Tuning box for W210 E320 cdi

[Charles Morgan]

Olly reckons I would get far higher mpg (as well as an extra slug of torque) if I fitted one. Anybody fitted one, any real life experience and reccomendations? I am averaging about 42 mpg at present (with aircon now on and a medium weight right foot).

 

[ringway]

I was considering a tuning box for my Vito 3.0 V6CDI and was impressed by Viezu. LINK.


I think the age/mileage of the car has to be considered when throwing more BHP/Torque at the components.

It is very tempting though.. I seem to recall MB Club member MadDog enjoying success with a Van Aaken tuning box on his S210 320cdi. 7.5 seconds for a car of that weight and size is pretty good.

 

[rf065]

Olly reckons I would get far higher mpg (as well as an extra slug of torque) if I fitted one. Anybody fitted one, any real life experience and reccomendations? I am averaging about 42 mpg at present (with aircon now on and a medium weight right foot).

For all the claims of more MPG, I have never ever seen any test that proved this was the case. I wonder why?

Russ

 

[Charles Morgan]

Good point Russ, hence my real world experience request. The car's performance is not in need of an upgrade, so if economy can't be improved, it would all be a bit pointless.

 

[flango]

We remap and fit tuning boxes if you remap you can control the parameters on the fuel map accurately so you can refine this to make the car more economical. Tuning boxes, we use dtuk check out there website they have differing types of boxes including economy most of our customers report 8% - 10% better mpg with these fitted placebo effect maybe cant really comment as all our cars are mapped for power not economy

 

[GordonTarling]

FWIW, here's my experiences. I fitted a good quality tuning box to my old S210 when I had it. It worked well and gave bags more power and torque. However, it didn't seem to do anything for the economy and the car always left a huge cloud of black smoke behind if I floored it. The box didn't stay fitted for long!
I had my last S211 remapped - wonderful increase in power - did nothing for throttle/turbo/gearbox lag - did nothing for economy - made more smoke than it should and wouldn't get through the MOT, so the mapping was reverted to standard very quickly!

I have no doubt that some remaps can work well, but I'm of the opinion that it needs to be custom mapping rather than anything generic if problems are to be avoided. However, the exception to this seems to be the Brabus boxes, which are reputed to work well.

 

[developer]

I think more bhp and more mpg is unlikely though some sellers of such equipment may tell you otherwise.

Mine was on when I bought it so I can't give you a before/after comparison, but common sense would say you can't have both.

I can say, however, that the mid range is great .

 

[grober]

Provided!! you don't use all the extra torque you should get a few more mpgs. Only with the more reputable tuners though ! There is only some anecdotal evidence from tests on boxes from Brabus or Kleeman on the subject! BRABUS ECO PowerXtra Improves CDI Fuel Efficiency By More Than 2 Miles Per Gallon | eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog

It's quite possible cheaper boxes [ possible copies of the above ] will also work but there is probably no documented evidence on them. When you take into account the price you would have to drive many miles to recoup the cost particularly if you don't want to also benefit what many people buy these for- the extra performance. That said many folks love them for the increased driveability of the car's that have them fitted- an unquantifiable but important benefit!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Thanks all. I have come to conclude that the expenditure won't be justified by any real savings. Perhaps it is me driving better, or the weather, but on a badly held up run around the M25 from rural Kent this afternoon (solid from the A3 to the M4) I achieved almost 45mpg. This was with a blissfully cool air-con working too.

 

[paultredgett]

Hi,
45 mpg is actually very good for w210 e320 cdi, mine has 198,000 miles up and gets 34-ish around town and up to 44 on a long run with a light-ish right foot, mine seems to be better on fuel once up to 68-70 mph and then level off.
I have owned mine for 6 months now and its average over that time has been 38 mpg according to the computer.
Whatever, 40 mpg from an old oil burning engine that drives a car weighing 2.5 tons is always a good deal, my 2.5 tdi pug motorhome of the same tonnage only does 25 mpg!!

 

[Dieselman]

Whatever, 40 mpg from an old oil burning engine that drives a car weighing 2.5 tons is always a good deal, my 2.5 tdi pug motorhome of the same tonnage only does 25 mpg!!

What car weighs in at 2.5 Tonnes? If you mean the E class, you are nearly 1 Tonne out.

 

[rf065]

What car weighs in at 2.5 Tonnes? If you mean the E class, you are nearly 1 Tonne out.

You don't know what he keeps in the boot though!

Russ

 

[HB]

I have a DTE box on my 320 cdi. All I can say is that it is brill. I have found an increase of around 3 to 5 mpg but the real beauty is the extra power. Get one Charles it transforms your car.

 

[baz towler]

had a essing dieseltuning box fitted to my e320 210 cdi about 3 years ago was getting 42/43 mpg at steady 70ish mph mpg went up to 48/49 at same speed cost £300 one trip on M5 from midlands to Penzance 65mph with cruise control got 52mpg but who whants to drive a merc at those sort of speeds also power was a bit better

 

[paultredgett]

.........mine weighs 1.94 tons apparently (estate) so loaded up with a bit of camping gear etc and four adults it would be touching 2.5 tons I guess?

 

[paultredgett]

What car weighs in at 2.5 Tonnes? If you mean the E class, you are nearly 1 Tonne out.

Mine actually weighs 1.94 tons with a tank of fuel (estate E320 cdi) then add some camping gear and four people and it must be getting close to 2.5 tons?

 

[Dieselman]

1.94 Tonnes is the GVW, not the kerb weight.

 

[paultredgett]

1.94 Tonnes is the GVW, not the kerb weight.

oooops!

 

[V12]

Best way to save money on fuel is to correctly inflate your tyres and maintain the car properly.
Tuning boxes have never been proven to help and companies that claim to improve it should finally back these claims up with facts and proven tests.