P31 is an option some C63 AMG die-hards look for, but is it worth it over an OE tune?

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What a retarded and short-sighted article. I really question the knowledge of MBWorld writers when I see something like this. The point of the P31 is not the tune on it. Of course a EC/OE/MHP/Weistec/Renntech/etc tune will pull on a stock P31. The point of the package is that you get the stronger and lighter SLS internals. For anyone going for a big build, or long-term reliability on a hard-driven car, it's practically a must IMO.

You're being nice by calling it retarded lol.

The article and testing was done way back in 2011 when P31 was first released. A tuned non-P31 vehicle will out-perform a stock P31 vehicle in a straight line. A tuned P31 also has an edge over the non-P31 equipped vehicles. We offer higher with our tune an rpm raise to 7500rpm on P31 as the topend can take it (7300rpm on non-P31, 7000rpm stock).

The first two replies are spot-on.

Besides, just because you can get more power out of a given engine it doesn't mean that it comes without sacrifices. Back in 1986, the 1.5L, in-line 4 cylinder BMW M12/13 engine in the Benetton B186 produced around 1,500 hp - but it lasted for only one lap before both it and the transmission turned into a heap of molten and shattered metal. Detuned to 1,100 hp, it could last for a 30 lap practice session. To get the full race distance of 60 laps before it self-destructed, they had to further detune it down to about 850-900 hp.

So - while the tune may make the car faster, it is neither without consequences on the longevity and reliability of the motor nor irrelevant whether the engine internals are made from weaker cast or stronger forged steel, or for that matter how much they weigh as the savings in reciprocating mass with the P31 package amount to about 7 lbs if I remember correctly.

Gotta let the sponsors get their advertising dollars worth