My '95 E320 transmission decided to start in second, drive in second, and only with much high-rpm sometimes go into 3rd gear, ... which makes my 300mile daily commute a bit unlikely with this transmission.

It shifts solidly when it does, fluid is the same as for the past 9,000miles since change, full and red. So, ... I'm thinking it's time to swap out the valve-body.

Unfortunately, I can only find 300E (M103) transmissions around. The M103 transmission has an annoying 2nd-gear start unlike the diesels and M104s.

What has to change to make a 300E transmission start in 1st gear? Is there something from my E320 valve-body that can be installed in the 300E's valve-body to restore my 1st-gear start?

I could install the valve-body from the 300D engine, but I really don't want to as that's my drop-in diesel upgrade, ... for some day.

Not happy, going to be commuting in the 454 Suburban for the week, probably cheaper to rent a car.

Thanks for any help (cross-posted in tech forum).

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Can't you just do a kickdown mod like was done for the W126's with second gear start? With a button you can press to make it take off in first gear when you want?

Is the M104 reaallly that slow off the line with 2nd gear start? It has even more torque than a M103.....and that does ok.....

Yikes, commuting 300 miles in a Suburban might require you to start drilling in your back yard!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

... and it's a 454 3/4 ton.

The takeoff is not unbearable, but the M104 gets the same 2.65:1 diff as the diesels, seems like a lot of extra load on the TC and I'd rather have 1st-gear start.''

On your 300E you simply shift down to 2 and back to drive and you will be in 1st gear when you start. I could live with it, but would rather make the swap since I'll have both valve bodies in front of me.

Anyone?

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

The Bergwerks first gear start module is an electronic device so there should be a way to do it externally. I wonder what's involved in a simple first gear start all the time version of the full featured product. They come available once in a while for $350.

http://www.k6jrf.com/BW_fgs.html

Sixto
87 300D
97 'burb 6.5 TD

That's a pain, doesn't sound like the 300E/M103 trans is set up for the 1st-gear start without complicated work. I'll keep looking for a 300D or E320 valve body unless someone knows otherwise. Car is parked for now, next free time is Saturday.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff