EPower

Brought my car up to Joel at Powerchips in Santa Monica this week for their ECU upgrade. Did not dyno, but together with the exhaust I put on the week before, the car absolutely runs, feels, and sounds much better. On the way home I tested it against my buddy's 2001 BMW Dinan 540 on the 5 freeway...I SMOKED his car, and it is a very fast 540. Started out at about 70 mph, he went first, then I punched it. I caught and passed him very easily, but then the car cut out at about 138 mph (indicated). This is the only issue with Powerchip. Joel had said that they had not broken the Bosch code on the new E500 yet, but should have the top speed removed within a couple weeks. Very much need it removed...the car is still surging forward at 138. I have been in my buddys 540 at an indicated 160+, and know this E has more.
Also tinted the windows, medium on the sides and dark on the rear. Need it here in S. Cal.

Tezta

Good to hear there is a chip out there that is reliable..and cheap..well cheaper.

bmms8

hey epower, i was wondering where you lived in san diego?

EPower

I'm in Rancho Pensquitos...what about you

bmms8

cool, i used to live there, on ociedo, by black mtn middle school, hence my sn. i have prob seen your wife driving it, because i have seen that color, and a woman driving a new E, maybe yours i live in scripps, about 5 new E's in a 2 block radius...there are a lot in san diego. going on mira mesa blvd, i saw 3 new E's, all in a 2 minute span

EPower

Yea, my wife has "stolen" it a few times in the last couple of weeks. I think she likes it more than me. I just sold a black BMW 540 wagon that I had really tricked out, and she just told me today that she gets alot more "looks" in the MB than the BMW...but I'm sure the blonde hair/blue eyes have nothing to do with it!
p.s I have always been a big Zaino fan as well, and that was the first thing I did when I brought the car home the first day. a few more coats since.

speedye500

how much did you pay for your chip and how long did it take them to put it in.

EPower

About $700, and about 2 hours...

sf49ers79

E power do you think i can just buy the chip and ask someone to install it for me in SF

EPower

Call Powerchips and ask Joel. I read on their web site that they will take your ECU reprogram it and send it back. I watched them unplug and remove mine in about 30 seconds...no tools required. They took it up to their office, and when finished programming, plugged it back in.
Its not really a chip, but a reprogramming of your current ECU. Only older car models have a removable "chip"...

AMGB

Can they reprogram the chip in the new E55?

amgB

jamesp

great car EPower! hey a quick question. what were the hp and torque gains from the reprogramming? i know you have not dyno'ed the car yet but what were the stated gains from Powerchip? i love those amg wheels!

speedye500

what is Powerchips web site address?

EPower

Think it is www.powerchipgroup.com .
I think they quote a 15 HP gain, and 14 ft. lb. torque gain.