43 Engine Tuning
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Portland, OR
C450, GLC43
This may be one more topic that we'll just have to agree to disagree on.
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c-fo-fiddy
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From: USA
2017 C43 sedan
Thread Starter
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From: Wyoming
2014 E63S Wagon 2017 BMW X5 3.5i 2012 BMW X5 3.0D and 2000 Porsche 911
Thank you for the answers and on going dialogue. It helps a lot. I think I will definitely go the route of ECU tuning. Further question, it seems that Renntech is a name that has been around and associated with MB for a long time. Are there any reasons to pay up (between a 50% and 100% premium) for their tune versus others? Does their long term association with MB translate into any demonstrable differences? What questions does one want to ask to differentiate between the ECU reprogramming of different shops?
Thanks in advance,
Remy
Thanks in advance,
Remy
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: USA
2017 C43 sedan
Also evaluating RENNTECH tune for my C43 sedan. A Mercedes dealer about two hours from my house sells and installs the ECU tune. Problem is they want about $1,000 above list for the service. Not sure how negotiable that is because I haven't asked. They do provide a loaner for three days.
Talked with RENNTECH and they said that if I bring my car in they will do the ECU update in about an hour. Will probably go there because it is a good excuse for a road trip.
Not sure about the price premium you quoted, since it seems that ECU tunes for these cars/engines are clustered around $2,000 except OE.
Talked with RENNTECH and they said that if I bring my car in they will do the ECU update in about an hour. Will probably go there because it is a good excuse for a road trip.
Not sure about the price premium you quoted, since it seems that ECU tunes for these cars/engines are clustered around $2,000 except OE.
Last edited by Biggreenogg; Apr 24, 2017 at 08:27 PM.
Member
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Mercedes Benz C43 AMG
Also evaluating RENNTECH tune for my C43 sedan. A Mercedes dealer about two hours from my house sells and installs the ECU tune. Problem is they want about $1,000 above list for the service. Not sure how negotiable that is because I haven't asked. They do provide a loaner for three days.
Talked with RENNTECH and they said that if I bring my car in they will do the ECU update in about an hour. Will probably go there because it is a good excuse for a road trip.
Not sure about the price premium you quoted, since it seems that ECU tunes for these cars/engines are clustered around $2,000 except OE.
Talked with RENNTECH and they said that if I bring my car in they will do the ECU update in about an hour. Will probably go there because it is a good excuse for a road trip.
Not sure about the price premium you quoted, since it seems that ECU tunes for these cars/engines are clustered around $2,000 except OE.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 307
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From: USA
2017 C43 sedan
BTW Do you know if AMR will reflash if ECU gets programmed back to stock?
Tried chat with AMR but they are overwhelmed so ...
Apparently your post has caused a traffic jam
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Member
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Mercedes Benz C43 AMG
Yes they told me that if I got programmed to stock, they would reprogram free of charge and I wouldn't be surprised lol they are killing the 43 platform!
Senior Member
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From: North Jersey
c43 Amg coupe
Actually after removing the ECU it only takes an hour to an hour and a half to do the programming. Due to my ECU having the newest firmware AMR had to flash mine like 3 times while i waited.
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From: SLC, UT
c-fo-fiddy
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Mercedes Benz C43 AMG
I would recommend just shipping your ECU to AMR. They have the highest power tune on the market and turn around time is quick. As far as I know they also pay to return overnight ECUs (at least they did that for me). Not sure if that still applies or not, but worth the upgrade in my opinion!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 307
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From: USA
2017 C43 sedan
I would recommend just shipping your ECU to AMR. They have the highest power tune on the market and turn around time is quick. As far as I know they also pay to return overnight ECUs (at least they did that for me). Not sure if that still applies or not, but worth the upgrade in my opinion!
Last edited by Biggreenogg; Apr 27, 2017 at 05:54 PM.
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2017 C43 Sedan
Thanks for all the great info guys and gals. My initial impression was that for these prices these tuners were dyno tuning the cars rather than a simple reflash.. That's how it was in my STI days many many moons ago.. a reflash was a couple of hundred bucks back then. fck I sound old
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From: Blaine, Wa
2015 Macan S; 1996 911 C4S
With the protections that some manufacturers like Porsche are now employing, it may be possible for MBZ to determine if an ECU has been tampered with, even if modified and then restored to factory settings. Is this the case with the latest C43 models? The power gains are impressive, but I'm always nervous about warranty implications. Curious if there is any documentation of cases where a warranty has been voided due to a tune.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
Looking for input and to gain knowledge.
I live in a rural area with big winters and recently purchased a GLC 43. It is perfect for here. Very happy owner even if stick with car as is.
Yet, I am willing to take the warranty risk and am considering tuning options.
1. What are the differences between the ECU flash options and the "bolt on" boxes?
2. Is it worth it if all we have is 91 gas?
3. Does anyone have experience with tuning married to the new 9 speed transmission on the GLC?
Thank you!
I live in a rural area with big winters and recently purchased a GLC 43. It is perfect for here. Very happy owner even if stick with car as is.
Yet, I am willing to take the warranty risk and am considering tuning options.
1. What are the differences between the ECU flash options and the "bolt on" boxes?
2. Is it worth it if all we have is 91 gas?
3. Does anyone have experience with tuning married to the new 9 speed transmission on the GLC?
Thank you!
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Posts: 1,026
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From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
With the protections that some manufacturers like Porsche are now employing, it may be possible for MBZ to determine if an ECU has been tampered with, even if modified and then restored to factory settings. Is this the case with the latest C43 models? The power gains are impressive, but I'm always nervous about warranty implications. Curious if there is any documentation of cases where a warranty has been voided due to a tune.
*I say should because YMMV dealer to dealer...there's always curmudgeons out there.
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From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
Thread Starter
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From: Wyoming
2014 E63S Wagon 2017 BMW X5 3.5i 2012 BMW X5 3.0D and 2000 Porsche 911
OK, So then why does the same engine produce 396hp in the E43 and 362hp in the C43 and GLC 43? Does that not suggest that Mercedes itself believes the engine is capable of handling more? I am not trying to be difficult but better understand.
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From: SLC, UT
c-fo-fiddy
I believe the E43 has slightly larger turbos...
But regardless, these motors are built to withstand 2x factory output. They are tuned to where they are because that is what the segment call for. You can't have a C43 with 450hp because that is where the 63 is. And so on and so on.
I beg to differ 
I rip on this car @450hp daily and the car feels like it came like this from the factory. An extra 30% output isn't an issue for the most part. These cars (and all cars) are over engineered.
But regardless, these motors are built to withstand 2x factory output. They are tuned to where they are because that is what the segment call for. You can't have a C43 with 450hp because that is where the 63 is. And so on and so on.
I rip on this car @450hp daily and the car feels like it came like this from the factory. An extra 30% output isn't an issue for the most part. These cars (and all cars) are over engineered.
