how to make my e500 faster?
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
The first questions are how much do you want to spend and how extreme a solution are you looking for?
You can get a performance kit from a shop like Renntech or Brabus. These typically consist of a new ECU and some other part or two, such as an air intake. Renntech's kit will boost you under 20 hp; Brabus' will give you about 30 hp more, though I'm not sure exactly what the Brabus kit consists of.
Not enough for you? Brabus will also do an engine conversion, punching the engine out to 5.8 or 6.1 liters; and Kleemann and Carlsson will supercharge your E. These modifications will obviously cost a WHOLE lot more–*upwards of $10-15K, while the perfomance kits should run under $5K (I really don't know about exact pricing; you'll have to contact a retailer for that)
This is just a sampling of what you can do: There are a lot of vendors out there. Renntech, Brabus, Carlsson, and Kleemann are amongst the 'name' Mercedes tuners, and as such, command a lot of coin for their products. Check out stores like www.hartonmotorwerks.com/, and make sure you're buying from a reputable source. You should also make sure that whatever you do to your car will be comply with the emissions standards in your state. Also, resale becomes tougher with mods–*especially engine mods.
Or you can sell your car and buy an E55. It would be easier. Hell, might even be cheaper, depending on what you want to do.
You can get a performance kit from a shop like Renntech or Brabus. These typically consist of a new ECU and some other part or two, such as an air intake. Renntech's kit will boost you under 20 hp; Brabus' will give you about 30 hp more, though I'm not sure exactly what the Brabus kit consists of.
Not enough for you? Brabus will also do an engine conversion, punching the engine out to 5.8 or 6.1 liters; and Kleemann and Carlsson will supercharge your E. These modifications will obviously cost a WHOLE lot more–*upwards of $10-15K, while the perfomance kits should run under $5K (I really don't know about exact pricing; you'll have to contact a retailer for that)
This is just a sampling of what you can do: There are a lot of vendors out there. Renntech, Brabus, Carlsson, and Kleemann are amongst the 'name' Mercedes tuners, and as such, command a lot of coin for their products. Check out stores like www.hartonmotorwerks.com/, and make sure you're buying from a reputable source. You should also make sure that whatever you do to your car will be comply with the emissions standards in your state. Also, resale becomes tougher with mods–*especially engine mods.
Or you can sell your car and buy an E55. It would be easier. Hell, might even be cheaper, depending on what you want to do.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
RohithT exactly hits the dilemma in modding an E500 to make it faster (i.e., increase its rate of acceleration). The mods that don't cost too much, relatively speaking, don't result in HP increases that you are likely to notice. The mods that do result in serious HP increases put your total investment into the E55 range, but without the E55 aura and factory warranty.
Yeah, it hurts to be shut down by a WRX, but owning an E500 has other compensations.
Yeah, it hurts to be shut down by a WRX, but owning an E500 has other compensations.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
W203 C240
From a financial perspective, modding a car is a bit cheaper since you dont have to sell you current car (losing your down payment, registration) and selling it for what it has depreciated to and then going & buying a full priced E55. Those costs are saved by modding your current car, and depending on your mileage it may be worth while. Those that bought the E55 already are ahead of the game. 
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