Just thought I'd share some info I recently discovered. From everything I can find out, it appears the fastest 300Es would be the 86-88 models. In 89, the gearing for 2nd gear was raised and 1st consequently lowered. Up until 90, all these cars (with exception of the wagon) used a 3.07 rear axle. In 90, the axle was switched to something around 2.89. 90 was the slowest year because it still had 2nd gear start. 91-92 got 1st gear start, making them a lot faster off the line than the 90, but the 86-88 could still smoke them pretty much. 93-95 got the M104 engines and a 2.64 (I think) axle in rear with 1st gear start. These were the fastest of anything.

In order of performance, I'd rank them like this (from fastest to slowest).

93-95 M104 3.2L - 300E 3.2 and E320
93 M104 2.8L - 300E 2.8 (and 94-95 E280 in Europe)
86-88 M103 3.0L - 300E
89 M103 3.0L - 300E
91-92 M103 3.0L - 300E
90 M103 3.0L - 300E

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

DSinger,

can you pls comment on the top gear ratios of the 86-88 300e vs those after 1988? When you say "fast", do you mean "quick?".

what i'm after is relaxed highway cruising, rather than acceleration. If the car is "quick", then in top gear the engine might be revving too high for my tastes at what should be relaxed highway speeds.

could you pls put it in terms of mph/1000rpm in top gear?

i guess i'm spoiled, because my 5spd 190e2.6 does 27.5mph/1000rpm in 5th. What i've been reading about is that the 300e does about 23mph/1000rpm in 4th, for the auto (i dunno which model year that is). And this is one of those things keeping me from considering the 300e.

(someone on this forum also said that the earlier 300Es had a more agressive cam profile. if this is so then it is also a factor)

thanks.

86-89 will be at 2,800 rpm at 60mph. About 3,500 rpm at 80 mph. 89 was same at cruise, same overall axle, just different 1 and 2 gears. 90-92 will be slightly less. As I recall about 3,300 rpm at 80 mph. About 2,400 rpm at 60. It was minor at highway speed. These engines aren't really "noisy," per say.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

DSinger,

You mentioned ..

90 was the slowest year because it still had 2nd gear start. 91-92 got 1st gear start.

I got the 90 300E. What are my options to get it to start from 1st gear?

Tks in advance.

Get a first gear valve body from a 91 or 92 car. I wouldn't worry about it though. I think 1st gear felt awkward on the 91 and 92s, like it wasn't really supposed to be there. Although the slowest, the 90s are BY FAR the smoothest because of this. Two sides to each story...

I personally wouldn't dick with it, but if you want to, that's what to do.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

Also, you say your car is a 300E-24. That is a Euro model with the 3.0L M104 engine. That MAY have had 1st gear start, but I'm not sure. These numbers apply only to USA models, as that is all I can find info for.

Another factor i believe that made the early W124s quicker was the weight of the car. Over the years the 300E gained weight, when the 320s came out they gained another 300 ponds over the first cars. But had the new 3.2 to compensate. This weight also probably affected the handling too. What was this extra weight from? engine, options, ect...By the way have any a guys installed a first gear-start on an early 300e.

Thanks!

Thanks for the info. I will think about it. My transmission is a 4 speed auto with 21.4 miles/1000 rpm. Redline on the meter is 7000. Yes it was a UK model.

Um if yours is a UK model shouldn't it have the E and S switch next to the gear stick to facilitate quicker downshifts to first?

Yes there is a E(conony) and S(tandard) switch by the gear lever. However switching to E means it will not kickdown to 1st. Leaving it at S and flooring it will activate the kickdown but after it thinks for a split second. The split second hesitation is what I do not like, otherwise everthing else is fine.

I'm wondering, does (S) stands for STANDARD on SPORT (on the gear).

"S" stands for Standard according to my handbook!

my 1992 300CE M104 34v with first gear start and 3.07 rear end, does 65 mph at around 2700 - 3000 rpm

To me the revs seem a little high, except when you mash the pedal at 65 and you are just entering the torque band. then the car just shines.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Yes this is how mine is. I have been told a whole ton of things about the rear ratio on my car. I always thought it cruised at rpms that seemed a little high for the freeway but I figured it was normal. My car is at 2800rpms for 60, 3000 at 65 and 3600 at 80. It redlines out at about 6450rpms at 144-5mph. I have told this to a few people and they said that it was odd and that I must have a 3.27 rear axle. Now as far as I know, these were not an option for my car, only for the TE's and being the second owner of the car, I have not modified any gearing or tire sizing. This still remains confusing to myself whether it's normal or not.

Also I have heard about a more aggressive cam on the earlier models. I don't know which year they extended to but apparently they have a higher lift. Also I heard a rumor about a bit different exaust setup on the earlier to newer ones, I was told that the newer ones had more restirtive. I haven't had this confirmed though so it may just be talk.

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-Kevin