Dingdongler

Thinking off changing my car this year and might try a luxury barge this time.

I'm considering the MB S350, which has 230 BHP, 530NM and 0-60 in 7.8secs. Not bad but it will feel quite slow compared to my current M5, though I appreciate they are very different cars.

Could this engine be easily tuned in the way BMW diesel engines are, and what sort of power hike could I expect?

Thanks

stuart2008sti

iTrader: (1)

They can be tuned but to keep the warranty you will need the amg or brabus box.Looking at this myself for mine.

Matteeboy

Not on DMSs list yet but they do loads of Mercs:

Mercedes ECU Tuning, remapping, upgrades

Dingdongler

Stuart, I'm sure the AMG or Brabus option is £££££.

Mattee, thanks. I presume its very similar to the S320 CDI which appears on the link, they only give the before BHP though and not after.

Why on earth does MB only get 230 BHP out of a 3 litre engine when BMW can get 300BHP??

I'll start a new thread on diesel barges methinks.

Matteeboy

Ding - when the 350CDI came out I assumed it would be a 335d/535d eater - I was a bit shocked that the gains over the 320CDI were so small. Good torque output though.

The engine is pretty similar to the 320CDI unit. If I was getting one tuned, I'd only use DMS or Evolve (or a factory chip). I would expect 270ish bhp and an 80ish lbs/ft jump with the right remap.

Of course there's the new 3.0 diesel in the XF - a very capable unit.

john banks

Is the new XJ of interest, presumably the indeed very good 3.0 from the XF can be had in that. There are some V8 diesels in some A8s as well IIRC.

Did you fix the M5's problem? What was it?

The M5 is a tough act to follow as an all rounder, I thought the ride quality and refinement were excellent considering what it could do when exercised.

shaunywrx

GCL Tuning...Bespoke Economy and Performance ECU Remapping Bury st Edmunds
Give these a ring, they're supposed to be quite good.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

The XF S is excellent and the engine is also in the new XJ which is actually lighter than the XF!

rookymatt

iTrader: (15)

M5 problem??
Anything i can help with??

Dingdongler

Thanks.

John, haven't fixed the problem with the M5. Took it to the stealership who tried to rob me, waiting to take it to an indy. Agreed its a tough act to follow, but I'm happy to have something a little bit slower and softer but more comfortable (and frugal!)


Rooky, a few weeks ago the engine on my 55 plate M5 began to sound a bit rougher. There is also a vibration that comes through the steering wheel. It is most pronounced between resting rpm to 2krpm and then seems to disappear. Everything else seems normal.

Took it to the stealer who ran a diagnostics and somewhere there was logged some kind of Vanos error. The error reading did say that the error was NOT present at the moment, however the vibration/noise is there all the time.

This coupled with some reading around led me to the conclusion that this may well not be a Vanos issue (that BMW wanted £2300 to replace)

Thanks for any advice

rookymatt

iTrader: (15)

Normally its an oil supply issue to these new vanos systems that causes faults/vibration issues (sounds like muted machine gun type noise under the bonnet). The dealers should have monitored the pressure by hooking up a gauge to the supply line and seeing what was there, thats normally then followed by an automated system bleed to see if it's something fouling the vanos solenoids.
They then (well this is what i'd do) should swap the solenoid for the suspect vanos with an intact unit and see if the fault migrates. This would then definately indicate whether it's faulty solenoid or vanos.
The vanos units are easy to change, just a pig to get to.
Did they break down the diagnosis? (if you're paying it should be itemised on your bill)
It would help me understand what they've done so far.
Just in case you wasn't informed- i'm a bmw tech so i'll help you as much as i can.

Dingdongler

Hi Matt, I didn't know we had a BMW tech on here, fantastic news!

It doesn't sound like a machine gun at all. I listened to some Vanos problems on youtube video clips that as you say sound like a machine gun but my problem is not like that.

The best way I can describe it is that the engine note sounds 'gruff' or 'coarse'. Also it seems to disappear above 2k rpm rather than get worse with increasing engine speed.

I did have a breakdown of the diagnostics but will have to try and dig it out or get another copy from them. From memory it said something like ' low pressure detected in Vanos, fault not present now'

I'll try and find it today

Thanks again

stuart2008sti

iTrader: (1)

Problem is with the 7g gearbox putting more power/torque through them breaks them.

Matteeboy

"After" bhp for the Merc 320CDI with DMS remap is 274 (just seen it in my Evo mag!). I should think and extra 10-20bhp for the new 350CDI unit.

Dingdongler

Thanks