Hello everyone. I just happened upon this site the other day when I was researching the 400E I just bought last week. Seems like a great place for discussion.

Now, seems like a lot of you drive your Benz quite fast, I was just wondering if I could get any tips on driving my 400E for performance. Any ideas/tips would be appreciated.

Also, would it be stupid to do any performance upgrades? I'd like to keep the car pretty reliable, so I am kind of weary about that, although I would love to cut down my 0-60 time.

Thanks

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Kyle
1992 400E Emerald Green

Kyle,

Welcome!!! This is the BEST place for Mercedes Owners I can find on the net, so I am sure you will enjoy it alot, too.

As for W124 400E. Good choice for that you picked a 1992. 1992 V8s will be the strongest amount the DOHC V8s made from 1992 - 1999.

If your 400E is all stock. The first thing you might wanna do to improve performance is upgrade the wheel/rim to +1 size. And get Sportline Kits from Mercedesshop. Those should noticeably improve your car's handling.

European headlight conversion will also be HIGHLY adviced as after you upgrade wheels/suspension, you might drive faster then you know... Euro Spec headlight will improve your night vision as 30% with same wattage bulb. And even more with overwatt bulbs.

Good luck, and enjoy your new car.
Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Pearl Grey/Black Leather
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://akry.web.com

Welcome Kyle! You will definitely find this site addictive -- most of us seem to log onto it a couple times per day. This site will also be your most valuable resource for information and advice on your Mercedes.

Brian

Welcome aboard Kyle-
Good Luck with your car, ENJOY!
There are guys out there that can give you better advice on upgrades than I can, but as far as performance driving goes, I recommend Ruppert Bragg-Smith driving school in Parump, NV. If Skip Barber comes out your way he's up there too. After any one of these course, you'll be a much better driver and, of cousre additced to the track
Gary

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http://clubs.snap.com/mercedesbenze55registry/index.lhtml
00 AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 ZR-1
81 Corvette Cpe

Almost nothing will make a bigger improvement in overall performance than the driver but to improve the car here are the 400E/E420 "basics":

lose the wholly inadequate 195/65/15 tires in favor of 225/50/16 tires on 16x7.5" wheels. It will fit but will be tight.

without going into the engine or any kind of tuner/aftermarket parts you can really improve your 0-60 and 1/4 mile times by swapping the diff. The stock 2.24:1 is good for gas mileage but is murder on off-the-line acceleration. If you search the Shop Forum I believe there is a direct "bolt-in" swap from a euro spec car that is in the mid 3.xx's. If memory serves the title of that thread was "E420 diff change" or something similar. Budget $1K-$2K for the diff change depending on how much you have to make stuff fit.

Aside from the above you can do a chip + airbox as that will give you a small bump in acceleration but the above mods will give the biggest improvement. (especially the wheels/tires) As for which wheels I'll let your own taste dictate there. Only advice would be that lighter weight wheel is better. Tires...let me know your priorities and I'll recommend something specific. Of course, giving Luke at Tirerack a call for a detailed opinion is highly recommended. Congratulations on your new car. Look forward to seeing you on the site again.

Hope this helps...Lee

Despite what you all say about the 16s on the E420/400E, I'm telling you that the combination that works the best overall is a 215/60/15 on a 15" x 7J Sportline wheel (8-hole). This is only for the V8s though.

well everyone, thanks for the replies and good advice. I think I will start out by getting some 16 inch wheels. Any suggestions on a good tire to get?

As for the EuroSpec headlamps, anyone know where to get that, and how much? Thanks again for the advice, and sorry it took me so long to get back... I've been enjoying myself and missing my new car in Hawaii.



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Kyle
1992 400E Emerald Green

Kyle, please be more specific in your needs...what do you want from tires, and in what order? Handling, ride, longevity?

With this information the Forum can better advise you. Enjoy your car!!

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

Michelin Pilot XGT V4

Perfect for bombing hwys 17 and 1.

[This message has been edited by makakio (edited 07-05-2000).]

Yikes ! No more bombing Hwy 17, not since they've put an arsenal of CHPs out there. I'd say Hwy 9 and Skyline are still cool for "bombing".

Brian

I thought the Michelin Pilot XGT V4's were all-season...since u live in cali, why not just get the Pilot Sport???

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1995 Mercedes-Benz E420 (W124 - Black Pearl/Black)

Every once in a while in California it rains, but that doesn't slow down all the bimbos and dorks in their giant SUVs as they use all 4 lanes trying to maintain 80+ miles per hour! The best autocross practice in the world is trying to dodge one of these idiots in the rain, and the XGTv4s are a real advantage!!

BTW Makakio and Brian16V, speaking of roads to bomb, have you ever taken the trip south along state 25 from Gilroy, past Pinnacles monument (beware the free range cattle), down to Indian Valley road and Bradley, across GS18 past Nacimiento lake to the Main gate at Fort Hunter Liggett (They will let you in if you tell them you are taking the Nacimiento trail, unless they are doing war games! The house that used to be used as the Base Commanders quarters was William Randolph Hearst's Hunting Lodge!), then across the Nacimiento-Ferguson trail to hiway 1 (LOTS of twisty 1 1/2 lane mountain road with great views, going through the back of the San Simeon - Hearst castle ranch) and back north to bay area? Great drivers road, but probably best done in 2 days! Enjoy!

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JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver

[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 07-05-2000).]

JCE - not yet, but was looking for something to do in August... Thanks!

To answer your question, Ducky: $$$$$