Has anyone fitted the Brabus D6S (to 265hp E350 Sport)

[wilsodg]

Quite a few people seem to have the Brabus D6III fitted to the 211 320CDI variant, but has anyone fitted the D6S to the E350 sport (or even a C350 sport). Or is anyone about to take the plunge, or experienced one?

Many thanks to John (developer215) for his very informative post in December on the D6III - if anyone has a D6S can they do similar?

Yes I know I could get it remapped or fit something else for less, but I value the warranty and the integration with the gearbox mode seems a good idea. So just wondering and not wanting to be first..

 

[developer]

Quite a few people seem to have the Brabus D6III fitted to the 211 320CDI variant, but has anyone fitted the D6S to the E350 sport (or even a C350 sport). Or is anyone about to take the plunge, or experienced one?

Many thanks to John (developer215) for his very informative post in December on the D6III - if anyone has a D6S can they do similar?

Yes I know I could get it remapped or fit something else for less, but I value the warranty and the integration with the gearbox mode seems a good idea. So just wondering and not wanting to be first..

This would be an interesting read.

The 265bhp engine is relatively recent so perhaps it will take time for owners with the D6S to filter through.

 

[Aeroresh]

Hi, been lurking for a bit on here but not posted. Ive had the D6S upgrade fitted to my e350 cab since new so with the exception of a brief test drive I cant really comment on how much different to the standard car it is.

I would say however it is pretty quick on the road and sujectively as quick if not quicker than my old DMS remapped bmw 535d (340hp)

Only gripe is that Im not sure if I like the switchable aspect much. Id rather if it gave full power in E mode aswell as you find yourself going for the s button just for an overtake.

Having said that, Mpg average over 2000 miles is round 40mpg which cant be bad! And I dont drive it with much restraint

 

[d w124]

I think Dr-nab also has one fitted to his cab http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/dr-nab-albums-e350-d6-continued.html

 

[wilsodg]

So I've bitten the bullet and decided to have this fitted - it's in now.

Aside from consumption (which I've monitored since new so will get a solid compare), and the first 'gut feel' tomorrow when I pick it up, is there any quantitative / objective feedback that the community would value?

I'll post some pics of the fitted item.

 

[blue gnome123]

Hi

I'd certainly like to hear how you have got on. I have another S211 320cdi with a Brabus D6 fitted and it certainly sharpens the mid range response (I'm not a traffic light racer so I can't compare how it works at lower speeds).

It does seem to allow the box to drop down to a higher gear (I'm more frequently at 1200-1400rpm) which has helped the mpg by about 2mpg. Although I'm not too bothered about MPG.

 

[Dieselman]

is there any quantitative / objective feedback that the community would value?

Get the stopwatch out before and after.

 

[wilsodg]

I thought of that - but then what to measure? Sport and Economy mode, 0-60, 50-70, 50-80 - that's 6 runs .

 

[Dieselman]

Just go from Zero to 80mph in each direction five times S mode to get an average.

You are only looking for comparative figures to see what real world increase in performance you have.

 

[jumperjohn]

Only gripe is that Im not sure if I like the switchable aspect much. Id rather if it gave full power in E mode aswell as you find yourself going for the s button just for an overtake.

Shouldn't your car be driven in S mode most of the time as S stands for standard drive setting not sport. E mode equates to the old W mode for winter driving, ie sets the car off in second gear etc.

 

[AbbieCadabra]

Shouldn't your car be driven in S mode most of the time as S stands for standard drive setting not sport. E mode equates to the old W mode for winter driving, ie sets the car off in second gear etc.

on the info for ours, E350CDI Sport 125 edition, it's definitely referred to as Economy & Sport modes.

on our old CLK280 i'd always put into to S for a quick get away at an island or similar, not found any need in the 350 as it readily pins you back in your seat even in E mode!

 

[wilsodg]

Well finally got the D6S fitted. The price seems to have come down a bit, and my dealer was generous on the fitting - somehat more than he realised because fitting this according to the MB/Brabus instructions is very fiddley. The unit is actually fitted in the drivers footwell under the cover to the right of the accelerator pedal (sorry, no pics). The cable then goes up through to the engine compartment under the Sam Box (this had to be partially removed), though the fuse box and attached to the cable harness to the front of the car and from there under the engine cover. All very neat, and you'd be hard pushed to even notice it. I do have pics of the cable runs if anyone is interested.

Insurance wanted 20% uplift on the basic car premium and that seemed consistent across 3 insurers. Interestingly, all of them would only consider it when they realised it was a std kit fittted and approved by MB. Aviva specifically said they would not insure if it was an un-official re-map.

I've done about 150 miles in it - one journey where I tried to drive steady (at 70-80 on dual carriageway), and one journey where I had a bit of fun.

First impression - in E mode, it likes 7th gear. A lot. It pulls quite happily at 1100 rpm so as I left my village it was in top gear well before it usually is. I figured this might help economy at low speed (as expected) but would have less effect at higher cruising. However, I also noticed that at 60 - 70 going up hills, where previously it would have changed down, now it just pulls on in top gear. On the first trip it showed MPG about 2mpg more than previously for the same trip/speed.

In Sport mode it definately is more eager but there is one junction with a short slip onto a fast dual carriageway where you need to get to 70 or 80 very quickly and it still seemed to lack some of the required pace when needed - possibly due to me down-shifting early and letting it change up in auto - hence maybe the engine was revving too high and not on the maximum torque. On single carriageway A roads and B roads it fairly flies - the responsiveness becomes more apparent but I was using the paddles more. If engine output was ever an issue before, it certainly isn't now (not on public roads). We'll see - I did do some timings of 0-80 and 50 - 80 prior to fitting, and will try to get to the same stretch of road for an objective compare in the next couple of days. Similarly, the car has done 8.5k miles and I have brimmed and recorded all fill-ups so an objective compare of consumption will be forthcoming also.

The Brabus badges are still in the box. I see no point in sticking stuff on the engine cover and the big BRABUS chrome badge for the rear is synonymous with V8/V12 (which this clearly isn't). The car was delivered without any badges - I think it will stay like that.

 

[Parago]

Hi . I have just picked my new toy a C350 CDI estate and would be very interested in your views now on the brabus chip having had it in place for a little while. It is not a cheap option through the dealer but if i was going to go ahead this the route i would take to maintain the warranty.
Look forward to your opinions

 

[wilsodg]

If you'd asked me a few months ago, I'd have said to not bother. As I put somewhere in another post, although the box seemed to make a difference to torque, the gear changes were at the wrong place and there was a dreadful flat spot whenever the engine went over 3500 rpm. I spoke to Brabus and they said the SW was likely old and that a new version would fix it - guaranteed. I was sceptical, but they sent the dealer a new box to fit. The difference was unbelievable - the car is great fun to drive now - much more a hooligans toy than before. The difference is so dramatic that I wondered if the old box was actually faulty but Brabus would not be drawn on this - just responded with some bland note about continuous improvement. I've got it in an E - in a C it would be even better, I am sure. If I floor it, the back starts to get out of shape quite easily now, the wheels will spin up much easier and I have no issue with flat spots. That's not to imply that I'm driving like a lunatic but you do notice the ESP cutting in more often - particularly pulling onto roundabouts if the road is a bit damp.

From an economy standpoint it's not made a huge difference - about 2 mpg less than without the box. I ran the car about 8k miles without, then had the first box for 4k, and now this one for 4k. The small difference is an indicator that I'm not calling on the box much, but then a 350 is pretty fast anyway so when you are cruising up the motorway at 70 - 90 it's not doing anything. But it's fun when you do use it. I don't worry about driving for economy - if I want to, I can get over 40 but if you want to do that all the time, get a 250.

So.. as of my experience in the last 4 months, I think it was worth it and I'd put one on again. As you observe, they aren't cheap but you do maintain some form of MB warranty. If you do it, take a photo of the white label on the back of the box, and ask Brabus to check the software level. The SW on mine was produced 8 months prior to the box being fitted so clearly MB have a few old ones in stock.

 

[Parago]

Thanks very much for these details and i will speak with my dealer next week. Also particular noted taking the photo of the white label issue?

 

[developer]

If you'd asked me a few months ago, I'd have said to not bother. As I put somewhere in another post, although the box seemed to make a difference to torque, the gear changes were at the wrong place and there was a dreadful flat spot whenever the engine went over 3500 rpm. I spoke to Brabus and they said the SW was likely old and that a new version would fix it - guaranteed. I was sceptical, but they sent the dealer a new box to fit. The difference was unbelievable - the car is great fun to drive now - much more a hooligans toy than before. The difference is so dramatic that I wondered if the old box was actually faulty but Brabus would not be drawn on this - just responded with some bland note about continuous improvement. I've got it in an E - in a C it would be even better, I am sure. If I floor it, the back starts to get out of shape quite easily now, the wheels will spin up much easier and I have no issue with flat spots. That's not to imply that I'm driving like a lunatic but you do notice the ESP cutting in more often - particularly pulling onto roundabouts if the road is a bit damp.

From an economy standpoint it's not made a huge difference - about 2 mpg less than without the box. I ran the car about 8k miles without, then had the first box for 4k, and now this one for 4k. The small difference is an indicator that I'm not calling on the box much, but then a 350 is pretty fast anyway so when you are cruising up the motorway at 70 - 90 it's not doing anything. But it's fun when you do use it. I don't worry about driving for economy - if I want to, I can get over 40 but if you want to do that all the time, get a 250.

So.. as of my experience in the last 4 months, I think it was worth it and I'd put one on again. As you observe, they aren't cheap but you do maintain some form of MB warranty. If you do it, take a photo of the white label on the back of the box, and ask Brabus to check the software level. The SW on mine was produced 8 months prior to the box being fitted so clearly MB have a few old ones in stock.

Great news .

 

[sinewave]

Now what we really need is someone with a 265bhp motor to get it Dyno'd before and after!


........................if they dare?

 

[developer]

Now what we really need is someone with a 265bhp motor to get it Dyno'd before and after!


........................if they dare?

Been there, done that- and ended up with no box for 6 weeks while Brabus had it back - never again J.