Brabus Chip vs Others???

[rjc]

I currently own an ML 320CDI Edition 10. I ordered it with the Brabus chip and have enjoyed the drive ever since.

I'm now due to change the ML for an E Class 350CDI Sport Coupe and wondered if anyone has had experience of the Brabus alternatives ie Chip Express, DTUK or Spider?

They all claim a similar increase in performance and economy, but for a lot less money than the Brabus.

Your thoughts would be most welcome.

Rob

 

[d w124]

I think that mercedes only gives warranty with the brabus one,i might be wrong though

 

[rjc]

Yes, you're right on that score.

 

[Mactech]

Two main reasons for the price you pay for the Brabus kit.
Continued factory warranty as has already been said, and the fact that the Brabus kit takes its information from 5 sensors in the engine and not just the fuel rail pressure of the other cheaper 'chips'
My experience is the Brabus is the only one to match the full benefits of a remap, whatever the add-on chip people will tell you!
Remaps are my prefered option, but as from early 2009, MB changed the protcol and firmware in the ECU and there are very few companies who can now access the maps, the reason my CLS has a Brabus addition.
That, and the fact I got it secondhand for next to nuppenece

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Kleemann offer a comparable product and are well respected. It would impact on your warranty though. That said they're about 25% of the Brabus cost these days!!

 

[rjc]

Kleemann offer a comparable product and are well respected. It would impact on your warranty though. That said they're about 25% of the Brabus cost these days!!

If it's a removable, inline unit would the dealership know? (if you removed it prior to any warranty work)

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If it's a removable, inline unit would the dealership know? (if you removed it prior to any warranty work)

Probably not, and no doubt some people do that.

 

[Mactech]

The inline units work really well on the earlier CDI engines. I know from experience that the V6 and any of the BE engines are much more difficult to get good results from. I had reasonable results on both 280 and 320 engines but not perfect. Just when you think you've got the settings, power and delivery right you would get random engine malfunction lights (fuel rail over pressure) or CAN errors. This was with a Spider unit, but similar problems with others before.
A good remap gives you all the power, torque and better drivability and never a warning light or an issue. Same with the Brabus kit.
You pays you money....

 

[rjc]

Kleemann offer a comparable product and are well respected. It would impact on your warranty though. That said they're about 25% of the Brabus cost these days!!

Might have a look at the Kleemann.

Anyone else have experience of this unit?

 

[crockers]

Remaps are my prefered option, but as from early 2009, MB changed the protcol and firmware in the ECU and there are very few companies who can now access the maps, o

Do you know which firms can remap these cars??

 

[st4]

Do you know which firms can remap these cars??

Soon most will.

BMW supposedly made the 335i engine impossible for tuners to mod. Few months later, they could be mapped with surprisingly good effect.

Just a matter of time, if there is a will, there is a way

 

[euler]

What are the 5 connections in Brabus kit?

Kleemann, Vaeth, Lorinser, Spider, Diesel Power connects just to the rail (increases rail pressure)

DTUK, DTE Systems, Kitpower,Tuningbox,SpeedBuster offers new kit that connects to rail sensor, boost sensor and rpm sensor (increases rail and boost pressure like a remap and with some map alternatives maps)

Steinbauer, Kw Systems, P-tronic and Carlsson connects directly to the injectors (do not increase rail pressure; don't know if some of these kits have a connection to boost sensor; KwSystems has a connection to DFP to monitorize exaust temperature).

A remap takes 3 hours due the location of the ECU. Several dyno tests show that the original power of 350cdi is not 231hp, but around 260hp-270hp! With a remap you get 20% more power. It can also be achieved using kits from second or third groups, not from first group. The kits of second group are the closest to remap. Don´t know what are the connections of a Brabus kit but surely it doesn't offer 20% more power...

For me the best product (and i live in Portugal...) is DTUK kit who is the same kit of german DTE Systems that have a lot of experience with Mercedes and invented that kit with 3 connections. There is a certain risk because of increase of rail pressure and boost pressure, but i think it offers a powerful and smooth run! But as a said i live in Portugal and here there is no Brabus warranty...

 

[Alex]

Go with Kleemann KD-BOX. Had one fitted by Mercedes on wife's newly purchased C350 CDI just a few weeks back. What a difference.

Here: KD-Box for CDI cars. £700 delivered next day from Kleemann direct vs £1,600 for Brabus as quoted by Mercedes. Worth saving almost a £1,000 on essentially the same thing.

 

[x332race]

Brabus kit......as far as I know the following are connected:-

Accelerator
Rail Pressure Sensor
Hot Film Mass Sensor
Coolant Temp
Camshaft Sensor

 

[rjc]

Go with Kleemann KD-BOX. Had one fitted by Mercedes on wife's newly purchased C350 CDI just a few weeks back. What a difference.

Here: KD-Box for CDI cars. £700 delivered next day from Kleemann direct vs £1,600 for Brabus as quoted by Mercedes. Worth saving almost a £1,000 on essentially the same thing.

Does the £700 include the Throttle Box?

I ask because the UK arm of Kleemann have quoted the following;

£ 399.00 incl. VAT and including fitting or postage, for the KD box.
Throttle box (Adjustable module for maximum throttle response) is £ 329.00 incl. VAT and including or postage.


Rob

 

[6cyl]

Hi Euler et al,
Have you guys anything to report after three years use ?
Thanks