'99 e300 chipped - yee hah!
 

Took the '99 over to Jeff Robertson at Rocket Chip Saturday and he installed a couple of new chips for his "RC1" first stage upgrade. Best $ I ever spent on this car! Now we've got two of them that just get up and move the instant you step on the pedal - no more waiting for 2500 rpm. This is the way these cars should run!

Rocketchip does make some nice software... I have his tune in my TDI. Whenever I ask him to twiddle with my benz or ECOdiesel he just gives me a funny look though :P

-Jason

Anyone know if they have a program available for the non-turbo E300's? The only other company with available software flash is SpeedTuningUSA. Just curious...

I'll ask (about non-turbo tuning) next time I talk to him. It will probably involve physically opening up the computer and replacing a couple of the chips as he did no mine. Still can't get over how much nicer the car is to drive now. Not a race car, of course, but the power just comes on and keeps coming. If you're cruising along at 65 and whack the throttle the power is there immediately and you're at 100. This could get expensive :). Actually, the best part is the acceleration from stop or very low speed. Makes the car much nicer to drive around town in traffic. :)

How much does this effect your gas mileage?

I wouldn't be surprised if it got better, at times when you aren't taking advantage of the extra power that is.

Don't know impact on fuel efficiency yet. I'm sure it's lower at the moment but only because I'm having too much fun stomping on the pedal. Have an 1100 mile trip coming up next week and will see what I get from each tank.

Followup re: impact on mileage. Highway mileage has actually increased. Typically running with cruise on at about 73mph, 500 miles each way. Previously I was getting about 27.5mpg, now getting 29. Note that I also installed a hotter (85C) thermostat (stock T'stat for '96/'97 non-turbo E300) so that may also contribute to improved mileage.

Haven't noticed any difference in mileage around town but I don't track it as closely.