Dealership flashed my ECU - MBWorld.org Forums

Mar 24, 2009 | 02:29 PM

jjomaa

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 13

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2011 ML63 2013 SL63

Dealership flashed my ECU

I recently had my car tuned through powerchip back in Oct of 08'. I took my car to the dealship last week and they reflashed my ECU and TCU. Is my powerchip tune gone now??

Mar 24, 2009 | 02:31 PM

James@ACG

Banned

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 1,694

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From: San Diego, CA

07 RS4 sold, R53 Cooper S, 2008 Cayman S, 2012 GTR

yes most likely it is.

Mar 24, 2009 | 02:51 PM

jrcart

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Joined: Jan 2008

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From: Naperville, IL/Chicago

2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series

Ya, it's most likely long gone. Don't quote me on this, but I believe Powerchip does "upgrade" tunes for customers for something like $100-$200, at least I think that is what evosport offers. I would contact whoever you purchased the tune from and explain your situation. Powerchip/evosport recently (last week) reflashed an updated tune on my car with Powerchips most up to date 63 tune. I'm sure Powerchip will work something out for you, they jumped through hoops for me.

Be careful in the future when you bring your car in for service, try to establish a good relationship with your service manager (bribes and X-mas gifts don't hurt) and feel him out (not literally LOL) to see if he is a mod friendly guy, maybe bring up the fact that you are thinking about putting a tune on your car and ask his opinion, you should be able to read his response, if you feel he cool with it then let him know about your ECU tune on your next visit and they can be careful not to plug you in for updates during your service visits.

Last edited by jrcart; Mar 24, 2009 at 02:53 PM.

Mar 24, 2009 | 02:54 PM

shardul

Former Vendor of MBWorld

iTrader: (1)

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 12,139

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From: Houston

2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600

VRP had an update tune for my car which they did for free.

Mar 24, 2009 | 02:56 PM

jangy

Out Of Control!!

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 13,394

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From: San Diego

2015 S212

Honestly, I like getting all updates and flashes done to my car. I hate the idea of being on an '03 ECU tune in 2009.

Get with Powerchip, they will simply flash you with the latest.

Mar 24, 2009 | 03:00 PM

otoupalik

MBWorld Founder

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 2,599

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From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)

What JRCart wrote is pretty much right on the money. Contact your tuner (the one you bought the Powerchip from) and they can take care of you with whatever options you may have.

Typically there is a minimal re-flash fee (covers the labor that Powerchip has to put into each DME flash). Typically the reflash fee is $100.

The advice to always notate with the dealer to NOT touch the ECU without specifically getting your permission is a good one.

thanks
brad

Mar 25, 2009 | 06:11 AM

Wryfox

Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 187

Likes: 0

From: Daytona Beach

2004 E55 AMG

My dealer has a policy of not touching the ECU, ever. They have experienced the customer tune issue. They said they won't touch it even if the MB computer tells them to do an upgrade during service. They are good guys who understand our community. IN fact, most of the guys in service dept are gun club shooters like me and racers to boot. One is a pro dirt track racer. I love Daytona!

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Mar 25, 2009 | 09:09 AM

CWW

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Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,517

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From: Daytona, Florida

SL600

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wryfox

Ah a fellow Daytona peep! I'm amazed that you're happy with MBDB. The head tech is a great guy, no doubt, and the sales guys are also nice.

But the rest of them, from Pelchen right on down, and including Iafonte, leave a lot to be desired. They're nice enough when everything goes o.k., but if you ever have a problem with something they've done, or if they ever screw something up, then be prepared to be horrified at the way you're treated.

Some jr. tech accidentally busted the retaining tabs off a xenon headlight on my car, and they tried sixteen different ways to weasel out of fixing it. They only did the right thing after I had drafted the small claims suit I was going to file the next day and sent them a copy.

Then I have a buddy who had a CLS55 (another member of this forum) who got essentially blackmailed when they phucked up his car. Even though it was completely their screwup, they told him they had decided they weren't going to fix it, and that if he had a problem with it then they would have to follow MB guidelines and Status 8 the car, even though they'd never said a word about it before! They had been working on the already-modded car for the whole time he owned it, and only threatened Status 8 when he wanted them to stand behind their screwup. Nice customer service there.

In my experience when push comes to shove, they are just shady people. If you're modded and going there, you really should be sleeping with one eye open.

For anything non-warranty related, you really want to go to Vic at B.A.C. Automotive on Beach Street (used to be European Auto Works on Mason Ave). He really knows what he's doing, is very reasonable (1/4 of the cost of the dealer), and stands behind his work.