Davewilly

Hey folks. Trying to figure out a way to make my E350 Sport stay in Sport mode, as well as defeating the Econ switch on the dash. I was thinking if it's an on/off switch can I wire it backwards? Not sure if this will mess with the electronics in the vehicle. Has anyone done this, and if so can you point me the right direction.

ccww

There is a gentleman named Vladimir who can help you with the Eco. The switch wiring will not solve your problem, it is programming changes that are needed. He can reprogram your car remotely via an OBD module to make Eco default to off. I am not aware of any option for default S mode. Be prepared to spend several hundred dollars on the programming and module. He has some other cool programming she can do as well, some are discussed at length here: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...d-my-w212.html

Contact: canfiltermb@gmail.com

pierrejoliat

I don't know where you are located, but there is a place in Toronto as well, I think it's called MB House.

LILBENZ230

Vladimir did tell me there was no way to force the car to stay in sport mode after a restart. Just throwing that out there.

pierrejoliat

Actually MBHouse has a program reset "ECO Mode-Remember last choice" for 50 dollars. it keeps the car out of ECO mode if you were out of ECO mode when you turned it off.

MBHouse.ca

need2speed

Are you sure? ECO is the stop-start feature, Sport is the transmission/suspension profile. Vlad's ECO "remember last choice" hack doesn't affect the Economy/Sport function; they are different switches.

pierrejoliat

This keeps the car out of the ECO mode that starts and stops the engine. yes, they are two different things, I could've made that more clear.

manishjain24

Apparently Vladimir does provide OBD2 option that remembers last driving program,

See his eBay post: https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-Vi...gAAOSwKIpWAFdl

Scroll to the description section, option 4. Remember last driving program

LILBENZ230

If he can do that and unlock VIM in my NTG5.1 he’s gonna get some more business from me.

manishjain24

I was planning to add VIM to my order with Vladimir too but then realized the procedure requires removing the command unit to hook up the cable he will be providing in order for VIM to work.

I personally feel VIM is going to be a distraction, at least for people who get easily distracted (Me).

need2speed

[QUOTE=manishjain24;8114268}I personally feel VIM is going to be a distraction, at least for people who get easily distracted (Me).[/QUOTE]

I'd agree for the driver but it really annoys that the passenger cannot operate many COMAND functions while the vehicle is in motion. I'm going for Vlad's harness with optional map update (dealer wants $200 just for that).

manishjain24

Good Luck Buddy, Are you planning to capture the steps required to install the wiring harness behind command module? I am sure it will come in handy, I have seen some videos on youtube but feel those guys left some intricate details out of the video, either they forgot to capture those steps or did not want to show.

As you may already know, MB map updates are 1-3 years behind Garmin/Google etc, with Android Auto now installed, I don't plan on investing in the MB updates anymore.

LILBENZ230

Yeah Vlad confirmed today that the NTG5.X models require hardware installed behind COMAND, so I'm going to pass. I have CarPlay so I don't need updated maps.

need2speed

Hmmm, I've been waiting a week for a final price on this harness from Vlad. Maybe he has no stock?

arcnspark

Not to hijack this thread, but exactly what does the sport mode do besides change the shift points?

pierrejoliat

I haven't noticed anything other than shift points, but I use Sport rarely in my 13 and never in my 12 luxury.

need2speed

On my MY16 S212 with "Dynamic handling package" and rear Airmatic, it also changes the suspension damping. As the literature described; "In Sport mode, the hydraulic forces of the shock absorbers are increased to achieve yet greater handling stability at high speeds and reduce the inherent understeer at speeds up to 120 km/h, for example. In Sport mode, the system also adapts the accelerator characteristics for more spontaneous engine response. And on models equipped with an automatic transmission, the shift characteristics are modified and the shift times shortened too."

LILBENZ230

Most of these W212s do not have that package (or airmatic). For most of us, it modifies transmission shift points, locks out 7th gear under 72MPH, and increases throttle response. Nothing more.

pierrejoliat

Correct! One of the reasons I made the shift from S classes to E classes was the cost of repairing the Airmatic in my 2003 and 2007. If I remember correctly using sport mode did include suspension changes as well in the S's. Also the E is easier around town and in parking lots, I have a lot more room in my garage with two E's instead of two S's. I miss the ride in the airmatics, but not the repair bills.

ccww

The locking out 7th under 72 MPH must be for gasoline engines. My E250 BT will definitely go into 7th in S below 72 MPH.

LILBENZ230

72 is consistently where my E350 shifts from 6->7 in S mode. Anything under that and it stays in 6th. I realize that might not be in the documentation, just how my car behaves.

pierrejoliat

Interesting, I will have to check that on mine, also I wonder if the shift points are different with both my cars in ECO, as one has the sport package, this might be the 3-5 MPG difference I get. I may have mentioned I have never used sport mode in my 12 luxury and have used it only once or twice in my 13 sport.

ccww

Not doubting your observations in the least. Makes sense that different engines with different torque curves would behave differently.

need2speed

Has anyone been successful with Vlad's Agility mode install? I found no difference from Economy so he refunded but I'm wondering if its just my car or others too?

ccww

On my E250 BT I found small differences such as it sometimes downshifting 1-2 gears upon switching to A and more aggressive acceleration while using Distronic. But it upshifts at least as aggressively as E and won't hold low gears at all, won't downshift on braking the way S does. It is completely useless in spirited driving for me.

He did not refund me.