Hi all,

I'm the owner of a recently purchased new '05 E320. Did some research on the PowerChip for this car, which increases HP from 221 to 238, torque from 232 to 248. I've read all the company testimonials, claims about the chip being completely transparent to MB during service/warranty work, etc.

Has anyone here used their products? How are they? Do you feel/notice a genuine power/performance improvement?

Any other companies to consider? What about the 4yr/50k warranty from MB USA? Will they honor in spite of the chip replacement?

Does MB USA approve of any particular brand of performance chip?

Thanks to all who might know the answers to these questions.

 

The only reputable tuners that I would use are either Renntech or Brabus, any other is just a "fly by nite"

 

I am digging up an old thread, anyone comment on chips for the E320 or on the questions posed above? I am looking for a little more power, heck maybe if I go crazy I'll spend the money on a Kleeman supercharger, but for now maybe a chip....

Powerchip should call me tomorrow, has anybody used them? I also read an old thread on Upsolute, SpeedTuningUSA, Jet Chip (poor reviews).


www.powerchipgroup.com
www.upsolute.com
www.speedtuningusa.com

 

Powerchip is solid.
You can get Powerchip ECU's through Evosport (sales@evosport.com)

 

Hardly seems worth it to me.... I'd save your money and perhaps save some headache's as well...

 

I noticed the increase in pick-up off the line and the mid range acceleration right away! It seems to have much more pulling power without having to slam on the gas pedal at all . I am very pleased with the results and recommend Powerchip to anyone else that's looking for that extra push!

It's not a replacment of your OEM ECU, you send them your car's stock ECU, over night it, and they reprogram it and over night you back your same OEM stock ECU as before, just reprogramed. The over night shipping or your ECU made this whole process a breeze... (plug-&-play)

Great power upgrade bang for the buck!

In regard to the dealer giving you problems if they find out, the dealer can not detect the MAP changes that Powerchip made. It hides behind the OEM ECU Maps therefore, appears invisible to MB's Star Diag.

It also doesn't void the warrenty at all. Powerchip backs that up as well. I had my ECU removed and re-installed at the dealership and MB said that its safe and will not void the warrenty.

The only thing is, when you take your car in for service, tell them upfront to NEVER FLASH your ECU. If they do, it will blow away Powerchip's map settings and the ECU will return back to stock. Powerchip states that if that ever happens, they will re-program it for you for like $50.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the all replies! Keep them coming please, the more opinions the better.

I may even dyno before and after my purchase to see real world gains and will post results.

 

Exactly was BS stated. The dealer can put everything back to normal if not told to "hands off". My local service advisor said, in some instances.. the MB Tech is instructed to flash the ECU before they go troubleshooting... just a word of caution.

Powerchip guys stated they will reflash for $75 first time and I think $50 for each additional time there after.


For the increase... the money is not bad. Not sure how much you would feel the difference as I do not have this... but the other posts seem true...

 

My Audi S6 is chipped and it made a HUGE difference. It gained about 70HP! But once again, this is an engine with a turbo.

My personally feeling is that you don't seem to get much out of chipping cars that are NA. I also saw that some of the kits for the E320 V6 engine include a new air filter box and K&N air filters. I am not really interested in changing the air filter box at all.

If anyone has truly had this done to their E320 and they have had it tested I would be interested. If the car could gain some extra HP that would be great. I think that 238HP and the extra torque would almost compensate the loss of power I already have on my E320 because of the altitude. It would be nice to have almost all the power of sea level up at this altitude. But I want to be sure beyond any doubt before I would even spend a penny on this.

Also interested in other people's personal opinions and experiences.

Steve

If I remember correctly, a friend of mine who has a g-force meter had great success tuning his 1997 M3.

 

Thanks for this information. I am taking the Powerchip plunge as well

 

Like SAguirre, my chipping experience comes from the Audiworld (urS4). Over there, it's generally agreed that if you have a turbocharger, a chip will change the game enough to make it worthwhile. However, on an normally aspirated car, the gains may not be enough to make it worthwhile.

If anyone has chipped a '98-99 E300td I'd like to know about it (I'm looking through the archives).

 

Like SAguirre, my chipping experience comes from the Audiworld (urS4). Over there, it's generally agreed that if you have a turbocharger, a chip will change the game enough to make it worthwhile. However, on an normally aspirated car, the gains may not be enough to make it worthwhile.

If anyone has chipped a '98-99 E300td I'd like to know about it (I'm looking through the archives).

 

Has anyone with the powerchip tested the fuel efficiency before/after the modification?

 

Please post your experience. I have pondered this upgrade for the last two years. Like SAquirre, I have a chipped twin turbo Audi Allroad. Huge difference!!

I wish the Mercedes were as easy to work on. With the Audi, I can reflash my ECU with my computer so that I can bring the programming back to stock when I bring it in for servicing. I can also raise and lower the air suspension, adjust the auto door looks, lighting options, alarm and a host of other options through my laptop, via VAG-COM.

There might be companies that can come up with something that can provide a cheaper hook-up solution to hook into the Stardiagnose, but there probably isn't enough interest.

 

I just received my Powerchips powered ECU back and installed it less than a week ago. Car fired right up and after a day or so of the car 'learning' my driving tendencies, I definitely felt a good low end increase in torque/HP. I had specified to Matt at Powerchips that I wanted the biggest gains down low, and he got it right. Only other performance mod is drop in K&N's.

I'll start logging MPG and report back on fuel efficiency.

I Love This Car.

 

Thanks for the info! Looking forward to your MPG info.

 

OK, it's been 2 weeks now since the Powerchip Gold 93 programming was installed, and while I'm still enjoying the right foot exercises, I have noticed no difference in fuel economy (which suits me just fine). I avaerage about 14.2 in the city and really haven't spent enough time on a highway trip (other than Saturday/Sunday morning 120+mph romps on the Dallas tollway) to be able to accurately report on highway mileage.

93 octane runs about $3.10 here in Dallas - not bad from what I've seen in other parts of the country.

Bottom line: Happy w/ Powerchips - car runs great.

 

Thanks for the update Kenny!

 

Amazing. You can hook your laptop into your Audi's ECU? And it works? Alot of people on this board would be interested in "twiddling the knobs", if possible and safe. I'm pretty sold that the powerchip upgrade is great, but I'm worried that any work will unleash a horde of gremlins in my nav unit or SBC. I'm getting superstituous I guess.

The powerchip website says the mod isn't legal in CA. Will the car pass smog?

 

Even though the Powerchip stuff isn't CARB legal in California, I got it anyway. I was skeptical, but since they give a 14 day guarantee I had my car smogged during that time. I passed with flying colors!!!!!

Not sure why they they haven't finished the CARB testing, although i hear its expensive, like $10,000 a test.

 

Yeah, it is pretty amazing, and I wish there were a like device for the mercedes. I'm sure it is just like stardiagnose, but a couple of aftermarket manufactuers developed product that hook into the AUDI (& VW I believe) ECU. There is a lot more demand for something like this for those cars, especially for the audi A4 and A6.

I just reflash my ECU back to stock when I bring my car in, and then reflash it back. Easy as clicking on a software button on your computer. They also sell a device that works without a computer that hooks right in, and then you push a button. The also sell programs for valets that limit the speed and rpm.

Bunch of car nuts over on Audi World which lay out everything clearly

 

It makes me laugh when I read about people saying to lie, or deceive the main dealer if asked about having fitted a chip?? No I do NOT have a chip fitted but don't re-flash the ECU?? Surely flash upgrades are designed to improve, or update our vehicles?? Why would you say NOT to carry out a flash upgrade???

In Europe any warranty will be void if you install a chip. I can hear everyone saying that it should not effect other parts of the warranty, all I will politely say is scream as much as you want, the warranty is clear.

Last year we had a member chip there diesel and for a couple of days they ranted and raved about how fantastic the car was........... Then it started missing and lost performance. Nothing to do with the chip was the claim, pure coincidence. Then it was alleged the car was misbehaving before the chip was fitted even though the owner had nothing but praise for the vehicle even before it was chipped and as stated, for afew days after chipping they raved about performance. It was alleged Mercedes-Benz bought the car back and who am I to disagree??

DaimlerChryslerUK has equipment they can use that will give print outs of the engines performance over a set period of time. If the figures are over and above the set levels, then the owner would have some explaining to do.

I personally hate people that make a concious decision to do something, then if it goes wrong, they lie, cheat or deceive to simply cover up their recklessness. I am thinking of both chipping and of course Video in motion.... It's not for me, it's for the children????

I am coming over as an old grouch, that is not the case. There are some excellent chips out there that will give some very good improvements. I am simply saying have the courage of your convictions, do not lie, or deceive, hold your head high and admit to the conversion. Take the chip out before the vehicle is serviced, flash upgrades might be beneficial.

Good luck with the decision and please keep us updated, oh and get a written warranty from the Chip supplier clarifying EXACTLY what they will cover. If the engine goes bang will they replace it? If the transmission goes pop, will that be replaced? Get everything in writing.

Bye again,
John