Well, its strange (as I am), because I find my 300SEL adequate for me, but I ALWAYS drive this car on my day off and never in a hurry. I drive my V8 Lexus on days I work. Also, my last Mercedes was a '84 190D (diesel and automatic), so I know what SLOW is.
Seriously, I dont mind the lower power of my 300SEL... the smoothness makes up for it as far as I am concerned. My car is nearly 160K and the tranny still shifts smooth as silk and my car dont leak or burn any oil. Possibly the headgasket/valve seals were changed before. I also like the fact that the M103 dont have the timing chain/tensioner/rails/guides issues like the V8 Mercedes have. The I6 seems to go much longer without worries. My '85 380 (V8) had 275K and the last time the chain/guides, etc were unknown and it worried me to no end. That car was no quicker than my 300SEL and it was a a shorter wheelbase and V8, but it was probably worn out.
I am amazed at your low MPG, or should I be suprised at my high MPG? I get 21 mpg in city driving with my 300SEL and about 26 mpg on the highway. I drove the car almost 200 miles and it only held 9 gallons on refill. Pretty impressive I think, but again, I drive my car lightly and dont dog it. I dont think I have ever had it over 3000 rpms.
The only beefs I have with mine is that the odometer recently stopped working at 156K, trunk seal is leaking, antenna seal is leaking and my CEL will occasionally illuminate after the car has been on for about 60 seconds, then goes off within another 60 seconds and dont come back on again. Oh, my EHA? valve is seeping a bit, which I plan to have that and my odometer repaired by a Mercedes shop real soon.
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Originally Posted by Hit Man X
Yes it does, but be warned... the car is very slow with A/C on and with a few passengers.
Fuel economy difference is a wash as the car has to lug all the time to get around. The best I got on the freeway with my 300sel was 21.5mpg @ 65mph. I got just shy of 19 out of my 560sel @ 65mph (both get mid/low teens averaged out).
Had I driven the car prior to purchase, I'd not have purchased it. This isn't to say the M103 is a poor motor, it's a great one... but better suited to lighter cars (such as the 300E or 300SE) and/or with a five speed behind it.
But if you're hell bent, the trans uses vac for line pressure and the TV cable for the timing. All simple to adjust. Also verify the trans is full and has been serviced. Once around 200k, the 722.3 can be hit or miss... figure a reman to be in the $900-1200 area.
Plus the M103 will go through head gaskets, figure this around 120-170k. It's cheap and can be done on the weekend, but just keep it in mind. V8 top ends go far longer for some reason, probably stronger valve guides and 1000rpm less cruise speeds on the freeway, and I'd venture to guess stronger head gaskets.
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