ML400 Customization Thread
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
2015 ML400
ML400 Customization Thread
I just purchased a 2015 ML400. Only had it for a day but I searched for about a month before I found one, and thought I'd post a couple of things that I've learned. From my time in the car world and wrenching I think that while ECO start is a good idea for the manufacturers to increase the overall fuel efficiency I think that it will be horrible for turbo life as well as starters. I don't really want to debate that but found this to disable:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-cars-ECO-start-stop-OFF-just-an-OBD-plug-most-of-MB-cars-supported/252811119026?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid =p2060353.m1438.l2649
What the above does is keep the last eco setting when you turn off and restart the car. So, if you turn it off, it stays off until you turn it on. If you turn it on, it stays on until you turn it off.
Also since not all the ML's had keyless go, I'm figuring out how to disable that. double clicking my remote and hoping no one gets into my car at night is not an option. I work in IT security so I'm looking for ways to disable that. I've stumbled on threads occasionally that mention unplugging the keyless go module does that but I don't what a dash full of errors. Someone has got to have figured out this somehow.
Now we are getting to the good stuff. I only run 93 in my performance cars so I'm looking to up the ante for the engine. I've had good experience with Kleemann in the past on S Class turbo cars so this is in the plans:
https://catalog.kleemann.dk/catalog/...6-biturbo-cgi/
going from 333 HP and 354 torque to 413 HP and 428 torque should be good. I wanted a ML550 but couldn't find one in the condition and mileage I was looking for.
What I would like to do is see how many ML400 owners would like to set up a group buy. I've done this with other manufacturers on other forums and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.
any thoughts or other products that a group buy would be in order for?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-cars-ECO-start-stop-OFF-just-an-OBD-plug-most-of-MB-cars-supported/252811119026?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid =p2060353.m1438.l2649
What the above does is keep the last eco setting when you turn off and restart the car. So, if you turn it off, it stays off until you turn it on. If you turn it on, it stays on until you turn it off.
Also since not all the ML's had keyless go, I'm figuring out how to disable that. double clicking my remote and hoping no one gets into my car at night is not an option. I work in IT security so I'm looking for ways to disable that. I've stumbled on threads occasionally that mention unplugging the keyless go module does that but I don't what a dash full of errors. Someone has got to have figured out this somehow.
Now we are getting to the good stuff. I only run 93 in my performance cars so I'm looking to up the ante for the engine. I've had good experience with Kleemann in the past on S Class turbo cars so this is in the plans:
https://catalog.kleemann.dk/catalog/...6-biturbo-cgi/
going from 333 HP and 354 torque to 413 HP and 428 torque should be good. I wanted a ML550 but couldn't find one in the condition and mileage I was looking for.
What I would like to do is see how many ML400 owners would like to set up a group buy. I've done this with other manufacturers on other forums and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.
any thoughts or other products that a group buy would be in order for?
Last edited by ML400; Sep 1, 2018 at 03:45 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
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From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
you gotta be patient bud, the thing is the keyless go feature isnt standard in the ML, and alot of people like it (myself included, makes it easy to get in and out and drive it, especially if im holding stuff), the people who have it find no reason to disable it
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 39
From: Peoria, IL
2007 C350 2015 ML400 1968 Ford Mustang
I have tuner from Burger Motorsports for my ML400. I am sure it was less than Kleeman, but Kleeman is advertising some pretty big numbers.
What is the issue with Keyless Go and hoping no one gets in your car at night?
What is the issue with Keyless Go and hoping no one gets in your car at night?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2015 ML400, 2012 E350
You have any link on the Burger tuner? I don't see one listed specifically for the ML
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 39
From: Peoria, IL
2007 C350 2015 ML400 1968 Ford Mustang
You are correct. I compared the engines in the C400 to what's in my ML400 and they are basically the same. After a conversation with Burger Tuning we were both convinced it should work as well in the ML as in the C. So that is what I bought, the tuner for the C400 and it worked perfectly.
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
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2015 ML400, 2012 E350
You are correct. I compared the engines in the C400 to what's in my ML400 and they are basically the same. After a conversation with Burger Tuning we were both convinced it should work as well in the ML as in the C. So that is what I bought, the tuner for the C400 and it worked perfectly.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 207
Likes: 30
From: Ontario
ML350
here's an example
I was/am a bit paranoid about this too when first getting my car and it having keyless go. To help I just store my keys in a faraday bag (prevents wireless signals going outside of the bag). so overnight at home I have 1 faraday bag for my keys, I also have a smaller faraday bag I keep in my glove box for other times I may need it, like if I'm staying in a hotel/on the road.
beyond that, well that's what insurance is for.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
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2015 ML400
my guess is the fact that the signal could be caught and thrown further to allow someone to steal it. I'm just guessing here but he may say more since he works in IT and maybe it's due to a different reason. I think there have been very FEW cases of car thieves actually stealing cars like this. one guy circles around the house with a device that tries to catch the keyless go signal from the key inside your house, if it gets the signal it then throws the signal further to another guy standing by your car who has another device to catch the signal. the car then thinks the key is next to it, and it allows someone to open the door and then start the engine because the guy with the device is transmitting that keyless go signal to the car.
here's an example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR8RrmEizVg
I was/am a bit paranoid about this too when first getting my car and it having keyless go. To help I just store my keys in a faraday bag (prevents wireless signals going outside of the bag). so overnight at home I have 1 faraday bag for my keys, I also have a smaller faraday bag I keep in my glove box for other times I may need it, like if I'm staying in a hotel/on the road.
beyond that, well that's what insurance is for.
here's an example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR8RrmEizVg
I was/am a bit paranoid about this too when first getting my car and it having keyless go. To help I just store my keys in a faraday bag (prevents wireless signals going outside of the bag). so overnight at home I have 1 faraday bag for my keys, I also have a smaller faraday bag I keep in my glove box for other times I may need it, like if I'm staying in a hotel/on the road.
beyond that, well that's what insurance is for.
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 207
Likes: 30
From: Ontario
ML350
I'm actually more concerned with the keyless entry which uses the same receiver. I live in Texas, and I and my entire family open carry, or carry concealed. There are many places we cannot carry, and are required to lock our firearms in our cars. The keyless go, would be more of a nuisance if my ML was stolen as I looked far and wide to find the color and options I wanted. The W166 ML400 is a one year model, and hard to find. It took me 4 months to find the one I have which is why I purchased it with options I didn't want and missing options I did want.
lock the car, place key in faraday bag, then in your pocket/purse/bag w/e
then the keyless entry doesn't work from the key signal at all until you pull the key out of the bag.
or is there another hack with the keyless entry receiver you are worried about that doesn't require the key signal to be intercepted?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
2015 ML400
the receiver in the car is also always transmitting. the repeaters mentioned above are just amplifying the signals in both directions but the tech is available to "record" the signal transmitted in both directions and play back when you aren't present. This is happening in Europe and most local police departments have their heads in the sand. The service managers at the local dealerships also have their heads in an orifice and deny that the cars are broken into, but if you talk to people in the commercial insurance industry that insure dealerships, and also deal with dealer finances, they will tell you that there is a huge problem with shrinkage, and I'm not talking about the pool either. One local dealership had to write off 800K last year in "unreported loss" that can only be claimed at 5K per occurrence and usually related to theft of vehicle accessories.
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 207
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From: Ontario
ML350
dam, now im going to be more paranoid.
what about just pulling out the push button start so that you have to use the actual key to turn the ignition and start the car.
this way i would think that even if they record your signal, they wouldn't be able to start your car, although they probably could lock/unlock the doors, and then that is what you are mainly concerned about, them just getting into the car and what you have stored/locked in the car?
I know i heard in Ontario that cars were being broken into often at dealerships just to steal those buttons because they are expensive. Personally, when leaving the car parked for a long time like when traveling, i leave that push button at home to be on the safe side and prevent a possible break-in.
what about just pulling out the push button start so that you have to use the actual key to turn the ignition and start the car.
this way i would think that even if they record your signal, they wouldn't be able to start your car, although they probably could lock/unlock the doors, and then that is what you are mainly concerned about, them just getting into the car and what you have stored/locked in the car?
I know i heard in Ontario that cars were being broken into often at dealerships just to steal those buttons because they are expensive. Personally, when leaving the car parked for a long time like when traveling, i leave that push button at home to be on the safe side and prevent a possible break-in.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 706
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'22 GLE 350 | '15 ML250 | '87 560SL | '19 GLC 300 | '12 C250 (sold) | '02 ML500 | '98 C230
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 207
Likes: 30
From: Ontario
ML350
hmmmmm, maybe they break into cars, steal them, and then sell a bag of stolen ones back to me on ebay for cheap because i can't pass up that deal? lol
i had no clue, it was just what 1 sales person told me as we were walking to the car for a test drive. Maybe I'm being paranoid for nothing.
i had no clue, it was just what 1 sales person told me as we were walking to the car for a test drive. Maybe I'm being paranoid for nothing.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
2015 ML 400
Tuner
I recently found a 2015 ML 400 and it took me quite a while to find. Regarding the tuner, have you installed one yet on yours? I've been looking for one to install on mine. I've found quite a few but none that I have been convinced with yet.
