Mercedes Gatekeeping
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1
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2016 C63
Mercedes Gatekeeping
Genuine question. Why is Mercedes so gatekept compared to BMW? You can tune and code BMWs through apps. It’s so simple for them. But there’s nothing for Mercedes unless you’re willing to splash the cash and pay someone. My buddy tuned his M5 through the app for $900 CAD and I had to pay $1.7k CAD to get my C63 tuned. Makes no sense to me why we don’t have the same thing for Benz. Can anyone explain why?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 551
Likes: 133
From: Miami, Florida
W205 C63 AMG Coupe
Just a guess, but I think it has to do with the number of vehicles on the road, and then the number of people who own them that will modify them. There are millions of cars out there that use the same powertrain in the BMW lineup, and many owners are into modifying their cars. The BMW forum I was on when I had my N54 335i had much more traffic and many more members who would work on and tinker with their own cars. I think there are fewer Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles out there, and then ever fewer owners who modify their vehicles. This reduced market share results in a smaller pool from which purveyors of performance parts and tunes can recover their investment into parts and tunes. I base this on the number of M3s and M4s I see multiple of on a daily basis (not to mention the 340s and 440s) which are usually modified, compared with my seeing far fewer or no other C63s (which usually appear to be stock) when I am out and about.
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 56
2020 C63s Coupe
Genuine question. Why is Mercedes so gatekept compared to BMW? You can tune and code BMWs through apps. It’s so simple for them. But there’s nothing for Mercedes unless you’re willing to splash the cash and pay someone. My buddy tuned his M5 through the app for $900 CAD and I had to pay $1.7k CAD to get my C63 tuned. Makes no sense to me why we don’t have the same thing for Benz. Can anyone explain why?
Also, they are making increasing harder to code newer BMWs via app.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 933
From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
MB realized earlier having people hack into the vehicles computers could be a bad thing if done by bad people.
Also could help limit warranty claims from bad tunes.
Also could help limit warranty claims from bad tunes.
Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 19
From: Vancouver
C63 MY15
The limiting factor for claims is the fact MB and any other manufacturer can detect when the ECU has been flashed.
At the end of the day it’s not MB or BMW developing the tech to lock the ECU, it’s the OEM.l… Which at least for the W205 C63 is Bosch and their MED177 ECU.
I have noticed this sort of gatekeeping behaviour too. As a recent Merc owner, compared to BMW there definitely isn’t as much sense of community nor guides/resources available.
For example, if you have a question on basic coding, you’ll likely be offered services from someone offering to do it remotely, rather than finding any guides or many useful resources on doing it yourself…
At the end of the day it’s not MB or BMW developing the tech to lock the ECU, it’s the OEM.l… Which at least for the W205 C63 is Bosch and their MED177 ECU.
I have noticed this sort of gatekeeping behaviour too. As a recent Merc owner, compared to BMW there definitely isn’t as much sense of community nor guides/resources available.
For example, if you have a question on basic coding, you’ll likely be offered services from someone offering to do it remotely, rather than finding any guides or many useful resources on doing it yourself…
