Powerchip Feedback - Expereinces - Recommendations
04-25-2007, 06:08 PM
#26
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02 C32 AMG sold!
get a discount to resell. I used to work in wholesale and when
I read Jerry's comment it made alot of sense to me, they either
wanted to move that item or their investment back.
04-26-2007, 04:07 PM
#27
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E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Powerchip ECU Feedback !!!!
I have spoken with them on several occasions and so has my shop. Each time it was clear that the person answering the phone was not familiar with MB tuning. They would not let me speak to a tech. That's when I had my shop call hoping that he would have better luck. My shop experienced the same thing.
It was not a matter of cost. They simply would not offer me a solution.
They stated that these ECUs can just relearn for new mods. I said I realize that but I want the optimized for new mods. They sounded like they were reading something from a card, because they would give the exact answer the next time.
When my car was in the shop for the radiator/tranny issue, the dealer said they might reflash my ECU. In anticipation, I emailed both evosport and Powerchip asking if they would reflash my ECU. I did not get an answer from evo or powerchip.
Believe me, I want my ECU tuned for my new mods. Someone please prove me wrong.
$3000 for a custom tune, is that what you're stating or am I misunderstanding? That is a rip off. Kleeman offers a custom tune with retunes for $1000.
I'll give powerchip yet another call once I get my car back.
It was not a matter of cost. They simply would not offer me a solution.
They stated that these ECUs can just relearn for new mods. I said I realize that but I want the optimized for new mods. They sounded like they were reading something from a card, because they would give the exact answer the next time.
When my car was in the shop for the radiator/tranny issue, the dealer said they might reflash my ECU. In anticipation, I emailed both evosport and Powerchip asking if they would reflash my ECU. I did not get an answer from evo or powerchip.
Believe me, I want my ECU tuned for my new mods. Someone please prove me wrong.
$3000 for a custom tune, is that what you're stating or am I misunderstanding? That is a rip off. Kleeman offers a custom tune with retunes for $1000.
I'll give powerchip yet another call once I get my car back.
Here is how I look at it: Powerchip actually develops tuning for many car manufacturers: they first develop a tune for a specific model, then they close that file and move on to a different manufacturer. Therefore, they have to spread their research and development efforts across many car companies, which means each car company/model gets a smaller piece of the pie. RennTech and Kleemann on the other hand, are more specialized for Mercedes. So, it makes sense that they have to spend a lot more money and time to develop their products. As a result, your specific car/model gets a LOT more research and development time before a product is produced for it...
Sorry for the long post, but I really recommend you go with RennTech or Kleemann; both companies offer EXCEPTIONAL customer support.
04-26-2007, 04:35 PM
#28
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Ok just an update. Powerchip didn't call back. I called them again to see if they could help with the reflash. They do not have an inventory of mapping information for the vehicle, so they need the car in order to do any remapping. That is not an option for me since they are on the west coast.
I asked about what I wanted last time, which was removing the check engine codes for no primary cats. That should be very easy for an ECU tuner. Kleeman offers it a basic option. I spoke with the powerchip engineer and he said that they can't do that. He also said that he doesn't think that removing the primary cats would cause a CE light, and that they would need the car to investigate further.
StealthAuto offered to help me with my situation, but once it came down to actually offering a reflash, they said they can't help since I didn't purchase from them.
Also, StealthAuto has presented himself as an independent party promoting Powerchip. It turns out that they are in the same building. SteathAuto has indicated that Powerchip would do a reflash for additional mods. https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....0&postcount=23 They won't.
I wonder how many of these others that are stepping forward to swear by Powerchip's service are actually employees.
So once again, my opinion is back to where it was several weeks ago. Powerchip's software is fine if you don't plan on doing additional mods. If you do, powerchip isn't the vendor for you. If you are local, they are an option, but I'm not sure what the cost would be. Someone above mentioned that it was $3000 for their E55, but I don't know if that is accurate.
Their service sucks.
EDIT: like I suspected, illrukus187 is a powerchip promoting troll. Check out all of his posts, they are all about bashing other ECU tuners and promoting Powerchip.
I asked about what I wanted last time, which was removing the check engine codes for no primary cats. That should be very easy for an ECU tuner. Kleeman offers it a basic option. I spoke with the powerchip engineer and he said that they can't do that. He also said that he doesn't think that removing the primary cats would cause a CE light, and that they would need the car to investigate further.
StealthAuto offered to help me with my situation, but once it came down to actually offering a reflash, they said they can't help since I didn't purchase from them.
Also, StealthAuto has presented himself as an independent party promoting Powerchip. It turns out that they are in the same building. SteathAuto has indicated that Powerchip would do a reflash for additional mods. https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....0&postcount=23 They won't.
I wonder how many of these others that are stepping forward to swear by Powerchip's service are actually employees.
So once again, my opinion is back to where it was several weeks ago. Powerchip's software is fine if you don't plan on doing additional mods. If you do, powerchip isn't the vendor for you. If you are local, they are an option, but I'm not sure what the cost would be. Someone above mentioned that it was $3000 for their E55, but I don't know if that is accurate.
Their service sucks.
EDIT: like I suspected, illrukus187 is a powerchip promoting troll. Check out all of his posts, they are all about bashing other ECU tuners and promoting Powerchip.
Last edited by jgsx; 04-26-2007 at 05:12 PM.
04-30-2007, 01:02 PM
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03 C32AMG, 05 ML 500, Ducati 998S
I'm sorry to hear your experiences
Ok just an update. Powerchip didn't call back. I called them again to see if they could help with the reflash. They do not have an inventory of mapping information for the vehicle, so they need the car in order to do any remapping. That is not an option for me since they are on the west coast.
I asked about what I wanted last time, which was removing the check engine codes for no primary cats. That should be very easy for an ECU tuner. Kleeman offers it a basic option. I spoke with the powerchip engineer and he said that they can't do that. He also said that he doesn't think that removing the primary cats would cause a CE light, and that they would need the car to investigate further.
StealthAuto offered to help me with my situation, but once it came down to actually offering a reflash, they said they can't help since I didn't purchase from them.
Also, StealthAuto has presented himself as an independent party promoting Powerchip. It turns out that they are in the same building. SteathAuto has indicated that Powerchip would do a reflash for additional mods. https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....0&postcount=23 They won't.
I wonder how many of these others that are stepping forward to swear by Powerchip's service are actually employees.
So once again, my opinion is back to where it was several weeks ago. Powerchip's software is fine if you don't plan on doing additional mods. If you do, powerchip isn't the vendor for you. If you are local, they are an option, but I'm not sure what the cost would be. Someone above mentioned that it was $3000 for their E55, but I don't know if that is accurate.
Their service sucks.
EDIT: like I suspected, illrukus187 is a powerchip promoting troll. Check out all of his posts, they are all about bashing other ECU tuners and promoting Powerchip.
I asked about what I wanted last time, which was removing the check engine codes for no primary cats. That should be very easy for an ECU tuner. Kleeman offers it a basic option. I spoke with the powerchip engineer and he said that they can't do that. He also said that he doesn't think that removing the primary cats would cause a CE light, and that they would need the car to investigate further.
StealthAuto offered to help me with my situation, but once it came down to actually offering a reflash, they said they can't help since I didn't purchase from them.
Also, StealthAuto has presented himself as an independent party promoting Powerchip. It turns out that they are in the same building. SteathAuto has indicated that Powerchip would do a reflash for additional mods. https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....0&postcount=23 They won't.
I wonder how many of these others that are stepping forward to swear by Powerchip's service are actually employees.
So once again, my opinion is back to where it was several weeks ago. Powerchip's software is fine if you don't plan on doing additional mods. If you do, powerchip isn't the vendor for you. If you are local, they are an option, but I'm not sure what the cost would be. Someone above mentioned that it was $3000 for their E55, but I don't know if that is accurate.
Their service sucks.
EDIT: like I suspected, illrukus187 is a powerchip promoting troll. Check out all of his posts, they are all about bashing other ECU tuners and promoting Powerchip.
Did you first contact Evosport about this? I had to contact Evosport first to have them arrange for a reflash of the software. It was a "partnership" between Evo and Powerchip, so you have to go through Evo first if you have the Evo powerpackages instead of just the software direct from Powerchip. And I am not an employee of powerchip nor affiliated with them in any way. I am just a happy customer of Evosport's products. My experience with Powerchip is what I have descriped earlier, without a hitch at least for my application. Maybe the custom tuning part was just lip service since I was there in person, but I would never know. Because of your post, I might just have to reserve a dyno session to see if the software is really there....
it better be...
04-30-2007, 01:57 PM
#31
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jgsx,
Did you first contact Evosport about this? I had to contact Evosport first to have them arrange for a reflash of the software. It was a "partnership" between Evo and Powerchip, so you have to go through Evo first if you have the Evo powerpackages instead of just the software direct from Powerchip. And I am not an employee of powerchip nor affiliated with them in any way. I am just a happy customer of Evosport's products. My experience with Powerchip is what I have descriped earlier, without a hitch at least for my application. Maybe the custom tuning part was just lip service since I was there in person, but I would never know. Because of your post, I might just have to reserve a dyno session to see if the software is really there.... it better be...
Did you first contact Evosport about this? I had to contact Evosport first to have them arrange for a reflash of the software. It was a "partnership" between Evo and Powerchip, so you have to go through Evo first if you have the Evo powerpackages instead of just the software direct from Powerchip. And I am not an employee of powerchip nor affiliated with them in any way. I am just a happy customer of Evosport's products. My experience with Powerchip is what I have descriped earlier, without a hitch at least for my application. Maybe the custom tuning part was just lip service since I was there in person, but I would never know. Because of your post, I might just have to reserve a dyno session to see if the software is really there....
it better be...I ended up not needing to reflash the stage2 software because the dealer figured out the problem before they tried flashing the ecu. I already said that I tried emailing both powerchip and evo about this.
What I have been talking about is reflashing with updated maps for new configurations, not the same s2 map. Powerchip isn't good at this. SteathAuto (who turned out to be in the same building as Powerchip, possibly a powerchip employee) hinted that they include that with their package, but they don't. They also have no ability to do it remotely. They are not Mercedes experts like Kleeman and Renntech. Also, Powerchip has been on here using several screen names to hype up their own product. According to one of their trolls, a custom tune for an E55 was $3000.
05-10-2007, 05:09 PM
#32
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Cobra/E55
powerchip is fine if you don't change anything on the car. They can't/won't help you if you do more mods and want a retune. Other vendors have said that pc will do a retune, but they won't.
If you get a great deal on it, do it. If you have to pay full price for it (it was $990 for stage2 software), just spend the extra $10 and get a Renntech or Kleeman tune which includes knowledgable support and unlimited retunes (make sure that your vendor is selling you a package that includes retunes).
If you get a great deal on it, do it. If you have to pay full price for it (it was $990 for stage2 software), just spend the extra $10 and get a Renntech or Kleeman tune which includes knowledgable support and unlimited retunes (make sure that your vendor is selling you a package that includes retunes).
Additionally, Evosport, Performance Products, and numerous other retailers opt to sell and work directly with Powerchip for a reason. I think that reason speaks for itself.
05-10-2007, 05:10 PM
#33
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Cobra/E55
05-10-2007, 05:15 PM
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Cobra/E55
jgsx,
Did you first contact Evosport about this? I had to contact Evosport first to have them arrange for a reflash of the software. It was a "partnership" between Evo and Powerchip, so you have to go through Evo first if you have the Evo powerpackages instead of just the software direct from Powerchip. And I am not an employee of powerchip nor affiliated with them in any way. I am just a happy customer of Evosport's products. My experience with Powerchip is what I have descriped earlier, without a hitch at least for my application. Maybe the custom tuning part was just lip service since I was there in person, but I would never know. Because of your post, I might just have to reserve a dyno session to see if the software is really there.... it better be...
Did you first contact Evosport about this? I had to contact Evosport first to have them arrange for a reflash of the software. It was a "partnership" between Evo and Powerchip, so you have to go through Evo first if you have the Evo powerpackages instead of just the software direct from Powerchip. And I am not an employee of powerchip nor affiliated with them in any way. I am just a happy customer of Evosport's products. My experience with Powerchip is what I have descriped earlier, without a hitch at least for my application. Maybe the custom tuning part was just lip service since I was there in person, but I would never know. Because of your post, I might just have to reserve a dyno session to see if the software is really there....
it better be...I hope the above info makes sense.
05-10-2007, 05:29 PM
#35
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EVE
If it's so pirated, how did they come up with new BMW M5 software that made 22whp on a dynojet? Did SI come back to you to say hi?
Start thinking twice about who you're calling a pirate, because sometimes it looks the other way. Sheesh.
Start thinking twice about who you're calling a pirate, because sometimes it looks the other way. Sheesh.
05-10-2007, 06:27 PM
#36
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Jgsx modified his car above and beyond what most Mercedes customers find safe then attempted to directly contact Powerchip and demand a free reflash when he purchased the software directly from Evosport and had no prior contact with Powerchip. Look at it this way, a customer (Jgsx) calls in and demands a free reflash but none of his info can be found in Powerchip's computer due to the purchase being made through Evosport. Without any notes or information on a customer or his/her tune, there's really no way to reflash the vehicle because the original tune that was written cannot be located. Now, on the other hand, if Jgsx contacted EVOSPORT and asked about a reflash they could then contact Powerchip and lookup the customer (jqsx) under a purchase order number.
I hope the above info makes sense.
I hope the above info makes sense.
Absolute lies. I requested it several times. I never asked for it for free. I offered to pay. You simply were not able to provide the service. Your manipulation of the truth continues.
EDIT: No, what you're saying does not make sense. You're saying the reason you were not able to help me is because you couldn't find me in your computer? I told you exactly what map I was running.
Last edited by jgsx; 05-10-2007 at 06:34 PM.
05-10-2007, 06:31 PM
#37
MBWorld Fanatic!
Powerchip reflashes customers all the time. Your independant issue is not the norm and you admitted such. True?
Additionally, Evosport, Performance Products, and numerous other retailers opt to sell and work directly with Powerchip for a reason. I think that reason speaks for itself.
Additionally, Evosport, Performance Products, and numerous other retailers opt to sell and work directly with Powerchip for a reason. I think that reason speaks for itself.
The reason why the vendors deal with you is because there isn't a better option for THEM. Consumers have the option of Kleeman and Renntech.
I don't feel like my powerchip software was a total waste. It worked great when I had my stage2 mods on. Now that I put in cams, powerchip is completely useless to me.
Stop trying to manipulate the truth and just admit that your company has its limits (and they are pretty low). There is nothing wrong with that. You've already been caught trolling this forum under different screen names.
05-10-2007, 06:41 PM
#38
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white and whiter
Cams and no cats are considered unsafe?
Absolute lies. I requested it several times. I never asked for it for free. I offered to pay. You simply were not able to provide the service. Your manipulation of the truth continues.
EDIT: No, what you're saying does not make sense. You're saying the reason you were not able to help me is because you couldn't find me in your computer? I told you exactly what map I was running.
Absolute lies. I requested it several times. I never asked for it for free. I offered to pay. You simply were not able to provide the service. Your manipulation of the truth continues.
EDIT: No, what you're saying does not make sense. You're saying the reason you were not able to help me is because you couldn't find me in your computer? I told you exactly what map I was running.
btw, doesn't Evosport sent the ECU to Powerchip to get it flashed anyway? so how can that information not stored with Powerchip, but with Evosport?
I'm confused. Does this mean Evosport has their own guy who can do the tuning or maybe it was lost at SteathAuto along the way?
Last edited by FrankW; 05-10-2007 at 06:47 PM.
05-10-2007, 06:48 PM
#39
SPONSOR
I bought my Renntech kit from a dealer that sold it on Ebay. I contact Renntech directly for all of my issues and I have never once been questioned, nor I have talked to the dealer since my purchase. I have sent my ECU back 4 times now for free reflashes since my custom flash purchase. I have been very demanding and I'm sure I'm not their favorite client, but they have always been cordial to me.
So, if the dealer that sold him his software went out of business, would he be SOL?
BTW - Renntech uses the VIN number for ECU tracking, not the customer.
05-10-2007, 06:50 PM
#40
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EVE
05-10-2007, 07:06 PM
#42
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Not at all, the only reason Jerry got the special pricing was because he already had RennTech Stage 1 on his car. Anybody can get that same pricing TODAY if they already have RennTech Stage 1 and want additional custom tuning for their cars.
Sorry for the long post, but I really recommend you go with RennTech or Kleemann; both companies offer EXCEPTIONAL customer support.
The dealer that I bought my kit from is technically still in business, but he does not want to do this type of work anymore for these cars. His auction on Ebay ended with no winner, so I emailed him and he let it go really cheap. I drove the car for almost 6 months before dropping $995 for a custom flash. Again, not a bad price for the amount of time I have spent asking Jeff @ Renntech questions. I have given Renntech way less money than the "big boys" have, but I get the same support and treatment.
My advice would be to go with Kleemann. I love Renntech and all, but your shop is a Kleeman distributor and Kleeman has previous experience with cams. Not to mention that your cams might be the same as theirs.
I'm sure you won't be patient and wait for me to get my issues worked out so you can use my map....might be better, might not.
Either way, we are paving the way for new mods for a great car and our research / experience will be documented here for everyone to see.
05-10-2007, 07:10 PM
#43
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EVE
Some additional humor, seriously.
05-10-2007, 07:11 PM
#44
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