RPM at 70 mph, 1997 E300 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

VW1300 · #1 06-13-2012, 01:14 PM

I drove another 1997 E300 that I am considering. Engine felt smooth and happy to rev. Even at 60 mph, it was ready to get up and go - I can see the appeal of the OM606 now.

Question - at 70 mph tach showed 3400 rpm. I would have thought with the 5 speed auto, it would be lower than this. Does that sound right?

Thanks,

buckstersdad · #2 06-13-2012, 01:36 PM

I'm at about 2600 rpm @ 75mph. 98 E300 TD.

GregMN · #3 06-13-2012, 02:39 PM

Gearbox:Daimler-Benz W5A330
Transmission type:automatic
Number of gears:5
Gear ratios (overall):

I 3.932 (13.6)
II 2.408 (8.33)
III 1.486 (5.14)
IV 1 (3.46)
V 0.831 (2.88)

R 3.1

Speed range (max speed on gears, top gear value theor.):
(km/h/mph)
I: 47 / 29
II: 76 / 47
III: 124 / 77
IV: 184 / 114
V: 221 / 137

1000rpm speed: (km/h/mph)
I: 8.9 / 5.5
II: 14.5 / 9
III: 23.6 / 14.7
IV: 35 / 21.8
V: 42.1 / 26.2

Final drive ratio std:
3.46

26.2 mph at 1000rpm in 5th = 2670 rpm at 70 mph
21.8 mph at 1000rpm in 4th = 3210 rpm at 70 mph

chazola · #4 06-13-2012, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VW1300

I drove another 1997 E300 that I am considering. Engine felt smooth and happy to rev. Even at 60 mph, it was ready to get up and go - I can see the appeal of the OM606 now.

Question - at 70 mph tach showed 3400 rpm. I would have thought with the 5 speed auto, it would be lower than this. Does that sound right?

Thanks,

doesn't sound right to me, even with my 4-speed '94 it reads bang on 3000rpm @70mph

VW1300 · #5 06-13-2012, 03:01 PM

Thanks to all who replied - it sounds like the car is not engaging 5th. Does this sort of thing always mean major service is required, or could be something simple?

I ask because I was going to have an indy european car mechanic look at the car later this week. If it means major service is required, well then I'll pass on this car. If it could be something simple, perhaps indy can diagnose it, perhaps I can get a few hundred $ of the price taken off and the problem fixed. Either way, this issue must be addressed.

Zulfiqar · #6 06-13-2012, 03:15 PM

the turbo 606 cars had the 5 spd auto, prior to that even in the W210 body you will find the old 4 spd auto which should spin at about 3000 rpm @ 70 mph.

GregMN · #7 06-13-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

the turbo 606 cars had the 5 spd auto, prior to that even in the W210 body you will find the old 4 spd auto which should spin at about 3000 rpm @ 70 mph.

Wrong. 1997 had the 5 spd auto.

Jeremy5848 · #8 06-13-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

the turbo 606 cars had the 5 spd auto, prior to that even in the W210 body you will find the old 4 spd auto which should spin at about 3000 rpm @ 70 mph.

True, but 1997 still used the NA engine although it had the 5-speed. A real "hybrid" (that's the nice word

).

I don't think the gear ratio of 5th in the 5-speed was significantly different from 4th in the 4-speed. The 5-speed simply provided more flexibility rather than an "overdrive."

BTW, I've heard (talk only, no hard evidence) that there were some problems in this, the first year of the 5-speed.

Jeremy

Zulfiqar · #9 06-13-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregMN

Wrong. 1997 had the 5 spd auto.

I had seen a W210 car - 1997 VIN, NA 606 with a red bellows bowden connected to the throttle cable linkage beside the brake booster, it behaved like my 95 just lazier because the W124 is lighter I presume. spun to 3000 rpm at 70 mph counting 3 shifts.

anyway thanks for the correction..

VW1300 · #10 06-13-2012, 07:37 PM

OK, question for you owners with the 5-speed trans. Just where are you supposed to put the selector stick to drive normally? (See attached jpg)

Being used to my W123, I think I pulled it back and all the way to the left, which is "D" for me. If I do that with the 5 speed, I end up on the left side of the "4<>D" spot, up against the D. Is this correct? Or did I really have the car in 4th gear? Could I be that stupid?

Thanks,

Zulfiqar · #11 06-13-2012, 07:51 PM

left is 4. by the picture.

bustedbenz · #12 06-13-2012, 09:16 PM

Sounds like you had it in 4th. Three clicks down and stay over against the right side of the gate for D, according to the diagram. (I've never driven a 5-speed but that's what the markings seem to indicate)

Pabster · #13 06-13-2012, 10:44 PM

I have the 1997 E300D 5 speed, non turbo. The shifter can toggle left to right on 4 or D. D for 5th gear on highway driving. Drives great, shifts well, no issues.

I am very please with its performance and fuel efficiency.

Pabster

KarTek · #14 06-13-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VW1300

OK, question for you owners with the 5-speed trans. Just where are you supposed to put the selector stick to drive normally? (See attached jpg)

Being used to my W123, I think I pulled it back and all the way to the left, which is "D" for me. If I do that with the 5 speed, I end up on the left side of the "4<>D" spot, up against the D. Is this correct? Or did I really have the car in 4th gear? Could I be that stupid?

Thanks,

Not stupid, the gate is just weird. 4-5 is sideways.

VW1300 · #15 06-13-2012, 11:06 PM

Thanks to all who replied, and to KarTek for his diplomatic answer to the question of am I that stupid.

This puts my original assessment in doubt, so I will have to arrange a time to drive it again - not convenient but I have to know. Will post an update when I have an answer.