Power Chip for 1999 C43..anyone tried one? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

supermech2001 · #1 05-01-2003, 10:54 PM

Has anyone had or installed a powerchip in a C43? If so then how did it perform..more power/torque/smooth power band/alter fuel economy/emissions problems?Any and all feedback is appreciated.
Does the powerchip actually perform better than the Mercedes AMG program chip that comes with the car?
Thanks
Phillip
1999 C43

manny · #2 05-02-2003, 05:30 PM

If that was my C 43, I would'nt screw around with chips.
Pretty sure it is maxed out .......safely.

DR.DIESEL · #3 05-05-2003, 11:15 AM

AMG sets them up pretty darn good. Renntech or Brabus could
probably set you up with a more aggressive tuning package
for engine management, but the cost is high and the return is
only slight. On the ones that have come accross my hoist,
there has been complaints of poor fuel economy and poor
driveability on AMG "chipped" cars.

DR.D

mbc43amg · #4 05-05-2003, 02:46 PM

dunno about that...

The C43 [at least mine] is somewhat of a dog off the line, until 2500 to 3000 RPM, plus has very little mid peddle response, especially if the ignition retardation is set to "default".

If you set ignition to "RON93" [US 91 octane] in the MB Star Diagnosis computer, the top & mid-peddle response is much MUCH better, but not as great as I know a 302 HP, 302 torque car can be.

Powerchip and others like them [RennTech] state this is where you'll see greatest gains; not WOT gains.

Car's about to go out of warranty. I'll probably be doing something [was also considering Unichip, but it may not do ignition on a late model MB].

Tump · #5 05-21-2003, 06:07 PM

Dear mbc43amg:

I've got my 99 C43AMG out here in Westchester NY and would love to have it set to "RON 93" -- don't know if my dealer will do it though. They are rather timid and very conservative -- hell, they wouldn't even change the tranny fluid and filter because Benz claims the 722.6 tranny fluid lasts for life, sure.

In any case, you being in NY as well, is there any way you could hook me up with such a change?

I have been considering the Powerchip Gold93 but I've not yet heard enough about it to warrant the $850 they want to install it. I'm thinking that converting to "RON 93" settings would accomplish about as much, since all performance dealers tell me that chips really only make a difference at high rpm's, well outside the range that one drives in normally.

mbc43amg · #6 06-08-2003, 10:20 PM

Sorry for the delay in the response.

"I" can't hook you up. But I do recommend making the effort of going into the NYC dealership by the Lincoln Tunnel. It's actually not a dealership; rather it's a "Factory Store". And w/o a doubt, the most capable and knowledgable service department there is in the area.

Just spend some time talking to a Service Manager before he assigns you a Serivce Advisor. They have different "teams" and some are more performance oriented than others. Let him know what you expect. It's important to get hooked up with technicians who care to sqeeze the most out of the car on your behalf from the onset. Otherwise you might just get guys who are good at "replacing and installing parts"; like your local dealiship it sounds.

Tump · #7 06-09-2003, 08:51 AM

Thanks,

I'll travel over there and see what they can do.

Tump · #8 06-10-2003, 10:26 PM

Dear mbc43amg:

I was at the dealer this morning for warranty service to my seat and BAS/ESP system and I asked him to use his star computer to set my car to RON93. After I picked up the car it was quite a bit quicker and had a much deeper growl (I am also running racing foam air filters). Since I didn't see the reset on the bill I called him up and asked. He said they reset it for me but, on the sly. It makes an incredible difference. After this change I certainly do not need to buy a computer chip upgrade -- I don't think it can do more. The next great upgrade to my car will be H&R lowering springs and, if I find the money, a Kleeman compressor: 450 hp 450 ft lbs for $16,000.00 installed near me. Expensive but I haven't found any lesser but credible upgrade that costs less and increases hp over 300 but under 450 to perhaps, 380. Maybe you know of such an upgrade?

Also, I drove to Huntington LI on Thursday to test drive a 99 C43 AMG exactly like mine, except it was completely stock and only had 30K miles (mine has 60K). Comparing the feel of that car to mine convinced me that my upgrades have definately improved on the car. Mine was more comfortable (Comand, Burl Trim), my car handled and rode better (wider AMG 2 piece wheels), and was faster (foam racing filters, four new O2 sensors, new MB syn tranny fluid and filter, new MB syn diff. fluid, new front rotors, new wheel bearings, EBC green stuff pads) than the stock AMG. I compared these two vehicles because I completed the upgrades to my AMG over a period of time and forgot what the car felt like originally. With the RON93 upgrade, there is now no comparison. I can't wait to install the H&R lowering springs.

Thanks,

mbc43amg · #9 06-23-2003, 12:48 PM

Sorry for the delay in response. I've had my hands full w/work and haven't been keeping up with my own stuff.

I'm really glad to hear. Who was you service advisor or tech btw {send me private if you or they wouldn't want you to divulge in public; "my guy" left after an argument with mgmt}

Further, I never knew I could do so much. I know there's got to be a problem with my car since it's so rough, stalls, it's inconsisten, etc. I'm most curious about the O2 sensors. Were they stock AMG or after market/performance.

I'm really glad it worked out. Talk to you later.

(btw, I must have had warranty work done to my seats 10 times; even totally taken apart and re-stiched at least twice)

Tump · #10 06-23-2003, 04:56 PM

MBC43amg:

Yes all my mods are done with MB or AMG parts except the EBC Green Stuff brake pads, H&R Springs and the RamFX foam filters.

I simply replaced the 4 Bosch O2 sensors with 4 new ones at 55K miles. Bosch claims they wear out at about 60K. Benz replaces them when the car stops working. I don't believe that there is any such thing as a performance O2 sensor -- I did see somewhere on this board that a member claimed a Japenese O2 sensor worked better on his MB than the Bosch sensors.

I'll let you know who my dealer is if you need, but I believe, here in Westchester, they tend to do more for the clients of their dealership (I bought my C43 from them and bought enough parts for my 87 300E to restore it before I learned of this board). Don't know exactly how snotty they are though. What about your NYC dealership?

The best mod to date is the H&R's and the Euro Comand.

And my seat -- aghhh! -- its broken again (number 4). This time they are replacing the side bolsters on August 1. The only reason I'm not too crazy mad is that they give me a loaner MB with a full tank of gas every time they "fix" my car.

Later,

mbc43amg · #11 06-25-2003, 05:17 PM

I meant who were the techs who worked on the car in NYC.

I had my car worked on by the team under a head tech named "Johnny T." but he's no longer there. There was a great tech on the team named Andrew who I believe is still there. [He did a great job with my transmission. ] ...so was just wondering if you knew any of the names who worked on your car.

How do you go about getting the Euro Command [and having it installed in the car]? Not having "Command" or an integrated digital phone [I have the analog phone which is now useless] is one of the reasons I'm thinking of changing the car.

It's hard to get a loaner from NYC though. I live in a village within Huntington. Huntington gives you the pampering treatment. They've done a lot for me. But it's still really tough being the customer of them. You can't imagine the spotty service I've had.

...there's really just so much ; it's embarrassing not only of them, but that I keep going back for more [because it's convenient]. Other times though -- like when my steering knuckle went, taking out the wheel bearing, taking out the brake pads, taking out the brake rotor -- they do a great job, and all under warranty. I just can't figure it out.

Best Regards

Tump · #12 06-25-2003, 06:23 PM

mbc43amg:

I didn't have my car looked at in NYC -- I had the dealer in Westchester do it (Estate Motors). He was very accomodating, and I did not talk to the tech who did the work.

As far as a Euro Comand and digital phone goes, contact Steve MBenzNL at "s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com". Check out his web site at http://www.MBenz.NL. He does amazing work and his prices cannot be beat.

He takes a while to respond to his email but it is well worth it. Do tell him I referred you if you decide to use him.

Best of luck

P.S. pray for my seat -- Benz will try to fix it again.

mbc43amg · #13 06-26-2003, 01:59 PM

Duh ... you sometimes gotta hit me over the head I guess.
:p
Sorry, I mis-understood that it wasn't done in NYC.

BTW, do you find it still pulls hard and fast up to red-line in 1st and 2nd? Mine's not anymore; though I feel that may be fuel delivery, injectors, plugs, or something else. Wondering if you found the RON93 setting detracts at all from the hi-RPM response @ WOT with how your car's set up?

Thanx for the info on the Command. And yes, best of luck with the seats. No problems for me for the last 1/2 year of so. I hope they finally got it.

mbc43amg · #14 06-26-2003, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tump
mbc43amg:
As far as a Euro Comand and digital phone goes, contact Steve MBenzNL at "s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com". Check out his web site at http://www.MBenz.NL. He does amazing work and his prices cannot be beat.
He takes a while to respond to his email but it is well worth it. Do tell him I referred you if you decide to use him.

Curious. Did he do the work while he was over here [he's from the Netherlands]. Or did you just purchase it all from him in "kit" form?

thanx for the add'l info.

[and no we're -= really =- off topic

]

Tump · #15 06-27-2003, 04:48 PM

He does all the installations himself. Wouldn't sell the products without it and won't install someone else's stuff. He's very meticulous and only uses Benz parts. He makes between 4 and 7 trips to the US per year. I met him about a month and a half ago in NJ about 20 min. from my house. He goes to the West Coast and the East Coast mostly. Installation took about 45 min. -- waiting for the previous install to finish about 2 hours.

Marc