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2019 E53 disgrace — 130mph top speed electronically limited in US

Old Feb 6, 2019 | 10:47 PM
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2019 E53 disgrace — 130mph top speed electronically limited in US

Let’s not get into a discussion that includes “Why do you need to go faster than 130mph.”

”Need” is a subjective word; and when we buy toys like performance cars, we buy them because we “want” them.

I want to go faster than 130mph. Where I do it and how I do it is my business.

Our Ferraris and Porsches aren’t limited at all; our AMG 63 cars have very high top speed limiters; why should the AMG E53 be limited to 130mph?

I was thinking to purchase an E53 Sedan and take European delivery. Anyone who has enjoyed driving in Germany (as I have) knows that 130mph is merely a modest cruise speed. Actually I like to cruise at 145 conditions permitting. During spirited driving I was bouncing off the 155 electronic speed limiter in my 2003 SL55 many years ago.

Let’s not talk about break-in period, either. I plan on breaking in the car correctly in just 2 days. It’s a 2-day marathon of break-in driving and then a trip to the service center for an engine oil change.

Anyway, forget it.

With a 130mph top speed limiter, I won’t do it. What a disgrace that an AMG car (with 9 speeds!!!) like the E53 doesn’t make it to at least 155mph.

What is going on here?

Unauthorized use of a software tool to remove the electronic speed limiter establishes a risk toward voiding the manufacturer warranty, no? For me, that’s not a risk worth taking.

Thoughts? Why is Mercedes doing this?

Last edited by 348SStb; Feb 6, 2019 at 10:55 PM.
Old Feb 6, 2019 | 11:11 PM
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Totally agree. If you get caught doing 130 or 190 you're going to jail. I live in a country where you can own a Semi-automatic gun without a background check.


Old Feb 7, 2019 | 03:14 AM
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FYI, that's not the only AMG limited to 130mph in the US, I believe the G wagons are as well.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 06:56 AM
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But why?
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 07:09 AM
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probably some lawyer hidden in a cubicle
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 07:32 AM
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I think the WHY is a good question - my 2019 U.S. Spec E63S, says it is limited to 180MPH on the bill of Sale (not that I would ever try to get to that - even in Germany). Not sure that a lawyer would care more about a E53 than a E63... So if there is a why, hopefully someone will chime in with that knowledge.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 07:37 AM
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check tire max rated speed.

Most manufacturers limit it to 10mph under stock OEM tire speed rating.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by ygmn
check tire max rated speed.

Most manufacturers limit it to 10mph under stock OEM tire speed rating.
Okay so this can be easily bypassed if Mercedes simply uses the proper tires in the first place.
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Old Feb 7, 2019 | 08:00 AM
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That is a bit of an outrage and a very valid question by the OP.

I'll be following this thread with the hope that somebody knows the answer. I'm sure it will be utter BS whatever it is.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 08:14 AM
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Get a tune and a flash and you wont have that issue.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 08:14 AM
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The E63s is electronic limited to 300 kmh, after removing the default limit of 250kmh. I asked my dealer why since the engine can do much more and when ripping it the 9th gear kicks in only close to 300 and the tires are rated (Y). He said it was for security reasons . Lame reply.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 09:53 AM
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What does removing the default limit of 250 KMH mean exactly? Thanks, I am assuming if my bill of sale went to the trouble to point out my car is limited to 180MPH, I don't need to do anything to get past 250KMH? Thanks for clarifying.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 10:23 AM
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German brands usually limit their cars top speed to 250kmh, or 155mph. This can be electronic unblocked by the manufacturer usually thru a paid add-on, in this case the AMG Drivers package. However, absurdly the E63S gets another electronic limit at 300kmh. If the e53 has a top limit at 130mph I guess that this another government f"cked up rule.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by tonecas
German brands usually limit their cars top speed to 250kmh, or 155mph. This can be electronic unblocked by the manufacturer usually thru a paid add-on, in this case the AMG Drivers package. However, absurdly the E63S gets another electronic limit at 300kmh. If the e53 has a top limit at 130mph I guess that this another government f"cked up rule.
In the US there’s no AMG Driver’s Package option for any car.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 11:20 AM
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Yeah, I know. Lucky bast*rds

And you even get the cars with more equipment AND at the same price before taxes without any currency exchange.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 348SStb
Let’s not get into a discussion that includes “Why do you need to go faster than 130mph.”

”Need” is a subjective word; and when we buy toys like performance cars, we buy them because we “want” them.

I want to go faster than 130mph. Where I do it and how I do it is my business.

Our Ferraris and Porsches aren’t limited at all; our AMG 63 cars have very high top speed limiters; why should the AMG E53 be limited to 130mph?

I was thinking to purchase an E53 Sedan and take European delivery. Anyone who has enjoyed driving in Germany (as I have) knows that 130mph is merely a modest cruise speed. Actually I like to cruise at 145 conditions permitting. During spirited driving I was bouncing off the 155 electronic speed limiter in my 2003 SL55 many years ago.

Let’s not talk about break-in period, either. I plan on breaking in the car correctly in just 2 days. It’s a 2-day marathon of break-in driving and then a trip to the service center for an engine oil change.

Anyway, forget it.

With a 130mph top speed limiter, I won’t do it. What a disgrace that an AMG car (with 9 speeds!!!) like the E53 doesn’t make it to at least 155mph.

What is going on here?

Unauthorized use of a software tool to remove the electronic speed limiter establishes a risk toward voiding the manufacturer warranty, no? For me, that’s not a risk worth taking.

Thoughts? Why is Mercedes doing this?
Part of your answer has to do with the fact that the E53 is not a full fledged AMG car. Yes it has components of AMG but the motor itself is a production motor and not a “one man one engine” motor. The way I look at this is the E53 is one rung below the E63 that is a full fledged AMG car. Marketing/sales/cost all have a ton to do with this since Mercedes is leveraging the AMG brand to sell more cars that people “think” are full fledged AMG but frankly they are not. My previous ‘16 S550 4matic was limited to 130mph (standard MB limit in US) while my ‘19 S63 is limited to 186 mph like the E63. The US spec cars (S63 and E63) come standard with the high performance Drivers Package that bumps the limited speed to 186. I do not have all the answers for you but just some thoughts.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by MTrauman


Part of your answer has to do with the fact that the E53 is not a full fledged AMG car. Yes it has components of AMG but the motor itself is a production motor and not a “one man one engine” motor. The way I look at this is the E53 is one rung below the E63 that is a full fledged AMG car. Marketing/sales/cost all have a ton to do with this since Mercedes is leveraging the AMG brand to sell more cars that people “think” are full fledged AMG but frankly they are not. My previous ‘16 S550 4matic was limited to 130mph (standard MB limit in US) while my ‘19 S63 is limited to 186 mph like the E63. The US spec cars (S63 and E63) come standard with the high performance Drivers Package that bumps the limited speed to 186. I do not have all the answers for you but just some thoughts.
Thank you for your suggestions.

I respond as follows. That the E53 is “not a full fledged AMG car” is actually not a fact - it’s an opinion. Further, “full-fledged” is an abstraction and a judgment call. So we cannot really identify the fullness of the E53’s AMG credentials, as the one-man-one-engine principle is a nice touch but does not affect the circumstance that Mercedes has brandedthe E53 as an AMG car, complete with all the benefits of AMG ownership including, but not limited to, membership to AMG Private Lounge and a free track day.

The car is branded AMG. Therefore I assume it’s an AMG. Not a partial AMG, a fledgling AMG, or anything else.

It’s either AMG or it isn’t.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 348SStb


Thank you for your suggestions.

I respond as follows. That the E53 is “not a full fledged AMG car” is actually not a fact - it’s an opinion. Further, “full-fledged” is an abstraction and a judgment call. So we cannot really identify the fullness of the E53’s AMG credentials, as the one-man-one-engine principle is a nice touch but does not affect the circumstance that Mercedes has brandedthe E53 as an AMG car, complete with all the benefits of AMG ownership including, but not limited to, membership to AMG Private Lounge and a free track day.

It’s either AMG or it isn’t.
The car is branded AMG. Therefore I assume it’s an AMG. Not a partial AMG, a fledgling AMG, or anything else.
Wow! A little emotional?

When I was in Affalterbach Germany in November last year, this is what I was told from the AMG Tour Guide I spent 4 hours with. I had a one on one tour of Affalterbach and spoke to some of the engine builders and some of the engine testers when I was there.

I am sorry, you do not know what you are talking about.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by MTrauman


Wow! A little emotional?

When I was in Affalterbach Germany in November last year, this is what I was told from the AMG Tour Guide I spent 4 hours with. I had a one on one tour of Affalterbach and spoke to some of the engine builders and some of the engine testers when I was there.

I am sorry, you do not know what you are talking about.
I’m not emotional. Everything I stated is a fact. A tour guide is not responsible for branding the vehicle or marketing the vehicle as an AMG car. The tour guide gave you his or her personal opinion, which is fine but not official.

Not nice to tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about. I know how to read. And the AMG53 is an AMG car. Not much to debate there.

I own two other 63-AMG vehicles and two other non-AMG Mercedes vehicles, but I don’t need to own those to know that the E53 AMG is not some kind of “fake” or “less” AMG car. A fake AMG car is a regular car with AMG wheels and an AMG appearance package.

Last edited by 348SStb; Feb 7, 2019 at 01:38 PM.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 348SStb


I’m not emotional. Everything I stated is a fact. A tour guide is not responsible for branding the vehicle or marketing the vehicle as an AMG car. The tour guide gave you his or her personal opinion, which is fine but not official.

Not nice to tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about. I know how to read. And the AMG53 is an AMG car. Not much to debate there.

I own two other 63-AMG vehicles and two other non-AMG Mercedes vehicles, but I don’t need to own those to know that the E53 AMG is not some kind of “fake” or “less” AMG car. A fake AMG car is a regular car with AMG wheels and an AMG appearance package.
Dude you are off the wall/rails! You have no idea what knowledge I have but clearly it would appear I have more of an inside track here.

What do you think the difference is in the words “AMG Enhanced” versus “Handcrafted”?
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:51 PM
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E53 AMG = BMW M550 = Audi S6
E63 AMG = BMW M5= Audi RS7(RS6)
Marketing/sales can call the E53 an AMG all they want. Fact of the matter is that it’s not a full fledged AMG car. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by MTrauman


Dude you are off the wall/rails! You have no idea what knowledge I have but clearly it would appear I have more of an inside track here.

What do you think the difference is in the words “AMG Enhanced” versus “Handcrafted”?
I’m not a dude. And you’re getting very personal.

I know how to read. AMG-enhanced and Handcrafted are not the same.

The badge on the back of the car is the same. Give it up.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Nex1
E53 AMG = BMW M550 = Audi S6
E63 AMG = BMW M5= Audi RS7(RS6)
Marketing/sales can call the E53 an AMG all they want. Fact of the matter is that it’s not a full fledged AMG car. Sorry to burst your bubble.
The analogy makes sense. But the M550i does not give the owner and M-enhanced ownership benefits.

Just answer these questions:
1) Does the E53 come with AMG supplement material?
2) Does the AMG E53 qualify the owner for AMG Private Lounge membership and a $500 coupon?
3) Does the AMGE53 qualify the owner for a free track day?

Just answer those questions. Yes or no.

Last edited by 348SStb; Feb 7, 2019 at 01:56 PM.
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 348SStb
The badge on the back of the car is the same. Give it up.
Mercedes-AMG marketing FTW!!!
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 348SStb


The analogy makes sense.

But just answer these questions:
1) Does the E53 come with AMG supplement material?
2) Does the AMG53 quality the owner for AMG Private Lounge membership and a $500 coupon?
3) Does the AMGE53 quality the owner for a free track day?

Just answer those questions. Yes or no.
I think you’re missing the main point here. Traditionally, AMG cars are one-man-one-engine.
So if the car is not built by one-man, then traditionally, it is not considered a true AMG. That’s all there is to it.

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