Hi, guys. I'm new here. I am asking about upgrades for an E Class
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Newbie
Joined: May 2026
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E-Class
Hi, guys. I'm new here. I am asking about upgrades for an E Class
Hi. I would like to make some upgrades to a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. I don't want to just go do things. I wanted to do some research and ask for advise first. I am thinking about increasing horsepower in a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. Any thoughts on ECU tuning, performance chips, hardware upgrades like turbocharger kits or intake systems? What do you think of piggyback modules like RaceChip GTS or software tunes to gain more power? Thank you and I am happy to be here.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,951
Likes: 6,796
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
multiple available paths
Hi. I would like to make some upgrades to a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. I don't want to just go do things. I wanted to do some research and ask for advise first. I am thinking about increasing horsepower in a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. Any thoughts on ECU tuning, performance chips, hardware upgrades like turbocharger kits or intake systems? What do you think of piggyback modules like RaceChip GTS or software tunes to gain more power? Thank you and I am happy to be here.
You can decide to tune your Bosch MED 17 ECU (& TCU) firmware easily.
You may be able to strap on Turbos but then you should simply buy a working Twin-Turbo V6 or V8 with matching brakes + tranny setup.
The M276 3.5L V6-NA ECU uses a single MAP sensor where the M276 3.0L V6-TT ECU uses both MAF + MAP instead.
These machines are strictly ruled by computers. Good luck adding turbos to an Aspirated engine computer. Also note the Turbo engines sport a more effective PCV oil separator to help ingest less oil.
The nearly stock aspirated engines can run really well for free with clean sealed piston rings and stable ignition + injector power supply.
Nothing can beat turbo boost pressure like twin turbos!!
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 946
W212 FL
I used to have a Carlsson Performance kit on my car it was my first W212 (non turbo engine ) . However, spreading too much money on a non turbo car is not feasible thing to me . Tuning a turbo engine is much more efficient and feasible from my own experience . My present W212 is Bi Turbo and definitely makes the car drive better . To be more clear :
My present Bi Turbo W212 in stock condition outperforms ( equivalent cylinder numbered engine ) a tuned non turbo W212
My present Bi Turbo W212 in stock condition outperforms ( equivalent cylinder numbered engine ) a tuned non turbo W212
Last edited by BenzV12; May 10, 2026 at 04:05 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 118
Likes: 50
Chip tuning on the M276 3.5 liter (M276.9XX) is going to be disappointing, especially for the cost. Your engine is rated at 302 hp from the factory. Tuning may give you maybe 15-17 more hp somewhere in the power band, which you are not going to notice. The same for the TCM. You may notice some performance improvement over a few hundred miles as the ECU adjusts, but it will be nothing like tuning a turbo engine which can easily add 15% to 25% (50-80 hp) with a simple software tune. I have chip tuned my C350 with the same engine and I have not noticed any substantial difference with normal driving. I may have noticed some improvement on the top end, but that’s not how I drive.
There are, however, some nice modifications, such as disabling the Start/Stop, changing the instrument cluster display, enabling additional drive modes (i.e., Agility/Sport+) in the transmission, etc. You can search the forums. Remember, your engine and transmission have been used across many Mercedes models. Your transmission is referred to as the 7G+ (722.9). Here's some info from Wikipedia about your engine and transmission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M276_engine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...c_transmission
There are, however, some nice modifications, such as disabling the Start/Stop, changing the instrument cluster display, enabling additional drive modes (i.e., Agility/Sport+) in the transmission, etc. You can search the forums. Remember, your engine and transmission have been used across many Mercedes models. Your transmission is referred to as the 7G+ (722.9). Here's some info from Wikipedia about your engine and transmission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M276_engine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...c_transmission
Last edited by PotatoHeadII; May 10, 2026 at 09:16 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 72
Likes: 33
From: Chicagoland
2014 E550 4matic 180k Mi
Dont spend the money on the 350 that is not why it was the bread-and-butter of the E class. 63 is the King, but the 550 is the bargain and (dare I say) rare compared to the 350 (1:9 build ratio). It has everything you want in the 350 with a bigger motor.
I'll reluctantly sell you my E550
complete in one package....and it has a few sporty add-ons that make it look even faster 
. With my current mileage, it probably prices lower than your 350. GLWSearch
I'll reluctantly sell you my E550
complete in one package....and it has a few sporty add-ons that make it look even faster . With my current mileage, it probably prices lower than your 350. GLWSearch
SPONSOR
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 134
From: Santa Ana, CA
OE Tuning C63 AMG
We can tune your 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350.
Please DM or email sales@oetuning.com for specs and prices.
Please DM or email sales@oetuning.com for specs and prices.
