Help 0-60 In 8.3!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 02-17-2002, 01:59 AM

Alright so i was testing my 0-60 last night with a stopwatch (not G-Tech, don't have the cash)...Don't worry it was late, there were like zero cars out, exept ONE...Everytime i'd get something crazy, almost always over 8.5...Except i got a great start off a light the some a--hole comes out of no where and cuts me off, just with that start alone it felt in the high 7's....But thats still too high, I even started it in 1st gear. Please someone tell me how to fix this obserd slowness...Oh yeah i had 2 other ppl in the car there total weight was 400lbs how much of a difference would that make?

Thanks in advance

Joreto · #2 02-17-2002, 02:17 AM

I'm thinking of timing my car the same way, although I don't know how acurate it is.

Joreto
190e 2.5-16v

blackmercedes · #3 02-17-2002, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joreto
I'm thinking of timing my car the same way, although I don't know how acurate it is.

Joreto
190e 2.5-16v

Not very. It's closer to what Car and Driver calls "5-60 street start time" which is usually .5 - 1.0 seconds slower than their "torture test" 0-60 method.

Want faster times?

At rest, use your right foot to mash the gas pedal while your left foot holds the car with the brake. At the moment of "launch" slide your left foot off the brake, and keep your right as close to the radiator as possible.

Most people cannot duplicate magazine times, as the mag staff are willing to mistreat the car.

On the other hand, most people can equal or beat MB's brochure times. Our 1998 C230 was listed at 10.1 seconds 0-60 mph. At the track this summer, I handily made 8.4-8.6 runs pretty consistently.

Also, with a 1987 300E, you're talking variables. Tires? Engine condition? Tranny condition? Too tough to call just how the car will perform.

One other thing to think about: Mercedes cars are not 0-60 sprint wagons. Your 300E is at it's best at highway speed. While some minivans (only a few) might be able to get across an intersection with you, at 60 mph, you'll walk away from any of them.

#4 02-18-2002, 03:24 PM

Hey Blackmercedes, thanks for the reply

The tranny seems to be in good shape, i know the engine needs some work but nothing critical. Now onto tires i need new ones badly, my rear tires are completly worn, the sides of them are smooth. But i can't get new ones until i can afford new rims, see i want to upgrade to 17"s because my current 15"s look awful, there different colors due to the old type of carwashs (bristol washs)...Oh yeah why would tires make a big difference, it's not like you can even peal out (iv only peeled out twice, and i don't know how i did it)

Thanks again for all your input, i'll try again once i get new tires.

Ali Al-Chalabi · #5 02-18-2002, 03:48 PM

Chris, is your 300E completely stock?

If so, those times seem about right for a 300E. Have you gotten it faster in the past?

blackmercedes · #6 02-18-2002, 04:45 PM

Beware that big tires can actually hinder a car like the 300E, as it's possible to have too much traction and a dramatic increase in unsprung weight can slow down your car too. 17's or 18's will make the car slower in a straight line.

Also, are you starting in first gear? Your 87 has second gear start, and it will kickdown with an aggressive start, but it wastes time. You need to be in first gear right from the get-go.

A little power loss compared to new, combined with a tiny bit of tranny slip (probably not noticeable) can work against you too.

The best 300E magazine time I've seen is mid to high 7's. I'd bet that's a tough time to match with your car, and low 8's are probably the best you'll be able to get without the possibility of severly shortening the life of your driveline.

If stoplight-to-stoplight performance is at the top of your list, I'd suggest you sell the 300E and you'd easily be able to buy some variation of 5.0 Mustang or 5.7 Camaro that would be much quicker. Also, the 92- Eagle Talon Turbo AWD cars are very quick and cheap too.

#7 02-18-2002, 06:10 PM

heh, no im stickin with my Mercedes, im just lookin to get the 0-60 down to the high 6's very low 7's with a few mods. and you are right about the highway driving, ei someone pulls up next to me all u have to do is press the pedal and ur gone i really have fun with that...The fastest time iv seen was on www.car-stats.com 87 300E 7.5sec....Yeah well i don't have the modified valve body, i just go down to the lowest gear then back up while not moving. Oh and i got 7.6 last night I wa the only one in the car, so that i guess that 400lbs drop helped... And yes it's stock.

Thanks for all you replys

blackmercedes · #8 02-18-2002, 06:19 PM

To break into 6's, you're not going to find any cheap method. It's tough to shave that much off. A couple tenths, maybe, but more will require some real extra ponies that are pretty tough to find in the M103.

MB engines hold on for a long time, and make good power for many miles. Our C36 had 155,000 kilometers on it, and ran high five 0-60's as long as you stayed out of the stupid ASR. My wife had a particularly good launch that netted a 5.6. We looked pretty slow compared to the E55 running high 4's though...

Joreto · #9 02-19-2002, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackmercedes
On the other hand, most people can equal or beat MB's brochure times. Our 1998 C230 was listed at 10.1 seconds 0-60 mph. At the track this summer, I handily made 8.4-8.6 runs pretty consistently.

Does this mean that I could beat the stated 0-100 km/h which is 7.5 sec ? Could it be done in say 7.0 sec ? How are the times stated in the brochure taken ? Are they the fastest the car managed or combined from a couple of runs ?

Joreto
190e 2.5-16v

#10 02-19-2002, 01:35 PM

I know this is a very debatable subject, but does anyone thing a K&N could put me down to 7.5? I've been meaning to buy one, but each time i look in my wallet my money has seemed to vanished. Ohh and how about cutting off the intake scoop, it's free and easy, but is that just for highway speeds?

Thanks

blackmercedes · #11 02-19-2002, 03:13 PM

The M103 engine is not "strangled" and you'll be lucky to gain any power at all from the K&N. If the intake is open to the engine bay, you'll likely lose power.

One thing you will get is lots more induction roar, which is often mistaken for horsepower.

#12 02-19-2002, 04:56 PM

If you want high 6-low-7 times to zero to 60, I suggest you sell the 300E and look at buying a W126 560SEL or 560SEC (the big S-class). 238 hp and much more torque than the 300E's inline six will put you in those times, while costing maybe a few thousand U.S. dollars more for one of these cars in good condition.

-Sam

#13 02-19-2002, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbz380se
If you want high 6-low-7 times to zero to 60, I suggest you sell the 300E and look at buying a W126 560SEL or 560SEC (the big S-class). 238 hp and much more torque than the 300E's inline six will put you in those times, while costing maybe a few thousand U.S. dollars more for one of these cars in good condition.

-Sam

I agree with Sam. I'm not knocking the W124 by any means, but with the performance numbers you want a V8 seems more sensible. I drove an E320 for a few hours while my car was having the tires replaced and although it felt more nimble, it did feel a bit slower -- I suppose the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are similiar. (prob not with the 300E)

A V8 W126 is going to cost you more, purchase price and maintenance -- but a super durable motor!

blackmercedes · #14 02-19-2002, 07:08 PM

How much room ya got on yer credit card? Go for a C36. Biggest MB bang-for-the-buck used buy right now.

We paid $31,000 for our 1995 last summer, less than a new Camry. For 268hp, 0-60 in 5.8-6.0.

Other than muscle-car-trash can you get such a fast car for such little money. And one with real cache too.

Beyond the budget?

Next up is the 92-95 E420 cars.

Still too much?

560SEC.

Still too many dinero required?

560SEL.

Not enough pocket-book purchasing power still?

300E or 190E 2.6

Wallet too thin?

260E

Still beyond budget?

190E 2.3

Priced out of reach?

190D 2.2

Lesson for grasshopper: Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?

#15 02-19-2002, 07:49 PM

Really, i wanna race cars. Not that street crap(while it is fun), real track racing...Im not afraid of driving fast, so i wanna use that to my advantage and get a car that can go fast. Now really i don't need a superfast 0-60, but i want somethin decent...So i guess it's time for me to start saving my money or beg my parents, which i better stick with earning cause im not gonna get a dime (for racing).
Thanks for all your input, see ya on the tracks (some day)