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Agree, topic is software. Yet you site Homey dude and hardware elixir as a comparison? Did he offer a software upgrade,too? Please stay on topic. Software. To update or not to update that is the question. (Sorry if that sounded like a dude named Shakespeare.). Please enlighten us on your methodology. Do you have a decision matrix or something to share?
No ,”my SA at my dealer “ has never upsold me on anything. I avoid them for obvious reasons to DIY and good Indy’s types like most of us here. Parts only in emergencies at “my dealer”.
The OP states he writes code but not an R230 owner? Which, presents a compelling case to ask further questions.
Would a MB tech recommend something like this if your car isn’t acting up?
If my car has been to an Indy or dealer for repairs in last Couple years wouldn’t this have been already been adjusted?
Wouldn’t a car that isn’t 100 % stock be damaged by certain ECU Updates or resets?
What actual benefits is there to updating a 15 yr old car that already runs fine and could cause you to perform expensive repairs or cause failure to aging parts?
Why would a non MB privateer code writer recommends you to use a potentially hazardous hack?
FWIW; A very small % may benefit from aforementioned updates if you haven’t had repairs done in the past 5-10 yrs.
Hmm, ask yourself why should the remaining 95% owners have this(ah-hemm, what’s it cost?) update performed?
Hopefully your answers will be in the black
Agree, topic is software. Yet you site Homey dude and hardware elixir as a comparison?
The hardware aspect of my little tale is completely immaterial. The point was to illustrate how inaccurate one's perception of power can be, e.g. a "butt dyno", and the power of the Placebo Effect. It's the same be it software or hardware.
I used to work at Bosch and have contacts who do not know but could find out about that revision you made to your engine ECU. It's probably too much for any of them to be bothered with, but if you provide me with the firmware version of your update, I'll see what I can find out and report back to this thread.
Originally Posted by Hary Gahtoe
Why would a non MB privateer code writer recommends you to use a potentially hazardous hack?
Pure and simple: $$$.
Last edited by bobterry99; 07-01-2020 at 06:20 AM.
The OP states he writes code but not an R230 owner? Which, presents a compelling case to ask further questions.
Would a MB tech recommend something like this if your car isn’t acting up?
If my car has been to an Indy or dealer for repairs in last Couple years wouldn’t this have been already been adjusted?
Wouldn’t a car that isn’t 100 % stock be damaged by certain ECU Updates or resets?
What actual benefits is there to updating a 15 yr old car that already runs fine and could cause you to perform expensive repairs or cause failure to aging parts?
Why would a non MB privateer code writer recommends you to use a potentially hazardous hack?
FWIW; A very small % may benefit from aforementioned updates if you haven’t had repairs done in the past 5-10 yrs.
Hmm, ask yourself why should the remaining 95% owners have this(ah-hemm, what’s it cost?) update performed?
Hopefully your answers will be in the black
Good Luck
1) the updates are supposed to fix things and make the functionality better
2) Updating is something that is not charged for normally. dealers rules "no complaint" "no TSB" = no upgrade Many Indys are not aware or don't have the software needed
Just a sample of a few TSB's no need to discuss that you car doesn't need it, that this is for xxxx or old
No need to discuss that your car does not have one of these problems.
maybe it has been upgraded or maybe like when your car was delivered, the problem did not appear yet.....
These are some 2005 R230 SL550 samples, I picked out 4 out of 10-15
every next version includes the past update fix of course
Do not forget the the same year's production can have 2 different version of the same module installed as the hardware also updated as you can verify in EPC
You can sometimes find up to 5-6 different part numbers for the same module with the mention "replaced by" Newer versions always contain the firmware fixed created before it's release
example here:
There is no hazardous hack these are official updates
Only thing I notice is that the only people criticizing this are those who didn't upgrade and that those who have it are amazed.
Now the loss of HP with engine ecu upgrade is a sort of myth with Gas engines but very often true with Diesel. You can image why "the big diesel lie"
These are some 2005 R230 SL550 samples, I picked out 4 out of 10-15
Actually you only picked out 3, since the 4th was instructions. Anyhow, note that 2 of the 3 samples relate to the 722.9 transmission, and that is the one ECU which I mentioned I would likely update. Definitely so if I was less than satisfied with its performance.
Originally Posted by pmercury
Now the loss of HP with engine ecu upgrade is a sort of myth with Gas engines...
Surely you aren't suggesting the M120 loss of horsepower is a myth, are you? Or for that matter the M119 engine between model years 1992 and 1993 losing 7 horsepower allegedly for the same reason as the M120?
Incidentally, that first sample applies to the R230's SL55 engine, not the SL550.
Last edited by bobterry99; 07-01-2020 at 06:36 AM.
We are not talking about stone age pre-DAS pre-Xentry vehicules here
I said: Just a sample of a few TSB's no need to discuss that you car doesn't need it, that this is for xxxx or old
No need to discuss that your car does not have one of these problems.
maybe it has been upgraded or maybe like when your car was delivered, the problem did not appear yet.....
Peter, in each of your samples the firmware update is addressing an obvious problem. If you have examples where the benefit is not obvious, those would be interesting to see.
Peter, in each of your samples the firmware update is addressing an obvious problem. If you have examples where the benefit is not obvious, those would be interesting to see.
I did not have any negative feedback, I always ask if the owner wants to attempt updates and they are 100% very happy to amazed
It feels strange to me that some here tell these people here on the board that it's just their imagination especially when you never did any upgrade
It is not very constructive nor polite
2/3 SL's I did could be upgraded from 2 up to 5 modules sometimes and 100% positive feedback. this is a fact
I don't have to search for a example where the benefit is not obvious, i am not aware of any and I rarely work on diesel. If you find any that you applied, post it
test it out yourself, then if you have proof that it has made your car worse or no effect, come back and post the facts
Oh, but you are wrong. I've done an upgrade. It was to the engine ECU of a 2003 SL500 in the fall of 2011. I expected no change, I noticed no change.
Please explain how it is possible to prove there is no effect. It isn't.
I don't believe that, who believes that you remember that you updated a car in 2011
I barely remember where I was 9 years ago
you don't have the updated database for that on your old system. Then why would you have updated the engine ecu only......
Then, what update version, most of the time there are 4-16 revisions
We are talking about the latest updates that are triggered by the automated Xentry systems
please stop arguing like that, find a member that can do a upgrade, get screenshots with the update page where the version shows, then let him post what he thinks about it
I don't believe that, you don't have the updated database for that on your old system.
Since you do not know the date of my database, how can you know if it is the most recent? In point of fact, my database is dated 2014. The last revision to the ME2.8 engine ECU occurred in 2008. So inarguably I updated my car to the latest.
Since you do not know the date of my database, how can you know if it is the most recent? In point of fact, my database is dated 2014. The last revision to the ME2.8 engine ECU occurred in 2008. So inarguably I updated my car to the latest.
Ok take your system, connect to your car, make a screenshot of the update page telling you that there is not update
then a screenshot or picture of the ME2.8 info page where it shows hardware and software with your vin all full screen please
post it here and I will lookup for you
15 minutes should be enough for this
I am waiting
Ok take your system, connect to your car, make a screenshot of the update page telling you that there is not update
You are referring to the car I updated in 2011. I sold that car to a friend last summer after I bought my SL55. But what I can do is show the forum a different '03 '500 I own which I suppose has its original firmware, and as an experiment I can update it to the latest revision if it will demonstrate something of value to the forum.
Originally Posted by pmercury
I think enough has been said here to make up your mind
There is just one thing left unsaid: Anyone who posted to this thread who stands to gain financially by a member deciding to update firmware should now state so.
What actual benefits is there to updating a 15 yr old car that already runs fine...
As far as I can discern, if your vehicle is operating fine and you have no warning lights, then there are no material benefits. If there is an update which will demonstrably enhance my enjoyment of my SL55, then I am eager to learn about it.
The OP states he writes code but not an R230 owner? Which, presents a compelling case to ask further questions.
How so?
Not related to this particular thread but many members participate across several model forums wether they own(ed) a specific car or not. This is normal and I would encourage this. This is a Mercedes enthusiast forum after all.
While a non-owner may not experience certain issues (let's say folding hard top problems) there are a lot of technologies spanning across models (engine, transmission, ABC, Comand, etc.) and that knowledge easily transfers across.
.... If there is an update which will demonstrably enhance my enjoyment of my SL55, then I am eager to learn about it.
Yes, there is!!! Get an ECU and TCU tune from one of the well-known tuners, and I promise you - your enjoyment will be enhanced. After I flashed my SL55 at home - the difference was immediately obvious.
Yes, there is!!! Get an ECU and TCU tune from one of the well-known tuners...
A company called Pressertech performs tunes, and they are local to me. There's also the option of choosing from a variety of smaller pulleys which make the supercharger spin faster.
If someone knows how to get rid of the line below this text, please send a PM with instructions.
I can only speak for my SL550, M273 engine all standard equipment. I am happy with my "butt dyno" telling me its more fun to drive after doing the DIY work. SL55s could be a whole different world. Perhaps you should start a thread in the AMG forum if you are really that eager to learn about software and your SL55 instead of bombing this one.
Perhaps you should start a thread in the AMG forum if you are really that eager to learn about software and your SL55 instead of bombing this one.
Whoa! Someone's got a bustle in their hedgerow!
No need to start a thread on the AMG forum. Performance upgrades by way of both software and hardware have been discussed ad nauseum, and I have already invested hours surveying the options.
We are not talking about stone age pre-DAS pre-Xentry vehicules here
I said: Just a sample of a few TSB's no need to discuss that you car doesn't need it, that this is for xxxx or old
No need to discuss that your car does not have one of these problems.
maybe it has been upgraded or maybe like when your car was delivered, the problem did not appear yet.....
please read before you modify your posts
plus here a case on ABC update
I wouldn't call 2007, 09 & 2011 a "current" update and any dealer worth their salt would have applied those 9 to what 13 years ago?
I thought you were talking a "Current" update Like > 6 months to a year.
Those ^ updates would be useless on a car that has had proper service care. I don't know who'd wait 13 years to ask for service repairs.
Or for that matter the M119 engine between model years 1992 and 1993 losing 7 horsepower allegedly for the same reason as the M120?
The 7 horses gone lost due the change from KE to LH injection. Later model of the M120 got back their horses. Not at the paper, but in the wild. It is a piece of software, only, and fuel enrichment was back again.
The 7 horses gone lost due the change from KE to LH injection. Later model of the M120 got back their horses.
The U.S. M120 never got back the 7 HP. And according to a British mechanical engineer on the "other" forum, the LH injection eliminated full throttle enrichment which the KE injection had. This makes sense, because all else being equal you'd expect LH to make more horsepower because (a) more precise control of fuel mixture, and (b) an air mass/flow sensor that is less restrictive to the flow of air; i.e., a fine wire vs. a plate.
Until Peter or someone can offer conclusive evidence otherwise, apart from the 722.9 tranny controller there seems to be no point in updating a car that has no fault indicators.
06-30-2020, 06:45 PM
After I flashed my SL55 at home - the difference was immediately obvious. 
