Anyone have a list of 2nd gear start diesels?
 

My 1980 300d with 722.118 trans should start out in 2nd gear, but under 5mph I can feel it kicking down into first. It's a very subtle kick but it's there. Does anyone have a data sheet that lists the year and model of 2nd gear starts?

1976
 

1976 300D starts off normally in 2.
Depress all the way and it starts off in 1st.
Weird system but verrrrry interesting!

77 300d 2nd gear

'79 300CD was 2nd gear start.

Steve

1999 E300D starts in 2nd in "W" mode :)

My 79 300SD seems to start in second gear.

If I stomp it from a standstill, I think I'm in first until about 10mph, then it kicks up to second.

Rob

Same here, if I floor it from a stop, I chirp the tires around 10mph... Pretty sure thats first gear

All three of ours always start off in 1st. Sometimes mine will stay in second if I am rolling very slowly and then gently take off, otherwise it drops right back to first.

Thats exactly what mine does. If I barely touch the gas pedal it will take off in second. Any bit more to the pedal than a slight touch it will kickdown to first. Is this normal for a 1980?

1979 300TD (NA) starst off in 2nd gear.

Sounds right for a diesel, only the gasser ones like to consistently take off in second, they've got more than enough power to do so. :D ;)

I'd say 99.9% of the time ours always take off in 1st. The diesels just don't have the power to be able to do a 2nd gear takeoff effectively. It would probably also delay the turbo spool up due to the lower rpms/exhaust output...so it'd be a lot more turbo lag.

My 124 300D 2.5T always takes off in first, no matter if it's in D, 3, or 2. In 2, it'll hold first to redline no matter how much or how little pedal you're giving it. If you're not giving it very much starting out in 2, it will hit the limiter at 5000RPM for a little over a second before shifting hard. Flooring it from a stop in 2 shifts at about 4850-4900 RPM.

Somethings out of adjustment, they like to leave 1st as soon as they can depending on throttle...mine will go to second at like 12mph if I am "normally" accelerating....but will hold it to 28 if I am flooring it.

Does that model have a bowden cable? If it does, I'd check it as it shouldn't hold out first gear like that.

The SD will once in awhile, but then it kicks down, which is annoying.

Thats one thing I really hate about these transmissions, you have to beat them with a stick to get it to drop a gear. The modern electric transmissions, like you find oh any high end late model car seem to just read your mind.:D

Late model BMW, your going along at 30 and want to kick it down, you just think about it and bam it drops a gear.:cool:

Old Mercedes, you have to beg "oh please drop it down to 3rd", the trans is like "**** you what is this", then you floor it and are like "I own you do it", and it does but not without taking its sweet time.:D

In D and 3, it shifts out of first normally. Only in 2 does it hold first gear from a stop. I've messed with the bowden cable before, and it adjusts the shift points correctly, but it doesn't change the first gear start. I have it set to shift at about 2800 right now in normal driving. Keeps the turbo lag down, IMO.

Whew...tons of posts in rapid succession ;)