Would you map / chip a new car?

[nickd911]

Hi,

So recently got a new GLS 350d Bluetec and given my last car was a comp pack M5, I'm finding it a little sluggish!

I've now done 2k miles and thinking it could do with some extra pull, so spoke to Merc and they only offered a Brabus chip for the best part of £2k + fitting. After picking myself up from the floor I started looking at the other players such as Superchips, Racechips etc. My only concern is the warranty.

Guessing the 350d is a standard engine across the MB range, has anyone else done any mods and secondly, would you do it on a new car?

Any advise appreciated.

Nick

 

[JDL60]

An ECU remap might be the way to go, if found of course it will compromise your warranty, however unless the MB dealership service guys interrogate the ECU specifically they won’t find the map (also if you are really concerned it can be removed before service and written back in after!) I learned this recently as that’s what I’ve done....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you're concerned about warranty, then really your best option is the Brabus tuning box, even if it's pricey, because it will not invalidate your warranty.

 

[ph47mf]

you will soon get used to the new power and want even more. so I'd say leave it as it is or change car.

 

[AMGeed]

I would think about a GLE63

Seriously though, the Brabus route, although expensive sounds your best bet for keeping the warranty intact.

 

[nickd911]

An ECU remap might be the way to go, if found of course it will compromise your warranty, however unless the MB dealership service guys interrogate the ECU specifically they won’t find the map (also if you are really concerned it can be removed before service and written back in after!) I learned this recently as that’s what I’ve done....

Sounds interesting, is there any companies you would recommend?

 

[nickd911]

I would think about a GLE63

Seriously though, the Brabus route, although expensive sounds your best bet for keeping the warranty intact.

Wish i had gone for a used GLS AMG but eye watering fuel consumption and crazy money to buy. sounds Awesome though

 

[JDL60]

Sounds interesting, is there any companies you would recommend?

MSL Birmingham but it’s a bit of a trek for you...

 

[daveenty]

Sounds interesting, is there any companies you would recommend?

Have a word with Olly at PCS. THE go to person in your area I would have thought...

 

[Stevedegal]

I'd recommend driving the car for awhile to see if there are any obvious issues - why risk invalidating the warranty?

 

[Stevedegal]

I'd recommend driving the car for awhile to see if there are any obvious issues - why risk invalidating the warranty?

Also means when you do remap in a year or two like getting a new car again - unless you change cars more often then who cares about warranty issues...

 

[AlexM]

The Brabus box is a very expensive for what it is, but it does have warranty backing and will still have significant resale value when you decide to get rid of the car.

Be wary about ECU tuning a car under warranty - it might violate the terms of your finance agreement (if you have one) and if you have an engine problem the dealer can tell from the flash count, even if it is reprogrammed to standard tune. If neither is a concern, then go for it.

 

[AllPow]

Is there not a warrantee consideration ?

 

[BaldGuy]

I'm in exactly the same position with my Cayenne, it has a 2 year Porsche warranty and i've been told that if i remap it, it'll void it, the dealer can see if the ECU has been interrogated and also how many times even if you use one of the plug in modules that say they "cant" leave any history.... so just be aware!

 

[AndyRC]

Sorry to bit of a kill joy but why should any manufacturer honour a warranty if you modify the car beyond their design parameters? It does make me very wary of any “tuneable” car. Many people “put back to stock” before selling and don’t declare that fact, the next poor soul buys something which it isn’t. From my experience engines seem to be much more to able than drivetrains, inevitably something twixt engine and tyre gives out as you find the weakest link.

If it’s been tuned , please be upfront honest and clear that that is the case when selling. I’d be happy to have my car interrogated at every trip to a main dealer and the service report marked up as “ECU interrogated and no anomalies found” . Unmolested, well maintained cars which can be proven as such will be worth much more as time passes.

Rant over waiting for bricks to be thrown. Hard hat on

 

[Wolfie1]

Remaps, where to begin, manufacturers make a generic map that suits all cars in all countries, so the likes of countries that only have 83ron fuel to countries that have 107 ron fuel they will all run a map safe for 83, here in the uk we a fortunate to have 99 ron fuel so we can safely get our cars mapped for more power and still keep within the manufacturers spec for the engine

 

[E55BOF]

I was under the impression that manufacturers' maps automatically self-adjust to suit the grade of fuel in the tank, and if you put 99 octane fuel in your tank, the car will therefore not be running the same map as for 83 octane fuel.

 

[400ixl]

The will retard the ignition for poor quality fuels if they have a knock sensor fitted. Some, but very few automatically advance the ignition beyond the standard for better fuels. Hence the limited benefit of higher octane fuels which is limited to the cleaner burn rather than the earlier ignition.

The base point for the ignition timing is region / country specific. For example it is more often retarded for North America than Europe due to different lower base fuel standards. So it isn't always one global ECU map. Can be, but not usually.

Its also pretty safe by default even within region, with a lot of room for getting more out safely, when you know it will only have a minimum quality of fuel going in.

 

[Wolfie1]

To an extent, yea they do

 

[Yugguy]

I would imagine if a turbo blew or the like the dealers would be looking for a reason. Anything to get out of paying.