Well I did the diff swap and all I can say is wow!!!
This just tottaly wakes the car up.
I did if for way less then the bergwerks one.
Read my article on my website for more info and pics.
-----click here for article-----

Happy reading,

Subman

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Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

Subman, what was the total cost? Where did you find the new differential?

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Brian W.

01 S55 AMG Silver
01 CLK55 AMG Silver

What was the cost of the new unit? How much has the topspeed been lowered?

The unit it self was 550, and the speedo box was 135, you may have to do some research to find one but I got mine for patomic.

I dont know much about the top speed but my gas mialage has gone down to about 17 mpg, not bad if you ask me.

I do know anathor member has hit 150 with his diff change (in the same car).

Subman

__________________
Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

Excellent article...thanks for sharing.

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Dean Albrecht
"Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way!"E500 owners motto

If my numbers are correct, you have switched from 2.24 to 2.82 or a difference of 25.89%, which means, in theory, your top speed will be reduced by the same amount (25.89%), assuming top speed was/is rev. limited.
If top speed was say 145 with the 2.24, you,ll be down to 107MPH top speed with the new difeerential.
JackD

I can tell you for certain that your theory is wrong regarding top speed.

My 270 HP 280 ft-lb C36 powered wagon with 3.07 gears has a verified 147 MPH and it was still pulling.

I wouldn't be surprised if the 400E got up to 150 MPH.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

I'd think that car'd do 145-150MPH....gearing will still let it get to 156 or so at redline, if the motor can pull that high in top gear

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

What's the redline on the M119 4.2? 6000 rpm?

Okay, the 2.82 diff means a ratio of 2.82 as the four speed auto has a direct drive top gear.

At 60mph, the tires spin 820 times per minute, given the stock 195/65-15 tire size.

820 *2.82 is 2312.4 or 2300 rpm at 60 mph.

6000/2300 = 2.6

2.6 * 60 = 156mph.

The car should be able to hit high 140's for sure, and I think it might be able to pull 6000 in top, making 156 mph. Depends on drag.

BTW, I don't think gearing is the limiting factor on the 2.24 equipped cars, probably drag.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Hello all.

I too did the exact same thing Subman did. Cost about $700. Not difficult at all to install.

Regarding top speed, I had my car redline in 4th, which equates to about 155. And if you do the math, at rev limiter (6450), you will technically be going 167mph. But your prolly gonna need a nice wind gust and a downslope for that .

Before, my car would storm to 145 and just die out. Now, the thing storms like a train all the way up to redline with no problem at all. I havent held it floored long enough to see if it would actually climb any higher, but in the short time it took to get to redline, I wouldnt doubt it. I honestly didn't think the diff change would make it this quick.

I would absolutely recommended it to all 400E/E420 owners out there! Its like your driving a totally different car. It has power in any gear, you dont have to wait for the power band. So do yourself a favor and do this conversion. You will thank yourself afterwards.

I plan on doing more tests and getting some numbers as soon as I get my new tires.

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K

This is very interesting news!
I'm interested in swapping out my differentials as well.
I drive a 1995 C36 which has a 4-speed auto and I think the rear diff is at 2.82 from factory. Would you guys have any recommendations for me as to which number I should upgrade to (3.06 or 3.26), and where do I buy the parts? Besides the gas mileage and lower top speed, are there any other negative side effects? More wear and tear on the engine due to higher cruising rpms. If I go with 3.26, what I kind of quarter mile time improvements am I looking at?

Actually, your car has a 2.87:1 ratio.

Likely options are 3.07, 3.27, or 3.46. I'd do a 3.07; won't drive your highway RPMs up too high (maybe 500 or so RPMs at 70MPH), but will definitely launch you better. My guess would be it'd drop your 1/4 mile time by .2 to .3, but that's only a guess.

Call BergWerks in your area @ 877.230.5736 - they'll do right by you

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

A 1995 C36 will work well with a 3.07 (I have a C36 engine, tranny, and 3.07 limited-slip in my wagon).

Cruising at 80MPH will show about 4000 RPM.

The 1997 C36 got the 5-speed electronic tranny with the 5th gear as overdrive (OD). As such, the 1997 C36 got a 3.07 diff. If you can find a 1997 C36 diff, then it is a simple swap.

Moreover, it is the 3.07 ASR version which you will need because I'm 99% sure your 1995 C36 has ASR.

Top speed will still be about 150-155 MPH.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

What is the 500E's rear end ratio?

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

500E's use a 2.82 ASR rear diff.

:-) neil