Sma2c

I searched the forums (using the search and advanced search) for about a week and found that the informaion on the ECU tune for this car was all over the map with little real info and broken links....

I did find Kleeman and after a quick review found they are in Colorado Springs, I live in Denver so this is good news.
I emailed Kleeman USA and recieved an imediate response form Cory. He informed me that the motor was the same as the C350 and they could achieve results slightly above what a 350 produces and fix the dreaded throttle lag. I immediatly scheduled the tune and went to their facility last Friday. They offered to Dyno my car before and after the tune but my car is the 4 Matic and we were unable to test it. The fact that they wanted to do this gave me confidence that they could deliver what they promised, I was not dissapointed....
The tune start to finish took about 2.5 hours. The second I hit the throttle for the first time I knew this was money well spent. Throttle response was immediate and the car surged like never before off the line and pulled hard to redline. Shifts are crisp but not harsh. The car is completely different after the tune and 100% better.

Was it worth $1,295? Absolutely.
Does it void the warranty? I do not care
Is the milage better? Does not matter, not to me anyway
Should you do it? Only if you want a more enjoyable driving experience and a faster car.

Kleeman knows what they are doing and will take good care of you. The link below is to the Kleeman site, USA HQ
http://www.kleemann.dk/KleemannUSA

I do not have experience with other tunes for this car but can tell you without hesitation this one works.
I received information from one of the other tuners recently listed in a post here, 12-15 HP, $695. Laughable.

JaredP

Thanks for your post, I was considering Kleemann and this gives me more reason to go with them. Just wish I wasnt required to send in my ECU...

EDIT: And I definitely can sympathize about the lack of REAL information issue. When I first registered here, it was nearly impossible for anyone to acknowledge the potential of the 2013 C300. Glad to hear a story about this engine, definitely the first I've heard and I hope to hear more.

Sma2c

Glad it helped, send me a note if you have questions. Sending in the ECU and few days without the car would be worth it to me. The difference is not subtle. From what Cory at Kleeman told me Mercedes limits the throttle opening, it does not open to 100% on the C300 like it does on the 350.

JaredP

How difficult was it to locate and remove the ECU? I assume Kleemann must have some info packet they send you.

I might wait until Kleemann releases a K2 kit, looks like it will contains some exhaust upgrades (headers?).

How would you describe the tuned throttle response? The lag would be great to eliminate, but have you noticed anything else?

Sma2c

Not difficult at all, it is located on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Took maybe 2 minutes. I am sure they can send you instruction.
I inquired about the headers when I was there, nothing yet, no ETA. Net 10-15 HP
I will not do exhaust/headers myself. This is a commuter car for me and the ECU tune made it enjoyable to drive.
The best way to describe the throttle response is that it feels like a real gas pedal, one connected to the car mechanically and faithfully relays your input. The drive by wire, electronic nanny is no longer apparent. Response is immediate and linear.

jgoga

If indeed it is the same engine as the C350 (and i believe it is) do you think you are in the 300 HP territory by doing this? Wasn't the C350 motor rated at around 302 HP?

John

capt_paul

Cory is a good guy to work with at Kleemann. A few years ago, on my 2005 C230, I went there for a Kleemann Boost kit and an ECU tune (I installed Kleemann headers prior to this visit). He was done in about 4 hrs and the car retained gas mileage and performance was greatly increased from stock.

I look forward to installing headers and having the ECU tuned when they become available to the M276 for my 2013 C350 Coupe

JaredP

The Kleemann Website says 330HP from a tuned M276.

jgoga

But I wonder if this tune will give us 330HP.

John

JaredP

I doubt even the C350 gets 330HP with the tune. But whatever potential the C350 has, the C300 has the same.

Sma2c

I agree with JaredP, same potential. I really wish I would have been able to dyno the car and have an accuarte number for you guys. I am certain it is over 300, my guess from research and seat of the pants and owning alot of performance cars over the years is 310-315 ish. I think 330 is a realy strong number, maybe but certainly not at 6800 feet! Would like to see a dyno pull for a rwd car.
My wife has an ML550 that used to smoke this car, it cannot catch it now. Neighbor has an S4, 333 hp, hmmmm. Will let you know if it happens.
The snap off the line that is sorely missing stock is really fun. I am no longer hesitant to jump into traffic wondering if the throttle will do anything near what I asked. I had the tune done with a few thousand miles on the car, my only regret is the few thousand i did not have it.

JaredP

Wow, this really sounds like a night and day difference. I think Kleemann is going to have a lot of fun with this engine, with the number of vehicles it powers (C, CLS, E, SLK, GLK, ML), and it being based off the Chrystler Pentastar V6, there is going to be a big demand for aftermarket performance.

guessqjj

I was considering Kleemann and this gives me more reason to go with them

CisternaChyli

does Kleeman have anything for the C250?

jgoga

Thank you so much for the response. I will contact them for sure.

John

capt_paul

You can get an exhaust header and a ECU tune from them

JaredP

Turbo engines generally have a much higher potential for power gains. The plug and play JB+ tune is $280 with +20hp +40tq gains.

joespeed29

thread of the year right here

thanks for posting!

in reality, 1200 doesnt seem like a lot of money, its really not for a solid tune

Sma2c

Let me know if you guys get the tune and your thoughts

jgoga

I spoke with Corey over there this week and i feel confident with these guys. They seem to know what they are talking about, i will be sending them my ECU next week. I will report back once i receive the ECU back.

John

JaredP

Good to hear. I will consider it again in the spring, snow will be on the ground here soon, won't be able to take full advantage of the tune for long!

Drazil

aaaaaaaaaaargh damn you!!! you got me wanting to do this so bad now. I know exactly what you mean when you're in traffic, especially off a light and some *****box is pulling ahead of you and it's a full 2-3s later before any power kicks in. Is there any way for the dealer to know you did this mod at all? I love that this engine has so much more tuning potential than the previous one, but then we lost the ability to use handheld flasher.

jgoga

According to Corey the stealer won't know unless they need to get into the ECU.

John

JaredP

Yes, Corey told me you would have to tell the dealer that you had the modification installed for them to find out, otherwise they wouldn't even know what to look for.

Yamakazi

man!!

I wanna get this tune for my 2013 C300 as well! but would the ECU tune be compatible for a canadian edition car??