Why is the Brabus E55 performance package is so expensive? Their ECU and pulley kit with a really cool red engine cover is $15K installed. You can get the Kleeman K2 upgrade which includes ECU, pulleys + headers for around $9K installed. The Brabus boasts 530 Hp while the Kleeman K2 package is 580 Hp. Anybody want to weigh in on this?

 

It's all about name and status symbol. Similiar to saying would you drive across the country in a Ferrari Enzo or pinto. Both get you to the final destination but in a different way.

 

why not throw Evosport and Renntek in there as well? Name brands aside, which performance packages would you guys use from these four vendors?

Do some offer to make the modifications and keep your existing warranty intact through them?

 

Are you saying Brabus is the Ferrari and Kleeman is the Pinto? I thought that Kleeman had a terrific reputation. Do you feel Brabus is a superior product? Or is it just the label/brand? or both?

 

I would love to hear what people think about each of these companies. My research shows that Evosport and Kleeman are the only ones that offer a stage 2 solution that includes headers. Renntech and Brabus don't offer the headers. In fact, Brabus told me that if I wanted the extra Hp I should install the Kleeman headers with their mod. However, it seems to make sense to keep it all from one company being that the parts would be designed to work together. Kleeman and Evosport specially optimize the ECU to work with the headers. Also, EvoSport and Kleemans stage 2 is around $8k - $9K respectively installed and the Brabus w/o Kleeman Headers would be $15K installed and give you 30-40 less Hp. However, posting bigger Hp gains is one thing, but I want to hear from owners who actually did the mods to see what they think.

 

To the best of my knowledge there are only a handful...if that...that have the stage 2 done. (Stage 2 being the ecu, pulley, and the headers) There are plenty of people who have the stage 1 but I do not know of too many people with the stage 2. I am a stage 0...stock ...but I plan on being a stage 2 by sometime next year. I would have given ya a clear answer if you asked a couple months down the line ...good luck in finding what you need to know...

 

Thanks for the insight. Does anyone want to chime in on this?

If you are reading this thread I have made it straight forward to cast yor vote. The pricing below is with estimated installation by a shop.

A. Brabus ECU + Pulleys, $15K, 530 Hp
B. Kleemans ECU + Pulleys, $4K, 540 Hp
C Evosport ECU + Pulleys, $4K, 550 Hp
D. Renntech ECU + Pulleys, $6K, 509 Hp
E. Kleeman ECU + Pulleys + Headers, $9K, 580 Hp
F. Evosport ECU + Pulleys + Headers, $8K, 580 Hp

I am sure that there are other more elaborate mods, but these seem to be the most popular. Please vote and give the reason for your choice. Thanks

 

Go with Kleemann! I have their product and it ROCKS! Won't be dissappointed. Hoping to be S8 by this year.

 

What is included in a stage 8? Do you really have to make me look that bad next to you mang???

Ish koo...I'll jus save up and catch wit ya sometime mid next year. Then we will see who is "faster"

OR

I can run you in my brother's car

 

I will take either E or F...Or better yet I will be the guinea pig for the EVOIV. Or a possible EVOV???

 

Stage 8 includes headers/downpipes, lsd,cams, ecu and some other i can't remember.. . Look bad? You're the one with the WALD kit and the surprise 19"s (which i'm still waiting to know what they are.. ) so who's lookin bad now? I'll take that R33 once S8 is done! :p

 

B or C to begin with. Both are good mods to the car, but don't seem so intrusive as to void warranty. i think if i went with stage 2, i'd go straight to stage 3.

Gareth

Is there any correlation formula people would have for new 0-60 time with these stages? Has anyone run any tests?

 

The S8 reference above I believe is to the Audi model S8, not Stage 8.

Which is better you guys, Evosport or Kleemann? Evosport seems to be the up and coming one and Kleemann the established one.

 

The S8 i was referring to is the Stage 8.

 

You sure about that??? Cause yer E55 won't be the only one with a couple goodies under the hood... ...

Hey James does the headers come with the downpipes for Kleeman or is the downpipes extra??? Is there a way you can find out for me on my car? Cause I am pretty dayam sure that the downpipes will be a must have along with the headers...thanks in advance...

 

As long as you're not using a T88H or GT3540 turbos then i'm good! :p

Not sure for the 211 but i belive mine does come with it. I'll let ya know.

 

I would personally go for the kleeman kit (F) because it has an approved dealers all over the world. but then again I would ask which tuning company offers warranty on their stuff and which company will not void my warranty with Mercedes if that was even possible (ex. dinan for BMW)

 

I just got off the phone with Kleemens and the headers include downpipes. The only downside to these headers is you need to do some welding where the Evosport headers are simple bolt on (no downpipes). Anyhow, I have lost my mind and I am going with the Kleemen K3 Package; ECU + pulley + headers + camshafts, 610 hp for $10,400 before install. I also decided to go with the Lowering Module and LSD. I will post pics and dyno when its all done in first week of Dec. Thanks for everyone's input. Please keep posting any addtional insight you have and wish me luck.

 

3 words: You-are-crazy...3 more: I-am-jealous

 

Rev,

Who is doing your Stage 3 work and what performance have they quoted you? I'm also looking into Stage 3 and just asked for Dyno results today (from Colo Springs). Good luck and keep us all posted.

 

I have Kleemann stage 2 and am having the LSD installed as we speak. My results have not been good thus far with only minimal performance gains (.04 seconds) but they are working with me. They have re-done the ecu so we'll see this weekend when I get it back and take it to the track.

 

If the K-3 package is consisted of ecu - pulley - headers - cams. what is the kit called without the cams? Because I always thought that the Kleemann's stage 3 was everything listed above without the cams???

 

Rev It Up & DerekFSU

just re-read this thread. any good news? we'd like to hear them!

Korv

 

[QUOTE=korveine]Rev It Up & DerekFSU

just re-read this thread. any good news? we'd like to hear them!


I got my car in October and the first thing I did was brought it in for the K2. I love the car and the mod. The car is absolutley awesome with the K2; ECU, Pulley and Headers. I had terrific results on the Dyno and the power increase is unbelievable. I am getting 501.2 hp and 560.3 torque at the wheels. I have not got my car to the track like DerekFSU, but will be there first thing once the spring rolls around. Can't wait.

The K2 makes the car come out of the gate much quicker and meaner with a subtle decibel increase from the headers. I think this is attributed to the downpipes and removing a couple of cats. The car feels like it has an unlimited amount of extra power on tap no matter what speed you are cruising.

How do you post pictures? Let me know and I will post one of my car and the dyno results.

 

WOW that is truly AWESOME!!

just re-read the other thread and appears that 2nd ECU program from Kleemann had given improved performance for DerekFSU.

Thanks for the good news!

hmm haven't tried posting a pic tho... seems there is a "Insert Image" button, but it appears need to link off of another URL (?)

Korv