Remapping the M157?

[c3nturi0n]

This is aimed at those that already have their cars remapped (sorry trying to gauge if it is worth doing).

Other than obvious power/torque figures and something to brag about at times (what mine does 0-60 etc.), I always wondered if Stage 1 remap is worth exploring?
i.e. would it be more responsive low down, have better acceleration, smoother ride.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

This is aimed at those that already have their cars remapped (sorry trying to gauge if it is worth doing).

Other than obvious power/torque figures and something to brag about at times (what mine does 0-60 etc.), I always wondered if Stage 1 remap is worth exploring?
i.e. would it be more responsive low down, have better acceleration, smoother ride.

A good remap should do all of those things. A bad one will do some of them.

It must be worthwhile to some people as lots of people remap their cars, but it’s not worth it for the rest because they don’t.

 

[E55BOF]

I've often wondered in what respect do those who have them remapped find an M157, particularly the PPP versions, inadequate?

 

[ALFAitalia]

If you need to ask you probably wont understand!!

 

[E55BOF]

That's the same answer Harley Davidson owners give to explain why they love their highly-polished motorised tart's handbags of bikes - no performance, no handling, no brakes. Oh, I understand all right, but I don't share.

It's the same urge that makes so many 'personalise' their cars in pretty much the same way - lowered suspension, bigger wheels, wraps, heavily tinted windows, and so on. It's mostly to do with testosterone mixed with herd instinct, I think. Personally, I think such cars mostly look less appealing than before they were mucked about with, but that's a matter of taste. I understand that, too.

My CLS has been remapped (MSL), and the driveability is certainly improved, but it only had 265 bhp to start with. The last big leap in power in AMGs was the M113K; nothing since has had anything like the percentage power increase over its predecessor that that had, and the extra available with a simple remap has become less and less significant with each succeeding engine.

Looked at sensibly, 550 bhp is enough for anyone; how, exactly, are you going to make a car with that level of performance more driveable? On UK roads?

 

[c3nturi0n]

I've often wondered in what respect do those who have them remapped find an M157, particularly the PPP versions, inadequate?

What’s PPP?

 

[jimjamiejames]

What’s PPP?

Performance pack plus. Came with a bit more power as standard (557bhpI think or something like that) and the speed limiter raised from 155 to 175 I think.

 

[AMGeed]

Performance pack plus. Came with a bit more power as standard (557bhpI think or something like that) and the speed limiter raised from 155 to 175 I think.

The facelift Biturbo came in two forms, E63 with 557bhp and E63S with 585bhp. Some noticeable differences with extra cooling for the turbos, monogrammed seats and S in the cluster. Quite a high premium in price difference though which I felt not worth it over the stock car.

Having got used to the performance of a stock 557bhp E63, I took mine to MSL back in Nov '19 and Acid put a stage 1 Big Fish map on the car which boosted it to 666bhp and 1050Nm of torque. The map can be increased to around 700bhp if you want to raise the boost pressure. I was advised to stay at the lower figure to preserve the longevity of the engine. The speed limiter is removed completely.

It's like a different car and yes, 557bhp is perfectly adequate, but the difference is amazing and well worth doing IMO. The car has been faultless since the remap and I've still managed 29+mpg on a long run.
If you are thinking of a remap, just do it if you want smiles per gallon. Whilst you are in MSL, get the resonator out and straight pipe it.
The increased roar on acceleration is worth it.

 

[E55BOF]

Performance pack plus. Came with a bit more power as standard (557bhpI think or something like that) and the speed limiter raised from 155 to 175 I think.

The pre-facelift came with 550 as opposed to 525 bhp, but quite a bit more torque, and the limiter raised to 186 mph. I never felt it was even slightly inadequate...

 

[jonboyE63]

I've also been to MSL & had a stage 1 map on my 2012 E63 - added 100bhp & a shed load of torque - makes it a handful (entertaining) in the wet & a monster in the dry.
I drove it stock for 3 years then went for the remap & resonator delete - it's an epic car that sounds fantastic & now seriously pulls & keeps on pulling..
Heading to the Dolomites in 8 weeks with a few other car mates (6 in total) & they're all looking forward to trying to keep up & seeing how fast it will go on an unrestricted autobahn

 

[Rich764089]

The facelift Biturbo came in two forms, E63 with 557bhp and E63S with 585bhp. Some noticeable differences with extra cooling for the turbos, monogrammed seats and S in the cluster. Quite a high premium in price difference though which I felt not worth it over the stock car.

Having got used to the performance of a stock 557bhp E63, I took mine to MSL back in Nov '19 and Acid put a stage 1 Big Fish map on the car which boosted it to 666bhp and 1050Nm of torque. The map can be increased to around 700bhp if you want to raise the boost pressure. I was advised to stay at the lower figure to preserve the longevity of the engine. The speed limiter is removed completely.

It's like a different car and yes, 557bhp is perfectly adequate, but the difference is amazing and well worth doing IMO. The car has been faultless since the remap and I've still managed 29+mpg on a long run.
If you are thinking of a remap, just do it if you want smiles per gallon. Whilst you are in MSL, get the resonator out and straight pipe it.
The increased roar on acceleration is worth it.

^ this.

It's without doubt worth doing. I have an MSL map too. The torque is immense.

It's ridiculous and unnecessary, that goes without saying, but unquestionably some of the best money I've ever spent. Enjoyment factor is off the scale!

If you pootle and don't really use 550bhp, probably not worth it, but even if you only enjoy the occasional blast/overtake, I can't recommended enough.

And yes, I think you can use it all... in the dry... and yes there are situations when 550bhp is not enough.

Unleash the true potential!

 

[sgregory124]

That's the same answer Harley Davidson owners give to explain why they love their highly-polished motorised tart's handbags of bikes - no performance, no handling, no brakes. Oh, I understand all right, but I don't share.

This reminds me of a group of riders who I overheard at a show once, one guy was talking to a stall holder about their shared loved and ownership of Harley's. Meanwhile, one of his mates was behind and loudly mentioned that when they go out riding (he had a Honda Goldwing), he's the one who brings up the rear and picks up all the bits that come of the HD's in front

 

[jonboyE63]

"And yes, I think you can use it all... in the dry... and yes there are situations when 550bhp is not enough"

And that my friends sums it up...

 

[c3nturi0n]

Other than MSL (that everyone talks highly of), any other reputable tuners in the country (preferable south / London area)?

 

[Rich764089]

GAD also seem to get rave reviews...

 

[E55BOF]

^ this.

It's without doubt worth doing. I have an MSL map too. The torque is immense.

It's ridiculous and unnecessary, that goes without saying, but unquestionably some of the best money I've ever spent. Enjoyment factor is off the scale!

If you pootle and don't really use 550bhp, probably not worth it, but even if you only enjoy the occasional blast/overtake, I can't recommended enough.

And yes, I think you can use it all... in the dry... and yes there are situations when 550bhp is not enough.

Unleash the true potential!

When you get older, and the testosterone is less concentrated, you come to realise that on the road, there are very few occasions (apart from the traffic lights Grands Prix) when 550 bhp is not enough. It's called maturity, and in my case, it happened suddenly; three years ago My Mate Dave came within an inch of losing his licence while using the full 550 bhp...

I'm not a willy-waver, I still don't pootle and never have (my son sometimes calls me Stig, and he's only half-joking), and I matured very late (at least partially; the competitive urge is still there, but tempered [mostly...] by common sense now). I'm an OAP, and have been for several years.

You'll grow out of it, so enjoy it while you still think you're invincible, and watch out for unmarked police cars...

 

[Rich764089]

When you get older, and the testosterone is less concentrated, you come to realise that on the road, there are very few occasions (apart from the traffic lights Grands Prix) when 550 bhp is not enough. It's called maturity, and in my case, it happened suddenly; three years ago My Mate Dave came within an inch of losing his licence while using the full 550 bhp...

I'm not a willy-waver, I still don't pootle and never have (my son sometimes calls me Stig, and he's only half-joking), and I matured very late (at least partially; the competitive urge is still there, but tempered [mostly...] by common sense now). I'm an OAP, and have been for several years.

You'll grow out of it, so enjoy it while you still think you're invincible, and watch out for unmarked police cars...

I certainly don't think I'm invincible. I've had heart stopping moments over the years that keep me in check.

But using all the power doesn't necessarily mean you're driving recklessly. And I don't do traffic light GPs!

I think I'm fairly mature to be honest, but I also hope I don't stop enjoying my cars and the exhilaration they give.

And if that wears off, I guess I'll try TRT

 

[ALFAitalia]

Slightly off topic but does anyone know a firm or person that just completely delimits the E63 M156/M157.....but without mapping for more power. Id probably never go flat out.....but any sort of electronic restriction annoys me....same way it annoys me that the W204 C63 is electronically castrated on power. It used to when bikes where restricted to 125 horses too....soon sorted that out on my ones!!

 

[Rich764089]

I love that 155mph or 186mph (P30 pack) isn't fast enough to continue the off topic, does anyone actually know how fast a 5.5 E63 goes? 186mph is still limited, right?

 

[jonboyE63]

I love that 155mph or 186mph (P30 pack) isn't fast enough to continue the off topic, does anyone actually know how fast a 5.5 E63 goes? 186mph is still limited, right?

Hi Rich,

The chaps at MSL told me that once it's been mapped & de-restricted it would pull pass the PP 186mph & keep pulling until it "revs out"....not sure I want to test this, all I know is that i've had mine @ 160mph+ (on a private runway I have to add) & it was showing no signs of running out of puff..