ECU FLASHING SUMMARY
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Miami, FL
09' C63 AMG
ECU FLASHING SUMMARY
OK, I am about to purchase an ECU and after many searches I still don’t have a clear understanding of which one to go with... Can anyone please tell me the difference or why one is better than the other in a simple straightforward message?
RennTech? MHP? Kleemann?
These are all great brands, so how do I choose???
Also, MHP offers an ECU + TCU tune... what exactly does the TCU do?
Again, I am not asking for paragraphs of info here... Just a simple answer that can basically sum up all of the technical data...
RennTech? MHP? Kleemann? These are all great brands, so how do I choose???
Also, MHP offers an ECU + TCU tune... what exactly does the TCU do?
Again, I am not asking for paragraphs of info here... Just a simple answer that can basically sum up all of the technical data...
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 606
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From: Miami, FL
09' C63 AMG
I just mentioned that I did many searches, sure I got a bunch of info, but none of it compares one to the other or says why one is better than the other. They all claim to be the best... I am sure it would be helpful for EVERYONE, not just me, if there was a comparison between these 3 in one simple thread... 
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Florida
2013 Chevy 427 Torch Red
Honestly, without any exhaust or intake mods to increase the variables, I think each of these ECU tunes provide enough power to make you happy. I can't speak about the TCU tune but Keith is very happy with the v2 and he has v3 on the way. What do you want to spend?
Kleemann....$1500
Rentech......$3500
MHP..........$4000+ with TCU less without
Kleemann....$1500
Rentech......$3500
MHP..........$4000+ with TCU less without
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 606
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From: Miami, FL
09' C63 AMG
Honestly, without any exhaust or intake mods to increase the variables, I think each of these ECU tunes provide enough power to make you happy. I can't speak about the TCU tune but Keith is very happy with the v2 and he has v3 on the way. What do you want to spend?
Kleemann....$1500
Rentech......$3500
MHP..........$4000+ with TCU less without
Kleemann....$1500
Rentech......$3500
MHP..........$4000+ with TCU less without
Why is Kleemann so much cheaper? Besides price… Why would someone choose to get this one?
I am between Renntech and MHP right now... I am leaning towards MHP v2 with the ECU for $4500. I like how you can select shifting speeds and how the MHP tune is unique (TCU).
However, I am very worried about warranty issues. This is why my gut tells me to go with Renntech even though the MHP tune yields greater gains... They are Mercedes “approved” and are also a larger company with a great reputation...
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2009 C63 AMG
Warranty, dealer support, etc. that is the exact reason I went with Renntech. Mercedes approved was a big factor for me.
I mean it's not like when I was looking for ECU tuners for my EVO, this is a 70k AMG and I don't want just anyone working on it.
I totally love the performance now. I was told it would take me to 511 HP but I have yet to dyno it. I can say that the butt dyno is very happy.
I mean it's not like when I was looking for ECU tuners for my EVO, this is a 70k AMG and I don't want just anyone working on it.
I totally love the performance now. I was told it would take me to 511 HP but I have yet to dyno it. I can say that the butt dyno is very happy.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
In a word, no.
No tuner is "approved" by MBUSA for warranty purposes - anyone that tells you otherwise is mistaken. The key to keeping your warranty intact or having it compromised lies with how mod-friendly your dealership may be. Some MB dealers are also vendors for aftermarket tuning (Renntech, Kleemann, et. al.), so they are more likely to "go to bat" for you in case there's a warranty problem.
OP - I tend to agree with hhughes1; there are pro's and con's to all three you listed, but I'm inclined to believe you'd be happy with any of them. Good luck in your search!
No tuner is "approved" by MBUSA for warranty purposes - anyone that tells you otherwise is mistaken. The key to keeping your warranty intact or having it compromised lies with how mod-friendly your dealership may be. Some MB dealers are also vendors for aftermarket tuning (Renntech, Kleemann, et. al.), so they are more likely to "go to bat" for you in case there's a warranty problem.
OP - I tend to agree with hhughes1; there are pro's and con's to all three you listed, but I'm inclined to believe you'd be happy with any of them. Good luck in your search!
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2009 C63 AMG
If you are going to drag race your car at the strip, and want to be the fastest, Renntech and MHP seem to provide the best numbers. You will pay big $$ for the tenths.
For me, I chose KLEEMANN because:
* superb across the band performance, without sacrificing engine safety
* the engine runs rich with this tune as the RPM's climb, which robs a little power, but keeps the engine cooler
* the customer support is steller, meaning that if I need a reflash, or perhaps want to segue into another upgrade, I'll have no worries
* it worked extremely well with their K2 package (headers and high flow cats).
So I'm calling your bluff. Yeah, I'm sure you did search, and I'm sure you did read a bunch of posts. But come on...in 30 minutes time you probably could have assembled excerpts from the posts and created your own comparison matrix. The last thing this board needs is another: "which ECU tune should I go with?"
These are just my two cents. And I have a hell of a lot more cents to go around by saving $ with KLEEMANN while getting an excellent product.
For me, I chose KLEEMANN because:
* superb across the band performance, without sacrificing engine safety
* the engine runs rich with this tune as the RPM's climb, which robs a little power, but keeps the engine cooler
* the customer support is steller, meaning that if I need a reflash, or perhaps want to segue into another upgrade, I'll have no worries
* it worked extremely well with their K2 package (headers and high flow cats).
So I'm calling your bluff. Yeah, I'm sure you did search, and I'm sure you did read a bunch of posts. But come on...in 30 minutes time you probably could have assembled excerpts from the posts and created your own comparison matrix. The last thing this board needs is another: "which ECU tune should I go with?"
These are just my two cents. And I have a hell of a lot more cents to go around by saving $ with KLEEMANN while getting an excellent product.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 432
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From: Houston, TX
2009 C63 K1
Did your dealer tell you that or did you get that from MBUSA? The dealer I spoke with does the Renntech mod and said they would honor my warranty but other dealers might not and that MBUSA officially does not.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 153
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2009 Volkswagen Routan
Mercedes "approved"!? When did THAT happen?
Thanks, that is exactly why I am getting one... I am willing to spend a little more for the better product in this scenario because like you said this will be the most important mod.
Why is Kleemann so much cheaper? Besides price… Why would someone choose to get this one?
I am between Renntech and MHP right now... I am leaning towards MHP v2 with the ECU for $4500. I like how you can select shifting speeds and how the MHP tune is unique (TCU).
However, I am very worried about warranty issues. This is why my gut tells me to go with Renntech even though the MHP tune yields greater gains... They are Mercedes “approved” and are also a larger company with a great reputation...
Why is Kleemann so much cheaper? Besides price… Why would someone choose to get this one?
I am between Renntech and MHP right now... I am leaning towards MHP v2 with the ECU for $4500. I like how you can select shifting speeds and how the MHP tune is unique (TCU).
However, I am very worried about warranty issues. This is why my gut tells me to go with Renntech even though the MHP tune yields greater gains... They are Mercedes “approved” and are also a larger company with a great reputation...
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
2009 Volkswagen Routan
Exactly. 100% right ... and REGARDLESS of the tuner, any MB can by status 8 if the dealer/OE decides they don't want to play with it anymore.
In a word, no.
No tuner is "approved" by MBUSA for warranty purposes - anyone that tells you otherwise is mistaken. The key to keeping your warranty intact or having it compromised lies with how mod-friendly your dealership may be. Some MB dealers are also vendors for aftermarket tuning (Renntech, Kleemann, et. al.), so they are more likely to "go to bat" for you in case there's a warranty problem.
OP - I tend to agree with hhughes1; there are pro's and con's to all three you listed, but I'm inclined to believe you'd be happy with any of them. Good luck in your search!
No tuner is "approved" by MBUSA for warranty purposes - anyone that tells you otherwise is mistaken. The key to keeping your warranty intact or having it compromised lies with how mod-friendly your dealership may be. Some MB dealers are also vendors for aftermarket tuning (Renntech, Kleemann, et. al.), so they are more likely to "go to bat" for you in case there's a warranty problem.
OP - I tend to agree with hhughes1; there are pro's and con's to all three you listed, but I'm inclined to believe you'd be happy with any of them. Good luck in your search!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 2
From: Miami, FL
C63 AMG(sold), 2009 CL550, 2010 S550 Majestic Black, 2010 ML550, 2006 C230, 2009 Venza
Renntech? Renntech is just name, nothing else. The fact that for $1500 you can get the exact same thing renntech does for about $3500 is a no brainer. And over the years kleeman has proven to be a very well recognized benz tuner throughout the whole world. If you like getting ripped off, go with renntech, if you want value for your money, go MHP or kleeman.
I'm going kleeman!
I'm going kleeman!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 432
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From: Houston, TX
2009 C63 K1
Renntech? Renntech is just name, nothing else. The fact that for $1500 you can get the exact same thing renntech does for about $3500 is a no brainer. And over the years kleeman has proven to be a very well recognized benz tuner throughout the whole world. If you like getting ripped off, go with renntech, if you want value for your money, go MHP or kleeman.
I'm going kleeman!
I'm going kleeman!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,155
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From: Sydney, Australia
Vath ML63 Brabus C63 SL63 CLK63BS C63BS
I went with Brabus and recently got a hub dyno test result of a peak 441 hp at the rear wheels and consistent runs at 435rwhp. That represents only around a 17% drivetrain loss versus the 530hp headline number at the crank.
Last edited by Maverick1975; May 9, 2009 at 11:02 PM.
