andrewk-S550

Do you know of ANY current MB dealer who installs ECU performance upgrades without voiding warranty?
I am willing to take a long drive. or maybe there is someone in Chicago?

Audi does, and they did it on my friends S8, its insane fast, and covered bumper to bumper.

Mike450

To be clear here, Audi does not honor the warranty, the tuning company itself does. ABT is a tuner that does such a thing.

Audi/VW, VAG in general, has an OBD system that they developed in 2012 to specifically void the warranty of tuned ecu's. Google TD1.

andrewk-S550

I know first hand since I was in person when friend of mine purchased S8 at Audi dealer and came back with me few days later to get it tuned.

100% Audi tune, 100% Audi Warranty

Should I post pictures of the receipt?

Mike450

To be honest, I'd really like to see it as I was looking at a 2014 S8 the other day. I'd like to have the part #.
If in fact there is an Audi offered tune, I'd be interested in it.

As a former B8 S4 owner also, and still an active forum browser, there has never been speak of Audi offering tunes. Certain delaers working with tuners, such as APR/ABT, yes, but it's not an official AudiUSA backed warranty.

Maybe the S8 is different?

andrewk-S550

Give me few minutes, let me reach out if I can get something official posted

Meanwhile I am helping Audi tuning and still no help with my need

Mike450

lol... sorry to get your thread off track.

I did hear the tech and service writer chuckling last Thursday how the warranty on the E63 in the shop was voided for tuning though.

I think they may have laughed again after charging me $483 for a replacement key.

andrewk-S550

Call Audi of Hoffman Estates, Suburbs of Chicago, ask for the only Polish speaking sales person, he will get you a tuning package for all Audi cars without voiding warranty. Maybe a catch is that you have to buy a car from him?
Audi Hoffman Estates
1200 W Golf Rd Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Sales: (888) 698-1441

Mike450

Thanks.

I'll follow what you find here.

andrewk-S550

Correction on the contact info for ecu tune that does not void warranty

Scott Hall 847-414-2666

fabbrisd1

Glad you guys met and became friends.

A ECU tune on a GL550 will not "void" a warranty per se - however, since the ECU box has to have a small hole drilled into it to release/open for access - "technically" the warranty on the ECU itself is "voided" since it is "technically" a tampered part.

Now part to the matter - since you guys now have the Pole for your Audi".

The issue with a "tune" has to do with adding performance - without setting off CEL for other parts of the system.

Rentech is the most oft named Mercedes "tuner" - and you can visit their website for details regarding your specific rig.

There are also a few Mercedes dealers - who have also become RennTech dealers - so that dealer can sell + install the tune - RennTech also has other independent tuner/retail shops who also are RennTech "dealers" for the tune + install.

RennTech, thru a Renntech dealer - will "guarentee" that their tune - if selected to match to the original vehicle equipment - will be usable and not trigger CEL/limp-home etc.

Any guarentee like that - must be confirmed specifically both with the company supplying the tune and the installer.

Sure - you can see posts - any brand forum - and almost any "tuning company" - where someone(s) say - "installed easy - awesome performance - no problems".

The fact is - what you DON'T see are those that have had problems with their tune.

I had one CLS550 customer - great guy - tuning company out of Texas I had recommended before successfully to other customers. Had my guys pull the ECU - ship it off - get it back - and do the righteous install - long story short - 3 or 4 reflashes later - always some gawdang CEL's and worse - the tuning company even "fried" the ECU on their last flash - they bellied up for replacement ECU - after a whole tale of woe - then we turned back to RennTech - and for that customer - was happy for 3 months and I stepped him up to a G63 - story ends well.

The point is - "most" Mercedes dealers won't step into it - and when you choose to step into a tune - MAKE SURE - you have "clear" understanding on how you will be protected on both "No CEL's - right" and "what if this gets fracked up"..

Keep the beat !

Dreamszalone

Mercedes Benz Of Naperville does the Rentech Tune...

andrewk-S550

Do you know who to contact in service?

SteveE400

Hmmmmm. . . Verry interesting.


I could also be interested.

superchet

Orland Park MB does RENNtech as well. I bought my S65 from there--stage 2 RENNtech.

RENNtechHQ

Hey Andrew,

We do have multiple Dealers in the Chicago Area.
First there is Mercedes-Benz of Orland Park, which we do a lot of business with.
If you contact them ask for Michael Drez, you'll reach him under (+)1 (888) 500-1944.
There is also MB of Hoffman Estates, our contact there is Jim Marquardt +1 847-885-7000.

Let us know if you have nay further questions.

gotzillar

Renntech, do you have a tune for 2016 GL450?

Mike450

I'm only going to further this conversation for betterment of those who may not be aware. A "tune" does NOT void an entire warranty, very true. It is also a case by by case basis with regards to coverage if you do have a detected tune.


Good post Fab, but to be clear with what we are talking about, specifically with Audi, there are parameters outside of the ecu that store values. A"CEL" is not necessarily the triggering event that clues them into a tune. This diagnostic is done automatically and is transparent to the tech working on your car. They can also manually perform a specified vs. actual ECM Software comparison. Again, that is specific to Audi/VAG products.


I have no idea if MB does the same, but there is a consistent history of AudiUSA denying warranty claims and flagging cars with what they call a TD1.

My advice has always been, regardless of car make, to get whatever warranty you are promised on paper. The sales guy/GM/service writer/tech's word is worthless when you are faced with a $20k transmission bill.

Renntech seems to be your safe tuner bet with MB. They certainly have the largest dealer network and impressive history with this platform.

PeterUbers

Tobias Moers himself says that any modification from stock is not supported by amg or Mbusa

Any dealer that tunes the car is solely responsible for any damages incurred from the tune or use of the vehicle with a tune. They always maintain a right to deny a claim and Mbusa will not finance the claim

PeterUbers

100% Audi warranty? So Audi USA will pay for a blown engine? That's impressive

fabbrisd1

Yes - "tuning" the ECU voids the warranty on the ECU - if for no other reason the case is modified to be able to open it.

Under US law - the manufacturer's warranty for all the other parts of the car remain in effect.

You can game all the scenarios in your head - for entertainment value - but personally I have not seen any RennTech tune (and/or higher stage mod) be the cause for any engine/powertrain failure.

Frankly - one of the reasons "several" Mercedes dealers also "choose" to offer RennTech products

Tobias has correct corporate/AMG-attitude - but Tobias has absolutely no experience US warranty provisions and/or Mercedes US warranty process.

If you haven't expereinced the RennTech stage 1 on the 5.5L TwTu - frankly it's very/very sweet... hacker tunes/not-even-close..

Audi guys - I sure other Audi owner's on the Audi forums will benefit from your discussion..

Bobsbenz1952

Hello RENNtech HQ

Could you tell me if there are any RENNtech Mercedes dealers near Naples fl. I really would like to get my 08 cls550 tuned with ECU upgrades and headers. I would really appreciate your feed back.
Bob

Mike450

It's a risk. Let's not pretend otherwise.

If there is a powertrain failure, for any reason, and you are tuned, you are at risk of being denied. You can refer to it as "entertainment" all you wish, but facts are, engines/trans/rears fail.

Will it happen? I don't have that answer. Can it happen? Absolutely.

RENNtechHQ

Hey Bob,

the closest Dealer to Naples would be Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota or MB Automotive in Pompano Beach.
If you go to Pompano Beach, please ask for Robert Ginsberg,(+)1 (954) 942-4339. At Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota our contact is Mike Register, (+)1 (941) 275-1293.

You are also welcome to stop by at our Headquarter in Stuart, FL, just north of the Palm Beaches and get the tune direct through us. In that Scenario you would only have to wait about 2 hours and you're ready to go, without having a ~2 day downtime.

Bobsbenz1952

Thanks my friend. I think I would come directly to you guys. I am thinking about having the ECU and headers installed. I saw the website and the package you guys offer. Can you tell me how long you would need the car to do the two upgrades. Thank You
Bob

PeterUbers

I was told by Naperville Benz that any tune will void my b2b and extended warranty

Funny that others have heard differently about this dealership