MKB Tuning Power Conversion Error

[racetested]

I'm not sure if this was posted already but I ran MKB's kw numbers through my Mac's dashboard conversion tool and the 221kw only come out to 296hp and not the 306 posted for and ECU tune. I also ran a few other models and there is an error in them also. I double checked on an internet conversion tool and the numbers come out to the same as my Mac computer. A 10hp increase in marketing is substantial IMO for an ECU tune. We'll see what MKB says when I get a reply.

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[Flame3g]

thanks we will be waiting

[StickyZ]

inflated numbers are bad for business.

[Krytech]

Has anyone purchased this ECU tune yet? 28HP (10%) is still a healthy gain from an NA engine. I really would like to see a dyno chart, but so far they haven't responded to my inquiry...

They also recently released a C63 tune that adds a whopping 110HP. Takes that beast from 457 to 567HP!

[racetested]

I highly doubt too many C class owners will pony up $2500 for a ECU tune so you may be waiting some time.

Like you I haven't gotten a response yet and considering all the other tuners only supply about a 10-15hp increase I have my high doubts of the power claims.

[Ape]

Originally Posted by Krytech

Has anyone purchased this ECU tune yet? 28HP (10%) is still a healthy gain from an NA engine. I really would like to see a dyno chart, but so far they haven't responded to my inquiry...

They also recently released a C63 tune that adds a whopping 110HP. Takes that beast from 457 to 567HP!

I received this reply today from MKB. Check out the 0-100 km/r time quoted @ 5.3 vs. stock of 6.4. If that is a real result, I would absolutely by this tune. I am too chicken to plop my own $$ down for it until I hear that it is the real deal from a 350 owner here. (it would also help if i had the car, not expected until Oct at best)
Thanks for your inquiry. Here are the details for the ECU upgrades MKB performs.

Thanks for your inquiry. Here are the details for the ECU upgrades MKB performs.

Our upgrades are an actual flash. We read out the Mercedes base files and our ecu tuning team in Germany makes the modifications and then we read in the tuned files to your ecu. We need your ecu shipped to us on the West Coast. Once we have it we have your ecu back to you in two days. Our tuning is virtually undetectable by a Mercedes technician. We have a positive relationship with Mercedes and this allows us to provide a complete tune, versus a partial tune that might only adjust fuel and air mixture. We will re-flash your ecu if for some reason a factory update is needed and overwrites the tuned file. We will then incorporate the updates from the factory when we do the re-flash.

The ecu is simple for you to remove and install. The price is $2534, based on the performance compared to the competition we have a competitive ecu tune. Below is the dyno graph.




Best Regards,

Daniel Bird
President
MKB North America
"Your Drive is our Dream"
Email: Danielb@mkb-power-NA.com

[Krytech]

Interesting. My ideal goal would be to get to 300+HP eventually with the car so this would fit the bill. $2500 is a but steep for an ECU tune IMO, but if they will re-flash for as long as you own the car, that would be a big plus considering the gains. I wish I could read the attachment they sent you better. Can't tell what gas they are basing this one, but I do know that in Europe they typically have higher octane gas then we have here, I read somewhere 95 is their higher end gas. 92 is about that best I can readily buy here in Minnesota.

[Ape]

The gas appears to be Super-Plus 98 ROZ, which I believe someone here has said is the equivalent of our 93 super in the US. Yeah 2500 is kind of high, but if it is only a flash needs to be done, I could live with the price. From what I have been able to tell MKB is a pretty legit organization, does anyone here have any history with them?

[racetested]

To update the numbers here is a reply I recieved from Daniel Bird.

Here is how the horsepower is calculated:
1kW = 1,36 DIN PS

W204 C350

225kW / 306HP/PS EUROPE

US: 1 SAE hp = 1,0139 DIN PS

225kW / 306PS : 1,0139 DIN PS = 301,80 SAE hp North America.

[wblynch]

I don't know about European measurements and DIN -vs- SAE but I learned early on that 744W = 1 HP.

Given that, I calculate 225KW / 744 = 302.4 HP

The OP mentioned 221KW. That translates to 297 HP.

It appears that the old 744:1 ratio still holds up pretty well.

[Bokx_350]

I love the idea of having a 5.3 0-62 c350 (which is like 0-60 in 5.2). Heck I love it so much that I would be willing to spend the $2500 asked to get there. But there are some things that just don’t add up with this tune.

1. The stock c350 is 268hp and its 0-60 is 6.3.
Carlsson CK35 is 295hp and its 0-60 is 6.0
MKB claims 306hp and a 0-62 in 5.3 !!!

2. +38hp from just an ECU upgrade on a NA car seems too good to be true; but even if it is, shouldn’t other performance parts be upgraded as well to be able to handle the hp increase?? Like exhaust, intakes, etc?

3. And finally. How can they increase +38hp with an ECU flash and maintain engine reliability? Should we expect a shorter life; or strange noises coming from under the hood after a couple of 1,000s miles?

I’m not a tunner nor a mechanic, but this numbers just don’t add up. Still... I would love to hear it is all true so that I can order mine ASAP.

[Ape]

Originally Posted by Bokx_350

I love the idea of having a 5.3 0-62 c350 (which is like 0-60 in 5.2). Heck I love it so much that I would be willing to spend the $2500 asked to get there. But there are some things that just don’t add up with this tune.

1. The stock c350 is 268hp and its 0-60 is 6.3.
Carlsson CK35 is 295hp and its 0-60 is 6.0
MKB claims 306hp and a 0-62 in 5.3 !!!

2. +38hp from just an ECU upgrade on a NA car seems too good to be true; but even if it is, shouldn’t other performance parts be upgraded as well to be able to handle the hp increase?? Like exhaust, intakes, etc?

3. And finally. How can they increase +38hp with an ECU flash and maintain engine reliability? Should we expect a shorter life; or strange noises coming from under the hood after a couple of 1,000s miles?

I’m not a tunner nor a mechanic, but this numbers just don’t add up. Still... I would love to hear it is all true so that I can order mine ASAP.

I have the same exact questions. It would be great if you could get that kind of results with a simple ECU tune, but they do not seem realistic. However, from what I have been able to find on this and other forums, MKB seems to be a legit operation and I would hope they would not tarnish their name with a bogus tune for the c350......It would be great to hear from someone that actually got this tune, but I don't think there have been anyone on this board that has done it.

[racetested]

Originally Posted by Bokx_350

I love the idea of having a 5.3 0-62 c350 (which is like 0-60 in 5.2). Heck I love it so much that I would be willing to spend the $2500 asked to get there. But there are some things that just don’t add up with this tune.

1. The stock c350 is 268hp and its 0-60 is 6.3.
Carlsson CK35 is 295hp and its 0-60 is 6.0
MKB claims 306hp and a 0-62 in 5.3 !!!

2. +38hp from just an ECU upgrade on a NA car seems too good to be true; but even if it is, shouldn’t other performance parts be upgraded as well to be able to handle the hp increase?? Like exhaust, intakes, etc?

3. And finally. How can they increase +38hp with an ECU flash and maintain engine reliability? Should we expect a shorter life; or strange noises coming from under the hood after a couple of 1,000s miles?

I’m not a tunner nor a mechanic, but this numbers just don’t add up. Still... I would love to hear it is all true so that I can order mine ASAP.

Best to email and ask MKB as they are the ones claiming the power. I asked Vath if the guarantee their 296 hp claim and they said YES.

I believe MKB is closer to the 295-300hp number also. A few hp gets lost in the conversion ratios as discussed in this thread.

Vath offers air filter with their kit but I don't see restrictions in the intake or exhaust on this car to worry about upgrades for our power levels even if adding another 30-50hp.

[Bokx_350]

Its not the 300hp that I’m skeptical about; but getting a 0-62 in 5.3 out of it.
Specially considering that Carlsson’s 295hp c350 does 0-60 in 6.0

[racetested]

Originally Posted by Bokx_350

Its not the 300hp that I’m skeptical about; but getting a 0-62 in 5.3 out of it.
Specially considering that Carlsson’s 295hp c350 does 0-60 in 6.0

I agree that's a very inflated/optimistic number. I still believe 25-30hp is still not bad for the price and even a 5.6-5.8 range is satisfactory.

My main concern is if the car ever has to go to the dealer and they re-flash the ECU we have to ship back to Germany for either MKB or Vath tuning.

[Bokx_350]

Originally Posted by racetested

I agree that's a very inflated/optimistic number. I still believe 25-30hp is still not bad for the price and even a 5.6-5.8 range is satisfactory.

My main concern is if the car ever has to go to the dealer and they re-flash the ECU we have to ship back to Germany for either MKB or Vath tuning.

You don't have to ship it to Germany; they are doing the flashing in CA.

[Bokx_350]

Anyone ever got this tune? Or Vath's?

People hear what they want to hear, even when deep inside they know it is very unlikely.... 0-60 in 5.3 mmmmmmmm