OK, so I know there's probably a few of you that were in the same situation as me. You want a flash but not sure if it's worth the $$.

Read on...

Since I got my car I debated whether I should spend the $800+ to flash my ECU. A few fellow E500 owners have done flashes with other vendors and say it's a must do, it really "wakes up" the engine. Although it sounds great in theory I've always been a bit skeptical with flashes on NA vehicles.

A fellow MBWorld member and Vancouver local (Jikjak) organized a group buy and got the OZ boys from Powerchip (Socal) up to Vancouver to flash a bunch of cars. The price was right, the timing was right and hell, I'm on sick leave so why the hell not!

They told me the flash will do the following:
- This particular flash for the E500 was fine tuned as recently as two weeks ago
- The process is very straight forward (compared to AMG models) and was complete within an hour (I did my Ikea shopping while my car was in )
- Speed limiter removed
- Approximately 17hp at the wheels gain throughout the rev range
- The throttle will become more responsive
- The sound of the engine will be more aggressive

Sweet jesus everything they said was spot on I'm absolutely amazed with how different the car feels, it's a completely different animal. In stock form I always felt the engine to be a bit sluggish and the throttle response was definitely lacking. And the sound. WOW! It has that mean @ss grunt that's AMG esque off a dig - not quite but it's better than nothing!

Big ups to Travis, Jeremy and Brinley at Powerchip. Absolutely amazing work! I even had a 30 minute pep talk from Travis on women and their scandalous ways. These guys are god damn miracle workers! Jikjak, what can I say. If it wasn't for you none of this would've been possible! I definitely owe you beers. If you're a local Vancouverite, go to Advance Automotive in Coquitlam and get a flash done, they're top notch.

If you're on the fence get the hell off it now and get on the phone to your nearest Powerchip dealer

 

$800??? RUFKM?

 

It would have been nice if you did before/after dyno pulls...

enjoy the car!

 

Nice. I read a thread about a guy with W215 CL500 and he loved it too. I really want to get one. It's also cheaper for the V6's.

 

I actually dyno'd last year stock with the e63 exhaust. When i get some time i'll take it to the dyno to validate

 

Doesn't your redline also increase?

 

Sweeet! Now see how close you can get to my 13.49@102.5 at the track.


No windshield mounted gizmos or iphone 1/4 mile apps either.

 

Will the exhaust tone change if you don't have the E63 exhaust?

Will mileage improve at all? I know you can't get HP and mileage but you never know.

 

and can you post contact info for the group in SoCal?

 

Blah nevermind, their data sheet says their chip for the E550 is not legal in Calif .. wtf. Lame.

Hrm, maybe if I order it to another state ... <evil grin> ...

 

WTF???

Damn, it's expensive for the e550, almost 1500 bucks vs 840 for the e500. e320 and 350 are quoted at 690.

 

You SOB I doubt it but i may try, there's an event at Pacific Raceways on Oct 10th. I'll keep ya posted!

BTW, do you do that on your 19's or stock rims?

 

That was on my 19's and before my header install.

Suck it.

 

since u r in canada, y not deal with VRP?

 

Vik, even if we can get the chip in CA, are you willing to put octane booster each and every time you fill up?

 

Nah. I'm most likely going to put the $1500 towards another car I'm looking to order in 2010. Most likely going to keep the 550 stock for a daily driver. I think the only mods I'm thinking about are maybe the E63 spoiler and illuminated sills.

 

Sounds good Vik, speaking of illuminated sills, are you going after OEM or aftermarket? Dealer quoted me parts only about $800 while Formymercedes has them for $200 but has been out of stock for the past 2+ months, so if you find any good deal any where please PM me.. Thanks!

Sorry didn't mean to hijack this thread into another conversation..

 

I was gonna go the formymerc route .. guess thats not going to happen.

HOI Buena Park quoted me $1200 parts, $675 labor .. and 10% off the total.

Too much IMO considering formymerc's prices but then again, if the item has been OOS for 2 months, i guess I'll wait with you No way I'm paying $1k for door sills. In retrospect, I should've just paid $750 and had'em factory installed.

HOI Buena Park wants $750 for painted E63 spoiler, $75 labor. Doubt I'll go with an OEM unless someone chimes in and says the replicas are horrible.

ForMyMerc has no ETA on when the sills will come in?

 

I emailed him last week again to see if he has heard anything from his vendor yet, and the answer was still negative. He told me the manufacture will get more just don't know when.. Maybe you should email him too so he push the manufacture a little harder. :P or you can talk to Jose @ Mercedes Benz of Anaheim and see if he will give us deal for ordering two. so far it's $800, if he can knock it down to $600 for each of us, I will probably go for it..

 

Where were you planning on getting it installed?

 

I heard from another forum that MB Star Tech in Walnut does a pretty good job. for about $200-250 labor.

 

I am not sure they do body mod. They do mostly maintainance and repaires.

 

I thought so too, but the post I saw was from the other board's moderator and he has actually done the illuminated door sills by them. I really haven't call them yet about installation since I can't even locate the door sills with costing me a arm and a leg.. Sorry, it's tough times right now, any toy that I invest into my car has to be cheap yet good quality. Don't know if there is such a thing as cheap yet high quality..

Vik888, I really hope you can send a email to Formymercedes and see if they can get it soon. Thanks.

 

Jerry replied with possibly early Nov. I told him I wanted them as well.

 

Guys...replicas are NOT horrible (as long as you get the Urethane version): ForMyMercedes has em for $319 (PAINTED!!!). I got mine there, and DIY-ed with a DIY-guide that was posted here. Looks great!