100mph SD

[JiveTurkey]

So the day has finally arrived. My SD is healthy enough to sustain a rock solid 100mph (160kph.) These really are amazing cars! The SD honestly felt like it could hold this speed all day long.

[vstech]

it'll hold it until you let up, or you run out of fuel!
it should go higher still, unless you are going up a mountain or something.

[vwbuge]

i hit 105 once. Downhill with a tailwind.

[vstech]

I wish there was a flat safe place in my area to drive fast... I know my SD will fly. it's just SUCH a fast car.

[compu_85]

Originally Posted by vstech

it's just SUCH a fast car.

It's got a fast chassis, not a fast engine. A 500 or 560 is fast. Those will cruise at 130. The diesel is really huffing it to go 110.

-J

[cirrusman]

I was very pleasantly surprised when I bought mine in CA and drove it up to UT to find what great climbers these cars are. I had to really pay attention to try to keep the 60 MPH speed limit going uphill because I caught myself doing 70 quite a few times if I didn't watch the speedo... Thank goodness I wasn't caught by any radar traps

It's got a fast chassis, not a fast engine. A 500 or 560 is fast. Those will cruise at 130. The diesel is really huffing it to go 110.

It's fast for a diesel. The 300 series are the fastest Mercedes diesels of that time... kind of unfair to compare to a gasser.

[compu_85]

Sorry, not trying to rain on your parade But even my lill 1.6 ECOdiesel, which should only have 4 more HP then a non turbo model, can hit 100.

The diesel is really a letdown for the W126 chassis as far as cursing speed. Things really start to settle in at 100 mph, but the motor is quickly running out of revs at that point. You can tell they were really designed around the 55-65 mph speed limits of the time.

I'd like to make my SDL as quick as my TDI. The TDI has 50 more lb/ft of torque, in a car that weights over 1,000 lbs less

-J

[Biodiesel300TD]

Nice that you hit 100. I did 90 in my 300TD with 2 bikes on the top. Top speed in my 240D is only about 80 maybe 85.

I'm glad I wasn't near you while you were driving 100mph and taking a picture at the same time.

Originally Posted by compu_85

You can tell they were really designed around the 55-65 mph speed limits of the time.

As opposed to the 55-65 speed limits of today?

[babymog]

Originally Posted by cirrusman

<>It's fast for a diesel. The 300 series are the fastest Mercedes diesels of that time... kind of unfair to compare to a gasser.

Not sure what a "300 series" is, ... 300SD/SDL/D et al refers to a 3.xL engine not the car chassis. A 190D 2.5Turbo will politely kick any diesel 126's ass, in every measure of performance. A 124 will also, even with the 2.5T or 606na.

The 126 is a cruiser, great at speed, was NEVER designed to go 55mph, just happened to be trapped there by the NMSL if it was shipped to North America.

[rosenfe]

your tach shows 45oo rpm,isnt that dangerous territory?

[compu_85]

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

As opposed to the 55-65 speed limits of today?

Michigan is higher, moreso on the I94 Speedway. That and I drive quickly... there's a reason I only get 37 in my TDI and 21 in the SDL

-J

[winmutt]

My NA euro 300D could do 110....

[pawoSD]

I've taken our 300D and all three SD's to 108-112mph or so....but they are really revving to do that.

I've had my 300E to 135 it still had more to give!

[1977busman]

I must be doing something wrong, my 83 300sd will NOT exceed 90mph on the speedometer, which confirmed by gps is actually 85mph??? luckily we only have 65mph speed limits, and I rarely go over 70mph

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by 1977busman

I must be doing something wrong, my 83 300sd will NOT exceed 90mph on the speedometer, which confirmed by gps is actually 85mph??? luckily we only have 65mph speed limits, and I rarely go over 70mph

First things first. When is the last time you adjusted your valves? What is your boost pressure? When did you change your fuel filter last? Is your air filter clean?