Looking for lightweight sedan w/manual Trans - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

2.3-16v_addict · #16 09-11-2007, 12:51 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-Mercedes-190e-2-3-5-speed-MINT-MUST-SEE_W0QQitemZ290158417265QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6328QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

190e 2.3l 5speed with a $1700 reserver(it's not mine)

arootbeer · #17 09-11-2007, 12:56 AM

If you're not spinning the engine at all when you stop, would there be a need for a torque converter? If not, you can use a solid connection from the crank to the input shaft. The TC is also where most of the parasitic losses are found in an AT, so there's another gain.

eagle-co94 · #18 09-11-2007, 12:46 PM

If you're serious about making an electric car you should be thinking VERY light...as in a first gen Miata. They weigh less than 2100 lbs. 2nd Gens weigh 2200 lbs and 3rd Gens are over 2400 lbs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990-Mazda-MX-5-Miata_W0QQitemZ180156379009QQihZ008QQcategoryZ6324QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This one looks like a perfect candidate! High miles, motor runs rough. You'll be yanking it anyways, so it won't be a loss. Ends in 7 hrs and it currently only $620, and it DARN close to you!

no3rdseat · #19 09-16-2007, 03:08 PM

Thanks for all the input, guys. I went to the local Mercedes guru and looked over all the cars he had. I sat in a few cars and decided against the Mercedes. Especially after I found a great deal on a 2000 VW Passat in perfect condition with 60,000 miles and an engine knock. The Passat has leather, sunroof, 5-speed, and a huge trunk for batteries. It's a bit on the heavy side at 3100lbs but I'll just have to get a bigger motor and more batteries.

eagle-co94 · #20 09-22-2007, 07:18 PM

How many creature comforts do you want? You'd be amazed at how much weight you can save by gutting the carpet and rear (and maybe passenger) seats. If you're worried about sound intrusion grab a bunch of cans of "great stuff" which should help out quite a bit.

no3rdseat · #21 09-22-2007, 08:29 PM

The point and challenge of this exercise (for me) is to create an EV that I really like and feels and looks like any other car on the road. I want to retain as many creature comforts as possible while at the same time providing as much range as I can. Obviously I won't be using the heated seats and rear defroster very much if I want to make it to my destination.

But I hear what you're saying. The Passat had an electrical problem where it wouldn't start and none of the electrical functions would work either. I tracked it down to a bad glove box door switch. But in my investigation, I had to rip the seats out and the carpeting. That VW carpeting has multiple layers and is VERY heavy. I'll bet it could loose at least 100 lbs by just removing the carpet and sound insulation! VW engineers in all their wisdom but control modules and wiring harnesses all under the carpet so the carpet would really have to stay to protect the electronics.

We'll see what happens as the project progresses, but the current plan is to keep it stock looking.

t walgamuth · #22 10-11-2007, 06:07 AM

The vw being front drive will not have rear springs capable of accepting a lot of extra weight.

Actually the volvo might have been a good choice because of the solid rear axle. The extra weight wouldn't change the camber like it will with our beloved benzos.

The volvo wagon and the two forty are pretty close to the same weight iirc. And the benz diesel is probably a good one hundred fifty pounds heavier than the volvo lump so weight wise it probably would have been a wash.

I don't see how you can make a decent performing electric car out of a non dedicated electric auto. The weight will be just too high. The insight is a very very light car and its performance as a hybrid is just so so.

Good luck though and keep us posted with this very interesting project.

Tom W