2019 E53 disgrace — 130mph top speed electronically limited in US
US Fed regulations mandate factory rated top vehicle speed cannot exceed the manufacturer's US tire speed rating selected for that vehicle - a Fed "safety" thing mandated on auto manufacturers - and frankly not a MB/AMG conspiracy thing - gee's guys..
130-149-168-186 - are familiar sounding #'s to this enthusiast audience - yes ?
So your "issue" pivots to the manufacturer's tire selection for the US model - H-Rated 130mph are available All-Season tires - V/149mph are avail All-Season or High-Performance/"Summer " depending on tire manuf and tire size - W/168mph and Y/186mph are "high performance/"summer" tires.
Now... in general terms under US Federal warranty protection - "flashing a tune" to a ECU technically void the manufacturers warranty on that ECU - and exceeding the manufacturers vehicle speed limit technically put the liability on whatever mechanically happens over the manufacturers original speed limit directly on your shoulders - but heck, that's sure understandable isn't it ?
all of the cars I have rented have an option under vehicle settings to limit top speed to "Winter Tire Speed" or something to that effect. Essentially, it limits the car to 210 km/hr or 240 km/ hr depending on the speed rating of the Winter Tire.
-C




But are we at chicken and egg here?
Surely we can simply ask the question why has Mercedes chosen to create a situation (tires or otherwise) such that the top speed of the car is only 130mph when clearly they know how to allow/produce cars to go faster?
Possible answers:
1) The cherished “fake AMG” theory is actually true
2) Cheaper tires keep the price down. The price of this particular car needs to be as low as possible to compete. (But then again, why not take care of that since better tires are available for purchase; or why not offer an option package with a higher top speed)
3) Mercedes has some handshake agreement out there with some authority or other manufacturer having to do with the top speed of this car (similar to the agreement Japanese auto manufacturers had out there in the 1990s not to exceed 300 horsepower)- but why make the agreement in the first place?
[Others?]
Last edited by 348SStb; Feb 8, 2019 at 12:55 AM.
As someone with two AMGs (C63 507 edition and a GT-C) and having spent much time on various Autobahns, here is some food for thought:
I have driven the C63s, E63S, GTS and Audi S6 on various Autobahns. The S6 and 43 models are neck and neck under full throttle acceleration. I witnessed this first hand on the A63 down to Kaiserslautern.
The E63S is an absolute monster that not much can keep up with at wide open throttle. I pulled on a few Supercars while there and was quite shocked: GT3, 458 Speciale, Audi RS6 Performance. They could not keep up when we went from a 130 Km/hr zone to an unrestricted zone.
So, as someone pointed out here:
The 43/53 models are designed to compete with the Audi S line and BMW 330i/550i lines. MB has stated that numerous times and any sales person will tell you where MB is marketing those models.
The 63 models are designed to compete with the Audi RS line and BMW M lines.
Now, what constitutes an AMG? As someone said here, go take the AMG tour in Affalterbach and you will see. �� It was EXTREMELY enlightening! As my tour guide asked me, "Would you ever consider an All Electric car an AMG?" It's an interesting question as what defines an AMG? History, Sound, Power, Vehicle Dynamics, Exclusivity, an AMG Badge, having your vehicle built in Germany (Sindelfingen, Bremen) or America (Tuscaloosa), or is it something else or a combination of many things...? We had a 10 minute conversation about that one. Needless to say, AMG are ready for when the world decides we need all Electric vehicles!
As to the OP original question about the 130 MPH limiter (210 Km/hr), that is a good question considering the S6 is limited to 155 MPH (248 Km/hr) and the BMW 550i is limited to 130 MPH or 155 MPH with a package. So it seems that it is more of a marketing criteria to match the 550i vs. mechanical limitation. Enjoy all of your vehicles OP. Hopefully, you are in a warm climate and can drive your vehicles year-round. Us folk up North are waiting for Spring! ��
Happy driving all.
-C
AMG was not "one man, one engine" before it became "one man, one engine". That was the greatest marketing scheme in automotive history, IMHO. AMG was never supposed to be about that. Good reads are everywhere about the history of AMG. I would guess that the ONE is not a true AMG with that mentality. Neither the Cigarette boats with AMG plastered on their hulls. It is sad to see folks squable about such asinine things, and shows the real arrogance (and ignorance) of some of the owners. This looks more like a thread that belongs on a BMW forum.
I would agree that it has to do with the speed ratings on the tires, to answer your original question. Nothing more, nothing less.
Last edited by MarcusDubya77; Feb 8, 2019 at 04:27 AM.
There was me worrying about Brexit, climate change and whether Donald Trump’s hair is real or not!
When actually the real issue is whether a 53 AMG is a true AMG or not!

I don't own any AMG but my basic opinion is that if Mercedes says that a model is an AMG then it is an AMG.
Also, the 53 and 43 models are not limited to 130mph in Europe.
Even my old BMW 2-litre diesel used to have a top speed limited to 155mph and was surely capable of going even faster, otherwise no need for the limiter. I never drove anywhere near that fast, but it seems ridiculous that a car of the caliber of an E53 should be restricted to an even lower top speed. Obviously there are reasons why it has been limited in the US, and that low rated tires have been fitted, but I don't know what they are and I'm sure that it is some BS that is designed to create more differentiation between models on paper.
But are we at chicken and egg here?
Surely we can simply ask the question why has Mercedes chosen to create a situation (tires or otherwise) such that the top speed of the car is only 130mph when clearly they know how to allow/produce cars to go faster?
Possible answers:
1) The cherished “fake AMG” theory is actually true
2) Cheaper tires keep the price down. The price of this particular car needs to be as low as possible to compete. (But then again, why not take care of that since better tires are available for purchase; or why not offer an option package with a higher top speed)
3) Mercedes has some handshake agreement out there with some authority or other manufacturer having to do with the top speed of this car (similar to the agreement Japanese auto manufacturers had out there in the 1990s not to exceed 300 horsepower)- but why make the agreement in the first place?
[Others?]
Too me, if MB were truly competing with the BMW 550i and Audi S6, then doing what BMW did would make sense: offer a "performance package" with a higher top speed (mostly just higher speed rated tires.) Or, as you are saying, just have the car limited to 150 MPH out of the box with V or W rated tires....Something tells me this decision is a marketing thing.
In this regard, the GT, GTS and GTC all come with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The GTR and E63S come with the new Michelin Pilot Port 4S tires. When I asked my Inventory specialist to have MB put on the 4S on my GTC, the response we got back from MB was MB cannot guarantee tire brand or type upon delivery... 😕 Again, I think this comes down to marketing vehicles.
Happy motoring/driving-it-like-you-stoke-it/cruising around town all! 🙂
-C




Once a member at AMG Private Lounge, log in and find the area mentioning “AMG Driving Academy” and sign up.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
V70cat... it is amazing that so many dealers neglect to inform buyers of AMG cars that each new purchase entitles you to an AMG track day. That's half the reason I'm reloading!
nothing prevents an owner from buying cheap low speed tires and having them installed ....
So bring on those cheap CHINESE "F" rated tires @ $25 each!
Sometimes the nanny state sux!
LOL
I have the E53 "AMG"
. I love it. Absolutely!. Debated between the E63 and this, did not buy the E63 not because of the real vs fake emotion, but because for 45k less (when I put my options on), I thought this better fit my needs. For track, I have a champ car and a Mini Cooper, so this will see track maybe once or twice a year. For people who see the car they wow at the AMG. When I see an E63, I bow to the master as I understand the difference.I even compared to an RS5 sportback as I was a Audi guy for 15 years, but in the end chose the AMG E53.But to the original question, the engine and tires in the 53 series are extremely capable of going beyond 130mph. When the Eagles Canyon track opens up, there will be some straightaways where I may be able to push that. But the car wont!!!! Argh!!!!!!!
Is there a hack... In the Audis, I could do a lot myself with the VAGCOMs. Not sure if we can do this in Mercs vs debating and complaining.
Btw, love my E53, proud of it.




I have the E53 "AMG"
. I love it. Absolutely!. Debated between the E63 and this, did not buy the E63 not because of the real vs fake emotion, but because for 45k less (when I put my options on), I thought this better fit my needs. For track, I have a champ car and a Mini Cooper, so this will see track maybe once or twice a year. For people who see the car they wow at the AMG. When I see an E63, I bow to the master as I understand the difference.I even compared to an RS5 sportback as I was a Audi guy for 15 years, but in the end chose the AMG E53.But to the original question, the engine and tires in the 53 series are extremely capable of going beyond 130mph. When the Eagles Canyon track opens up, there will be some straightaways where I may be able to push that. But the car wont!!!! Argh!!!!!!!
Is there a hack... In the Audis, I could do a lot myself with the VAGCOMs. Not sure if we can do this in Mercs vs debating and complaining.
Btw, love my E53, proud of it.
But are we at chicken and egg here?
Surely we can simply ask the question why has Mercedes chosen to create a situation (tires or otherwise) such that the top speed of the car is only 130mph when clearly they know how to allow/produce cars to go faster?
Possible answers:
1) The cherished “fake AMG” theory is actually true
2) Cheaper tires keep the price down. The price of this particular car needs to be as low as possible to compete. (But then again, why not take care of that since better tires are available for purchase; or why not offer an option package with a higher top speed)
3) Mercedes has some handshake agreement out there with some authority or other manufacturer having to do with the top speed of this car (similar to the agreement Japanese auto manufacturers had out there in the 1990s not to exceed 300 horsepower)- but why make the agreement in the first place?
[Others?]
Just my 2 cents, but what the hell do I know, I bought a lowly 43 model. I just wanted to come swing my pee-pee around in her like everyone else, which apparently is more fun if you have a 63.
What I think everyone is trying to say is that 53 and 43 is just a marketing gimmick for MB and not a real AMG performance car.
Just a watered down E63.
If it was a real AMG it wouldn't be limited to 130!
Anyway, I suggest a tune and it will be your solutions.
My wife teaches English and I bet if she explained this to her kids grades 6-12 they would understand. Key words here... Amazing what marketing can do to some people no?
But I've gleaned from the thread that the OP, who is not a dude, doesn't need a E63 to make her dick bigger, and feels she is a woman even though she does not have huge ****.
I would tend to agree with her, huge ***** don't make someone a woman.
That said, if a woman wanted to go for some bolt-ons, a tune, new shoes. I'd think a speed limiter increase is certainly in order . . .
Last edited by MarcusDubya77; Feb 8, 2019 at 05:06 PM.
But I've gleaned from the thread that the OP, who is not a dude, doesn't need a E63 to make her dick bigger, and feels she is a woman even though she does not have huge ****.
I would tend to agree with her, huge ***** don't make someone a woman.
That said, if a woman wanted to go for some bolt-ons, a tune, new shoes. I'd think a speed limiter increase is certainly in order . . .
This tells you a bit about the OP and how ridiculous this whole thread is.
go and take off the limiter without voiding your warranty. buy Y rated tires and that’s it. Simple story, but instead it’s better to complain and discuss it ( maybe he doesn’t know that nothing going to change
)



Last edited by benzbell; Feb 8, 2019 at 08:38 PM.






