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  #16  
Old 06-04-2005, 07:15 PM
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Since66-

I'll rephrase the statment...

In a 90 W201 2.6, it starts in 2nd gear even when downshifted to 2...

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  #17  
Old 06-04-2005, 07:57 PM
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I checked my catalogs and the five speed with first gear start up was offered from late 1991 as an additional option to the original four speed with sencond gear start up. Maybe in some markets it was offered sooner, really don't know about that.

On 1993 the five speed transmission was updated and simplified. The four speed auto basically was carried unchanged until the end of the model series.

The only way you could start the traditional four speed on first gear was to lower the gear selector to "2" briefly and then return it to "S" or "D", then it would have started on first. Or, just simply by slamming the gas pedal all the way in (but this would have required the transmission from standing still to shift from second up to first before taking off).
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  #18  
Old 06-04-2005, 10:00 PM
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A. Rosich,

I think what is making this complicated is that there must've been different transmissions offered in different markets.

W124's sold in the U.S. never got a 5 speed transmission. 99% of all W124's have a 4 speed automatic transmission, and a tiny portion were ordered with a 5 speed manual.

All 300E's in 1990 (or 1991) had the 4 speed auto, but with first gear start. In 1993, with the 320E (misbadged as a 300E), the rear end ratio was changed to 3:27 to 1.

500E's never got first gear start. I don't know about the 400E / E420.
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  #19  
Old 06-04-2005, 10:58 PM
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Just a small note regarding the 2nd gear start.
The factory installed the 2nd gear start because it improves the smoothness at the idle and makes the car more comfortable in the take off which is what the American market desired at least at the time.
It is not a necessary evil and actually switching to the first gear start in this tranny makes the car feel less like a comfortable Benz. So enjoy it!!
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  #20  
Old 06-05-2005, 12:35 AM
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I agree, running the 500E in 1st gear all the time, tends to squeal the tires and/or activate ASR. 2nd gear provides a nice relaxed take off. Makes total sense why MB did what they did.

Also, the 400E/E420 had first gear start, since its rear diff was 2.24 (compared to the 500e's 2.82) 2nd gear start in a 400E would of made it a complete dog.
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  #21  
Old 06-05-2005, 08:39 AM
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Some time ago I was researching 1st gear start for my '87 300E, but haven't had the time to do any further.

I did find this pic and saved it. Not really sure what year valve bodies it would apply to. Any input / comments from the tranny experts?
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W124 300E - 1st year of first gear start...-valvebody.jpg  
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  #22  
Old 06-06-2005, 09:56 AM
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Our '90 300E starts in Second gear. Our '91 300E starts in First gear. Rear-end ratios apperar to be the same in both cars.

That pic in the post above...where did it come from?

I'm about to replace the fluid/filter and K1 spring in the '90. While I'm at it, if I could identify the spring that changes it from first- to second-gear-start, I'd move it and see what happens.
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  #23  
Old 06-06-2005, 12:39 PM
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It works on my 87 300E also, and all 2nd gear start 300Es to my knowledge.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Since66
Begging your pardon, this info is not incorrect.....it most definitely works on my '86 300E. It takes off like a scalded ape when the method I described above is used.
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  #24  
Old 01-07-2011, 11:16 AM
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1st gear start

My '88 300e has 1st gear start. I'm not sure how, maybe someone installed a new trans before I bought it??? I had an '87 (wrecked) and it didn't have it; but much to my surprise, when I popped the new one into 2nd and gave it some gas, it started in 1ST! I was so happy, 1st gear start makes the 300e into a completely different animal.

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