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Hey lads . Wondering if I could get some input? I have read the stickies as I'm an old guy and have been around all kinds of forums. I'm a Prototype fabricator by trade and have been paid before to tune with hptuners which is one of the reasons I considered MB in the first place ,,,well that and they look pure sexy. I will be buying an E63 W212 within the next 2 months but I'm struggling with which way to go. M156 or 157. I currently own a 87' GN and have had many turbo cars throughout the last 20 years so my allegiance typically lies with FI but damn that 6.2 sound and seemingly proven performance. Anyone ? Not really looking at S models or facelifts.
I feel like each has their own issues but personally I’d go with a late production 156 vs an early 157. Most of the big items like head bolts, valves, and injectors/ME can be prevented relatively easily for the 156.
I hate the plastic coolant lines on the 278/157 along with cam/head wear and turbo/intercooler issues.
and you could always stay FI and put a blower on the 156.
M157 is a better power mill than M156. Facelifted E63 S-models (MY14-16) are the best W212 overall, I am not talking looks; upgrades like 4MATIC, additional IC heat exchanger, newer Command, etc. Had a MY09 W211 M156 for 6 years. Lots of DIY hands-on. On my current pre-facelift W212 M157 coming to 1 year ownership. Lots of DIY hands-on. Like it very much.
M157 has lesser threshold for meaningful performance tuning. $2K will buy you substantial M157 ECU tune. This ballpark of performance on the M156 platform likely requires a $10K super charger + labor + tune to get similar level of performance. M157 will likely resell better than M156. I did not like how M156 aged (steering pump, A/C compressor, heat rot of all plastic parts in the engine compartment). M157 sound has a different character, true, but no less remarkable in its own contemporary way.
M157 is a better power mill than M156. Facelifted E63 S-models (MY14-16) are the best W212 overall, I am not talking looks; upgrades like 4MATIC, additional IC heat exchanger, newer Command, etc. Had a MY09 W211 M156 for 6 years. Lots of DIY hands-on. On my current pre-facelift W212 M157 coming to 1 year ownership. Lots of DIY hands-on. Like it very much.
M157 has lesser threshold for meaningful performance tuning. $2K will buy you substantial M157 ECU tune. This ballpark of performance on the M156 platform likely requires a $10K super charger + labor + tune to get similar level of performance. M157 will likely resell better than M156. I did not like how M156 aged (steering pump, A/C compressor, heat rot of all plastic parts in the engine compartment). M157 sound has a different character, true, but no less remarkable in its own contemporary way.
well said.
while the 6.2 is legendary the power to dollar level is unmatchable with the 157.
also the sound on the M157 is held back a lot by the stock resonator. Replace the resonator with H pipe and the car sound a lot better.
If it were were playing hypothetical games and it was possible to pick and chose your chassis, motor and trans combo. I would pick the 14-16 w212 with its 7 speed and a m113k (from the e55). that motor was as they say, built proof, problem free and just felt great. When you floored it, it felt like you got rear ended, instant power. It was such a good motor they especially went back to it when the made the m157 lol
The m156 are cheap, In recent times they are considerably cheaper than the older e55 cars when compared as close to apples -apples as you could. I think this is related to the barrage of bad youtube press about the reliability of the m156 motors.
I currently have a stock-for-now m157 car. It does not have that crazy explosion of power, but it is faster than my tuned e55 and there is no doubt these are the choice to be had for cheap reliable crazy power. 10.3s with tune, intake and gutted cats? thats crazy, but documented here to be true.
I miss my M156 all the time, until I mash the pedal on my M157. The NA V8 sounds great and mine was very reliable, but TTV8 with 4Matic, as others have said, is just incredibly capable and puts every ounce of power to the ground.
sadly it is not an x car. I really appreciate the input. any of you guys tune your own 157's?
I found a 13' pre facelift with lsd and im pretty close.
I've been reading on here a lot, basically every tune post. I have not seen anybody say they tune their own car. Probably cost more to buy the HP tuner software and licensing than it does just to buy a tune from Euro charge, and their tried and true.
I used to tune my fourth gen Camaro back in the day, what a headache, glad there's others doing it
I already own hptuners and it looks like 6 to 8 dodge credits @ $50ea. to license depending on what variant you have. I've done some looking too and noticed the same. I really can't see coughing up 2k for a tune. sorry it was a hassle for you . I personally love the tuning puzzle........ until I don't.
I already own hptuners and it looks like 6 to 8 dodge credits @ $50ea. to license depending on what variant you have. I've done some looking too and noticed the same. I really can't see coughing up 2k for a tune. sorry it was a hassle for you . I personally love the tuning puzzle........ until I don't.
Haha, I was using "lt1edit" I'm sure it's not as intuitive as hptuners lol
I am aware, I just got rid of an evo 8 and I'm done watching my awd fun car rust to death. Upstate NY must be a share holder in salt mining.
You're going to have quite the turbo collection on your resume if you get the 157. I had a DSM, Subaru GT, M278 and now the 157, love the tuning ability with FI cars. Always wanted a Buschur tuned Evo...
Purchased my ‘11 M156 back in ‘15. Couldn’t pass up the deal I got on a 13K mile Texas car. I know the M157 can make oodles more power, but I have loved every second I have driven the car. Just hit 50k and my only problem is tires. I have MBH Longtubes, catless custom 3” exhaust, EC tune, K&N filters, android 10.25 screen and I have more than enough power (until the weistec charger gets put on). I’ve never seriously considered trading for an M157. Granted I haven’t driven one, but I absolutely love the big boy motor and the RWD. I don’t track it, just a weekend driver and I absolutely love it.
im sure all the guys on here can attest that if you’re looking to race the car, go M157. Weekend driver for much cheaper, and more fun driving car, I say the M156 (just my $.02)
Holy crap that color is show stopping. \\
To make matters worse I just ran into a CTSV that's mucking up my decision making process. I'm pretty familiar with GMs and hptuners. for the record all of the cars I'm looking at are high mileage and destined to get the dog fudge beat out of them.
Holy crap that color is show stopping. \\
To make matters worse I just ran into a CTSV that's mucking up my decision making process. I'm pretty familiar with GMs and hptuners. for the record all of the cars I'm looking at are high mileage and destined to get the dog fudge beat out of them.
Holy crap that color is show stopping. \\
To make matters worse I just ran into a CTSV that's mucking up my decision making process. I'm pretty familiar with GMs and hptuners. for the record all of the cars I'm looking at are high mileage and destined to get the dog fudge beat out of them.
If I were to buy anything other than an E63, it would be a V. Again, all about what you are looking to get out of the car. I love everything about my car so I can live with the lack of power (comparatively). The color sold me. I literally get compliments from every age group everywhere I go. Even old ladies. Then I start it and I give them a heart attack
sounds horrible IMO, I wouldn't drive something with an exhaust that sounds like that - too high pitched instead of sounding muscular
haha, have you never heard an AMG with headers? Pretty much every N/A AMG sounds exactly the same. This isn’t a daily driver and that’s the throttle being mashed. It sounds factory in comfort mode. Enjoy your quiet M157 gramps
haha, have you never heard an AMG with headers? Pretty much every N/A AMG sounds exactly the same. This isn’t a daily driver and that’s the throttle being mashed. It sounds factory in comfort mode. Enjoy your quiet M157 gramps
I have indeed had an N/A AMG with headers and it sounded much better. The problem likely isn't with the headers but with your cheap "custom" exhaust. Your car sounds like an AMG trying to be a Honda. Enjoy trying to impress pre-teen boys with your loud m156.
02-02-2021, 07:46 PM
