Dual ECUs?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 737
Likes: 60
From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Dual ECUs?
Already posted in C218 forum as I own a cls550 lol, but that forum is a bit dead sometimes so I'm posting this here too, since the W212 and c218 share basically everything but the swoopy roofline!
Hey guys, so just to make this as non boring and straight forward as I can, would using two ECUs, one tuned and one stock prevent MB from seeing I had a tune on the car?
I ask this not to seem like a cheating charley, and defraud MB for my own actions, but I also don't want to be held holding the bag for something that had nothing to due with a tune. I do know if MB knows I have a tune, they'll 99.9 point to that, even though it had nothing to do with a power train failure in question.
Hey guys, so just to make this as non boring and straight forward as I can, would using two ECUs, one tuned and one stock prevent MB from seeing I had a tune on the car?
I ask this not to seem like a cheating charley, and defraud MB for my own actions, but I also don't want to be held holding the bag for something that had nothing to due with a tune. I do know if MB knows I have a tune, they'll 99.9 point to that, even though it had nothing to do with a power train failure in question.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 9
From: Buffalo, NY
2014 E550
Already posted in C218 forum as I own a cls550 lol, but that forum is a bit dead sometimes so I'm posting this here too, since the W212 and c218 share basically everything but the swoopy roofline!
Hey guys, so just to make this as non boring and straight forward as I can, would using two ECUs, one tuned and one stock prevent MB from seeing I had a tune on the car?
I ask this not to seem like a cheating charley, and defraud MB for my own actions, but I also don't want to be held holding the bag for something that had nothing to due with a tune. I do know if MB knows I have a tune, they'll 99.9 point to that, even though it had nothing to do with a power train failure in question.
Hey guys, so just to make this as non boring and straight forward as I can, would using two ECUs, one tuned and one stock prevent MB from seeing I had a tune on the car?
I ask this not to seem like a cheating charley, and defraud MB for my own actions, but I also don't want to be held holding the bag for something that had nothing to due with a tune. I do know if MB knows I have a tune, they'll 99.9 point to that, even though it had nothing to do with a power train failure in question.
https://www.renntechmercedes.com/index.php/products/hht
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 285
From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
Of course you can get a second one. But it would have to be from the dealer and it will have to be programmed and coded online. Which means, Daimler will know a second one exists. What year is your car?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Originally Posted by MBENZTECH
Of course you can get a second one. But it would have to be from the dealer and it will have to be programmed and coded online. Which means, Daimler will know a second one exists. What year is your car?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 737
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From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Originally Posted by rediesel
You can definitely get a second ECU and tune it. Lots of owners do it on the AMG side.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I suspect that if you present a second ECU -- not purchased from Mercedes -- to the dealer for programming, you will be required to show proof that you properly (legally) own it. It belongs in another car, and unless you have a salvage certificate or some other paperwork from the eBay seller that satsifies the dealer, I doubt the dealer will even speak with you about it.
Someone can correct me, but I don't think switching between cloned ECUs is a simple plug-n-play operation in any event.
Last edited by DFWdude; May 15, 2019 at 08:45 PM.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 737
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From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Originally Posted by KEY08
I’m sure he must be on a CPO extension or extended warranty to be concerned. I still have 2 years left on my CPO extension for my 2014.
At some point you have to roll the dice to play in the Horsepower game.
At some point you have to roll the dice to play in the Horsepower game.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 737
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From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Originally Posted by DFWdude
Given the responses so far, it appears that Mercedes will know of a second ECU, regardless from where you get it... They are the only people who can program it. Further, not sure why you are concerned with MB's knowledge of a second ECU, because your 2014, 4-year factory warranty is expired anyway. Not at all convinced that any supplemental warranty will cover this part, either.
I suspect that if you present a second ECU -- not purchased from Mercedes -- to the dealer for programming, you will be required to show proof that you properly (legally) own it. It belongs in another car, and unless you have a salvage certificate or some other paperwork from the eBay seller that satsifies the dealer, I doubt the dealer will even speak with you about it.
Someone can correct me, but I don't think switching between cloned ECUs is a simple plug-n-play operation in any event.
I suspect that if you present a second ECU -- not purchased from Mercedes -- to the dealer for programming, you will be required to show proof that you properly (legally) own it. It belongs in another car, and unless you have a salvage certificate or some other paperwork from the eBay seller that satsifies the dealer, I doubt the dealer will even speak with you about it.
Someone can correct me, but I don't think switching between cloned ECUs is a simple plug-n-play operation in any event.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Buy the second ECU from MB, instead, and you avoid this hassle... the provenance of that unit will be known to MB.
Last edited by DFWdude; May 15, 2019 at 09:47 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 285
From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
Here is the thing...... some where mid 2014 Mercedes went from the DAS3 system to the DAS4 system. If you have a DAS4, I highly doubt tuners can program a second hand ECU. You could do a reman unit but it has to come from the dealer and it will be ordered using your vehicle's info. If you have a DAS3, it can be done with out even programming online. I have the equipment to do ECM'S, TCU'S, EIS, KEYS, ESL and ISM's but I can only do DAS3. No one can work with DAS4 right now.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 737
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From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Originally Posted by DFWdude
My second paragraph still stands. You will need to prove the second unit is not from a chop shop. So make sure the eBay seller can prove that to you with paperwork you can then show the MB dealer.
Buy the second ECU from MB, instead, and you avoid this hassle... the provenance of that unit will be known to MB.
Buy the second ECU from MB, instead, and you avoid this hassle... the provenance of that unit will be known to MB.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 737
Likes: 60
From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Originally Posted by MBENZTECH
Here is the thing...... some where mid 2014 Mercedes went from the DAS3 system to the DAS4 system. If you have a DAS4, I highly doubt tuners can program a second hand ECU. You could do a reman unit but it has to come from the dealer and it will be ordered using your vehicle's info. If you have a DAS3, it can be done with out even programming online. I have the equipment to do ECM'S, TCU'S, EIS, KEYS, ESL and ISM's but I can only do DAS3. No one can work with DAS4 right now.
