enzo thecat

Last week I installed a Sprint Booster module in my 2012 E550. I've waited a week to post about it so I could give an experienced evaluation. My impression: WOW what a difference! It makes the car feel like it has a hundred more horsepower. But the best part is that you feel more connected to the car.

The difference is so notable that my brother who owns a 2007 CLS 550 drove my E550 yesterday for the first time. even with the sprint booster off he was impressed enough with the power. But then I activated the sprint booster and he was blown away. So much so that he is now ordering one for his car.

Its super easy to install and it feels like a nice quality piece. The LED on the button is BRIGHT, enough so that you can see it in direct sunlight. And its fun to toggle between the modes.

Like everyone else, I think the race mode (red) is too aggressive for daily driving. I leave it in the green mode.

If you are thinking about getting one, I highly recommend it.

Cavu

Does it operate differently between Economy and Sport mode? I've got a 2012 E550 coupe and I'm considering the Sprint Booster. The car really only needs the SB in E mode so I'm afraid of what would happen in Sport mode.

ngerstman

Then don't use the E mode. The E mode starts the car from 2nd gear for better fuel economy. It would be silly to get a Sprint Booster to jack up the E mode. Regards. Ned.

Cavu

Doh! I completely forgot about the 2nd gear start.

Thanks.

enzo thecat

To answer your question; Yes it does. So with the Sprint Booster selections, I have 6 modes of which to choose (3 for each mode of E & S)

hyperion667

gotta say, it's tempting...........
but I still wonder about the long term effects of this product........

thanx for posting....

Cavu

I had a Sprint Booster in a 2008 E350 and it was great. It just made the throttle react more like every other car I've driven. You push the pedal and the car starts going.

The stock throttle in that car was more like: start pushing the pedal, push a little farther, a little farther, ok now I see that you really want to go somewhere.

The E mode in the 2012 is kind of like that, though not as bad. I realize it starts in 2nd so I'm not sure that SB would help that anyway. I'll just drive it in Sport mode most of the time.

MCF

Push the gas pedal harder. It's free!! Also, no risk of your foot 'failing' resulting in a full throttle condition aka Toyota.....

ngerstman

I would also add that the "feel" of the accelerator is in part what makes a Mercedes a Mercedes. I can remember the first time I drove my friends mid 1970's Mercedes and that was one of the things that left a lasting impression on me was the feel of the accelerator, a kind of relaxed luxurious feel. I'm fine with it and have adjusted to the fact that you just need to mash it at times to get that extra bit of get up and go. It's made to take it. For most driving circumstances, I like the feel. It what makes it a Mercedes. Regards. Ned.

EmE247

I had the same concern. Studied forums and reviews of the product and heard nothing but raves. Been a year for me and so far so good. If this had been a problem, product would definitely not be for sale company would probably not be around anymore.

+1 for Sprintbooster.

CEB

Really? Have you tried typing "sprint booster problems" into Google?

Here is a white paper that was pretty highly regarded.

K-A

EXACTLY!!!! No offense to anyone, but sometimes I wonder why people buy Benzes when they mod everything "Benz" out of it. That's when I start realizing that the "brand/idea" of Mercedes to many may be more important than the product.

enzo thecat

People mod Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, watches, guns, and everything else. My E now feels like a muscle car with the reliability, comfort and luxury of a Benz. I love me car even more now.

EmE247

After just skimming through the "white paper" here is what I have cut and pasted from it...

Conclusions

The Sprint Booster is a simple amplifier that multiplies the accelerator pedal sensor signal, making the accelerator pedal more sensitive. It does not eliminate any significant delay in throttle response, nor does it greatly improve acceleration figures. It does not change the adaptive throttle control programming of electronic throttle control vehicles. It does change pedal “feel”. This change in feel is interpreted by some as improved throttle response, acceleration, and a change in adaptive throttle control programming. Considering what it actually does, it is expensive.

First time I have to disagree w/ ya KA. No offense taken, but I wanted a MB. Just because I want to press my gas pedal a little less than how it is stock, I should buy a different car? The "Benz" is not a "Benz" because of the gas pedal and how it works, but obviously for reasons that are opinions of the individual. I bought MB because of the luxury, comfort, looks, and so on... I guess there are some of you out there that bought the MB because of the gas pedal feel...

K-A

Yeah, that was just a total generalization of a statement. Nothing is perfect indeed, and I don't blame anyone for wanting to tweak certain parts of their Benz, even if it takes a certain "Benz-ness" out of it. The gas pedal feel is by design the way I see it, but it doesn't mean that it's the end-all-be-all to how a Benz is supposed to operate.

ngerstman

I don't buy Mercedes per se because of the gas peddle feel. It just happens to be a signature attribute of the Mercedes experience, always has been. I appreciate the feel, if others don't but like everything else about the car except that, power to them!! Buy a power booster. I'll stick with what I think is a great feeling, unique accelerator and step harder when required. Regards. Ned.

K-A

I agree, I like the pedal feel due to those attributes as well. Super smooth takeoff, and makes the cars feel hefty and luxurious. I've never driven a Sprint Booster car, so I don't have that to compare it to, but I have driven cars with pedals that are designed to be snappier, and they don't feel as nice as a Benzes pedal, though they feel sportier, naturally.

alloutmk23

Super smooth takeoff? What car are you driving?

At a standstill or even worse, shifting from reverse to drive, the e class is embaressing. I've learned to live with it for now, but after service A I'm going with with the SB for sure.

MCF

You moron. Sprintbooster will do nothing to improve the shifting from park to drive or reverse or from reverse to drive or vice versa. You just proved your ignorance and stupidity.

alloutmk23

I know that buddy. Hence the term "or even worse". It was a statement.

How about you address your anger issues and not use vulgar language like the word "moron" on a forum.

Maybe your attitude is why that person backed up into your rear bumper.

Have a good one.

enzo thecat

Ned,

I doubt the "pedal feel" is designed to give a certain experience. More likely, it was manipulated to conform to mpg and enviro restrictions mandated by governments. So more like a perversion of sorts and hardly a "signature attribute."

K-A

Looks like something is wrong with your car bud. No response problems on mine from takeoff. Instant feedback, however, the takeoff is very smooth due in part to the way the pedal feel is engineered. And Enzo, M-B's have always had this sort of pedal feel, from way before MPG was such a concern and PC attribute. I'm firm on my belief that the "lofty" pedal feel is by design and not a side-effect.

alloutmk23

So K-A,

Your saying that you have no problem what so ever with the throttle response on your vehicle?

I've driven my brothers c class (sport) along with my friends E-500 (sport/2004) and the response is completely different. I feel 100x safer in their vehicles, for example on the highway, when you overtake another driver or speed up to avoid dangerous situations.

K-A

My car doesn't seem to have the same problem as yours.

The throttle response on my car is on point, however, it's the "pedal feel" that I find to be an attribute of the car, rather than a downfall. The C-Class might have a more snappy pedal feel, however it partially contributes to a less luxurious ride. It's not that my car has a delay, more-so it just has a smoother and longer pedal travel.

The only time my transmission has a delay is when shifting quickly from R to D in 3-point turns, it literally lags, then kicks in like a turbo-booster. When kept in "D", I never feel any lag in throttle response.

Nola

Insults like these will get you suspended around here. Fair warning.