Any other Euro owners? M110 with Manual?
 

Greetings,
I have been overly satisfied with my recent purchase of a very nice 1985 280SE. Temporarily repaired the front sway bar problem and now the car handles great. I have also been impressed with the performance the little M110 and four speed combination returns. Does anyone know what the gear ratios are on these cars? I beleive it is at least a 4.10 as the engine is turning a little over 3,000 rpms at 70 MPH. How are your cars equipped? Mine was originally built without factory a/c but was equipped with a dealer installed unit that utilizes a Sanden style compressor! The car does not have speed control but is equipped with manual rear windows, manual seats, ABS, and MB Tex. Still has its Euro bumpers, manuals, first aid kit and trunk mounted triangle.

The little M110 still has over 2.5 bar of oil pressure at a hot idle of around 600 rpm even with 200,000 miles on the clock. Need to adjust the valves as it is over due and it is rather loud at idle. How long are these engines good for? Any high mileage owners? Any input would be helpful.

Thanks,
Aaron

I have 207,000 on mine. If they are treated well, they should give you around 400,000 before a complete rebuild - this from a MBZ mechanic who knows older MBZs. Valve adjustment is a major factor. This should be done every 12,500 miles according to MB maintenance.

Thanks for the information 280ezrider, I did the valve adjustment today and found that they were so close to spec that it could have waited. The car is not any quieter than before the adjustment. Guess I will just have to get used to the noise when it idles. What RPM's does your 280 run at 70 mph?

Thanks,
Aaron

I have 210,000 on my car and it is running great, no smoke, only a rear seal oil leak.

Its more likely to be a 369, I would guess.

Tom W

Thanks for the info t walgamuth, you are probably correct in your gear assumption. Just Imagine how this thing would go if it had a 3.08 differential. How did they ever drive this thing on the Autobahn without blowing the engine? To me, 3,000 rpm's is really fast and approaching the point that I do not want to make it turn any faster.

Thanks,
Aaron

I don't remember exactly, but I think it's around 3000rpm at 70mph. I'll check it tomorrow and let you know. I do remember, though, at 100mph, there is still plenty of space before red line.

Yup, 3.69 is the correct ratio for the M110.

Don't worry about the revs, they will spin all day at that and lots more!
I've had a few, and still have two euros, a 280TE and a 280SL. Just don't expect diesel like mileage.:)

A euro M110 is a great engine! And they will have a definite mechanical sound, even with the valves adjusted.... All part of the character.

Jim

I also have the euro model 1982 280se. I also noticed the noise from the engine, but as far as i remember its always been there. After geting all the bugs out of this car, gas smell, vacume leak. Now after one of the buttons sticking and staying on for the front window, i cant get any of the windows to work. After bypassing the switch i could get the window motor to work so i know those are good. I was told the switch would not cause the other windows not to work, does anyone know what would blow and stop the power source,? is there any relay or something for these cars? Alex

amgraves, the RPM info you're looking for is: 70 mph - 3600 rpm, 80 mph - 4000 rpm, 90 mph - 4400 rpm, 100 mph 4800. I just checked mine today w/o the a/c running. And yes, the rear axle ratio is 3.69. Sorry, I couldn't get you any higher rpm info; there's just to much traffic here in the SF Bay Area.

alexoll, there is a fuse for the windows in the engine-compartment fuse box. It's been so long since I replaced the electrics for manual windows that I can't remember if there is more than 1 fuse, but the fuse-box cover will show this. I don't believe there is a relay.

window problem' 1982 280se
 

Ok thanks;Already looked at the fuse and its fine. Purchased a new switch for it so i am hoping its just that. Motor checks out just not positive there is power going to the switch. Thats why i needed to know if there is anything else that would cut out other then fuse or the switch . I will find out soon as i receive the new switch for it, so i will just pray thats all it is. Its great that you guys can exchange info and help each other out on here. Alex'

I just checked my maintenance library and here it is:
There is a relay - #10 w/the ice cube relays. It gets power directly from the battery bus, so no problem there, and from fuse #4. Then outbound from relay #10, 2 lines to the window motors via aux fuses a & b.

IIRC the maximum allowable rpm of the 110 is about 6200. I would suspect that it is geared to achieve about 6000 in top gear flat out. I also imagine it is designed to run that rpm for a couple of hours without relief on the autobahn.

Thats why they last 4 to 500K miles. They are built with the quality and precision of an excellent endurance race engine.....very high quality materials, precise tolerances and its all very very well balanced.....like a race engine.

3000 rpm may sound busy when you are cruising but the m110 is not even breathing hard at that speed.

Tom W

You are saying there is a relay? I do see the engine compartment fuse panel that it says a&b fuses is for the windows, Fuses are good. Only relays i see in there is 3 which i would thing 1 is the silver cube which i thing is the overload, 2nd i would think is for the windshield wipers, 3rd i have no idea. If there is a relay, does it say where it be at? Because i have a feeling there is no power going to the switch after looking for it with the gage. Alex

Thanks for the info guys. The little engine certainly sounds busy at 3,000rpms. I have been running it at freeway speeds and it never complains. I need to take some pics of the car and a/c setup to see if anyone has anything like it. I have never seen a Benz with a Sanden style compressor, hoses and wiring such as this.

Thanks,
Aaron