mrbeverlyhills

I have just had the most remarkable increase in horsepower, torque and throttle respose in my 97 420, it's incredible how different the car performs off the line, mid range and especially gear changes. I'm guesstimating about 25hp but it's so immediately noticeable it could be more. I keep snapping my neck without meaning to as I take off from a stop. Anyone who is interested let me know, it's an easy process, costs vary from $1,200 to $1,500 depending on the model and the only place I know that does it is here in the LA area.

Juke-box

what was the mod that you did? i may be interested..

Juke

mrbeverlyhills

It's called Flash Programing and it fine tunes the individual car whereas MB factory tuning is an average across the board tune for all 50 states, average quality gasoline and average everyday driving. This way your car is tuned by computer to run at it's optimal performance settings instead of the factory average. Takes about 20 minutes and can be done to any MB model. The car absoloutely runs better and is more responsive across the board, shifts are still smooth but crisper and there is more torque, which was always the major weakness of the 420/430. It's a stunning difference from stock. I don't think the dealer can tell anything has been done but my warranty was out anyway. I couldn't be happier, I was looking for some more fun and heard some CRAZY ideas (nitrous oxide?!) but for the time and money involved this is 10 times better than I had hoped for.

Richard Galing

Sounds like an upgrade I might be interested in doing for my E430, "flash programming" would this be similar to remapping the vehicle ECU? I'm located in the L.A. area, could you direct me to whom to contact.


Richard

apb

mrbeverlyhills,
are you associated in any way with this store? How objective is this?
What would be the difference between this product and upsolute for $300?

mrbeverlyhills

I am not associated in anyway with anything to do with cars, I sell property in 90210 for the largest real estate company in the nation. What is "upsolute for $300"???? I described in my earlier thread my sheer delight at a performance mod I did to my car that dramatically improved it's response in every way. A week later it hasn't blown up and I'm still amazed at the difference every time I drive it. Took the wife to dinner and she, who wouldn't notice if I painted it fire engine red, remarked at how smooth it felt. I do not "get"anything for a referal although I'm sure anyone who does this will send me a thank you card!

apb

Upsolute is a computer chip upgrade that some have commented on for MBs. Since you have the exact same car, I am a little intrigued. Do think they can "flash" the unit if it I send in my computer?

mrbeverlyhills

I don't think so, Mine was flashed while the car was running and I think that is a requirement. They also offer a stage 2 version with the car on the dyno so they can make it perform several different driving manoeuvres and I will probably do that too as they tell me it is even more precise. I am just so pleasantly surprised for now that I can wait awhile on that. A laptop is plugged in to your car while running and adjustments made(from what I could see) to the existing ECU, there are no parts or non MBZ items added or removed, the whole process, apart from my endless questions, took 20 minutes.
If you are in the area let's get together and I can take you for a spin, I have one of his brochures I can give you too, it explains better than my hunting and pecking on the keyboard.

JamE55

mrbeverlyhills

Interesting??? Any drawbacks so far??

mrbeverlyhills

Yes, two. Firstly there are not enough e55's willing to play tag on Mulholland Dr and secondly my lips hurt from all the smiling that I seem to be doing as I drive along.
The car pulls like a train, idles smoothly, there has been no pinging or run on. Mileage seems the same or a touch better although I am driving it ALOT more! Have you ever found yourself driving in "winter" mode and switched back to "sport"? Pretty noticeable change isn't it? This is the same only more so. I am a happy boy.

E55 KEV

mrbeverlyhills, upgrade your E430 Sport to the E55 AMG muffler for a sweeter sound, add an AMG trunk badge and they will come out the wood work.

Other Recommendation:

Upgrade the rear tires/wheels to AMG monoblock II in size 17X8.5 and put tire size 255/40/17 for a real AMG look.

mrbeverlyhills

Have done all of that plus 18 " Monoblocks. There is a supertrick Brabus in the area but he must be driving his father's car or it's just too darn low because it isn't difficult to keep up.

Air Marshall Eldritch

I dunno...would a 25hp gain be that noticeable?

I don't understand this concept of detuning the engine in the factory to average out gas quality for all 50 states. Isn't 93 octane the same in NY as it is in Nevada?

And why does it cost $1200-1500 for 20 mins of keyboard tapping? no hardware cost at all.

I'm not trying to nitpick, it just sounds too good to be true.

mrbeverlyhills

It's not the keyboard tapping, it's what is in the keyboard and I guess that is worth something. If you live in Denver your car is not going to run the same as it will if you live in New Jersey. Speaking for LA, there is no 93 Octane, we get 91 unless our honest local gas station has put 89 in the 91 tanks, which is often.
I am not selling anything I am merely sharing some info. I have seen some crazy things done to cars for alot more money, see Renntech or some of the superchargers, whatever works for you right? This works for me.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Yea, I meant 91 octane, not 93.

Ok, I can see the altitude being a factor.

I just wish there was a guy in NJ doing the same thing.

apb

I have a sneaking suspicion that the laptop software is very similar, if not identical, to the one used by Upsolute.com dealers. I just would not know how to confirm that suspicion. I am looking into this. Let me know what you guys think.

E55 KEV

Doesn't Amoco have 93 octane?

Air Marshall Eldritch

Sunoco has the Ultra 94 octane, but the price per gallon is absurd.
many drivers think higher octane is better gas that will make their car go faster.

I checked out that upsolution.com site. pretty interesting. According to their database, a stock E430 will get an increase of 25hp and 25lbs torque, and what really surprises me, better gas mileage.

For $300, I'd go for it.