rhernand07

Hello,
I was wondering if I can get some feedback or expereinces for anyone who uses Powerchip in their cars. I am thinking of getting this upgrade to my car (2006 C55) and just want to get feedback or recommendations.

Thanks!

rlee02135

powerchip is nice. came with the stage 1 from evosport

jgsx

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).

MB_Forever

+1 for RennTech

My friend used RennTech for his SLK32 Stage 1 ECU tune and there was a noticeable difference. They have one of the best support service and customer satisfaction...

rhernand07

Thank you guys....websites for Renntech and Kleman's???

CLKBSVegas

renntech is like $2k is'nt it? That is alot more then powerchip.

jgsx

Jerry got the Renntech ecu tuning for $1k. Kleeman quoted me $1k for ecu tune with retunes. I paid $990 for powerchip s2.

rhernand07

So who can I talk to, or contact info to get the same price of $1k. Because so far Powerchip is $995, and Renntech and Kleman their info says above $2k, at least for Renntech.

jgsx

Google Kleeman and find a local dealer. The 1k quote I got wasn't a special deal, it was the normal price.

zcct04

So, back to the original question - what do you get for your $1,000?

rhernand07

So researching some more I have:

1. Renntech for ECU only:
$1295
Gains of 10 HP and 15 TQ

2. Kleeman for ECU only:
$1500
Gains of 10 HP and 15 TQ.

3. Renntech offers a Airbox plus ECU which:
$3495
Gains of 20 hp and 22 TQ

4. Powerchip for ECU only:
$990
Gains of 20 HP and 22 TQ if I recall correctly.

So comments feedback....

jgsx

Wow, $1500? Like I stated earlier, my dealer quoted me $1000.

Jerry, was your $1000 Renntech ECU a special deal?

///AMG4EVER

1. Renntech ECU for only: $1295... Let me know who quoted you this.

Renntech apparently is putting pressure on their distributors to not sell their products at these discounts.

I just purchased mine and I paid more than that... but I'm going Renntech all the way.

TJ_Andrews

Where's the powerchip website that you see $990 at? Also, is it plug and play, to where you just take out your old ECU and put in a new one?

jgsx

The prices I quoted for for the C32. I figured that the prices would be the same for the 55 motor, but I'm not sure.

MB_Forever

RennTech ---> http://www.renntechmercedes.com
Kleemann ---> http://kleemann.dk/site

Blue_Monster

I have a powerchip and got 23whp and 34 tq. Dont even think about it. Just get it. BTW. Powerchip does retunes as well, to retune for your newly added mods.

jgsx

How did you get them to do it? I've asked them on three occasions and so has a vendor and they wouldn't. Each time that I've asked they've said that they didn't have maps for different mods and that the ECU will self adjust for my mods and that's good enough.

illrukus187

I'm not sure who you spoke with at Powerchip(if you spoke with anyone at all!!) but they pride themselves in the fact that they can customize their software to suit aftermarket mods. If custom software development is what you were looking for, you probably balked at the price of it, and know mistakenly think that they can't provide anything. I have a E55 AMG that was in their shop for custom software development due to the exstensive mods on the car. The pricing was $3000(not advertised on their website) and they had the car for 4 days. When i got the thing back it was like they breathed a new life into it. I say go with Powerchip, give them a call 800-495-0777.

jgsx

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.

auxo

jgsx,

I can back up what illrukus187 said about Powerchip. I recently got the service campaign done where the my dealer informed me that the ECU would be reflashed. After giving the dealer permission to complete the campaign, I had called Evosport to arrange for a reflash of my Stage 2 software. Powerchip charges (not Evosport) $100 for the reflash (it used to be $50 many moons ago). Lucky for me, I live 2 miles from Powerchip, so I drove there and got the it done in about 20 minutes. Powerchip office resides within Stealth Auto, so you won't see a Powerchip sign. Upon talking to the tech, they will and can do custom tunes as more modifications are done to the car. As long as we pay the $100 fee each time, we can update the software as often as the updates come out for it. For custom tune to your specific mods though...are up for negotiation.

jgsx

Ok I just spoke with Powerchip again. I don't know what the cause for the sudden 180 was (Perhaps Steah's conversation with them regarding my situation?), but they didn't say no this time. They said that they will look into it and call me back.

FrankW

was it for your ML or other cars? 23 AWHP is lot and not a lot of places have 4 wheel dynos... post up the dyno graph

neihouma

Renntech charges $1995 for custom tuning and if you want
reflashes is additional, and they make you sign a waiver that
you acknowledge that hp/tq gains will be different and there's
no warranty.

I believe Jerry got his custom tune for xxx price because a
company was going out of business and wanted to move that
inventory, he ended up paying extra for custom tuning.

FrankW

the ECU tuning's not considered inventory. when dealer sells RENNtech tunning they have to receive the ECU and send it to RENNTech as well.