Are W220 S65 mods worth it??
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Joined: Feb 2020
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S65
Are W220 S65 mods worth it??
I hear ECU tune wont do much for my W220 S65 1/4 mile times, then, will I see a change to 1/2 mile?
Also, what real world gains do I get with a TCU tune that only hold gears longer with neutral throttle?
Finaly, is rhe limited slip differential such a game changer? From some feedback I am getting, It feels this is the only change worth making...
Please share tour we experience wirh any or all this mods.
Also, what real world gains do I get with a TCU tune that only hold gears longer with neutral throttle?
Finaly, is rhe limited slip differential such a game changer? From some feedback I am getting, It feels this is the only change worth making...
Please share tour we experience wirh any or all this mods.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 810
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
I can only comment on my personal experience. I bought a new W220 S65 back in 2006. Drove it about 25,000 miles, then bought a tune from Eurocharged and drove it another 50,000 miles before selling it. The tune made a very obvious difference in the feel of the car, it was definitely making more power. I never did timed quarter miles but did some acceleration ramp runs to a marker point before and after. These were obviously imprecise but where the car was doing 75 it was after the tune about 3 to 5 mph faster.
After the tune the car was far more responsive to throttle movements, likely because the timing was advanced, it had an overall lighter feel. An unexpected benefit was a 2mpg improvement in highway fuel mileage, likely from a combination of timing advance and a very slight leaning of the fuel mixture. There was no change in non highway fuel mileage.
As far a traction, I changed to 255 front and 285 rear, up 10MM from the factory stock. This helped traction a bit with the right tire pressures. They fit on the stock S65 wheels.
I did not put in an LSD so I cannot comment but it would help in routine driving to minimize activation of the traction control. Not sure about 1/4 mile time improvements. I never did the TCU. If a TCU tune would raise the upshifts points about 300 RPM then it would be worth it.
I now have a W222 S65 and an R231 SL65. The SL has an LSD and it does make a difference but not as much as I hoped it would.The W222 S65 has the 7 speed and is rated 20 HP higher from the factory. Basically the factory W222 S65 is equal to the tuned W220.
I recommend you get the tune based on my personal experience.
After the tune the car was far more responsive to throttle movements, likely because the timing was advanced, it had an overall lighter feel. An unexpected benefit was a 2mpg improvement in highway fuel mileage, likely from a combination of timing advance and a very slight leaning of the fuel mixture. There was no change in non highway fuel mileage.
As far a traction, I changed to 255 front and 285 rear, up 10MM from the factory stock. This helped traction a bit with the right tire pressures. They fit on the stock S65 wheels.
I did not put in an LSD so I cannot comment but it would help in routine driving to minimize activation of the traction control. Not sure about 1/4 mile time improvements. I never did the TCU. If a TCU tune would raise the upshifts points about 300 RPM then it would be worth it.
I now have a W222 S65 and an R231 SL65. The SL has an LSD and it does make a difference but not as much as I hoped it would.The W222 S65 has the 7 speed and is rated 20 HP higher from the factory. Basically the factory W222 S65 is equal to the tuned W220.
I recommend you get the tune based on my personal experience.
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
S65
I can only comment on my personal experience. I bought a new W220 S65 back in 2006. Drove it about 25,000 miles, then bought a tune from Eurocharged and drove it another 50,000 miles before selling it. The tune made a very obvious difference in the feel of the car, it was definitely making more power. I never did timed quarter miles but did some acceleration ramp runs to a marker point before and after. These were obviously imprecise but where the car was doing 75 it was after the tune about 3 to 5 mph faster.
After the tune the car was far more responsive to throttle movements, likely because the timing was advanced, it had an overall lighter feel. An unexpected benefit was a 2mpg improvement in highway fuel mileage, likely from a combination of timing advance and a very slight leaning of the fuel mixture. There was no change in non highway fuel mileage.
As far a traction, I changed to 255 front and 285 rear, up 10MM from the factory stock. This helped traction a bit with the right tire pressures. They fit on the stock S65 wheels.
I did not put in an LSD so I cannot comment but it would help in routine driving to minimize activation of the traction control. Not sure about 1/4 mile time improvements. I never did the TCU. If a TCU tune would raise the upshifts points about 300 RPM then it would be worth it.
I now have a W222 S65 and an R231 SL65. The SL has an LSD and it does make a difference but not as much as I hoped it would.The W222 S65 has the 7 speed and is rated 20 HP higher from the factory. Basically the factory W222 S65 is equal to the tuned W220.
I recommend you get the tune based on my personal experience.
After the tune the car was far more responsive to throttle movements, likely because the timing was advanced, it had an overall lighter feel. An unexpected benefit was a 2mpg improvement in highway fuel mileage, likely from a combination of timing advance and a very slight leaning of the fuel mixture. There was no change in non highway fuel mileage.
As far a traction, I changed to 255 front and 285 rear, up 10MM from the factory stock. This helped traction a bit with the right tire pressures. They fit on the stock S65 wheels.
I did not put in an LSD so I cannot comment but it would help in routine driving to minimize activation of the traction control. Not sure about 1/4 mile time improvements. I never did the TCU. If a TCU tune would raise the upshifts points about 300 RPM then it would be worth it.
I now have a W222 S65 and an R231 SL65. The SL has an LSD and it does make a difference but not as much as I hoped it would.The W222 S65 has the 7 speed and is rated 20 HP higher from the factory. Basically the factory W222 S65 is equal to the tuned W220.
I recommend you get the tune based on my personal experience.
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Joined: May 2013
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2015 S65 AMG
it depends on what you enjoy, my 220 S65 put down 600whp and 833wtq and shocks alot of people. when i sit and think about how much i spent it doesn't seem worth it at all, but than i go for a drive and the thing makes my jaw drop and in that instant i would 100% do it all again. what sucks is the super limited aftermarket for 65 amg cars, my 222 has zero downpipe options available for example. hope that helps
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
S65
it depends on what you enjoy, my 220 S65 put down 600whp and 833wtq and shocks alot of people. when i sit and think about how much i spent it doesn't seem worth it at all, but than i go for a drive and the thing makes my jaw drop and in that instant i would 100% do it all again. what sucks is the super limited aftermarket for 65 amg cars, my 222 has zero downpipe options available for example. hope that helps
