Redline-avoidant. Help me!

Hi all,

Don't much care for the performance of my '93 190 2.6 (60k miles) under 3200rpm. Like it quite a bit from there to the redline (or close). You see, I never mash the pedal and hold it from a stop. Instead, when letting the motor wind up it's usually in the second-third-fourth shifts (second-to-third being most common). The car feels fast once up in revs, sounds p-e-r-f-e-c-t and the gear ratios work nicely together to provide forward momentum BUT I'M AFRAID:

Not knowing if the car has a rev-limiter and of what type (fuel, ignition, timing, etc), I haven't yet taken it ALL THE WAY to redline. Instead, like a wuss, I let up slightly about 300rpm short which always makes for a really crappy shift.

Can I be confident that I could simply hold the pedal to the floor and the car would bang-bang-bang it's way through the redline shifts? Or at least know I could hammer at the line and not go deep enough beyond it to spew schrapnel through the hood? I'm looking for advice, instruction - anything to smooth things out so I can enjoy the acceleration and noise when conditions permit.

FYI - said car is in fighting condition - mechanically superb. Using Castrol GTX (won't go synthetic) and changing religiously every 3k. Also have tranny on an accelerated service plan. Any other vital things to compensate or consider for occasionally sporting around in the high-rpm, high-load?

Matt (the lifter)

[Michael]

I have two cars that, rev-wise, are over-achievers. My 500E consistently shifts itself at 6,300 RPM (redline 6k) thru the first 3 gears, and my wagen (redline 6,200 RPM) routinely spins to 6,500. Now, this is FAR from the exception, but rather the rule. From what I understand, the only thing you'll likely blow up is the A/C compressor or alternator, LONG before the motor blows. So, rev away!! Your motor's built to take it.



[This message has been edited by Michael (edited 01-10-2000).]

[mbdoc]

Rev limit is controled by fuel pump relay that is part of MAS relay. Most M103 motors are capable of 7000RPM.

[akry]

I also have taken my car up to 6300rpm before the tranny shifts into the next gear. And when I really "abuse" the car, I step on the throttle all the way down to the metal and hear the wheels scream every gear change(mine doesn't have ASR).... God, you gotta love those M119s....

Play it safe....save it for the track!!!
Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
http://drive.to/akry

[Lee Scheeler]

Just keep it floored and let the car do the work. You'll likely cause more damage to the tranny "rubber banding" it (floor-let up-floor) than any potential engine damage of a couple hundered extra revs.

I'll second Michael's observations. Had a 91 300E that would normally spin up about 6500rpm, but if you really stomped and held it would bang the end of the tach at 7000rpm. I know its current owner, the car is still doing great at about 150K+ miles... Then a 92 500E that would pull 6300 in 1st, then 6000rpm in 2nd/3rd, then 6300rpm in 4th. (yeeehaw!)


Hope this helps...Lee

Thanks for the info - especially the bit about letting up being hard on the tranny. When conditions allow (and after the next oil change), I'll see what kind of "overachieve-ing" my little car will do...

Matt

[Aaron]

While the sound of a Mercedes inline six pulling to redline is wonderful. The sound of an M-100 (6.3 or 6.9) is definitely sweet music! One car which I thought could never (and still can't ever) be topped for wonderful music is the Triumph TR6. I had a '74 TR with the triple Weber 40 DCOEs, and the full shabang of velocity stacks, etc..Looked awesome and sounded like no other machine I have ever experienced. Sometime in the near future, I will be adding another TR6 to the stable. God I miss that sound

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

[Darko]

Aaron;
Just wondering, I've been away from the board for a while, and was wondering whatever became of those 6.9 burnout pics ???

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Darko Vusir
1994 C220

HI
I was just wondering. I also ever took my 97 e420 to redline about 6300 and then it shifted to 2nd. Is it ok with the engine?
thanks

[Lee Scheeler]

On a 97' E420: Let the brainbox do the work. Besides, if anything does foul up on an automatic with an electronically controlled tranny I would think the responsibility would lie with MB.

Hope this helps...Lee