S55 AMG, S65 AMG , S63 AMG (W220, W221) 2001 - 2013 (Two Generations)

New 2006 S65 Owner. Can use advice for mods

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Old Jun 19, 2010 | 12:39 AM
  #1  
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2008 ML350 1987 Buick GN 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 2006 Mercedes S65
New 2006 S65 Owner. Can use advice for mods

Hi Everyone! I am a new 2006 S65 owner and I am looking at beginning to mod this vehicle. I have done a search on this forum and found a large amount of good information. But I have a few questions. Everyone is telling me to do a ECU mod and that I can see gains from 80hp/85tq to 80hp/130tq. I would like to keep this car as a daily driver so I would like some dependability. My first question is who makes or tunes these ECM's and what kind of power do they produce on an average (ie Renntech makes 80hp/85tq and Kleeman makes 70hp/90tq). I would also like recommendations on what else to upgrade to get better performance. TCU upgrades, intercooler pump upgrades w/ p/n's, etc. Thanks in advance guys!

P.S. Im in the San Diego area so if anyone is close by let me know!
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Old Jun 19, 2010 | 02:45 AM
  #2  
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Originally Posted by mbelite1
Hi Everyone! I am a new 2006 S65 owner and I am looking at beginning to mod this vehicle. I have done a search on this forum and found a large amount of good information. But I have a few questions. Everyone is telling me to do a ECU mod and that I can see gains from 80hp/85tq to 80hp/130tq. I would like to keep this car as a daily driver so I would like some dependability. My first question is who makes or tunes these ECM's and what kind of power do they produce on an average (ie Renntech makes 80hp/85tq and Kleeman makes 70hp/90tq). I would also like recommendations on what else to upgrade to get better performance. TCU upgrades, intercooler pump upgrades w/ p/n's, etc. Thanks in advance guys!

P.S. Im in the San Diego area so if anyone is close by let me know!
I would go speedriven, just ask around, they are building some of the fastest V12's around. Their tune is reliable and many of the V12 guys are using their tune, price is very affordable as well. if you want any more info send me a PM.

A simple ECU, TCU and intercooler pump upgrade would make you golden. If you want to take it a step further, upgrade intercoolers (the ones sitting on top of the engine) and you should see close to 800 HP, I used to have one CL65 that was daily driven with this package.
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Old Jun 20, 2010 | 05:32 PM
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2008 ML350 1987 Buick GN 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 2006 Mercedes S65
Do they have a website and do you have a link? Very interested. Also, any other companies to consider? Co they make hand held programmers so you can change tunes on the car (ie performance, stock, emission, valet, etc?) thanks bro!
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 07:18 AM
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2006 s65. Ford Excursion 6.0. Pontiac GTO convertible. Porsche 944 Turbo SCCA car. Wife-E550 and 968
Originally Posted by mbelite1
Do they have a website and do you have a link? Very interested. Also, any other companies to consider? Co they make hand held programmers so you can change tunes on the car (ie performance, stock, emission, valet, etc?) thanks bro!
renntech makes a handheld programmer for the 06. it costs a lot, though... like 4k with software. If you have a cpo, though, it is fairly helpful so you can flash back to stock. I haven't done it yet, but I did have CCW make me a set of custom 18 rear wheels for drag radials. They dont match perfectly, but they have the correct offsets, which are extremely difficult to find. I don't drive around with them on all the time. IMHO, stickier rear rubber should be a very early mod, if not the first mod, because otherwise you'll spin whenever you hit the gas below 45. Z
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 07:45 AM
  #5  
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S65 & 996TT
Aftermarket warranty is the best mod for this car.

I just used mine for the first time. The bill would have been $6500. Instead, it was my $100 deductible.
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 06:45 PM
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2006 s65. Ford Excursion 6.0. Pontiac GTO convertible. Porsche 944 Turbo SCCA car. Wife-E550 and 968
Originally Posted by monabaker
Aftermarket warranty is the best mod for this car.

I just used mine for the first time. The bill would have been $6500. Instead, it was my $100 deductible.
amen. Still under factory, but had a CEL, new plugs and ignition pack were free. MB quote was like 1800$ for plugs and 1400 for ignition pack. Also had a leak in the ABC and rear strut was creaking, woulda been like 4500 to fix.
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 07:16 PM
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It still amazes me that people buy an already powerful S65 and immediately look for ways to add more power, sadly at the risk of throwing that magical thing called "balance" out the window.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 12:10 AM
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2008 ML350 1987 Buick GN 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 2006 Mercedes S65
Originally Posted by Corsa9000
It still amazes me that people buy an already powerful S65 and immediately look for ways to add more power, sadly at the risk of throwing that magical thing called "balance" out the window.
Well when you're used to fast cars, the S65 does not feel that fast. And when you have a faster car with half the cylinders and half the turbos getting 22mpg, you know there is a lot more that the 65 can do. I didnt buy this car cause its "fast" I bought it because it wont take much to make it faster.

And to those with the good aftermarket warranty companies, what is the name of the company? Any websites? Thanks
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by mbelite1
Do they have a website and do you have a link? Very interested. Also, any other companies to consider? Co they make hand held programmers so you can change tunes on the car (ie performance, stock, emission, valet, etc?) thanks bro!
You have PM.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 11:17 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by mbelite1
Well when you're used to fast cars, the S65 does not feel that fast. And when you have a faster car with half the cylinders and half the turbos getting 22mpg, you know there is a lot more that the 65 can do. I didnt buy this car cause its "fast" I bought it because it wont take much to make it faster.

And to those with the good aftermarket warranty companies, what is the name of the company? Any websites? Thanks

Sounds like a Supra owner
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 02:03 PM
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MBlite1,

I know you seek more power in your new S65, what I am not sure about is your application. Do you plan on racing (drag strip or track) the car or do you want even more power for street use?
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 03:51 PM
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2008 ML350 1987 Buick GN 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 2006 Mercedes S65
I plan on making a few passes on the track. I don't street race or anything, far from that (the wife who will be driving this car is a Sheriff) but I like the feel of power and it being there on tap. The car we mainly race now is an '87 Buick GN (no Supra here). So comparing the V12 bi-turbo to a GN, I expect a little more from the Mercedes. I would like to get into the low 11's then stop there. Just trying to figure out the best way to get there. And Im assuming most of you guys have already modded your vehicles some I'm looking for advice. Thanks guys!
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 04:11 PM
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Your Buick like other American muscle cars is only a straight line performer. I think the main reason most of us are attracted to German cars is the overall balance, control, handling and performance. A balanced car goes fast straight and it can also turn left and right and brake.

Back to my original post, a big increase in power without consideration for other aspects of the car will change the intended characteristic of the your new AMG.

Anyway, have fun with your mods.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Zax63
renntech makes a handheld programmer for the 06. it costs a lot, though... like 4k with software. If you have a cpo, though, it is fairly helpful so you can flash back to stock. I haven't done it yet, but I did have CCW make me a set of custom 18 rear wheels for drag radials. They dont match perfectly, but they have the correct offsets, which are extremely difficult to find. I don't drive around with them on all the time. IMHO, stickier rear rubber should be a very early mod, if not the first mod, because otherwise you'll spin whenever you hit the gas below 45. Z
x2renntech is gtg with the tuning stuff.
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Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:43 AM
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Look into the Renntech suspension mods on their website. Specially the lowering module
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Old Jul 2, 2010 | 06:20 AM
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szfsg
Well if you have a CPO, but it is very useful, you can flash back in stock. I have not yet done, but I had CCW me a set of 18 custom wheels for drag radial rear. They do not match perfectly, but they are right to say that the gaps are very difficult to find. I can not run with them at any time. IMHO, slow rear blade must be very soon, if not the first cons, otherwise you turn when you press the gas during the 45th.
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Old Jul 2, 2010 | 05:58 PM
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2006 s65. Ford Excursion 6.0. Pontiac GTO convertible. Porsche 944 Turbo SCCA car. Wife-E550 and 968
that last post seems strange. uses much of the wording from one of my previous posts...
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Old Jul 2, 2010 | 08:02 PM
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2006 CL65
Originally Posted by mbelite1
Hi Everyone! I am a new 2006 S65 owner and I am looking at beginning to mod this vehicle. I have done a search on this forum and found a large amount of good information. But I have a few questions. Everyone is telling me to do a ECU mod and that I can see gains from 80hp/85tq to 80hp/130tq. I would like to keep this car as a daily driver so I would like some dependability. My first question is who makes or tunes these ECM's and what kind of power do they produce on an average (ie Renntech makes 80hp/85tq and Kleeman makes 70hp/90tq). I would also like recommendations on what else to upgrade to get better performance. TCU upgrades, intercooler pump upgrades w/ p/n's, etc. Thanks in advance guys!

P.S. Im in the San Diego area so if anyone is close by let me know!
Congratulations.

I'm on my third 65 (an S65 and 2 CL65s) and have nothing but praise for the work Renntech has done on my cars. Immense power increase while maintaining or improving driveability. In addition, I had an E55 back in 03 and had great experience with Renntech relative to that car as well.

Good luck with your car.
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