To chip or not to chip - and which is best?

[Tom Ellis]

I've only had my 200 20v for a bit over a year, but I've heard from many
Audiphiles that I can't really appreciate the car until I've upped the
performance with a new ECU chip.  I'd really like to hear what other 200 20v
owners think about this.

The car is already pretty quick with the stock ECU - does the new chip
really make all that much difference?  Realistically I don't ever expect to
take this car out to a track, and may never get the opportunity to find out
just what the REAL top end speed is.  But the chance to noticeably increase
my acceleration in the 30-70 mph (OK, in the 30-90 mph range!) does have
some appeal.

So whose chip is best?  I've heard about Hoppen, IA and several others.
I've even seen some guy in Astoria OR selling a chip on eBay that he claims
he's importing from Europe.  From what little research I've done, it looks
like chips range from $250-$800+.  What is a reasonable price to pay?  Do
you truly get what you pay for, or can you get a high-quality product
without spending a bundle?  For the way I drive, I'd think that I want a
chip that is going to maximize performance in the 3000-5000 RPM range, to
give me that ability to punch it on the freeway onramp (and other places as
well) and take the car to 70+ mph in a hurry.  Top end performance would be
a plus, but not a necessity.

Am I foolish to even bother buying a chip with my somewhat conservative
needs?  Or have any of you found that a new chip didn't perform as you
expected, and that the chipped car's performance wasn't much different than
stock?

I'm anxious to hear what you all think.  As I've looked through the archives
of this list it's been clear that this may be the most knowledgeable group
in the world for info on this car, so if anyone can give me the straight
story it's all of you!