2011 ML350 bluetec performance chip??
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2008 Mercedes C300 Sport
2011 ML350 bluetec performance chip??
Anyone know of any good performance chips for the bluetec? Did it really make much of a difference or is it a waste of money? Anyone know of a good place on Long Island NY that installs them? thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
Search both this and the other ML forum. There have been dozens of posts on this topic. Kleeman and Brabus seem the most popular. Yes, they work. Yes, they invalidate your warranty. No, they don't have to be professionally installed.
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Many tuners have programs were they send you instructions on how to safely and easily remove your ECU (chip). You send it to them and they flash it with the updated mapping. they ship it back to you to pop back in.
Renntech is another well known and high quality MB tuner. Some RT if not all RT stuff can be installed without warranty issues. Some MB dealers sell and install Renntech products.
You might check out powerchip groups website. If nothing else, you may find it informative regarding ECU upgrades in general. I'm not sure if a normally aspirated engine such as yours will benefit greatly from an ECU tune. The turbo'd and supercharged engines generally see greater power increases.
Good luck
Renntech is another well known and high quality MB tuner. Some RT if not all RT stuff can be installed without warranty issues. Some MB dealers sell and install Renntech products.
You might check out powerchip groups website. If nothing else, you may find it informative regarding ECU upgrades in general. I'm not sure if a normally aspirated engine such as yours will benefit greatly from an ECU tune. The turbo'd and supercharged engines generally see greater power increases.
Good luck
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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ML320CDI 2008 all options inc air suspension
As stated by others , Kleeman and Brabus are simple plug and play boxes, sending your ECU to be reprogrammed is a bit more hardcore and expensive.You are correct, any modern electronically controlled diesel, be it Mb or a pickup truck benefits greatly from external boxes. Not the case on todays gas engines where benefits are minimal at best.I think Cal1 missed the fact you were asking about a diesel
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
As stated by others , Kleeman and Brabus are simple plug and play boxes, sending your ECU to be reprogrammed is a bit more hardcore and expensive.You are correct, any modern electronically controlled diesel, be it Mb or a pickup truck benefits greatly from external boxes. Not the case on todays gas engines where benefits are minimal at best.I think Cal1 missed the fact you were asking about a diesel
Renntech is a MBW sponser now so you can send them a PM if you wish.
You might want to send Cory at Kleemann an email. Tell him you are a MBW guy. Cory has done a lot of work for some of the guys on the E55 and SL55 forum. cory@kleemannusa.com
Last edited by cal1; Jan 22, 2011 at 12:53 PM. Reason: Add a line
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
I can't speak to specific systems, but not all aftermarket performance "chips" need to have the ECU removed. Many of them now plug into the bus and intercept signals to/from the ECU, modifying them to 'fool' the ECU into doing things like allowing higher boost.
The only way you will keep your warranty is if Kleeman/Brabus/Renntech/whoever picks up the warranty, as there is no way Mercedes will honor their warranty if you have modified their engine management software. And even though these devices can be removed before you take your vehicle to the dealer, I believe Mercedes can tell that one was installed. (I know for a fact that BMW can, and I assume Mercedes has the same ability.)
Yes, they do work on turbocharged engines and you can expect noticeable power increase. But caveat emptor.
The only way you will keep your warranty is if Kleeman/Brabus/Renntech/whoever picks up the warranty, as there is no way Mercedes will honor their warranty if you have modified their engine management software. And even though these devices can be removed before you take your vehicle to the dealer, I believe Mercedes can tell that one was installed. (I know for a fact that BMW can, and I assume Mercedes has the same ability.)
Yes, they do work on turbocharged engines and you can expect noticeable power increase. But caveat emptor.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
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From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
All these devices are very clever and are produced by smart people who understand both software and engine management. They have also proven to be quite reliable on turbocharged diesel engines. But you are still taking a chance when you say, in effect, "these guys are smarter than the original Bosch and Mercedes engineers". If the Mercedes diesel engine can safely and reliably produce 20% to 40% more horsepower and torque with nothing but a software change, why don't Mercedes do that in the first place?
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Anyone considering performance mods on their car needs to understand that certain risks do apply. Many modern engines have been mildly detuned at the factory. The MFG knows that the engines are capable of making more power, but a conservative approach is taken toward engine management. They do this for a number of reasons. One is to account for the varying quality of fuels throughout the world. A second reason is the level of maintenance, or lack thereof on the part of the vehicle owner.
Certain enthusiasts are aware that their engine is capable of making more power and are willing to take on the risk of running a more aggressive ECU tune (generally what we call it on the E55 and SL55 forums). As pointed out by roadrutz, the ECU tunes include remapping Air Fuel Ratios (AFRs), timing advance and boost. These enthusiasts tend to be meticulous about maintenance and run only the best fuels available.
Certain enthusiasts are aware that their engine is capable of making more power and are willing to take on the risk of running a more aggressive ECU tune (generally what we call it on the E55 and SL55 forums). As pointed out by roadrutz, the ECU tunes include remapping Air Fuel Ratios (AFRs), timing advance and boost. These enthusiasts tend to be meticulous about maintenance and run only the best fuels available.
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2009 ML320 Bluetec
Neither the Kleemaan not the Brabus work on the 2009-2001 Bluetec's......only works on the 2008 and older CDI's....
