ECU tunes and dealer ECU updates

Apr 1, 2016 | 03:53 PM

1809

Thread Starter

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Joined: Feb 2016

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2014 E63 AMG S

ECU tunes and dealer ECU updates

Some noob questions:

1. Those of you with tunes, have you run into issues with having them reset by dealer ECU updates?
2. How often do dealer ECU updates occur? Is it something that I would have to be overly concerned with when taking the car in for regular maintenance?

Apr 1, 2016 | 04:00 PM

johnnyblaze

Super Member

Joined: Apr 2009

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From: Orange County CA

CLS63S

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1809

1. I doubt the dealer would notice anything unless the issue was specifically caused by the tune. In that case they could tell because of the way the ecu is opened by the tuning company (drilled/slotted then painted).

2. I would venture to say that dealers only do updates if advised by a technical service bulletin, which is pretty rare. Usually they only do those updates is if your car is experiencing the problem that is listed in the TSB.
For maintenance I wouldn't worry about it, for drivetrain problems that relate to transmissions or motor, i would advise reflashing stock. Some people buy a second ECU (remanufactured ECU's are $800-$1000) and have the tune on that and keep their stock one, stock. Swap when necessary.

Apr 1, 2016 | 04:14 PM

2012 CCB E63

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2012 E63

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyblaze

Some people buy a second ECU (remanufactured ECU's are $800-$1000) and have the tune on that and keep their stock one, stock. Swap when necessary.

Are you sure this is possible? I was under the assumption this was NOT feasible, something about MB master computer wouldn't allow 2 ECU's to be assigned to 1 vin #.

Apr 1, 2016 | 04:33 PM

johnnyblaze

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From: Orange County CA

CLS63S

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012 CCB E63

Are you sure this is possible? I was under the assumption this was NOT feasible, something about MB master computer wouldn't allow 2 ECU's to be assigned to 1 vin #.

When I spoke to my tuner they said they had done this before with an MS109 tune on a separate ECU. Street tune on one and MS109 on another. I will verify Monday.

Apr 1, 2016 | 04:34 PM

gaspam

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From: miami / delray beach

2014 E63s amg 4matic, 2009 C63, 2006 E55 AMG , 2001.5 AUDI S4 stg 3+ w/meth

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012 CCB E63

Are you sure this is possible? I was under the assumption this was NOT feasible, something about MB master computer wouldn't allow 2 ECU's to be assigned to 1 vin #.

this is true for newer benz's from what i heard as member oversea's was planning on having a separate ECU for race only setup and it wouldnt work for vin reason you mentioned

Apr 1, 2016 | 04:36 PM

2012 CCB E63

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2012 E63

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyblaze

When I spoke to my tuner they said they had done this before with an MS109 tune on a separate ECU. Street tune on one and MS109 on another. I will verify Monday.

IF you can verify that would be super. That is EXACTLY what I wanted to do, but was told I couldn't...

Apr 1, 2016 | 04:48 PM

johnnyblaze

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Joined: Apr 2009

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From: Orange County CA

CLS63S

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaspam

this is true for newer benz's from what i heard as member oversea's was planning on having a separate ECU for race only setup and it wouldnt work for vin reason you mentioned

I know 12-13's are a different ECU than 14+. Might have something to do with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012 CCB E63

IF you can verify that would be super. That is EXACTLY what I wanted to do, but was told I couldn't...

I will check. But I know its not unheard of.

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Apr 1, 2016 | 04:57 PM

johnnyblaze

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Joined: Apr 2009

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From: Orange County CA

CLS63S

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaspam

yes it was on a 2014 e63 that they couldnt do it

Ah I just verified the information also, totally doable on a 12-13 but not on 14+.

Apr 1, 2016 | 05:03 PM

#10

1809

Thread Starter

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2014 E63 AMG S

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyblaze

Ah I just verified the information also, totally doable on a 12-13 but not on 14+.

So those of you with a 14+ E63, how do you deal with the possibility of getting the tune reset? Or is it something that you don't worry about since ECU updates happen so rarely?

Apr 1, 2016 | 05:06 PM

#11

gaspam

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From: miami / delray beach

2014 E63s amg 4matic, 2009 C63, 2006 E55 AMG , 2001.5 AUDI S4 stg 3+ w/meth

you have to have your tuner re-flash it... luckily for me renntech is not to far away and they do it in less than an hour while i wait

Apr 1, 2016 | 05:13 PM

#12

1809

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2014 E63 AMG S

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaspam

you have to have your tuner re-flash it... luckily for me renntech is not to far away and they do it in less than an hour while i wait

Does Renntech do this free of charge? Any other tuners provide this service?

Apr 1, 2016 | 09:59 PM

#13

2012 CCB E63

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2012 E63

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyblaze

Ah I just verified the information also, totally doable on a 12-13 but not on 14+.

Who is your tuner? I'd like to buy a ECU and tune for MS109.

Apr 1, 2016 | 10:15 PM

#14

2012 CCB E63

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2012 E63

This was the thread I read.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...57-engine.html

Apr 2, 2016 | 11:21 AM

#15

Ralcbah

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Joined: Apr 2016

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2018 E63S

Renntech will reflash for no charge if the dealership updates your software. Same boat as gaspam...hasn't happened since I had my car tuned, but if it did, I'd just drive to Renntech and have them help me out.

Not sure of other groups and their policy on this.

Apr 4, 2016 | 08:58 AM

#16

RENNtechHQ

Former Vendor of MBWorld

Joined: Feb 2014

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From: Stuart, FL

Mercedes-AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1809

Does Renntech do this free of charge? Any other tuners provide this service?

Correct, if you tuned your car with a RENNtech ECU Upgrade and we can verify the VIN Number, we will Re-Flash your ECU at no cost.

Apr 4, 2016 | 10:28 AM

#17

kponti

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E63

Quote:

Originally Posted by RENNtechHQ

Correct, if you tuned your car with a RENNtech ECU Upgrade and we can verify the VIN Number, we will Re-Flash your ECU at no cost.

What about to retune after a couple of months if you do more mods? Like adding exhaust?

Apr 4, 2016 | 10:35 AM

#18

RENNtechHQ

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From: Stuart, FL

Mercedes-AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by kponti

What about to retune after a couple of months if you do more mods? Like adding exhaust?

If you add further RENNtech Upgrades to your car, we won't charge a fee for the custom tune.

Jun 1, 2016 | 06:00 PM

#19

jackster371

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2016 C450

if I'm not mistaken that option is for 3 years, if you need reflashing beyond that , i was told an additional 2 years are 50% of the original cost. That info was given to me on site at their Stuart location,

Jul 30, 2016 | 08:32 PM

#20

ddtung

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Joined: Mar 2014

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Mercedes C200 CGI, CLS350, CLA45 AMG, AMG GTS(ordered)

I live in Hong Kong and each reflash by the tuner costs me at least a week's downtime, not to mention courier fees.

Plus the benefit of hassle free dealer visits.

Our MB parts prices are high and it cost me about $3,000. Should be much cheaper in the US or Europe.