GoDawgs

Sorry for the delay in responding. There is kind of a crackle, but not like stock. YXC145 suggested I put the plug in which bypasses the piggyback for a few days. After those few days, I put the piggyback back to full power mode, which worked a little bit. It went from no crackle to about 50% of stock. By 50% I mean how many pops, not the volume. Usually I get two quick pops and that's it.

I've had it on and off a couple of times and while the change isn't dramatic, i like it better with the piggyback installed.

GoDawgs

This may be a stupid question but why don't OE and AMR allow their dealers to do the tuning? APR does this for VW/Audi/Porsche. Pretty much every major city in the country has a place where you can drive in and 45 minutes later drive out with the APR tune. It seems odd that OE and AMR won't allow their software be installed by the dealers that sell their other products. I'm sure there is a reason they made this decision but it doesn't make sense in today's world of technology. Can anyone shed a little light on this?

I guess I'm just frustrated that VW's have this option, BMW will even tune your car at the dealership, and for an MB we have to put our engine computers in the mail.

Oh, I guess now I have a second question. Would anyone else get this tune if you didn't have to remove and ship the ECU (and be without your car for a few days)? I would do it tomorrow.

MASSC450

Yes that would make things a lot easier, but the only way I'd opt for a performance ECU reflash would be if manufacturers warranty is not affected (or the warranty transfers to an equivalent warranty), that and I don't lose the exhaust crackle.

Until then I'm holding out for a piggy-back tune from Dinan for my C450.

Gungaslow

Renntech you can get through Mercedes Benz dealer around here.. it's expensive but keeps the warranty intact

MASSC450

$2,400 for not even a 40 hp gain...no thanks.

FastE

well... we all paid around $150-$160 / HP new, and this is a lot less than that.

bretpfair

I have been in talks with Dinan for three months trying to schedule time to drop off my car with them. Thier lead tech was on vacation for about a month but is back now and we are just working out the specifics. My last email to them was making sure they had a AWD dyno to work with the car as well as the ability to flash my ESS tuned ECU back to stock to develop the piggyback. Will keep you posted

subzero05

thanks Bret- see what they come back with. Its possible they need a stock car to test on and not something with a tune already on it?. im only throwing a dart here, but seeing as I would think they want stock numbers to base their stuff from , perhaps this is a stumbling block?>. hopefully not

removedCFGaccount

This engine will only get more popular, across several models, so....

autopal

Not sure about that. There's lots of buzz about Mercedes replacing this engine with the new straight

cenzo86

I can't seem to find the article right now, but last week I was reading about the new E50 AMG. There was a tech write up about the new engine, an i6 with electric compressors. Behold the future of forced induction!
There are very cool happenings in the anti lag turbo tech right now. Volvo was using a tank with compressed air to spool the turbo off boost, then they went the VW route with twin chargers (small belt driven supercharger that decouples when the turbo gets going). Ferrari actually uses a separate fuel tank filled with Grappa to make a seemless transition of power. High octane stuff!

flagman

Interesting - my car is nothing like that - I find it responds just fine in Comfort - just more aggressively in Sport+, obviously. Maybe something not quite right in your stock ECU setup?

bretpfair

Unfortunately, yes, this does seem to be a stumbling point for them. I do not think they have the ability to flash my ecu back to stock but their lead tech and I have been going back and forth with ideas....So, hopefully we will have a solution to the problem today and then I will drop my car off this weekend. They said it will take about a week to develop the dinan piggy back .

subzero05

ah makes sense. They probably only have flash software tools etc for BMW applications and not our cars. Plus, since its another company's tune , they probably don't want to mess with something they aren't sure about.

MASSC450

Thank you for trying though!

imj0257

i think it would look good with either the 4matic OR AMG badge on the right, but the badge in the middle is way excessive... too much imo.

but whatever floats your boat.. to each their own.

getmercd

This is because Mercedes is a more complex vehicle than VW/Audi. APR just takes a file with the matching box code and flashes through the obdII port. Literally anyone can do it, which is why they have dealers everywhere. A Mercedes cannot be programmed through the port, which means only someone that knows what they are doing and has proper tools (that cost alot of money) can program these ECUs. As far as avoiding a tune because of ECU removal is not really valid because the 450/43 ecu takes literally two minutes to remove and reinstall. I am not mechanically inclined at all, but when I chose to get AMR tuned, they sent me a step by step removal guide. My car was only down for two days and I am loving the upgrade. In my opinion it is fully worth it!

BRBM

Hmm...thanks for the explanation, getmercd; I was wondering the same thing as that ole Bulldog was. (Hunker down you hairy, Dawg!)

Not to mention, when I've gone to the APR website to see what type of gains they would give to the old 4.2 NA V-8 in the S5/RS5s - and other engines in other vehicles, for that matter, it didn't seem like you got alot of extra HP. Prices weren't too bad and the convenience of finding a dealer to do the APR stuff was nice, but I was thinking"I can do that for about the same with the three, usual, and basic aftermarket mods.....a hi-flow air filter and cold air intake from K&N or someone else, plus a Borla or Flowmaster or Magnaflow muffler upgrade."

Oh, and how're you diggin that C43 Coupe? Looks pretty damn sweet from what I can see. Classic Merc coupe, even with the b-pillar.

getmercd

Thank you sir! It is nice, but the software upgrade really livened it up. I wish the C43 came like this from the factory lol it is so much fun now!

BRBM

You're welcome...and thank you for the quick reply. Just did some research on that AMR tune of yours, and not only am I wondering if I should forget about a future RennTECH tune for a smidge more of my hard-earned cash, can see why they don't come from the factory tuned as you suggested.

With that AMG-tuned 4matic of ours, you'd kickin off in the C63S boys' ***.....which may draw me some fire, especially as a former W204 C63 owner. (Aaaaand? I gives a damn; it's true, 63 boys. Don't get all uppity.)

Not to mention, they'd have to retune the 63s to the upcoming C63R's power levels to assuage their hurt feelings.

Anyway, enjoy! (Needless to say) I mean, I love driving the 450 every day, but I suspect uou get more the insane C63 "it is so f---ing on" rumble and feeling that got every time you crank up your 43. And thankfully, unlike the 63s, that 4matic will keep you and your loved ones out of a ditch to run it hard another day.

Ciao, my brother.

getmercd

Oh I have done some damage to the egos of stock 63 owners already lol and it is worth it for sure. I daily drive mine and it functions as sound as factory, but with that extra kick when I need it! You are correct as the 4matic is always there to save the day when I get a little wild hahah good luck with whatever you end up doing to your car and safe travels

BRBM

'Preciate it, man.........we might not be 'full on' AMGs in truest "One Man, One Engine" kind of way, but they should know. Don't get it twisted. For a relatively low cost upgraded compared to actually paying the extra premium for the 63 cache', Don't start none, won't BE none. My boy Getmercd might have to whip dat ***. That is so funny.

Nuff said.

removedCFGaccount

Overheard in Vance, ALABAMA: one man, one pig.

sean1.8t

Have yet to see one on the road believe it or not, but I need to find a w205 c63(s) and run it.

I know they can do just as simple of mods and hit ~600hp/700tq but I want to run a stock one just to show those pretentious "One man one engine" ***** that their car's aren't **** in all relativity...

BRBM

Well good luck, i.e., hope you find one in your travels, Sean. 'Cause from what I can see, not only do you appear to have the stones to do it with that Stage 2 and the downpipes + our 4matic, may well be able to bust up a more than stock 63 or 63S. MmmHm. I can see it happening. SSSeeyah!