Brabus Performance Upgrade

[merc07]

Seriously thinking about a performance ungrade for my w203 220cdi. The car is only 6 months old so I'll probably go the Brabus route.
Has any one had one fitted?

What I want from the box is a bit more get up and go when I want it but also slightly better mpg than the abismal 33-35 average I get in normal 'steady eddy' driving conditions at the moment. What I definately don't want is worse mpg.

Anyone know what is actually tweaked using the Brabus in-line box ?

At the moment I have the dealer down to about £1250 fitted unless I can find it cheaper else where, plus about £100 on the insurance...

Cheers
Adam

 

[jaymanek]

33-35mpg... sounds a bit low for a 220...

 

[merc07]

'33-35mpg... sounds a bit low for a 220...'
It is when I see 50+mpg in my VW Bora on the same route week in week out. That is chipped to 160bhp ish

The book says urban 29, extra urban 48, combined 39 for the auto. Mines the Sport edition so I guess take a couple off for wide tyres ? This does include a bit of stop start and the usuall crap traffic as well so I guess it's probably about right - I get about 420 miles to the tank.

If I reset the average on the motorway it will sit at 44 for a while but generally drop to 40 - 41, thats at a steady 70mph. Maybe at a steady 50mph I may see 46 ?

I do about 18000 a year in this car so any gain in mpg would be good.
Even if it costs me £1250 - it would make me feel better

Adam

 

[jaymanek]

hmm... ok doesnt sound too bad anymore, but most C220 owners will definately tell you they average over the 40..

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Can't comment on what the Brabus box actually does but the a friend at the local dealer swears by them. He's had them on a string of 320 CDi and reckons it makes them quicker than an AMG short bursts.

Brabus route is attractie on a new car because the 3 year warranty remains, albeit capped to 60,000 miles rather than the usual unlimited mileage.

However Kleemann do an equialent that's incredibley cheap. If memory serves, they were doing a special offer - £399 if you fit it yourself.

Carlsson also do the same sort of tuning box in two flavours - performance and ecconomy.

Probably worth checking out and use them in the negotiation to get the price down further on the Brabus. Even if you wouldn't want the Kleemann box, your dealer doesn't know that!!

 

[merc07]

Carlsson also do the same sort of tuning box in two flavours - performance and ecconomy.

Thanks for that....

The eco version does look good, extra midrange torque is what I want rather than outright bhp and 10% less fuel as well..
Also although the torque and bhp is increased throughout the midrange by 15%, there is no actual increase to the top end ie it stays at 150bhp @ 4200 rpm so there will be no added cost from the insurance company.

C-Tronic® Diesel ECO: approx. 10 % lower fuel consumption and around 15 % more torque (confirmed by TUV); "...up to 1.9 l per 100 km less fuel used..." (in test in 'sport auto – Spezial 2005').

£625 for the eco, £899 for the power version against £1250 for the Brabus with warranty intact. I guess you could always remove the box if there were a problem ??

Adam

 

[phil c]

the brabus chip was recalled by merc about two months ago and merc retuned them because the torque curve was two agressive (ie they made it slower) but it still makes the same bhp figure as before , so try to find an earlyer chip if possible

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Was it causing mechanical problems or failures, or customers just complaining it was too aggressive?

 

[phil c]

they never said , but info from an insider said that they were not happy that brabus had started selling through the dealers with out merc permision , so to offer the full warranty they lowered the power, sorry torque

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I heard a similar story...

...DCAG had started supplying them for sale through MB dealers, however the third year warranty is provided by DCUK (UK importer), and they weren't very happy, so it took a while to resolve.

 

[merc07]

Obviously no one mentioned that one at the dealership....thanks

Have you had any dealings with the Carsson boxes ?
It would be good to try the eco back to back with the power version. I guess even the power version in normal driving would also reduce fuel consumption ?

Cheers
Adam

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

To be honest I would imagine the Carlsson, Kleemann and Brabus boxes all work in a similar way, and release the same amount of grunt. I guess the difference will be the power delivery.

Whilst Brabus have always had an extreme image - did I say extreme, I meant bonkers - image, I suspect now it's MB approved it may actually be milder than Carlsson and Kleemann.

 

[merc07]

Maybe a safer bet with the eco version of the Carlsson - The Torque of the eco matches the max that Superchip gives. Looks like the performance version might be a bit hot - like the brabus. - Shame it's not just one switchable unit - Like on the new GSXR-1000 which has 3 selectable power settings !

It's not like I'm racing the thing though, just want better midrange and fuel. Looking at the chart it might feel flat after 3000 revs as the power drops back to normal although it does actually add more power until nearly 4000 revs.

I'll keep a close eye on my revs tomorrow and also give Carlsson a ring.

http://www.carlsson.de/en/tuning/c-klasse/ws203/motor/07/leistungsdiagramm.html

Cheers
Adam

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Let us know what they say.

 

[blueserenity777]

Hi guys..new to the forum today..I have a petrol engine and done a lot of research and planning to go for the Kleemann Kit with header..their reputation is as strong as brabus and the improvement is a lot more than safe Brabus..The UK site is based about 15 miles from me..at mayfield ,sussex..Got recommendations from the dealership as well about the guys at the UK site..
The dynos for diesel looks impressive as well if compared to brabus and cost is definately less..u definately paying a premuim for brabus..Kleemann are very popular with the americans..bullet proof reliability from their forum feedback

 

[merc07]

Got the Carlsson Eco in the end - quick 10 min job to fit it. I gave up after 45mins. The control unit holder in the front fuse box area is supposed to pull out but its screwed in from a pretty much inaccesible place. Any tips ?I'll try again on the w/e in the daylight when I can see it better.Cheers, Adam

 

[Glenn Smith]

33-35mpg... sounds a bit low for a 220...

A bit low! thats really crap, we average 30mpg on our c230k, even on fully loaded high speed runs across to Holland and Germany (with a roof box). I would expect 40 + without trying.
I have been thinking of diesel next time, but am being put off by stories of poor fuel consumption (especially on mercedes).

 

[Ratz]

At the risk of repeating previous messages, I get an average of 38mpg in an E270 auto, but that includes 100 miles a week of crawling in heavy traffic. On a 50 mile run from cold averaging 65-70 I get 52+mpg.

Main thing I've noticed is that the mpg is very sensitive to your right foot, more so than in petrol cars I've had.

 

[barrieeld]

Sorry to hijack this thread but what should i be getting on a S320 cdi, wet on a 60mile trip and the computer tells me i averaged 36mpg but i did end up in traffic and put the boot down a little for some parts.

 

[fabes]

Chap at work here has an 18 month old 200CDI saloon with a Carlson chip - fitted by a local garage

He has failed to see any economy due to trying out the performance too much by his own admission as I looked at a when I got my car earlier this year - he's not around to ask if he had an eco chip, BUT he did tell me improved performance was a supposed benefit

BTW - off to Cadburys World this weekend 4 up in the Merc and will see 54mpg plus at 80 on the motorway, but then I have the semi auto box nobody likes - I see 40 plus around town

Fabes