What are the original 0-60 figures for the W126 380SE (US market with catalytic converter) as well as quarter mile and top speed?

I know my car has 155 hp @ 4,750 rpms and 195 lb/ft @ 2700 rpms stock...(however, mine benefits from a free-flowing exhaust and cat which TOTALLY improved acceleration and throttle response. Feels faster than the "other car" I drive regulary, the '87 Volvo 740 Turbo).

Anyway, I just want to know the miserable stock figures.

-Sam

LOL...as you know, an exhaust is the best way to open up a heavily restricted Benz V-8. I'm guessing my car's performance is similar, if not better than, the US-spec W126 500SEL.

It'll walk all over our "other car", the Volvo 740 Turbo.

-Sam

Now, did I ever refer to my car as a "hot rod" in so many words?

To call it a 400E or E420 challenger would be a joke. It isn't a fast car, but in its current form, it is a torquey and quick car that has shown its taillights to many new compact sports coupes, "rice rockets", and other challengers.

So what if it isn't an AMG car? It also isn't a diesel 190-series by any measure.

I posted in this forum to get a response about how bad the original performance was. If I had a significant mechanical problem with said car, I'd post in Tech Help.

And also, the main difference between the Euro and US versions, besides about 50 horsepower, was a slight change in compression, and an exhaust with no cat. Food for thought.

-Sam

Nothin' like a quality reply from fad. I've got those too... Don't worry about it. Check out They have about every car you can think of and the 380's and 500's are U.S. spec. (U can tell by the slower times.) Most of the stats seem acurate. From now on stay in the performance paddock until you step up to the $20,000 range. (Being sarcastic.)


By the way my $3,000 190E with 3.8 euro motor and exhaust set-up runs 14.1's... am I allowed to post here?

Give the guy a break.

Mike

Mercedes never made a super-high performance, AMG-beating W126 S-class, a'la the 500E. Therefore, all stock W126s must be slow boats in this guy's sheltered and narrow viewpoint.


But thanks for the tip about the site, Eurocoupe.

-Sam

Also, you have any pictures online of that 190E 3.8 conversion?

Another friendly reminder: It takes one to know one. But I'm sure you already knew that.

-Sam
"Only Mercedes deserves to assemble a Mercedes"

Now if that isn't a case of the pot calling the kettle black, I don't know what is!

Note to anyone else who sees this: As per Mr. E500's advice here, no Benz owner whose Benz goes from 0-60 in more than seven seconds is allowed to post messages in this forum.


-Sam

And another thing:

Owners of 450SLCs and 300SDs have posted here in "Hot Rods". Yet you didn't make a special effort to jump down their throats for invading your "exclusive E500 domain". Were you just absent at those times or are you saving your special breed of arrogance for my posting about original 380SE performance specifications?

All in all, it's very shady.

-Sam

No better or more appropriate words on this subject have been put forth since:

"Welcome to Factory Hot Rods", 2/1/2000

"Hot Rod Considerations", 3/7/2000