Richard_P_Harve

I should be taking delivery of an E400 coupe in a few days and I'm interested in tuning options out there. I need a tuning solution that allows me to return to stock when I bring the car into the dealer or need to pass a state inspection. Ultimate power is not a goal, just a decent boast with no degradation in drivability . Can you guys make any suggestions. Many Thanks

ffr2014

http://www.oetuning.com/mercedes-benz-e400-v6-biturbo

Had the OE tuning stage 1 tune done on my E550 with excellent results (see my thread which also has dyno results). The guys there are great to work with.

Richard_P_Harve

Thanks, yeah I found them a while back, love the numbers but correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is an ECM flash right..? That would eliminate the revert back to stock option. I'm looking for a solution that may include a handheld programmer and the ability to store both the custom and the stock tune and allows either to be loaded.

ffr2014

Yes, the tune is a bench flash type requiring you to send the ECU to the tuner or can be done at an authorized local dealer. The tune can always be reverted (I think you get one re-flash for free from most of the major tuners) but you would have to resend or bring vehicle back to authorized dealer. The ECU on the newer MBs do not have the ODB2 interface to allow to flash for a handheld programmer. As the ECU is fairly simple to remove / install, the easiest way to switch from stock to the tuned version is to obtain another ECU for your vehicle and swap out as needed. I believe with a Stage 1 ECU Tune (from a reputable tuner) the risk of manufacturer warranty claim denial is minimal with the tune in place on your ECU. See RENNtech FAQ:
http://www.renntechmercedes.com/inde...aq-s#rt_vs_oem

The ECU tune gains on the E400 are pretty impressive!

Here is the link for my tune:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-c...550-coupe.html

Richard_P_Harve

Thanks that's great info for sure. Looks like the RENNtech tune is milder than the OE tune and a tad more expensive. Are these ECU swaps a do it yourself type thing...?

ffr2014

ECU removal / installation is very easy. The main tuners will give you specific instructions and support.

Here is the link for RENNtech ECU removal instructions:
http://www.renntechmercedes.com/inde...ory/53-e-class

Here is a link for ECU Removal instructions for Eurocharged:
http://www.eurocharged.com/support/e...l-instructions

There are also YouTube videos on MB ECU removal.

Richard_P_Harve

So I decided to go with an OE tune for my new E400, shipping out my ECU to them today.

ffr2014

Look forward to hearing about your observations post tune!

C230Brit

Congrats! I believe you will be pleased with the results. Try Sport mode post OE Tune!

Richard_P_Harve

Does anyone have experience with dealer service interaction post tune, and more importantly state vehicle inspections..? I have had very bad experiences with state inspections on a truck with a custom tune in the past, so bad I had to give up on it.

ffr2014

I believe the E400 Coupe does not have the Sport button as in the E550 Coupe.

ffr2014

This level of tune will have no impact on State Vehicle Inspection or Emissions Testing (at least I can say this for Virginia). For dealer services like normal maintenance this has had no effect on my local MB dealer interaction (however have not had anything major done which might require them to look at ECU).

Richard_P_Harve

Installed the modified ECU this weekend and got to drive the car for about 40 miles or so. Low speed driving around town is still smooth, quiet and refined as it always was. Out on the open road however it's significantly more powerful than stock. When compared to my previous car, 2014 Infiniti Q50S Hybrid I would say the E400 is a bit quicker. I question the HP figures but it's plenty quick.

ffr2014

Congrats on your ECU tune outcome!

Would be interesting to see what the real increases in HP and Torque were but I suppose you did not do dyno test prior to tune. I dyno'd my E550 Coupe before and after the ECU tune and the results were significant and did align with my perceived increased performance (+61 WHP and +110 WTQ).

With only 40 miles, I imagine the ECU is still "learning" so you may realize even better performance.

Richard_P_Harve

I reached back to OE to get a little more detail on what exactly they changed on my tune. They would not provide anything more than "we modify 90+ maps". They said they are concerned in letting out to much detail because that's how tunes get stolen and sold at lower prices.

ffr2014

Makes sense. Wonder if they have dyno data for your engine (maybe in different model)?

Richard_P_Harve

Yeah, I asked for that as well but they would not provide any. I'm just questioning the claim of nearly 450hp from the stock of 333hp. Yeah it's much faster now but I don't think it's 450 fast. Again mostly based on seat of the pants comparison with my Infiniti Q50S Hybrid which I have not yet turned in (lease). The Infiniti claims 360hp and something like 450 ft lbs, but the torque is hard to nail due to the electric motor added to the gas engine. The E400 feels more powerful but not by as much as I expected. Still a crap load of fun to drive however.

andrew e coupe

Hello Richard ~ any updates on your tune since sometime has passed? Where did you have this done, when you shipped out your ecu? Thanks!

andrew e coupe

has anyone added k&n filters to their e400? i know the gains are very minimal but perhaps worth a purchase for better air flow and clean-ability?

ffr2014

Here's an air induction mod with dyno info:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...on-system.html

ffr2014

I believe Richard went with OE Tuning.

Richard_P_Harve

Yes I did got direct to OE

Richard_P_Harve

Hey guys, it's been a long time since I visited here and the lease on my 2016 E400 has been offered a 5 month early deal so I just purchased a red 2018 P2 car. My 2016 ran for the last 2+ years on the OE tune with zero issues. Still pulls strong and it has been a joy to drive. So now I move onto the VERY different 2018, serious upgrade inside, body is a little too round but it will grow on me. I hoping OE has some kind of deal to move a tune but I bet they don't. I'm also hoping that my Vossen CVT's might fit but I'm not hopeful there either.

andrew e coupe

Richard_P_Harve

Hey guys took delivery of the new 2018 last Friday but then went on a week long vacation in Mexico. Arrived home today and there was the box with my ECU in it and the OE tune. Slapped it in (5 minutes) and gave it a spins, only 24 miles on the car even after that spin. Engine feels much the same as the 2016 but the tranny and the Sport+ mode is different. Sweet rev matching downshifts and a slight gargle sound too, only slight. Seriously upgraded interior, car feels larger and slightly more planted that the C class based 2016 version.