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Old 08-16-2017, 11:23 AM
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W210 N/A Diesel RPM on Highway

Hi. I just test drove a 1996 E300D (vacuum controlled 4-speed). It was my first time behind the wheel of a W210 diesel. I was surprised that the tach showed 3,000 RPM at 70mph. Is this normal? My 2006 (old style) Jeep Wrangler's 4-speed auto shows about 2,200. There is a 1997 E300D for sale and I know it has the electronically controlled 5-speed auto. Does this transmission reduce the RPMs at highway speed with an overdrive 5th gear ratio, or does it just have different (and an additional) gearing on the low end for acceleration?

Thanks!!

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Old 08-16-2017, 11:39 AM
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If it still has the 722.3 or 722.4 transmission, that is probably normal. My SDL runs ~3100 at 75MPH. Keep in mind that the mechanical transmissions don't have a lockup torque converter, so there will always some some degree of "slip".
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Old 08-16-2017, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmasteller View Post
Hi. I just test drove a 1996 E300D (vacuum controlled 4-speed). It was my first time behind the wheel of a W210 diesel. I was surprised that the tach showed 3,000 RPM at 70mph. Is this normal? My 2006 (old style) Jeep Wrangler's 4-speed auto shows about 2,200. There is a 1997 E300D for sale and I know it has the electronically controlled 5-speed auto. Does this transmission reduce the RPMs at highway speed with an overdrive 5th gear ratio, or does it just have different (and an additional) gearing on the low end for acceleration?

Thanks!!
96 and 97 w210 non turbo diesels run a lot of revs on the freeway because of the 130ish hp. If you can swing it go for the 97. The 722.6 5spd auto is overdrive and a lock up torque converter which makes far more efficient than the 722.4 in the 96. It still runs a lot of revs on the freeway but not as bad.
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Last edited by tjts1; 08-16-2017 at 12:04 PM.
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Old 08-16-2017, 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by tjts1 View Post
96 and 97 w210 non turbo diesels run a lot of revs on the freeway because of the 130ish hp. If you can swing it go for the 97. The 722.6 5spd auto is overdrive and a lock up torque converter which makes far more efficient than the 722.4 in the 96. It still runs a lot of revs on the freeway but not as bad.
I run about 2800RPM at 80mph in 99s. What does your 97 run freeway?
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Old 08-16-2017, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by jake12tech View Post
I run about 2800RPM at 80mph in 99s. What does your 97 run freeway?
3300rpm
http://i.imgur.com/CjpIGYg.jpg
It's all in the diff ratio.
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Old 08-16-2017, 12:05 PM
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His '97 runs as show in the link.

Darn it! I didn't Google it first. Answers are here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...c_transmission
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...c_transmission

Well, the entry for the 4G doesn't show all the gear ratios, but it does say the overdrive 5th gear was added. I assume gears 1-4 are basically the same.

Also, the 5G page says that it is a lock-up torque converter.

From this, and from what you guys confirmed, I deduce that the 1997 would get better highway fuel economy than the 1996.

I've read some people don't like the electronically controlled 5G-Tronic vs. the hydraulically operated 4G-Tronic. I assume there are people who argue on behalf of both sides? This is in regards to longevity and reliability.

Thanks,
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Old 08-16-2017, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by rmasteller View Post

I've read some people don't like the electronically controlled 5G-Tronic vs. the hydraulically operated 4G-Tronic. I assume there are people who argue on behalf of both sides? This is in regards to longevity and reliability.

Thanks,
I bought the 97 specifically because of the 722.6. 97 was the first year for the 5spd and the last year diesel that doesn't require biannual smog check in California.
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Old 08-16-2017, 12:35 PM
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TJTS1,
How long have you had your '97? Any transmission problems? What has given you problems?

The one I'm looking at has just under 100,000 miles, is being sold through an M-B dealership, and is supposedly a local trade in that they have service records on (they're verifying). It seems it may be worth a retail price.

General question to all,
I know the '96 I looked at this week had the engine wiring harness replaced (owner showed me old one and the new one installed). Does the 97 have the same bio-degradable material that goes bad?
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  #9  
Old 08-16-2017, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by rmasteller View Post
TJTS1,
How long have you had your '97? Any transmission problems? What has given you problems?

The one I'm looking at has just under 100,000 miles, is being sold through an M-B dealership, and is supposedly a local trade in that they have service records on (they're verifying). It seems it may be worth a retail price.

General question to all,
I know the '96 I looked at this week had the engine wiring harness replaced (owner showed me old one and the new one installed). Does the 97 have the same bio-degradable material that goes bad?
I've had my 97 for for 3.5 years. The transmission has been flawless. The only time it has acted up was when the alternator wasn't keeping up with the electrical demand of afterglow after a cold start. 96-97 are equipped with a 90a alternator but they really need a 115/120/150a alternator. Basically low charging voltage caused the transmission to shift hard and late. Haven't run into the problem since installing the 150a alternator.

Only other issue has been rust around the window frames (SoCal car all it's life!) hidden underneath the rubber door seals, rust around the battery, rust on the body near the front control arm mounts.

Check the plastic crankcase ventilation fittings going into each intake runner near the head. There are 12! They all crack and fail and allow dust into the intake. The whole crancase ventilation system is dumb and the intake loads up with egr soot and oil which kills power. Remove and clean out the intake to restore stock power.

I've only found biodegradable wiring inside the headlight housings causing intermittent bulb out warning.
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Old 08-16-2017, 02:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmasteller View Post
I've read some people don't like the electronically controlled 5G-Tronic vs. the hydraulically operated 4G-Tronic. I assume there are people who argue on behalf of both sides? This is in regards to longevity and reliability.

Thanks,
722.6 is a strong transmission if you look after it. The wiring harness seal going bad and allowing ATF to wick in to the wiring harness is an issue, and Mercedes initially calling them filled for life was an issue.

Replace the connector with the revised unit just to do it when you get the car and change the ATF periodically and the 722.6 is fine.

Mercedes didn't develop the 722.6 as a step backwards from the 722.3/.4

You mention an earlier trans with an overdrive. That's the 722.5 which is a .4 with an overdrive tacked on the back, it never made its way into the W210 diesel so disregard that.
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Old 08-16-2017, 04:52 PM
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Hey Paul,
If I mentioned an older 5-speed, then I must have been writing in an unclear manner. I know the 722.6 is what's in the 97-99 E300D. Thanks for the tip on the wiring harness seal. Cool little detail to know.

TJTS1,
I know about spring perches rusting - my W124 E420 had that failure. And I knew about rust behind the rubber door seals - that's the only place I found rust on the 96 I just drove. I'll have to start checking battery areas and front control arms. Thanks for the alternator upgrade suggestion!
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Old 08-17-2017, 06:00 PM
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2800 rpm at 80 mph in mt 98 E300.
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  #13  
Old 08-19-2017, 08:20 AM
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E250 with 2.1 liter 4 cylinder engine.... 1800 RPM at 80 MPH. I've climbed some pretty good hills out west and it's never had to downshift to make the grades. Simply amazing.
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Old 08-19-2017, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by TimFreeh View Post
E250 with 2.1 liter 4 cylinder engine.... 1800 RPM at 80 MPH. I've climbed some pretty good hills out west and it's never had to downshift to make the grades. Simply amazing.
Ha! That's because "Common Rail DI"....And resultantly 300 + ft/lbs of torque available at such a low rpm. It shouldn't have too many problems even at that low rpm. An E300 diesel has to scream like a gasser to get itself moving.

If memory serves, the 5 speed variant in the '97 E300 diesel turns around the same rpm in top gear as does the 4 speed. The later turbodiesel is geared taller. 3.46 vs 3.07 differential gearing respectively.
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  #15  
Old 08-19-2017, 11:44 AM
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I run about 2900RPM at 70mph in 95 E300.

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