I didn't fully enjoy my 91 300SE. The combination of W126, M103 and second gear start left me wanting. Not that I expected a rocket. I'm sure the SDL is slower all around but it feels more balanced, for lack of a better word. Certainly feels more capable going from one illegal speed to a higher illegal speed under boost where the 300SE felt short of breath.

Then...

I got to thinking of dropping an M102 in a W124 to make my own CA legal 230E. When I drove one outside the US it seemed capable. I didn't have to do uphill freeway merges or keep up with traffic climbing the Grapevine section of I-5. Not that I'd ever take on that project but is a 230E AT a better performer than a 300SE AT?

On the technical side, does an M102 from a 190E drop into a 300E engine bay or are there crossmembers and structure to deal with?

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Sixto,

Have you seen that modification that allows the 300SE to perform a first gear start? It's a kit that is provided with everything that you need to do it. I read about it not too long ago. A bit expensive, but, it gets you what you wanted all along.

Additionally, I would think that the 300SE would also be better with a taller axle. The screaming six cylinder on the highway doesn't make for comfortable long distance driving.

If it had the setup of the 300 SDL (four useable gears and a 2.88 axle) it might be very comfortable to drive. Of course, there will be times when you need to manually put it in third, but, this wouldn't be a factor.

I wonder what the highway fuel economy would be with a 2.88 axle? Maybe get 25 mpg with it??

The M102 will bolt up to the trans, but suspect that the engine crossmember might be different, as it is between the 2.3L and 2.6L W201s. Obviously the wiring, the cooling system, the a/c and other bits will need to be switched over as well, so it would help if you had a suitable rear-ended donor car.

If you did that, you'd definitely want the first gear start. I once owned a 190E 2.3 and the 2nd gear start drove me crazy in that thing. It felt like a gutless wonder.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Rick you have to resist trying to "stoplight" drag racing those Neons. Or learn the sequence for 1st gear launches.

I haven't checked the Bergwerks website but I thought someone said the first gear start kit isn't recommended for 6 cyl cars. I can't imagine why.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Yep, that's the name. You clearly know more about it than I do. I wonder why the engine would care if you used first gear????

In fact, a six would really benefit by it.

Isn't Bergwerks kaput?

The Bergwerks shop in SoCal is gone. The on-line store continues.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4555544336&category=6329

Not a 124, but how about this..

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

So close to perfect. If I sell the 5-speed it'll probably pay for the car!

Since this is a dream, I'd prefer AT, hubcaps, fabric seat surfaces, perforated vinyl in place of dash wood... details, really. I'll even live with the door dent.

I thought joggle wiper arms, that strip in the rear gutters and wraparound front gutters started in 81 even for Euros.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

You know, your dream car sounds like the opposite of your S420.

There was was a 230E, Auto trans on ebay a few weeks ago. The seller was the owner of **************.com. It was pretty much exactly what you are looking for.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E