500SEL owners - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Brian Carlton · #1 01-10-2006, 10:29 PM

I need a bit of assistance regarding the differential in a 500SEL in the model year 1984 or 1985.

Can anyone who has one of these confirm what differential final drive ratio is in the vehicle??

Thanks.

86560SEL · #2 01-11-2006, 12:52 AM

I think it is listed in the owners manual to my car. The same manual covers the 380SE, 500SEL and 500SEC. I will look to see if it is indeed in there, but it may be Thursday before I can check. I have to work all day tomorrow.

Brian Carlton · #3 01-11-2006, 01:04 AM

Thanks.

I already have documentation on all the diffs available during those years. It appears that the 500 had the 2.24 but the 380 got the 2.47.

Some folks believe that the 2.24 only went on European deliveries and all of them have the 2.47 over here.

I need confirmation from someone who has this exact vehicle.

86560SEL · #4 01-11-2006, 01:19 AM

Hmm. That may explain partly why the 500SEL and 500SEC starts out in second gear and the 380SE and 380SL start out in first.

Hit Man X · #5 01-11-2006, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86560SEL

Hmm. That may explain partly why the 500SEL and 500SEC starts out in second gear and the 380SE and 380SL start out in first.

Also less power. The 400E I'm going to get starts in first with its 2.28:1, I believe, gears.

Brian Carlton · #6 01-11-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86560SEL

Hmm. That may explain partly why the 500SEL and 500SEC starts out in second gear and the 380SE and 380SL start out in first.

I simply cannot imagine starting out in second with a 2.24 rear axle. Even with 5 liters of engine, the vehicle would feel like a dog.

86560SEL · #7 01-11-2006, 07:28 PM

Yeah, especially considering that these are heavy cars.

t walgamuth · #8 01-11-2006, 07:31 PM

starts out in second? if so i guess i never noticed.
it is very torqey though.

if it does, then when you do floor it from a stop it is totally seamless in going into first.

tom w

t walgamuth · #9 01-11-2006, 10:53 PM

first gear with full throttle is pretty much fun.

the euro is noticably quicker. i drove one once.

tom w

Kebowers · #10 01-12-2006, 10:11 PM

I once owned (until T-boned by a 3/4 ton pick-up) an '82 380SE euro version--with full AMG engine treatment. It was a sleeper SCREAMER. It would light the tires off the line, leaving rubber at shifts until the 3-4 at a little over 100.

full throttle downshifts under about 60 were sometimes hairy as rear tires broke loose when it dropped into 2nd. Never B4 (or since) had such a hairy chested daily driver--even my sl-600 pales in comparision to THAT 380 SE.

t walgamuth · #11 01-12-2006, 11:18 PM

sounds like fun.

tom w

86560SEL · #12 01-12-2006, 11:40 PM

I knew a lady once that had a 1981 280SE, with a manual shift. She said it had plenty of power. I am assuming that this was a Euro car?

bladerunner30 · #13 01-13-2006, 03:16 AM

The 1990 500se I (briefly) owned before ripping the engine out had a 2.24 rear posi diff and started in 2nd gear.... I'm in the UK though, so it may not help with your question!