i've noticed that when i really push my 190e2.6 from rest, that it is a bit sluggish below 3000rpm. I haven't seen any chart showing the 2.6's torque curve, but i suspect that it is peaky, with a documented peak of 162lbs-ft@4600rpm. The car is a 1989 model, with a 2-valve design, and it does not appear to have any sort of variable induction. It appears to be tuned for the higher rpms, judging from the length of the intake runners.

what is a recommended method of improving low-rpm torque or throttle response? Will a bigger throttle body do the job? Aside from cost-effectiveness, an important consideration for me is one that will not sufficiently compromise engine longevity.

Bobby,
That generation of engine just didn't have low end grunt. A bigger throttle body will actually hurt low end power but help top end a small bit. You can run a bit of nitrous or have a larger displacement engine rebuild. Either of those should help the power tremendously. There isn't much you can do off the line, but keeping the tranny in a lower gear longer (with the shifter or bowden cable adjustment) will help "throttle response"

Hope that helps...Lee

The M103 engines were designed as autobahn cruisers, so top end was the idea. Also w/o overdrive in auto trans the cars suffer even more. Over 75 percent of euro buyers bought 5-speed cars, better rear ratio & overdrive in 5th. unless you can find a cam regrinder that can regrind the cam for more torque, just keep the "revs" up in the good range.

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MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. TECH
190E 2.3 ITS RACECAR

I also have a 190E2.6 (1992) that exhibits the same loss of grunt at full throttle starts. During regular acceleration it is more responsive. I have heard this complaint from others with this motor (2.6 & 3.0). I am suspecting loss of intake charge velosity and have always wondered if advancing my cam +4 degrees or finding a torque converter with a higher stall speed might help recover some low end power. Ideas are welcome.