95 eclass diesel performance - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

skydog · #1 03-21-2006, 03:28 AM

Is the 95 a turbo? I`ve driven the new style 96and 97 and found them lacking in eceleration, can they be chipped and is this expensive or possible as the 98 and 99 are hard to find and over priced for the fuel savings.

#2 03-21-2006, 08:22 AM

The 1995-1999 uses the 606 engine. Only the 1998 and 1999 were turbocharged. I know that the turbo version can be 'chipped', but I do not know about the non-turbo. I do not think that I would discount a non-turbo 606 engine. True there is less power, but I would think that the power would be much smoother and make for a very nice ride. My 1999 will jerk you around if you put the pedal down hard when the transmission is in the 'S' setting. I usually like to drive it in the 'W' setting except for when I fell like humiliating showing some teenager in his testosterone buggy.

POS · #3 03-21-2006, 08:44 AM

Skydog, if you're even asking the question about the diesels needing a "bump", then don't buy anything but a '98-'99 turbo Benz. You'll be gravely disappointed in the lack of speed of the non-turbo versions.

Diesel Fan · #4 03-21-2006, 10:59 AM

" My 1999 will jerk you around if you put the pedal down hard when the transmission is in the 'S' setting."

Why do you drive with the switch in the W position in the summer?

I agree with POS above. If performance is at all a concern, don't drive a 98 or 99. You won't ever be happy again with the non-turbo's. I would also not EVER buy one of these for fuel economy. I just spent over $3k to replace my glow plugs. That would buy a lot of unleaded.

Matt L · #5 03-21-2006, 11:05 AM

I don't think the NA 606 can be chipped. The computer does little for that engine.

While mine isn't fast, it's fast enough for me, but I've never been in a turbo 606 powered car.

pawoSD · #6 03-21-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Fan

I just spent over $3k to replace my glow plugs. That
would buy a lot of unleaded.

You spent over $3,000 to replace glow plugs?

I barely paid that much for my entire car!

I guess the newer ones are more expensive to maintain.

I came up with about $175 in total parts cost for that job on fastlane......

d.delano · #7 03-21-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Fan

I just spent over $3k to replace my glow plugs. That would buy a lot of unleaded.

Sounds like you need to learn how to DIY. What- did the plugs sieze in the head necessitating a replacement head? That's the only way I can think of that new glow plugs would cost so much. Geez 3k for new glow plugs. Now I have heard everything.

Diesel Fan · #8 03-21-2006, 12:38 PM

The parts are more expensive. I think last time it was $56 a piece for the glowplugs. The real expense comes from the labor to remove everything else to get to the glowplugs and also the fact that they stick and break off in the head. I think five broke off this time. I'm relatively mechanically inclined but I wouldn't even consider trying and drilling these out of an aluminum head. I know my limitations and this far exceeds it. The head actually came off and was heated to help loosen the damaged plugs. I think the main cause is a badly designed glow plug that allows carbon to build up an cement them in place. And, I'm not a sedate driver. Carbon buildup elswhere in the head was not a problem. BTW, to be fair, this price included a replacement timing chain. It wasn't needed and wasn't that expensive but the head was already off and was worth doing now.

BenzDiesel · #9 03-21-2006, 01:17 PM

It seems that on all series of Mercedes diesel fueled engines since the last OM617 in 1985 has come with some inherent internal engineering problem that keeps the diesels from reaching their full potential in terms of reliability and longevity of the OM617 engines. Could it be a plan of Mercedes in relation to diesel powered cars to have them fail prematurely? Or is it just bad luck on their engineers' part?

The 1986 and 1987 OM603 engines had the head cracking problem. Then the 1990's solved the head cracking, but susceptibility to bending connecting rods became the issue, which caused excessive and intolerable, oil consumption. Then the OM606 of 1995 and 1996; it seems, didn't have a turbo and thus lacked sufficient power and satisfaction for the price charged for the cars. Now it appears that the 1999 models have glow plug entrapment into the heads problems, which is almost as bad as the cracked head issues of the 1986 and 1987, in terms of costs ($3,000.00). I just wonder if it is Mercedes' designed and deliberate plan to keep the level of Mercedes Diesels on the road in the U.S. to a very low level?

BenzDiesel

aklim · #10 03-21-2006, 03:12 PM

http://www.speedtuningusa.com/ has something for turbo and NA diesels. The wife didn't like the E300 we got which is the turbo version because it was gutless. Chipped it to make it barely acceptable. Her previous car was a 99 C280 and before that was a 91 190E 2.6 with a bigger cam and before that was an 89 Merkur Scorpio with much advanced timing and also a 89 Merkur XR4Ti which was modded to the max.

aklim · #11 03-21-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenzDiesel

It seems that on all series of Mercedes diesel fueled engines since the last OM617 in 1985 has come with some inherent internal engineering problem that keeps the diesels from reaching their full potential in terms of reliability and longevity of the OM617 engines. Could it be a plan of Mercedes in relation to diesel powered cars to have them fail prematurely? Or is it just bad luck on their engineers' part?

The 1986 and 1987 OM603 engines had the head cracking problem. Then the 1990's solved the head cracking, but susceptibility to bending connecting rods became the issue, which caused excessive and intolerable, oil consumption. Then the OM606 of 1995 and 1996; it seems, didn't have a turbo and thus lacked sufficient power and satisfaction for the price charged for the cars. Now it appears that the 1999 models have glow plug entrapment into the heads problems, which is almost as bad as the cracked head issues of the 1986 and 1987, in terms of costs ($3,000.00). I just wonder if it is Mercedes' designed and deliberate plan to keep the level of Mercedes Diesels on the road in the U.S. to a very low level?

BenzDiesel

It's not a conspiracy. With the complexity of things and cost cutting these things are to be expected. Nothing you can do about it. The 98 and 99 M-class had it's shares of problems.

d.delano · #12 03-21-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Fan

The parts are more expensive. I think last time it was $56 a piece for the glowplugs. The real expense comes from the labor to remove everything else to get to the glowplugs and also the fact that they stick and break off in the head. I think five broke off this time. I'm relatively mechanically inclined but I wouldn't even consider trying and drilling these out of an aluminum head. I know my limitations and this far exceeds it. The head actually came off and was heated to help loosen the damaged plugs. I think the main cause is a badly designed glow plug that allows carbon to build up an cement them in place. And, I'm not a sedate driver. Carbon buildup elswhere in the head was not a problem. BTW, to be fair, this price included a replacement timing chain. It wasn't needed and wasn't that expensive but the head was already off and was worth doing now.

Yikes I just checked Fastlane ~$26 ea. for Bosch glowplugs. That's $156 vs ~$50 for my OM617. No way Jose would I put up with that kinda expense.
Since 5 of the GPs broke off in the head and the head came off + new chain I can see where the $3k came into play. I do hope the new GPs were coated with a generous amount of antisieze and they used a reamer on the holes before they put 'em in.

Hatterasguy · #13 03-21-2006, 05:39 PM

The simple solution to prevent the glow plugs from snapping off is to remove them and ream the holes once a year. Problem solved no carbon build up to snap the plugs.

Back to the original queston buy an E320/430. Similer mileage, and more common. You can get so much more E320 for your money, less mileage and newer. A 2000+ W210 had a bunch of nice updates, find a loaded E430 and get a navi!

chuck95e300d · #14 03-21-2006, 09:57 PM

I suppose the answer to your question depends on your definition of "performance." My car does a good job at going slow

I get 32mpg and have a range of 650 miles between fillups. For my purposes (commuting 80miles/day) this is excellent performance.

In terms of speed, the car is a little slow getting from 0-60...but I think it has plenty of power for cruising between 65-80mph. If you want to go faster you might consider a different car.

The 95E300D cannot be "chipped."

aklim · #15 03-21-2006, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck95e300d

The 95E300D cannot be "chipped."

That would be interesting. SpeedtuningUSA has programs for a E300D and an E300TD.