mepst1009

Hi all, first post on a forum ever so cut me some slack

Just bought a 2010 E550 4M with 37k miles a couple weeks ago, read through this forum prior to purchase to get an idea of what I was in for. A 2 part thread for you all:

Part 1: Just wondering about problem areas to look out for in the M273 and maybe an idea of what my maintenance schedule should be (besides the typical tires, brakes, battery, oil, etc)

Part 2: Entry level mods! (I have no interest in FI) I’m probably going to get an ECU tune within the next year (what’s best OE, Renntech, Weistec, or Eurocharged?)

I would consider an exhaust change as well (not sure what route to go, are headers worth it? X pipe instead of resonator? Muffler delete? Any recommended catbacks brands or kits?)

Looking for air intake ideas/advice as well (I think MB comes with a CAI anyway but any filter upgrades or ideas I’ll take any advice I can get)

Thanks everyone!!!!!

BlackML550

Congratulations on your purchase. The M273 is pretty stout. You've bought outside the impacted engine range that had the timing chain sprocket issues. Attached is the MB document that specifies the engine numbers and problems for your reference.

Look forward to hearing about your mods.

SALES@OETUNING

We can help. Please email or PM for more details.

https://www.oetuning.com/mercedes-benz-e550-e500-w212

BenzV12

Congrats,
M273s mostly have a reputation of being more reliable than M278s but lack of turbo is a downside to me in terms of modifications .
You scored a low mileage car but being more than 5 years old car , Airmatic might need a major overhaul .
Happy Driving

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Unlike other brands of cars, aftermarket FI is pretty non-existent, so no "worries" there. And I'm not sure you could ever go with a stand-alone controller and have a drivable car. (I'm curious if someone is going to chime in and tell me I'm wrong.)

That said, I'm not sure how much you will get out of an E550 with a tune alone. And for what it will cost, probably not worth it. That is pretty much the case with any stock NA car.

Still, 382hp and 0-60 in under 5 seconds is not too shabby. Something you may consider is a transmission tune from @BenzNinja where he tweaks the throttle response and adds the Sport+/Agility and Manual modes if you don't already have them (not sure of your tranny configuration). It also remembers your last tranny mode and starts in either E/C (if that is where your were) or S mode (if you were in any other the other modes). Check him out here: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...more-free.html

I put the tranny mod on both my cars and love it.

Bahnstormer

Disagree about a tune not being worth it on these vehicles, have it on both my naturally aspirated V8 Mercedes and it really wakes them up in terms of throttle response.

mepst1009

Thanks for the responses! Ya I wanted a late model 273 for the reliability over the 278, as much as the 278 is fairly reliable on its own especially after 2013/2014. I had my mechanic look the suspension over initially thankfully don’t need anything airmatic wise (yet anyway) but interesting call on the TCU tune as well, need to read up on that. Not even sure how to check my transmission configuration? From what I’ve read the ECU tune is worth it, ya it’s a bit pricey but it opens up the car and actually increases mpg too from what I’ve seen.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

That’s good because an engine tune on my M113 when I had it was a waste of money. But as I said above, a transmission tune is worth the improved drivability.

mepst1009

how do I check my tranny configuration like you were talking about? Whenever I drive I don’t see anything for sport+/agility modes anywhere near the shifter or dash display. I wonder if I don’t have those modes at all unless I get a TCU tune.

Bahnstormer

Don't know who did your engine tune but Eurocharged did mine on my M113 and it was well worth the cash. Later on I also had my TCU tuned by them and both mods made a big difference.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

On the center console near the shifter there should be a bottom with a circulating symbol. When you press it, the letter next to your gear selection on you instrument panel should change from E or C to S.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Above are the four modes you get with the @BenzNinja tranny mod.

E is Economy (sometimes shows as "C" for Comfort in some models)
A is Agility (sometimes shows as Sport+ is some models)
S is Sport
M is Manual

If you have paddle shifters on the steering wheel, then the Manual mode is fun. If you don't have paddle shifters, then you need to manipulate the shifter in the console.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

The mode selection should look something like this. Some cars will have E or C, S, and M to cycle through.

mepst1009

just dropped the car off for the state inspection and to put on 2 tires, I will check this after work tomorrow and let you know! Funny I literally wondered what that button was but was too afraid to press it LOL

mepst1009

so I just picked up the car, mechanic gave it the stamp of approval. Funny enough I only have “C” and “S” although my car does have the paddles, but no “M” mode. I guess I would need a TCU tune/updated software if I wana get the extra modes and upgrades interface

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

I think every 7G transmission has manual mode. Have you cycled through all the modes?

Zynthe

If you shift with the paddles, the "C" or "S" will turn to numbers to indicate what gear you are on. Once on the highest gear if you go up another gear it will go back to automatic mode.

mepst1009

Thanks for the info ! Good to know, I just noticed my dash screen was different than JettaReds which is probably from BenzNinjas package.