My 1988 300SE seems to be starting in 2nd gear all the time??? It takes forever to get it rolling it just accelerates at a snails pace under full throttle but once it is moving at higher speeds drives just fine. Has anyone had this problem, know what it is?

I'm afraid it starts in 2nd gear by design.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Why does it accellerate so slowly under full throttle though? It is almost like it has no power at all and takes so long to get it to move. It really feels just like a manual transmission trying to accellerate from a stop in second gear.

Yep, the logic to start that vehicle in second gear is totally flawed. It's a big, heavy sedan without a lot of HP and it definitely needs a first gear start. I think there was a modification that could achieve a first gear start with it......but, it was fairly costly.

Naturally, you can start it in first manually, but, clearly, that's a PITA for daily driving.

M/B would have done far better with a first gear start and a slightly shorter diff ratio. Who really wants the 103 screaming along at 4K on the highway?

If you want a first gear start, the following will provide it, but it must be executed each and everytime you come to a stop.

With foot on brake, pull gear selector all the way down to the lowest gear selection. In your case that would be 2. Then move the gear selector back up to D. This really doesn't take long. You will start out in 1st gear and have a bit more torque.

I do not know the maintenance history of your vehicle, but make sure your transmission fluid & filter are up to snuff.

The 300-SEL will come across as a real slug to anyone used to high performance. I'm an older man and could care less about speed, so it's always suited me just fine.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

hey Mike.....just a compliment on your reply 'i'm an old man and the acceleration is fine by me'...please second that remark! I drive a 1991 300SE and it was a big adjustment from my 1994 E420. But the crazy thing is the E420's V-8 get by far the best gas mileage!! I'm an old man, too, and I love my w126!

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1994 E420, 1994 E320CE, 1994 E320TE and 1991 300SE

Dick - many here have reported better overall mpg from their 420-SELs than their 300-SELs. I'm not too surprised by that. The 300-SELs turn 3400 rpm at 70mph. All of my Asian cars are in the 2500-2700 rpm range at same speed. MB had to spin the motor faster on the 300-SEL to keep it from being a complete dog. The higher rpms drink more fuel.

My driving is primarily highway - get around 20mpg-22mpg on avg using 93 octane. Some report that 89 octane works well in 103 motors. I tried it and felt it ran better on 93 octane. Opinions vary here.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"