OM606 Unleashed: My 1998 E300 Chip Tuning Experience
 

For any who might be interested, I thought I would share the results of the chip tuning I just had done on my 98 E300. I'd been researching the matter off and on for the last six months or so. Seemed like I had everything to gain and nothing to lose. I decided to go with Rocketchip in Red Lion, PA, in part because of the consistently stellar reviews Jeff Roberston gets and in part because I could drive the car to him to get it chipped (Red Lion is not too far from my parents).

I decided to go with a Stage 2 tuning. According to everything I could read, that's (a) well within the operating envelope of the engine and (b) the most you can get out of the car without also making other upgrades (exhaust, etc...) which I have no interest in doing. Jeff's claim for a Stage 2 tuning on my car is an increase of 40 hp, 68 ft-lbs. of torque, 6.5 psi of boost, and 3-4 mpg of increased fuel economy (and he claims that his estimates tend to be fairly conservative).

One of the benefits of taking the car to Jeff was being being able to watch him work! Very thorough and professional and precise. But I must admit to being a bit nervous watching him modify a board that would cost $2000 for the part alone for MB to replace!

He put two new sockets on the board, programmed two new chips, and installed them; he gave me back the old chips in case, for any reason, I ever wanted to switch the car back to OEM specs (no chance of that).

Then, the moment of truth. Took it for a test drive and...WOW! I was impressed with the car before, but by comparison everything was smoother, more powerful, and more effortless...especially on the top end.

From PA back to RI I drove it about 400 miles or so and it drove like a dream the whole way. Couldn't be happier with the tuning. Mind you, I could very easily live with an UNtuned E300....but this is a very clear improvement and well worth the effort and expense.

On Friday, I will put it on a dyno for the "after" test (put it on a dyno two weeks ago to get a baseline). Then I will know for certain the actual hp and torque gains and will let you guys know.

Fuel economy wise, I had been getting about 27 mpg mixed, 30 straight highway. It will be a few months before I have reliable numbers.

Anyway, really, really pleased with my chip tuning (obviously).

Will definitely be interested to learn about your follow up dyno results. Looking forward to the future post.

;) :)

Jeff has tuned several of our cars. I've never been anything less than extremely pleased.

Can the OE chips be reworked so they fit in the new sockets?

Sixto
MB-less

Apparently. It sounded like a simple matter but I didn't pursue the specifics. I suppose what he may have done is put the the info from the OE chips on two new chips.

As I mention in another thread, the dyno test this morning didn't work. So, no hard numbers yet....but still thrilled with the performance of the car.

Just curious Shertex, what did that cost you pls?

$385.

^ good price as far as chip tuning goes. Have you done anything with the transmission? I know in earlier cars (like the w124) that was always. Weak point. I feel like bumping power and torque is not going to help it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just got the second set of dyno pulls done. The measured results are a little on the disappointing side: +21 HP, +30 ft. lbs. (as compared to the +40 HP, +68 ft. lbs. that Rocketchip advertised). However, I will say that Jeff at Rocketchip impresses me as being more competent at what he does than the dyno operator does at what he does. So, though the numbers are what they are, my inclination is to give Jeff the benefit of the doubt. Again, in terms of my subjective impressions of the car's performance, the gains seem to be substantial.

Regarding fuel economy, it's probably still too early to tell (since so many variables come into play). But, thus far, I continue to stay in the 27-30 mpg range and thus haven't noted any improvement.

You went up 6.5psi in boost?

That's the claim, at least....but boost was not measured.

Before and after graphs added.

Respectable for a chip. I can't tell you how many hours I worked on my 617 for similar increase. HOURS. DAYS.