: 225

Agreed. Stage 1 doesn't normally 'need' a new intercooler. My point was Alive proposed it and I was fine with it until Bowler said not necessary as "the standard LR one is surprisingly good".

The proof of the pudding came when Bowler engineer told me their rally series cars are all tuned to stage 1 with standard Defender intercooler. So if its good enough for them, its good enough for me! 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack

Last edited by acuss01 on 14th Jul 2015 8:27pm. Edited 1 time in total

14th Jul 2015 8:26pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20347

I'm on an Alive Stage 1 with OE intercooler.
An upgraded intercooler won't do any harm, maybe even a slightly better improvement again.

14th Jul 2015 8:26pm

barbel jim

Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1423

Mine was done by the dealer, but through Nurberg........ AKA Urban truck at Milton Keynes. They in turn supply Garys Alive tune. The warranty is transferred to Nurburg, but endorsed by Landrover. I had it fitted by them to prevent any issues should a warranty claim be necessary.
If your running the 160 map, then no, an intercooler is not necessary, but for the full blown 175 it would be

14th Jul 2015 9:21pm

apt100

Member Since: 05 Mar 2015
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 1547

Sorry if I'm being a bit slow.......

so Bowler have some sort of official relationship with LR then?
Just out of interest, I have a new one on order. Is it an option to ask any dealer to get the tune done before handing over. From what you are saying it seems that some at least liaise directly with Bowler.
Cheers

14th Jul 2015 9:59pm

scotia

Member Since: 29 Oct 2014
Location: North Cambs
Posts: 96

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey

As a Bowler owner - and to clarify things:

Bowler/Land Rover warrant anything the engine tune may be responsible for - dealt with via your normal LR dealer. Anything else your Dealer/Land Rover warrant. Again dealt with via your normal LR dealer (You do not have to go to Bowler for any warranty work. ie whichever party is responsible it will be covered by the normal LR warranty at the dealers.)

ONLY Bowler have this warranty arrangement with LR.

Bowler stage 1 tune is just a replacement ECU and produces 175bhp.

Bowler stage 2 tune is with replacement ECU and larger intercooler and produces 195bhp.

Bowler will sell you a new vehicle as a second owner or you can take your new or old one to them.

Hope this clarifies things.

14th Jul 2015 10:24pm

apt100

Member Since: 05 Mar 2015
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 1547

Clarifies a bit. Cheers

14th Jul 2015 10:40pm

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3784

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green

Like I've said before, I am "mechanically hopeless", so something that is supported by JLR is of interest to me, in the event of any "issues" that might arise.
Consequently, I have emailed Bowler to see if the relationship that they have with JLR can be extended to Aussie Dealerships,...but I'm not confident of a favourable response.
Pickles.

15th Jul 2015 12:17am

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