gonna do some "hill" driving! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BenzOnline · #1 05-10-2002, 05:30 PM

I am going to take the 380 on a small trip tommorow with a freind and I am going to be going on quite a few hills up and down.

Does anyone have any tips on driving on big hills with the 380 w126???

ymsin · #2 05-10-2002, 11:24 PM

I have been doing some fair bit of driving up and down hills (and will be doing lots more in time to come).

You will hear the purr of the engine going up the hill, but where the economy meter will stick it right up to the red-line. Essential to have clean engine oil and plugs because your engine would need lots of push.

I find going downhill not so exciting as the momentum of the car will push it above the speed limit. Applying too much of brakes would create lots of brake dust too.

The coolest part of hill driving is when you can appreciate the view and the fresh air with the sunroof ajar ...

#3 05-12-2002, 02:52 AM

I take the 380SE over the mountain passes in Washington State all the time.

One way to do it is to set the cruise at 65 or 70 mph, and watch the car maintain the speed. My car has zero problems with passes (Snoqualmie, Stevens, Blewett, et al). Except for "diesel pickup racers" who tail me all the way up 2-laners. Then, it becomes "see if your leaf-sprung truck can keep up with my double-wishbone front and semi-trailing arm rear on any of these turns at 75 plus, uphill." Yeah, I've outrun a Ford 350 Super-Duty diesel on Blewett, all the way up (and from the amount of black smoke out of his exhaust, he wanted it, too.

These cars do fine on hills. No problems should arise if your cooling system's in good order.

-Sam

ymsin · #4 05-12-2002, 10:49 PM

I am truly taken by the smooth engine ride going up-hill without much effort. And with the sunroof open, its like a cool driving experience.

(The only thing that takes the pleasure of hill-driving is the brake dust on coming downhill AND the higher than average operating temperature.)

BenzOnline · #5 05-13-2002, 10:36 AM

Well, I took the trip and the 380 performed effortlessly on the hills. Whoever says that these 3.8 liter engines are no good and have no power NEEDS TO KEEP QUIET!!! Am I right Sam?

It is also nice with the roof open!

#6 05-13-2002, 01:57 PM

HAHAHA. Yeah, I've noticed that people who say that usually roll in 500Es (sheesh, anything would feel slow short of a 911 GT2 or Vette Z06) or in less rapid Mercedes.

Our cars aren't 500Es, but I've never felt like I've had a power deficit in the 380SE. It stayed with our Volvo 740 Turbo-Intercooler from a dead stop up to about 35 mph, when the Volvo hit second gear with the boost on and pulled a couple of car-lengths. Passing anyone has never been a problem, either, even on hills.

Hey, what can I say?

-Sam