jcat

From the searches I've done, the virtues of tuning overal and individual tuning vendors have been discussed extensively. What I don't see discussed much is comparing two vendors and their tunes, and which is the better/smarter choice.

I've got a bone stock car with 13k miles on it. I've tuned other vehicles so I'm comfortable with the potential pitfalls and question marks, so that's not what this is about. I am however curious whether MB has the ability to see the flash count of the ECU to know if it's been tuned? I know Ford has this ability and some others.

I'm trying to decide between the Renntech ECU+ HHT or the Weistec W.1 with mygenius.

To me, the Renntech HHT seems a bit simpler in terms of going from tuned to stock and back if need be. They also are probably one of if not the most recognized name in MB tuning behind the likes of Brabus, KIeemann etc. This obviously goes for $2480 anywhere you look, including Renntech dealers.

The Weistec tune touts 10 more lb/ft of torque, and while the mygenius is a few more steps to switch between stock and tuned, the cost difference is substantial. At $1800 for both the tune AND the mygenius, you save $680 to get the same horsepower and 10 more torque.

Practically speaking, my mind says Weistec is the no brainer. I'm looking for experiences and opinions of both specific to our chassis to hopefully help me make an informed decision and maybe help others who are sitting on the same fence as I am.

loungn14

Would love to throw us in the mix as well. We have a heck of a sale lately

yes mb can see flash counter as a fyi with any tuner

jcat

Actually yeah, see you guys interested me as well. Your stage 2 has the exact same numbers as Weistec which always made me curious.

vinflouen

2019 S560,
did Renntech hht, superb.
not over tuned, a very conservative tune.
but that puts out 580hp/650tq so that’s about all I need.

Plug it it, run the tune, be done.

cfmistry

You cannot go wrong with either choice. You are debating the best of the best. I was in the same spot a few months back and decided the $700 could be better spent elsewhere.

I went Weistec and it is flawless; but I have never had a Renntech to compare with. The MyGenius was very easy to use.

For what it's worth I couldn't find many owners of either tune on an M278. I made a detailed post about my experience with Weistec -- it has been very good.

vinflouen

Tunes make everything run smoother. A well done tune keeps carbon at bay and optimizes the engine management.
But, Once you hit that 4k rpm the turbos just sort of suck the car along at a ridiculous rate.
snaps the head back and all.
quite impressive for a 5k lb car.
I will probably never tune back to stock.
one thing to note is after the tune I ran xentry and cleared the codes. One code will stay and that’s the disabling of speed limiter.

C Swenson

I agree. I did a Weistec tune on my 2015 S550 a year and a half ago ago.
It still puts a smile on my face every time I drive.

I just got this in an email and thought I'd share:

jcat

Yeah tell me about it. Great timing, I bought the weistec tune on Wednesday

C Swenson

Hey, jcat, no worries. I found the sales people at Weistec to be very helpful and very generous.
If I remember correctly, I dealt with Ryan and Ricky. If I were you I would call them and explain the situation.
That is, assuming you bought it directly from them. If not, I would still call and ask for their help with their vendor.

As my dad use to say: patient, polite, and persistent will get you further in dealing with people in these situations.
Also remember they want your repeat business and your good word of mouth advertising.

jcat

Quick update, I ended up going with the weistec tune. I emailed them about the promo and they refunded me the 15% co side ring my purchase was two days before the announcement. Cant say enough about customer service thus far.

tuned the car tonight and took it to fill up. In eco mode it’s much stronger than before. Rolling into it, it just pulls like a train. Sport mode is borderline too much, the car just wants to fly.

i have a longer drive tomorrow and can’t wait to see what it does on the highway. The cost of the tune is absolutely worth it. AMG cars are nice and exclusive, but man I can’t imagine it being THAT much better than this 550 car on a tune.

C Swenson

BenzV12

Good for you , anyway you wouldn't go wrong either of those
Happy Driving

vincheung

@jcat Congrats on the tune and kudos to weistec for honoring that 15%. Just a heads up, try and go easy on mashing the gas from a stop when you are in comfort mode. Remember that it's starting from 2nd gear in comfort mode, from what i've read it could end up adding extra wear when moving hard from a stop. In sport mode, have at it and smash that gas.

jcat

given the torque rating for the trans, the weight of the car and the awd, I probably won’t do much from a dig anyway. I have plenty of experience with high power/torque cars and all the pitfalls. What kills drivetrains is hard launches with high torque and good traction. It’s an s class not a drag car, so rolling into it for a highway pass or an on ramp is really all the spirited driving it’ll see. I didn’t *need* the tune, but it’s fun and I wanted it, so why not.

I don’t have much data, but I also think it seems to be using less fuel according to the consumption bar.

cfmistry

I thought torque was automatically limited in the 7G-Tronic in 1st and 2nd gear? Maybe I'm wrong...

And honestly, this is just not the sort of car that "shows you its power" when mashing from a stop. Much better on the highway.

jcat

that may be. My 2017 has the 9g.

in sport mode, it’ll snap you around off the line. But the literal jet-takeoff feeling of a 30-80 is insane. Just even more effortless.

When I started shopping for an s class I considered s63’s, but looking at what you can get with just a tune on a 550, I assumed there was no reason to spend the extra on an amg and I was absolutely correct.

vincheung

cf, im not sure about the tq limiting, just basing things on reading and err-ing on the safe side.

vinflouen

One fun thing about tuning these (4.0 tt) is you can actually hear the waste gate air, its a more refined blow off valve sound

danmiles68

I just received the Renntech tune for my 2019 S560 and it feels just like the one I had on my 2015 S550. It makes driving these cars so much more fun!

Acworld34

Dang I missed out on the promo...

Jcat how is it driving since you had the tune? Highway ad City?

do you see a big jump in gas consumption?

jcat

It's been awesome. In comfort mode as long as you stay out of the pedal I wouldn't worry about my wife driving it, it drives just like a stock car. When you put your foot in it, and especially in sport mode, it's an animal.

Fuel wise, the only change I've seen is due to my foot wanting to jump on it now and then. Aside from that I think it's probably the same or maybe even doing better on fuel.

MBGuy2022

I know this is about RennTech and Weistec but has anyone considered https://mwmods.com/index.php/product...e-1-w222-s560/ by Most Wanted Mods?
It's $1,050 and claims 570HP and 592 ft-lb torque.
They also have the lowering module for $550 that allows custom lowering setting plus presets and can be done at any time through the dash and OBD connector.

jcat

those numbers are pretty similar to what RennTech and weistec advertise on the 4.0 cars.

I don’t have any experience with mw mods and won’t take anything away from them, these platforms are pretty well understood. I went with weistec and was considering RennTech or eurocharged for their reputations and my confidence level with how costly these cars can be if they go wrong. How much of the cost is for the name I don’t really know, but I can tell you the reputations are not for nothing, and my personal experience with weistec has been great.

loungn14

^ right on the money. The amount of garbage tunes and damaged cars we have seen are scary. Just stick to the big names and you will be fine. There seems to be no recourse for the one off tuners in case anything happens.

Weistec and RT are awesome and you can't go wrong there. Look for the deals and even ask for them directly. I know we all have some decent sales (we have a free tcu tune with ecu now) so sign up for the newsletters and grab those deals!

MBGuy2022

This is really what is going to make my decision between the 2 tunes discussed here.
.
RennTech Statement
.

• 50-State Street Legal RENNtech HHT
• The HHT for Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG, 4.0 L BiTurbo V8, M176 | 177 | 178, engines is EPA Emissions compliant and street legal in all 50 States.
• This product conforms to EPA Emission Standards and does not reduce effectiveness of your vehicles original pollution control systems.
• A CARB Executive Order was granted to the RENNtech HHT based on emission test results in the modified configuration, an examination of the On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II) system, and an engineering evaluation.

Weistec Statement - You have to check this box saying you agree to these terms when purchasing a HHT module
.

• This policy only applies to installers and/or users who are in the United States, customers who reside in other countries should act in accordance with their local laws and regulations.
• Not legal for sale or use on pollution controlled motor vehicles
• All performance modifications and installations are at the customer’s own risk. Weistec Engineering holds no responsibility either implied or otherwise for mechanical, electrical or other failure when using any aftermarket performance products.
• Some Weistec Engineering performance upgrades may solely be used on vehicles in sanctioned competition which may never be used upon a public road or highway, unless permitted by specific regulatory exemptions (such as a CARB E.O.).
• It is the responsibility of the installer and/or user of the product to ensure that it is used in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. If a product was purchased in error, do not install and/or use it. The purchaser must arrange to return the product(s) for a full refund.