Throttle response, or lack there of.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 288
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2010 GL450
Throttle response, or lack there of.
Let me start off by saying I love my 2009 E350. What I don't like is The lack of throttle response. Anyone here use a Sprint booster to fix this problem? Is it worth the $300 they are asking for it?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
It doesn't necessarily improve the response but instead it only shortens the length of travel your foot takes. I definitely "noticed" a difference after installation but once my foot got familiar with it, I kinda forget it's there sometimes and the throttle response issue comes back.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
If you think you're having sluggish throttle response, it may be more related to the transmission not kicking down fast enough. Try a TCU reset but in my opinion a sprint booster is kind of a gimmicky product, others will disagree, but LemonSqueezy explained it well.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Arizona
W211
a sprint booster does make a difference, it reduces the lag in the drive by wire... its like driving an old car with a loose throttle cable, a sprint booster essentially "tightens" up that throttle cable. no gains in power but you give it gas and it goes, it gives that feeling of more torque.
$300 is a lot, i bought a first gen one on here when i first got my 211 for about $45. it was def a noticeable difference, took some time getting used to the pedal but my money was well spent.
$300 is a lot, i bought a first gen one on here when i first got my 211 for about $45. it was def a noticeable difference, took some time getting used to the pedal but my money was well spent.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 902
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From: Arizona
W211
the older sprint boosters don't have an option for race, economy, etc. so maybe mine is set to "race" all the time? no idea honestly but mine def helped. after i went to the NGK iridiums the pickup got even better
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 288
Likes: 7
2010 GL450
Been using the sprint booster for 2 days now and I totally love it. Car seems to downshift faster will less pedal press. All around better throttle response. I have it on green light (medium) setting and it's a world of different. Red (race) setting seems to be a bit too aggressive for city driving. But money well spent IMHO.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
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From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
Mine permanently lives in green setting but honestly, I think the throttle response you're feeling is all psychological. With sprint booster, it's something like 50% throttle with it on = 100% without. You still haven't gotten used to your throttle input with sprint booster yet so when you kickdown, if you used to press down 20%, you're now pressing down 40% without realizing it, giving the illusion that you're shifting/response is better, or at least this is how I feel since installing it over 2 years ago. For that $300 you could try a tcu tune which to me, actually looks a bit more promising.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
I'm with Lemon on this one, I think that it really just changes the threshold of your throttle and thus how soon you kick down a gear or get a decent amount of acceleration. I think you're really limited by the transmission itself and the software. I would definitely try the TCU tune.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 61
From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
My bet is with Eurcharged. If you send it to them directly and are able to leave your car inoperable for 2-3 days, you'll end saving a lot of money as opposed to going to an authorized dealer nearby and paying full retail. Might also want to consider an ecu tune as it'll give you a wider power band and a couple more ponies.
