I come from BMWs where even tuning them with plug in play modules like the JB4 from burgertuning can be detected if something were to happen to your engine.

I was wondering if this is the case as well with mercedes, as from doing some searches, Rebellion Tuning claims it is in fact not detectable after unplugged.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c43-amg-c...-640ftlbs.html

How accurate is this claim? I would like to get a few more HP from my car without worrying about this implications that may occur.


Thanks

 

As far as I know they can't detect it if you remove it. However on the c63 it's not an easy install or remove. The wire harness is extremely difficult to access on this car just like the ecu. They did a good job making it hard for modders.
Also the rebellion tune is very hit or miss. Some have good luck/results. Others have not. In my case it gave me massive power down low but it died in the higher rpm. I prob would have been content if I did not visit the track and notice a 5 mph Decrease in trap speed

 

With everything, it will be detectable. The rebellion system can be removed and not be detected but anyone looking for the right things can tell if something was installed. Also with the way rebellion seems to be working out, there may be codes in your Ecu that don't trip a light. That is also a tell tale that something was there. Take a look at a full flash and the companies that provide them. Most companies will offer an engine warranty if their tune is the cause for issues.

Stay away from piggyback. There are too many variables that just can't be accounted for. Especially trying to trick pressure sensors to get more power.

 

It's too bad Cobb doesn't make an AP for the C63. If I recall, on my BMW, if you uninstalled the tune it was undetectable - don't quote me on that because it's been a long time...

 

Even when working properly, the piggyback did indeed throw a few codes in the ECU. None of them triggered a CEL, but because of that I didn't even bother taking the piggyback off when I brought my C63 in for service several times.

My dealer didn't really care.

 

Of course they didn't care. You were bringing them in money by having them service your car. If you brought the car in with engine component failure, they would have cared then.

 

In the world of modding, most dealerships actually want to warranty an engine failure. they make money from it. They dont want their customer to go to a 3rd party shop because then they dont make a dime. voiding warranties also creates animosity with customers who purchase and service cars there.

I have had almost every major modded brand, mitsubishi, honda, subaru, nissan, bmw, mercedes, chevy, ford, cadillac and audi. I mod every single one of my sports cars. The only dealership that was progressive in trying to void the warranty was audi as they were required to TD1 everything and anything.

Your dealership wont care if you have a piggy back/exhaust or tune. In fact my service adviser at mercedes was trying to get me to get aftermarket mufflers installed in their dealership.

The real issue is what happens when something major that requires MB Corporate to investigate. Most manufactures want to know why the motor/trans failed and may require a full examination of the ECU. Many years ago, you could "flash things back to stock" and so the manufacturer could not tell if you were modded. Now a days most Ecu's have a flash counter so they could tell how many times you flashed your car. Some can also tell when you exceed stock boost levels etc. I know plenty of guys who had their GTRs not covered because of modifications by Nissan corporate (not their dealership). Heck I had my bellhousing (transmission part) replaced on my GTR even though I have bigger turbos in my GTR. The dealership didnt even care that I was modded and sure as hell didnt tell Nissan corporate.

I personally dont get the hate with piggybacks that WORK. Yeah for some cars it may create codes, but thats why you unplug the battery and clear the codes or go to autozone and get the codes cleared. For BMW almost everyone runs a JB4 or other piggyback because its easier and removable and doesnt require flashing the ECU.

So to answer your question, is most dealerships will not be able to tell if you had a flash and or piggy back. If something major happens, my money is MB would probably know if they decided to investigate.

 

The quality of the dealership, and your relationship with them makes all the difference. Took a Miata with a blown motor to a Mazda dealer. They removed the supercharger and set it aside. The factory rep came in, looked at the car, and said replace the engine.