Question, is there a difference in differential gear ratios between a 124 wagon and a sedan? Ed

Yes, the wagon has a shorter (numerically larger) rear axle ratio, I presume to overcome the slight weight penalty of the wagon. Don't have the ratios handy, though; perhaps someone else does.

Well it depends. The 300D and TD made in 87 both have 2.65 ratio. The 300E sedan has a 3.07 til 1989 when it changed to 2.87. The 300TE had 3.27 up till 90 when it also changed to a 2.87. So after 90 both sedan and wagon have 2.87. The E320 sedan and wagon have a 2.65 ratio.

Hi Steve:

You must have some sort of reference guide for rr ratios. I have a 1980 300D - non turbo. Could you please tell me what the ratio is for this car? Thanks.

That would be 3.46. The wagon would be the same that year.

Thanks for the quick response Steve! Would you mind checking one more for me? I used to drive a '75 300d - same ratio??

The reason I ask is that the '75 was a much faster, quieter car than the '80. Also it would do all but the very steepest hills at 80+ mph. The 1980 slows down drastically on hills and even on the flat it feels like you want to shift to a higher gear.

As we speak, its with a mechanic having the pump timing checked, a valve adjustment done and the tranny adjusted. I'm hoping this solves the problem - but I'm really curious about the rr ratio difference between the '75 and the '80 - if there is one.

Thanks for your help!

The 75 also was 3.46. No help there!

Here's an update on my 300D after yesterday with the mechanic:

1.Valves adjusted - weren't out by much
2.Timing was at 20 degrees - he set it back to factory 24.
3.Someone "not in the know" had played with the vacuum system - he spent an hour getting it back to specs. The tranny shifts much better now - not perfect - but I can live with it!
4.NOW THE BIG ONE: the car was originally from California. The injection pump was rebuilt at the same time that the engine was a few years ago. Whoever rebuilt the pump put it back to specs for California. My mechanic reset the pump to factory specs for Canada (where I live)--something to do with the governor I think.
Anyways, the car now performs equally as well as my old '75 300D. Drove up the longest hill in the immediate area - was at 80mph at the top - with more "jam" left if I wanted it!
I asked the mechanic if "tweeking" the pump will affect my mileage. He said it may even go up a little. That would be good, because I was only getting about 30 mpg (approx. 24mpg in US gallons!)

Cheers!