c200amgline

Hi all,

I would like to know your opinion about RaceChip, PP Performance, or Brabus chip tuning. Original specs for my C200 are 184hp, 300Nm.

- RaceChip Ultimate ($537, self-installation): +52hp, +80Nm
- PP performance ($859, excluding labor): +36hp, +70Nm
- Brabus ($1677, excluding labor): +41hp, +30Nm

I am looking for reliability. Brabus is unfeasible for me although it may be the most reliable. RaceChip claims that those figures are the maximum theoretically, so I'll have to dyno my car. They also offered a refund within 30 days of purchase but I'll have to send it back from the UAE to Germany. They called (after I provided my number) and told me that the power increase may be a minimum of +35hp, though he stressed that it ranges and depends on the engine, so still a reasonable increase compared to the others and considering the price.

Anyone with experience with RaceChip Ultimate or PP performance on a 2.0L turbo? Or whether chiptuning will affect the engine and make it more prone to failure?

DBOC205

The C200 is a de-tuned variant of the M 274 DE 20 AL engine, which is the same motor as in a C250 and a C300. You're therefore far more likely to experience gains on your C200 using a plug-in chip tuning product than if you're coming from the higher output versions. As far as I've seen, and in my experience, Racechip is 100% full of themselves in terms of claimed performance numbers. Their product may be OK on some engine combos but I doubt you'll ever reach their claimed figures (and as you already found out, they even admit to the numbers being 'theoretical' maximums). Brabus is probably more accurate with their numbers (and they often back it up with Dyno results). If you have doubts, get some independent performance figures for the kits you're looking at purchasing.

c200amgline

Exactly my thoughts about the engine - that it is capable of much more. No doubt they are and that is why I asked about actual figures in the first place. Still with a minimum of +35hp gain it'll be much more than 3x cheaper than Brabus including labor. Thing is a dyno would cost me around $136 so that is already a loss if I am not satisfied with the RaceChip, hence why I posted on this forum.

How can I get independent performance figures? Through the company or other means? I could not find anything about RaceChip on a C200 (or any I4 2.0L W205) online.

AutoTalent

I would do PP-Performance as long as the labor costs aren't ridiculous.

AmrDXB

If I am not mistaken you were the one asking about Burmester before purchasing the C200 ? Did you end up upgrading the stock sound system ?

I were in your shoes last month. But after trying the stock sound system I didn't like it. I bought a C250 from Abu Dhabi (premium line) which was still cheaper than the C200 sold in Dubai.

I also live in UAE and am wondering where are you purchasing the chips from ? I am interested in the Brabus chip.

subzero05

not sure if the Dinan sport unit works on that application but it should since its a detuned variety of the C300 here. The power numbers aren't as high, but its also a fraction of the cost and it is Dinan. There is some guy in the UAE that sells there stuff, cant remember the name though

Shadwell

Racechip ultimate works well on C250 (155kW), actual gains more around 20% and not the 28% they claim possible.. based on the fact you can't feel a difference until 10% above base and this is certainly noticeable...
ie it pulls the C250 up to the regular C300 level.
Most noticeable in the 1500 to 4000rpm range, feeling is more torque across the range so perception is better throttle response, more response, and measurably better acceleration.
Above 4k rpm not so much but that's of little consequence for me personally.. sure it goes there but 90% of the time is below 4k rpm....
Mine has been on for over a year now and no issues, having played with settings early on...

c200amgline

Yes, I am the guy. No I kept it stock. Requires a lot of labor I am not familiar with and don't trust companies here to do the job right.

Gargash in Dubai are horrible. Both my dad and I don't like them. Nissan (Al Naboodah) offer much better customer service and satisfaction.

I was thinking about buying it online. It's way too overpriced here, Brabus gave me a quote of 20k dirhams, equivalent to $5450. That was a year ago.

c200amgline

I'm not too concerned about finding it here because I'll most likely buy online. I contacted Dinan and they said I should expect similar figures in the C200 as C300, and gain is quite low compared to others but I guess more reliable.

c200amgline

Thanks for the feedback! Great to hear that it works well and that the person I talked to was honest with the actual gains. I could barely find info about RaceChip on W205 so had to post here, and glad you shared your experience. Did you dyno the car with the chip?

Shadwell

I have not run a dyno yet... I have to be honest the number is arbitrary for me..


The drive feel daily absolutely is.
I have put In the blank chip a few times to compare back to stock.. it comes right off again.. its noticeably asleep at the bottom end.


Additionally a single dyno run over here is over $200aud.. so I have better things to spend the money on..


If I didn't think it was worth it I would definitely call it out.. but in this case its a decent change for relatively little money..


All the best.

c200amgline

That's good enough for me! Great to hear it was an improvement and the price is right for me (€500). A dyno here is $177aud.. quite pricey too! Thanks for sharing! Makes me more comfortable buying it because I've read varying things about it.

Terminator1

MKB figures:

C 200 - M 274 2.0 Turbo



Increase in performance to 155 kW (211 HP) at 5400 rpm, 330 Nm at 1800-4500 rpm
modification:
modified engine management with readapt ignition map and
injection map.




C 250 - M 274 2.0 Turbo


Increase in performance to 190 kW (258 HP) at 5600 rpm, 400 Nm at 1800-4300 rpm
modification:
modified engine management with readapt ignition map and
injection map.

Terminator1

By modifying exhaust, you can get, lets say, 5% more HP. I will prolly do custom exhaust and MKB chip for my C250. I expect around 270HP and around 400Nm, which is not bad at all. I also expect acceleration to drop to around 6 secs 0-100kmh

If you are interested in serious tuning, you can contact SKN Tuning. They modified CLA250 to 400HP and 490Nm for a price of 9000euro

http://www.forcegt.com/tuning/skn-tu...-benz-cla-250/

c200amgline

Modifying my exhaust would cost around $3200 and the power gains is nothing compared to the price I'm paying. It's an I4 engine, don't expect a huge sound upgrade.

I contacted SKN and they have a kit that upgrades hardware (many huge upgrades which justifies the cost) and software for around $9400, to make my C200 go to 258hp and 370Nm. Still too much money for the gains IMO. A chip results in less gains but for 17x less (RaceChip).

subzero05

yeah the exhaust mod doesn't yield much if anything and its pretty expensive. I'd stick with tuning and intake type mods

Terminator1

Something is wrong there. For 9400$ and by modifying engine parts, you should get much more power than that. Try Milltek for exhaust upgrades, or find a Borla dealer and make custom one. You must hear the difference, but it will not be V8 roar. Actually, I spoke to a Borla guy who explained a difference between TIG and MIG/MAG wielding, which one is better.. No matter they don't have exhaust kits for Mercedes, a guy spent half an hour to give me some directions how to choose the right exhaust, with joy and serious intentions to help me out. Borla bought me for life, just because of that.

c200amgline

My thoughts precisely.

Exactly. +74hp +70Nm is too little for $9400, which is around 1/6th the price of the car. Might as well get a C43 for a little more. I do not mind not having an exhaust upgrade because of the high prices of changing it and prefer having a power upgrade for acceleration. Totally not expecting a V8 sound and know what the I4 will sound as my friend upgraded his 4-series exhaust. Borla have a couple of dealers here. I'll give them a call during working hours and see if they can custom make an exhaust, but I'm sure it'll be an insane price (things are usually priced insanely over here). Armytrix have an exhaust for the C200 which costs around $3-4k, although still better than the $9k plus minuscule power gains for the price.

OETuning messaged me after they saw this thread and I'm glad they did. They offered good gains from an ECU tune and promised it's reversible, and it's also local so I won't need to ship anything.

sterz85

Wait, RaceChip is actually legit? I always thought it was a some fake/scam company

People on here actually have it installed and dyno'd their cars to confirm the gains?

Trancebolt

Maybe its giving that much power gains at PEAK power hp/tq; but theres no way it literally raises the whole powerband up to that much more power. Bet youll get oil leaks from the intercooler and stuff if you run these..... Just buy a faster car....

In my experience, people who chip their cars wanted a faster car than anything the chip can provide.... Ive tried a few before and i removed them as it sacrificed low speed/low throttle comfort.... No amount of private 3rd party tuning will be as balanced as factory. Good luck and happy testing...

subzero05

absolutely, Racechip is very legit. They make some decent products. I myself have the Dinan unit , but was looking at the Racechip before

DBOC205

Depends how you define 'legit'. You can be a legit company but still make a habit of feeding people bull**** in the hope of selling more products (which is exactly what Racechip tends to do). If you have a de-tuned motor variant then you will get gains, but apart from that their products are a big waste of time and money (as I found out).

Terminator1

I think that engine tuning must be done with dyno, it takes whole day to do it, that's why it costs 1500-2000 euros. Every car is a different set of parameters that needs to be tuned. Universal chip doesn't exist.

Waveform2

yeah 100% dont go for universal crap as thats what you'll get my C250 is running an insane map after the exhaust and lots of other bits and peices, as they say you get what you pay for!

Cyber2017

What do you think about the Dinan unit, you said you had it installed....is it worth it?