GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

My RENNTECH ECU IS HERE!!!!

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Old Jun 6, 2013 | 06:17 PM
  #1  
wheelsloose's Avatar
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My RENNTECH ECU IS HERE!!!!

Just got the UPS notification that my ECU has been delivered and as soon as I get off the plane I am on now I will be going home and popping the ECU back in to give her a spin. I also had them flash my previous CLS63 and their tunes are incredible!! I can't wait to see how the GL feels after the tune because for a stock twin-turbo the GL450 feels way underpowered IMO. Don't get me wrong it is fast for a big SUV but I think it should have at least 400-425HP stock with GL550 having 450-475ish.

After tune it is supposed to have 540HP and 606 TQ so it should feel great!

I have a set of 22" B18 Modulare Forged wheels on order so I also ordered Renntech's digital lowering module where you can adjust the ride height on the fly as well as have the suspension return to stock settings after you hit a certain driving speed.

Will let everyone know my thoughts as well as post some pics in about a month after my wheels are done.
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Old Jun 6, 2013 | 08:26 PM
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Looking forward to your updates.
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Old Jun 7, 2013 | 01:48 AM
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2013 Mercede GL450
I am debating to upgrade my 2013 arctic white GL too, but just nervous about warranty on the car. I do understand that mercedes have to prove that issue has to be related to the ECU upgrade to refuse service, but still kinda of nervous.
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Old Jun 8, 2013 | 12:44 AM
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Originally Posted by wheelsloose
Just got the UPS notification that my ECU has been delivered and as soon as I get off the plane I am on now I will be going home and popping the ECU back in to give her a spin. I also had them flash my previous CLS63 and their tunes are incredible!! I can't wait to see how the GL feels after the tune because for a stock twin-turbo the GL450 feels way underpowered IMO. Don't get me wrong it is fast for a big SUV but I think it should have at least 400-425HP stock with GL550 having 450-475ish.

After tune it is supposed to have 540HP and 606 TQ so it should feel great!

I have a set of 22" B18 Modulare Forged wheels on order so I also ordered Renntech's digital lowering module where you can adjust the ride height on the fly as well as have the suspension return to stock settings after you hit a certain driving speed.

Will let everyone know my thoughts as well as post some pics in about a month after my wheels are done.
Would love to hear how it goes. What is the process and how much does it cost?
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Old Jun 8, 2013 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Dalema
Would love to hear how it goes. What is the process and how much does it cost?
Tune is great!! Power is much better now and more linear and effortless throughout the power band. I used to fell like I had to push the accelerator in about 2/3 of the way to get it to do anything and then it would accelerate fast but not nearly as fast as what I knew its potential could be.

Renntech told me that performance is right on par now with the GL63. It is 10 shy on actual HP but has 46lbs more torque now. Their motto is Performance without Compromise and that is exactly what they deliver. This is my third tune that I have had from them and they have all been very solid.

The process takes two days. You overnight your ECU (very simple to remove and instructions on their website) to them. I sent mine on Monday evening. They received Tuesday morning and flashed and overnighted back to me on Tuesday and I received it back first thing on Wednesday, reinstalled in less than 5 minutes and was good to go!

Price is $2740. Check out this link http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/1056
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by wheelsloose
Renntech told me that performance is right on par now with the GL63.

Price is $2740. Check out this link http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/1056
Thanks for the info - the 450 must really scoot. Couple of questions:
- Do they achieve the increase from dialing up the boost or just remapping?
- Do they have any concerns as to damage to the engine?
- I heard the GL550 and GL63 have different suspension that I assume reduces that nose up under acceleration tendency of the 450. How does the drivability compare Pre and post tune?
- Did you consider any of the other tunes - I saw some were lesser in price?

Thanks - enjoy!!
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Dalema
Thanks for the info - the 450 must really scoot. Couple of questions:
- Do they achieve the increase from dialing up the boost or just remapping? BOTH, remapping helps them smooth out the linear curve.
- Do they have any concerns as to damage to the engine? No. They could push it alot further if they want.
- I heard the GL550 and GL63 have different suspension that I assume reduces that nose up under acceleration tendency of the 450. How does the drivability compare Pre and post tune? Drives exactly the same. Suspension is different on the GL63 and it will ride rougher and stiffer like all of the AMGs.
- Did you consider any of the other tunes - I saw some were lesser in price? NO. I have had them tune two of my AMGs of which I put on a total of about 25,000 miles combined on both of them with no issues whatsoever. Sure, there are plenty of other tunes out there, and cheaper, but you get what you pay for. Renntech has been around for a long time and are considered to be one of the elite MB tuners out there and they spend a lot more on R&D than others. Just my two cents worth but everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

Thanks - enjoy!!
see above
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by wheelsloose
see above
Thanks! Great info. I was thinking of the OETune - but sounds like you've had a great experience here. Enjoy it!
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 02:21 AM
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Originally Posted by wheelsloose
Tune is great!! Power is much better now and more linear and effortless throughout the power band. I used to fell like I had to push the accelerator in about 2/3 of the way to get it to do anything and then it would accelerate fast but not nearly as fast as what I knew its potential could be.

Renntech told me that performance is right on par now with the GL63. It is 10 shy on actual HP but has 46lbs more torque now. Their motto is Performance without Compromise and that is exactly what they deliver. This is my third tune that I have had from them and they have all been very solid.

The process takes two days. You overnight your ECU (very simple to remove and instructions on their website) to them. I sent mine on Monday evening. They received Tuesday morning and flashed and overnighted back to me on Tuesday and I received it back first thing on Wednesday, reinstalled in less than 5 minutes and was good to go!

Price is $2740. Check out this link http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/1056
That is awesome. What you said about pushing the accelerator 3/4 down to feel the car moving is the same experience i have with my GL currently. This would be my only big complaint about this car. I don't understand why a 80k car from Mercedes was made this way. I am still on the fence with the ECU upgrade because of warranty but for sure I am leaning forward on doing it. Thank you for the update, I hope the upgrade continue to perform well for you!
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Apollosalon
I don't understand why a 80k car from Mercedes was made this way.
because MB can up-charge for a GL550 with the exact same engine but more power.
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Apollosalon
That is awesome. What you said about pushing the accelerator 3/4 down to feel the car moving is the same experience i have with my GL currently. This would be my only big complaint about this car. I don't understand why a 80k car from Mercedes was made this way. I am still on the fence with the ECU upgrade because of warranty but for sure I am leaning forward on doing it. Thank you for the update, I hope the upgrade continue to perform well for you!
Intreresting...... when I switch over to the "sport" mode on my GL450, the accelerator response, the shift points, all change....you "launch" very quickly!
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by blittle
Intreresting...... when I switch over to the "sport" mode on my GL450, the accelerator response, the shift points, all change....you "launch" very quickly!
The normal sport mode button is only for the suspension and slightly stiffens the steering and shocks. I think you may have the On Road/Off Road package and if that has a sport setting then maybe that is what you are referring to with different shift points and throttle response but I can't comment on that as I don't have On Road/Off Road Pkg. That is the one other package I was on the fence about and kind of wish I had ordered it for all the items you list above.
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 08:32 PM
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My MB dealer is also rennteck dealer ...They do the ECU tunes all the time without any effect the warranty
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by tony cls63
My MB dealer is also rennteck dealer ...They do the ECU tunes all the time without any effect the warranty
Hi - where is that dealer located? I was wondering if there is a list of MB dealers that also serve as Rennteck dealers.
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Dalema
Hi - where is that dealer located? I was wondering if there is a list of MB dealers that also serve as Rennteck dealers.

Yes. Check on Renntech's website for dealer locators. I know MB of Sugarland in Houston is a Renntech dealer and they also work with other dealers. My dealer, Park Place, in Dallas does a lot with Renntech but I actually had Wheel Experts here order it because they are doing my wheels, lowering module, etc.
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Old Jun 11, 2013 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Dalema
Hi - where is that dealer located? I was wondering if there is a list of MB dealers that also serve as Rennteck dealers.
I'm getting it done at MB of Rockville Centre NY
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Old Jun 11, 2013 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by wheelsloose
Yes. Check on Renntech's website for dealer locators. I know MB of Sugarland in Houston is a Renntech dealer and they also work with other dealers. My dealer, Park Place, in Dallas does a lot with Renntech but I actually had Wheel Experts here order it because they are doing my wheels, lowering module, etc.
Yes - here in CA there are no MB dealers on the list unfortunately.
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Old Jun 11, 2013 | 11:11 PM
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By no means am I making this comment to discourage anyone from getting a tune . . . but a tune performed by anyone - Mercedes dealer or not - is not warranty neutral. That doesn't mean that you would ever have an issue which would call the warranty into question, or even if you did that your dealer would flag the tune as a problem. But if you did, and MB wants to be a hard a@@ about it, you could face a challenge.

Very recently on the AMG Private Lounge, the MBUSA President made it explicitly clear that tunes are not warranty friendly, even if performed by RennTech, Brabus or anyone else. Again, just trying to make sure all have full info before proceeding. Even all that said, I would consider a tune if I had a 450 or 550 . . .
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by wheelsloose
The normal sport mode button is only for the suspension and slightly stiffens the steering and shocks. I think you may have the On Road/Off Road package and if that has a sport setting then maybe that is what you are referring to with different shift points and throttle response but I can't comment on that as I don't have On Road/Off Road Pkg. That is the one other package I was on the fence about and kind of wish I had ordered it for all the items you list above.
Correct....it is part of the on/off package. It truly adds a whole different performance picture in the "sport" mode......and, really is all the power I want/need or can handle in SUV of this size. Now....give me the SLS and that's another dimension...
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 11:05 PM
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I just ordered our '14 GL450 from my local dealer. Hopefully they can crack the code on the '14's in time. Did they mention anything about the tune affecting towing capacity?
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Old Aug 10, 2013 | 07:44 AM
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Hey wheelsloose, I'm thinking of following the same path and going with Renntech as well. Still happy with your tune? Have had a chance to take it to the tracks yet?

Would love to see some pictures of your wheels as well.
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Old Aug 10, 2013 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by wheelsloose
Yes. Check on Renntech's website for dealer locators. I know MB of Sugarland in Houston is a Renntech dealer and they also work with other dealers. My dealer, Park Place, in Dallas does a lot with Renntech but I actually had Wheel Experts here order it because they are doing my wheels, lowering module, etc.
Sure glad I found this thread. I picked up my GL63 from MB of Sugarland a few weeks back. Going to put a few thousand miles on the motor first then go for the tune. 633HP
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Old Aug 10, 2013 | 10:11 PM
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This also looks tempting. http://www.weistec.com/m157s1.html Word is they are getting around 680 wheel hp on the rwd 63's with a downpipe and tune on 93 oct.
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 12:12 PM
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Sorry guys,
There is no way a tune gains that much HP. ONLY a dyno before and after will prove what a $3,000 flash will do. However, it is fun to do anything to tweak a non AMG. Also, a GL63 can only get to 636 HP with bigger down pipes and an aggressive tune. ReNNtech is good but has always been quite pricey. Also, Weistec makes similar marketing type claims that are questionable. Regards,
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by tony cls63
I'm getting it done at MB of Rockville Centre NY
price? lead time?
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