Plasar

Hi MBWorlders. I thought I would offer a super quick review of the CPA Chiptuning tune for the C300 - I have the Nitro.

CPA Chiptuning C300


Plus:

* Pretty good boost on standard performance. When my C300 goes in for service/fixes, I get a stock C300 loaner. The difference is clearly noticeable.
* Trouble free performance so far - no codes.
* Only game in town - does anyone else make a C300 tune?


Neutral:

* Maybe price: it does start at EUR299 for the entry product, then EUR399, then EUR599 for the Nitro. I got mine on eBay in the US used for USD500. For US buyers, EUR600 + shipping seems high, but maybe not - it seems like a pro tuning company that has done its homework.
* I paid an MB tech USD150 to install it. It is plug and play, but I believe the airbox had to come off to reach the lower connection, I don't have tools and didn't want to get my hands dirty.
* Most of the power/torque seems to come in low/mid-range. say 2K-3K. There's just not a lot happening above 4K comparatively. Oh well, it is a 2.0 liter 4-banger, not like the old 135i twin-turbo 6 with a Dinan tune, or the M3 V8 with an 8.4K RPM redline, that I used to have. (I think I really need a C400, AMG450, or - OMG yes please - a C63! #%^> )


Minus (not necessarily all related to CPA product):

* Installation: useful instructions specific to the C300 are non-existent in the box. You can email in a pic to the support team and they will make some circles and annotations in your pic - not really adequate. The tech who installed it finally had to "guess" which of the 2 wires went to which connection to the engine. Luckily (?), the first attempt worked. This was lame! (Attaching CPAs 3 x return pics... why don't they just do a "professional" job once to document the install???)
* The C300 transmission is AWFUL! I guess I set my expectations wrong because I test drove the C63 first. The C300 tranny will hunt for what seems like seconds for the next gear.


Look forward to any thoughts, comments, questions you might have. =:-]

Wkar275

Does it feel like the 300hp as advertised? Interested in a few different tune options but I'm not sure of any of their credibility except the burger motorsports tune.

DBOC205

I would be very sceptical of manufacturer claims unless they're backed up by independently tested dyno numbers, especially with engine variants that have already been factory tuned to higher output levels (e.g C300, C250d) via increased fuel and boost pressures. I tried the RaceChip Ultimate on my C250d and it was totally bogus. First tune went backwards and after several attempts they tweaked the tune to get some very minor boost but not anywhere close to what they claim.

Str8Down

There is a Dyno chart under each one, but of course we have no way yo know if they are legit. I am very interested in this though. Would love to see a real dyno

NYbenzzz

the c300 4 cylinder it's designed as a cruiser.

don't understand why would anyone chip or tune this car.

the engine sounds like a honda civic when i punch the gas. There's no avoiding that with a 4 banger, unless you get headers, straight pipe, cat delete and a big fart-can muffler.

no, just no.

if you want more performance, opt for the c43/c450/c400.

Wkar275

Every post you say the same thing. What about the cla45? Not all 4 cylinders sound so bad. Each person has different preferences as to what sounds nice. Is it a c63? No so why is it a problem if someone wants a little more horsepower. It's their vehicle and they are entitled to it.

Shadwell

Fair enough on your opinion and coming from the US its understandable, but in Europe with a motorsport history in 4 cylinder, its well understood that large perfromance gains are available on 4 cylinder, the AMG 2l 4 pots show this admirably.. (factory and sibsequent tunes)
Massive torque, very high power, (surpassing many 6 pot motors)..
So chasing an in crease in torque and power is pretty usual, and wothwhile from a improvment vs dollars persepctive..
Accoustics are a given.. different configuration different sound, but a great imprvement can again be made without turning any configuration into a farting rasping ****box.. 4's can sound good, sixes can sound gorious, and 8 and above arguably just gets better and better..


I hate chav fart cans on any car... on that we certainly agree..


for those getting great improvements tastefully i slaute them..


I personally have ECU tune, DV+ TCU tune and an exhaust.. its a few db louder at tickover, and 7-8 db louder at mid range, the note is deeper and alittle grumbly .. never rasping and tinny.. I like it, and most others don't even hear it.. perfect for my taste.. and because i kept the pipe dia so close to stock, no drone...


i would also love a twin turbo c45 but 30% proce premium in an already overproced aussie market its not worth it..


in the US they are so cheap i'd just grab a c63 too..


All the best..

NYbenzzz

i'm just kind of underwhelmed that a $50k luxury car sounds so weak.

i'll give you this: the power delivery on the way to 100mph is pretty linear (in a good way) considering the weight of the car + 4 cyl engine.

but I rarely go hard on my car anymore, the sound is a big turn off for me.

I guess i'm used to American V8s (mustang svt cobra) and Japanese V6s (G35). Both sound phenomenal.

just saying, I don't mean to offend anyone.

Plasar

Wkar275:

Hey there, yeah, it feels like a peaky 300 hp/345 lb-ft. I test drove 2 x C400s while I was shopping, and they felt a lot stronger, I think because the powerband was a lot broader, as well as a little higher in peak numbers. I think +1 liter and +2 cylinders and +1 turbo make a significant difference!

Having said that, it is a nice improvement over stock. I was very interested in the JB tune too - I would get their BMW N54/N55 tune in a heartbeat - but their C300 tune is still in beta, unless I am mistaken.

Good luck with your adventure. =:-D

Plasar

Shadwell:

Yes, I sympathize with your prices in Oz. I lived in Germany, and same thing. How in the hell can a German car be so expensive in Germany and so cheap in the US? 19% VAT too.

Well, we are living the dream here in Amurca - fat, dumb, and happy in our cheap Benzes. #%^>

johnng117

I've using CPA for my ML250 and it does feel a little quicker but sometimes the transmission will go into a mode that it doesnt change gear. You will have to turn the car off with keys out for about 1 minute and it would be ok. Also when fillin up you have to remove key from ignition or sometime it has errors.
My friends landrover discovery also has this problem...
There service is crap as soon as you purchased..
I will not buy again.

Shadwell

Crap... there's head room for improvement with a decent increase in toque and throttle response lower down.
Equally an uprated divertor valve allows them to hang onto boost during shifts and later In the rev range.
The sound equally can be made decent (for a four pot) with large volume straight through mufflers and the early gen's still have their shift fart for fun..

Of course they aren't a sports car, they are 500kg too heavy for that.. but any car is worth optimising if the owner is keen..