FactoryFast

Over the past few months, I have been contemplating mods for this car and the gauntlet has been set. The 507 differential acquisition was a no brainer. Im going to have the dealership install it, just waiting for the AMG tech to get back from vacation. Doing software was also a must being that this engine is seriously detuned from the factory. I was expecting BIG gains even if its only an NA tune...so i began doing my homework...

A couple of weeks ago Eurocharged was having a pretty epic sale and I almost pulled the trigger on the handheld flashloader. However, this AMR place was close and claiming serious gains. So I took the risk and made an appointment.

Great ride out to AMR. Nice to have some good roads to get a few pulls in to calibrate the ol butt dyno...

The facility is clean and organized. Two younger software Engineers are running the place, both are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

Good vibes all around. I felt comfortable the entire time... Right up until I could see one of them with a confused look after doing a few baseline pulls...so check this crap out:
I purchased this car CPO at a MB owned dealership with 2,750 (yes 2,750) miles on it back in January...Hindsight being 20/20 im glad i went with AMR...because my car already had a tune in it from the Previous owner!!! I can only imagine what kind of situation i would have found myself in trying to load another tune into the ecu by myself.
Can you say, "Mikey Bricked it"?

Lucky for me, these guys saw the tune and informed me of the situation. The rogue tune was installed but turned off. It took a few more minutes but they got their software in without issue.

The end result was a ridiculously significant power increase, especially for an NA tune...there truly is no replacement for displacement...wow.

Shifting the car from D to R and vice versa doesnt feel like such a sluggish transition anymore. You can shift and input throttle without having to wait a couple of seconds for the tranny to kick in. Its a small difference but makes the car feel more refined to me which is a significant comment to make when discussing an aftermarket tune in a luxury car...its a small detail like this that lets me know im dealing with high quality. Ive had MANY tunes over the years. This feels just as good as Dinan or a GIAC...solid, smooth and powerful. No hiccups.

I have noticed that when driving in S/S+/M, stop and go during/after spirited driving, throttle input is moderately sensitive. Car wants to take off like a ROCKET and has become jerky... i find switching to "C" when driving on side streets is both prudent and recommended regardless whether or not the car is tuned. Silly that this car feels the need to downshift into 1st while rolling... Fear not, according to the guys at AMR, throttle sensitivity input can be adjusted to taste....they can also tune the TCU...something im very interested in doing because of the 1st gear downshifts...i really hate that.

LSD should be mod #1 in this car. ill keep saying it, im baffled daily that this car doesnt have one as standard equipment.

I am VERY satisfied with my decision to use AMR. Looking forward to getting some seat time with other tunes so i can compare, but for the money i spent...i didnt go wrong.

Celicasaur

Nice work sir - glad that you're pleased with it.

FactoryFast

bentz69

Interesting. Do they offer a handheld tuner to flash back to stock?

FactoryFast

Yes, they have this option.

gtracer

They say that the TCU is tunable. Can they get rid of the 2nd to 1st downshift in sport and Manual?!?! And simply leave it on S+?

bentz69

care to elaborate in detail?

CarHopper

I brought up AMR in a negative light on this forum and had an admin contact me about it. Interesting times.

bentz69

Would you care to elaborate as well? LOL

I ask because I was seriously considering having AMR dyno tune my car after I installed the e85 kit. Take to PM if you want.

I did speak to the OP about a month ago and he has been happy with his tune

DRLC43

CarHopper

^ I used their turbo (t60r journal to be precise), it failed, cost me a motor, they said not their problem. Granted, it was just an Sti and this was 6ish years ago but I wouldn't let them touch my Mercedes. Or Subaru.

AMR is fine, especially if you don't run into issues. Just hope you don't have any problems because they like to lean on "what did you expect, you were modding s car"

FactoryFast

PurpleHeart....i get where you're coming from. With modification, comes risk...and 9 times out of 10 the customer wants it to be anybody's fault but their own when something breaks. We all make choices. I chose AMR because Ive paid top dollar for tunes and been disappointed. Also, nothing beats a true dyno tune when you have access to 93 octane. I built two forced induction VR6 Volkswagens and both were constant headaches...mostly because of the tuning which is beyond my skill set...that and doubling the power output causing all kinds of engineering challenges. I was hell bent many years ago against a tuner called eip tuning because my 320hp Stage 1 Supercharged volkswagen was walking away from my fellow enthusiasts 400-450hp Stage 1/2 Turbocharged variants. It was firey times on the forum, many sweaty sessions at the keyboard.

My experience at AMR was positive and I continue to be satisfied with my tune.

CarHopper

^Yeah, like I said, nothing wrong with AMR as long as you don't run into problems. Enjoy