In my travels an the numbers of cars I've driven, why are mb steering wheels so huge? and why didn't they make it tilt?
An one last question for ya, what 300 do you all think is the best year from 1978-1988 in a diesel? thank you all


chip

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my guess would be because they weigh so much. ever driven your benz and then gotten into a newer small car and feel how much easier it steers?



did you get that sign from grand theft auto????

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

If I remember correctly, there are two primary reasons why MB steering wheels are such large diameter and both are safety-related. The first is that the large wheel with its large, padded inner section will better contain and distribute the impact of a human body in a collision where the driver's torso hits the wheel. The second reason has to do with extensive ergonomic testing which showed that a steering wheel whose diameter was approximately shoulder width would be less fatiguing to the driver, especially when driving for a long distance.

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Richard Detoy
'84 300SD
'76 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans

I LOVE the big steering wheels, makes the driving experience feel more "retro" I guess.... And on long trips my arms never get tired. Im 6ft 3 and when i drive my moms C280 for long periods I feel like im ready to curl up and die from fatigue after 200 miles..
But in the 300DT Its a totally different experience!! Big wide seat, proper leg space, and a big wheel. My knees hit the kneee bolster of the dash in the C280 no matter how the seat is adjusted. Not fun!

Id say that the best 300 series diesel is the 1984-85 300D. They have Turbo, they are at the end of their production run, they have upgraded interior styling (seats, pleats, carpeting, gauges) from that of their earilier counterparts, and retain the classic look-

-Chrome mounted bumpers, instead of integrated bumpers with plastic covers.
-Chrome belt-line trim
-Swooping wheel arches
-Round headlights mounted in retro looking doors
-upright profile- none of that angular modern stuff where you cant tell the front from back!
-bundt wheels-sporty but classic and classy
-Rounded air vents in dash
etc etc etc

In the transition from w123 to w124 the car lost ALOT of its carachter. The W124 300D might be more sporting, but it lacks in style in my eyes. W123= classic, W124=boring. No offense to w124 dieslers!!! id drive one in a heart beat over any other car if the w123 didnt exist!!!!

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

Thanks for all the info and coments.

an kmaysob, na didn't get it from grand theft auto. from time to time get a bunch of folks that think they can buy my jeep cause it hasn't moved in a week, so I leave this sign in the window.... hehehe

I replaced my Big steering wheel with a smaller momo steering wheel. I don't think a lot of people here are a fan of the idea. but i can tell you that navigating parking lots and parallel parking is a ***** with the smaller wheel. its very very heavy.

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05