Will a Turbo or Supercharger reduce the reliability of my car? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Blown_M104 · #1 10-09-2009, 08:01 AM

That was the question I asked myself a number of years ago when I decided to install a blower on my 93 300e 3.2L M104. At the time the car had just less than 130,000 miles on it and now I’m at over 223,000. I’m happy to report that after some 93,000 miles I haven’t had any major issue with the engine or blower.

My tranny started acting up just before 220k but I’ve seen NA cars loose the tranny a lot earlier than this. (I sourced a rebuilt unit for virtually zero dollars and spent a Saturday doing the transplant) I’ve also had to replace the serpentine belt twice over the 93K but that’s understandable given the increased work it’s doing pulling the blower… (I can afford a $30 belt every 45K miles for this type power)

So, if done properly, I’d say you can maintain the reliability and longevity MB is know for with forced induction.

Anyone else out there have a long-term road test they want to share?

RBYCC · #2 10-09-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown_M104

That was the question I asked myself a number of years ago when I decided to install a blower on my 93 300e 3.2L M104. At the time the car had just less than 130,000 miles on it and now I’m at over 223,000. I’m happy to report that after some 93,000 miles I haven’t had any major issue with the engine or blower.

My tranny started acting up just before 220k but I’ve seen NA cars loose the tranny a lot earlier than this. (I sourced a rebuilt unit for virtually zero dollars and spent a Saturday doing the transplant) I’ve also had to replace the serpentine belt twice over the 93K but that’s understandable given the increased work it’s doing pulling the blower… (I can afford a $30 belt every 45K miles for this type power)

So, if done properly, I’d say you can maintain the reliability and longevity MB is know for with forced induction.

Anyone else out there have a long-term road test they want to share?

Only to look at about seventy five + TurboTechnics cars done by Hughes in the UK in the early nineties.
Majority still running and changing hands with 160K + miles !!!

Like anything else, good design without excess lasts and is reliable.

Dee8go · #3 10-10-2009, 11:02 AM

How does supercharging affect fuel consumption? Does it go up, down, or stay about the same?

MAG58 · #4 10-10-2009, 02:31 PM

With any increase in power, given the same VE of an engine, fuel consumption will go down.

That said, with my experience in turbocharged cars, it is not uncommon to add a turbo to a car and gain not only power but also reduce fuel consumption as a turbo makes an engine substantially more efficient.

Blown_M104 · #5 10-10-2009, 08:13 PM

Agreed, I've seen my MPG improve or at least remain the same under certain conditions with the supercharger on.

The problem is having the available power tends to lead a person to more "spirited driving" which will kill your mileage.

c280nz · #6 10-12-2009, 01:11 AM

in theory increasing the power of a motor will decrease its life engine life, but it depends on your driving style.
with increased hp comes increased wear,
but we are modifying motors which are over engineered, so we get good milage out of them modified, and exceptional milage if un modified,

like you blown m104 i also have a FI m104, but with a large single turbo,
and what helps with the longivity of our engines is the fact that you cant hold the throttle on wide open for too long because you just end up going toooooo bloody fast

and with milage i feel "if" i keep my foot off the gas my milage has improved over stock, but damn thats hard to do because man i love boost