Sorry to be a pest but I have another question. My 380se seems awfully slow to accelerate. It runs smooth but takes a while to get going. The tranny shifts way too early sometimes. I'm in 4th gear before 30mph under light throttle. I know the 3.8 is not very powerful but this one seems "really" slow. I've seen a couple of other posts where owners of 380's talk about fast acceleration. What am I missing? Just completed tuneup, idle is smooth but high at 1500. New idle control unit coming. What else could be causing the lack of power???

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U. S. Air Force Air Traffic Controller
"U gotta keep 'em separated!!"

Don't know if you found solution to slow acceleration but my 85 isn't the quickest either but I am comparing it to my 95 E420. But, it sounds like your experience is normal.

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95 E420 ( 76K) SOLD
85 380SE(125k)
95 SL500(72k)

search Bowden cable adjustment.

you can take the slack out of your throttle linkages; don't change the spec, but pull in any slack.
I don't know if 380s are by cable or rod, but if you tighten the applicable part (rod or cable) you won't upshift so quickly.
Also, most Mercedes that I have had have about an inch travel in the go pedal before anything happens. Pull the slack out of the accelerator pedal linkage.
On my 116, this can be done without affecting shift linkage, on my 201, the shift linkage and accel. linkage are connected so that an adjustment of one affects the other.
Measure or mark what you do so you can get back if you get it too far out of whack.

My 380 SE isn't "quick" but it ain't no dog either from a standing stop. It will shift before I would like for it too but by no means is it the slowest car off the line.
Mike