Performance Upgrades & Tuning Discuss general performance and tuning enhancements for your Mercedes-Benz.

Newbie looking for advice with tuners...

Old Apr 13, 2009 | 12:55 PM
  #1  
FormulaZR's Avatar
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From: West Texas
Yes
Newbie looking for advice with tuners...

I posted this also in the W215 section, but see now that this is probably a better place for it...

Hey guys, I'm totally new here and to MB's in general. I just purchased a used 2003 CL600 with 28xxx miles (haven't even picked it up yet). My background is mostly with F-bodys (Camaro/Firebird) and with those cars I knew who the good tuners were, and who was "smoke and mirrors." But, with the MB, I have no idea. So, I'm looking for advice...preferrably from people who have real world experience with various companies/tunes. So far I've looked at Renntech and Evosport/Powerchip. There appears to be about 30-40 hp and $3000 difference between the two, which would you guys recommend? Also, are there others I'd be better off considering? I'm still trying to get over the fact that a "cookie cutter" tune on an MB is 5-10x the price of a wideband dyno tune on an LSx car, is that just because there isn't the demand for the tuning on MB's that there is on LSx based cars? I don't expect the CL to have the same straight line performance as my Firebird, but I'd like something better than stock. Also, what is the "safe" power limit for the factory shortblock, transmission, and rear end?

Thanks,
Zach
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Old Apr 13, 2009 | 10:04 PM
  #2  
jturkel's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2006
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02 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by FormulaZR
I posted this also in the W215 section, but see now that this is probably a better place for it...

Hey guys, I'm totally new here and to MB's in general. I just purchased a used 2003 CL600 with 28xxx miles (haven't even picked it up yet). My background is mostly with F-bodys (Camaro/Firebird) and with those cars I knew who the good tuners were, and who was "smoke and mirrors." But, with the MB, I have no idea. So, I'm looking for advice...preferrably from people who have real world experience with various companies/tunes. So far I've looked at Renntech and Evosport/Powerchip. There appears to be about 30-40 hp and $3000 difference between the two, which would you guys recommend? Also, are there others I'd be better off considering? I'm still trying to get over the fact that a "cookie cutter" tune on an MB is 5-10x the price of a wideband dyno tune on an LSx car, is that just because there isn't the demand for the tuning on MB's that there is on LSx based cars? I don't expect the CL to have the same straight line performance as my Firebird, but I'd like something better than stock. Also, what is the "safe" power limit for the factory shortblock, transmission, and rear end?

Thanks,
Zach
Go with LET Motorsports. Best tune and best customer service. Hands down. You can do it through LET Motorsports or Eurocharged. Shoot Loungn14 (Jake) a PM about getting a tune and he can hook you up.

https://mbworld.org/forums/members/59642-loungn14.html

And yes, the reason why prices are so expensive is because of less demand and thus higher prices to develop the tune because it is not subsidized by high demand.

as far as your questions regarding the block, tranny, and rear end, post up in the CL600 sub-forum. the members there will get back to you much faster than here.

for 2000-2006, here: https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-w215-6/

fpr 2007+, here: https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-w216-80/

Last edited by jturkel; Apr 13, 2009 at 10:11 PM.
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Old Apr 14, 2009 | 12:58 AM
  #3  
hooleyboy's Avatar
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
You would be very nicely surprised what a 2003 CL600 can do and is capable of doing... V12 twin turbo nuff said.

Stuff is not cheap for these cars and you get what you pay for. RENNtech is just about the founding farther of Mercedes performance. They are at the top of the hill with all others trying to be them IMO..

You need to do a dyno pull first to see what you are working with then go from there.
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Old Jun 1, 2009 | 05:05 PM
  #4  
IngenereAMG's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
We tune the 600tt cars and have had allot of happy clients.

There is a little more involved with writing software for MB/AMG cars than some other brands.

Feel free to take a look at our web site and testimonials page and let me know how I can help. www.veloveperformance.com/testimonial.htm
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