Brabus chip for C220 CDI question

[markg14]

My local MB dealer is currently offering the above on a "Try Before You Buy" basis. I get a week to decide if I like it, and if not they offer a no-quibble money-back guarantee Knowing that it might be difficult to go back to standard tuning, I would like to know if anyone else has this chip fitted to their Mercedes, and what they think of it.

 

[rf065]

When the Brabus chip for the 220CDi first came out, it was supposed to be MB approved. Something happened & MB reneged on this, the official line from MB was that they were still evaluating it.

I've been told that they were selling it & withdrew it pretty quick, telling Brabus the power delivery was too aggressive. The 220CDi autobox is also supposed to be good for not much more than the standard torque figure. So you can read into that and draw your own conclusions as to what the problem was.

That all happened about 2 years ago, so the chip Brabus are selling now must be modified from the original, or less aggressive if you like, for MB to sell it, but the auto box will still be the same.

Many will swear by them, which is fine as long as you are aware of any possible pitfalls and make your own informed decision.

Russ

 

[Cole@MBS]

Lulu looked into this and found the gearbox was running at its max with the standard 220 lump. saying that, i have driven 2 of the 220 with the chip and both were un-real compered to the standard form!!

 

[markg14]

The chip they are selling is badged "BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D5 III".
From this I assume versions I and II were problematic. One of the claimed advantages of this chip are "Extensive safety features for the protection of the engine and drive train". As someone who has already had one replacement torque-converter at 20,000 miles (and think I may be due another very soon), I have asked MB UK for confirmation that my 3-year/Unlimited-mileage warranty will not be compromised by fitting this chip.

 

[psmart]

Any info on wether this upgrade is suitable for Manual (Sequentronic) boxes?

 

[markg14]

Nothing mentioned, so assume it will be suitable.
For the models you list, the following power increases are claimed:-

C220CDI (W203) +27BHP

ML280CDI +50BHP
ML270CDI not listed

ML420CDI + 44BHP
ML500 not listed

 

[rf065]

I have asked MB UK for confirmation that my 3-year/Unlimited-mileage warranty will not be compromised by fitting this chip.

Mercedes only warranted the Brabus chips if they were fitted from new, or at least before 2 years/18,000 miles. The unlimited part of the warranty was also reduced to 60,000 miles though. I do not suppose that will have changed?

Russ

 

[lulu]

As others have implied, it's not the power that's the issue with the auto gearbox (since there are petrol models with greater horsepower), but, the torque increase. As S-A-M mentioned, I stopped considering the idea for my 220CDI after digging around and found that the auto gearbox wasn't really designed to take an increase in torque above standard.
Again, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread, as long as your armed with the facts, you can take your own informed risks.

 

[markg14]

I have been very specific with MB, and they assure me that the 3-year/unlimited-mileage warranty that came with the car will not be compromised. I have asked for this in writing before allowing them to fit it. I was under the same understanding, that tthe chip must be fitted before the car reaches 18,000 miles, but I am now told that the car must have less than 60,000 miles. They are also offering this deal on older C-Class models as well.

 

[markg14]

Going in on Tuesday, so last call!
Has anyone had the "BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D5 III" chip fitted to their car please?

 

[st4]

I'd advise against this as the gearbox may not be able to handle the extra torque as Russell has already said. Your insurance will rise disproportionately for the extra power and if you want more, you're better with a C320cdi.

 

[GCLTuning]

Or save your self several £100 and have a Bespoke software upgrade that is WARRANTED and Certified ...

C220 cdi has a typical Gain of 30 BHP and 80 NM of torque (Performance Map (Max) this is a large improvement with no other upgrades needed also a gain of + 8 MPG has been obtained from this engine






Regards Gary @ GCL Tuning

 

[markg14]

Are you saying MB warrant your software upgrades? Surely MB will only warrant approved upgrades?...i.e. Brabus

 

[GCLTuning]

No.

We warrant our product (underwritten by ChippedUK) also we hold TUV Certification. Covering the software and Vehicle.

We are one of 3 that offer this to our clients .

Regards GCL Tuning

 

[markg14]

So if you applied the software changes to my MB, and (for instance) the torque-converter or gearbox could not cope and broke, are you saying that your warranty would cover the repair? I am pretty sure MB would wash their hands!

 

[rf065]

So if you applied the software changes to my MB, and (for instance) the torque-converter or gearbox could not cope and broke, are you saying that your warranty would cover the repair? I am pretty sure MB would wash their hands!

Read post number 29, the term "on to plums" sounds about right.

http://www.civinfo.com/forum/engines-transmission/10041-remapping-read-chippeduk-2.html

Russ

 

[markg14]

Ominous silence...............

Nuff said - cancelled the whole thing. Seems the chippers are about as slippery as MB UK, and can only imagine the arguments if (when) there is a warranty claim.

Thanks for all your input guys.

 

[GCLTuning]

No need for that we do not spend our entire day on forums ...


Yes we would cover ...



Kind Regards Gary @ GCL Tuning

 

[GCLTuning]

With Regards to insurance we are currently in talks with many insurance company's to offer an even more efficient , fast and friendly service ...

Many insurance company's will not raise your insurance premium if for Economy reasons


Regards Gary @ GCL Tuning

 

[groundhog]

I have just purchased a new C220CDi sport auto estate with a brabus chip and the car has now covered 3000 miles so I am getting a fair idea of what it is really like.

The chip was fitted by my MB dealer before PDI so is fully covered under warranty for three years. Not sure about the 60K vs 100K but it doesn't concern me anyway.

The difference in performance is staggering, it is a completely different car, has been smooth and is returning 35mpg plus urban. I haven't driven it on a long run yet but expect it to achieve above the manufacturers figure.

I informed the insurance company and the difference in premium for a power increase of up to 20% cost just another £17 per year ( More Than and Sheilas Wheels the same) which is about 10% of the premium. Only slightly more than the 9 year old Volvo it replaced.

Had I not fitted the Brabus chip I would probably have gone for a BMW 320 M sport ( sorry to swear on a merc forum).

If you want the extra performance I whole heartedly recommend the brabus chip on the C220cdi because it is economical, practical and insurance is good. I considered and tried the 320 but couldn't really justify the extra running and purchase costs when the only real advantage to me was the fact that it doesn't have the 4 cylinder clatter from outside the car.

Obviously I do not know what the long term reliability will be but driven sensibly it holds no fears.

No regrets whatever....makes me smile every time I drive the thing!!