New Mercedes owner, 93 180 E but needs some work
 

Hi Guys,
I feel in love with this 1993 180 E that was in great condition. Sure theres a few scratches and a dent here and there but that can be taken care of no problem.

However the acceleration in the lower gears (automatic) is very unresponsive. There is no sounds indicating any problem, the car just doesnt respond at all unless the acceleration is at full, and even then it is very sluggish.

I can get around the problem by manually going into second gear, however even then its a little unsatisfying..

So I dont know much about cars yet, my intention is to learn with one so if you guys could give me any hints on where to start googling it would be greatly appreciated. I am sure i'll have to ask along the way

maybe you mean your car is a 1993 280E which is the equivalent of the US market 1993 300E-2.8 model

Does it seem to pick up when it gets to 3-4k rpm or is it sluggish all the way to the red line?

If so, it sounds like the EHA valve. Had exactly the same problem in my 260E. It felt like a completely different engine for bottom end power. Even though my fuel pressure checked out.

My bet is he has a single space typo for 190E..........

I believe like most other Mercs of that vintage, the car is doing 2nd gear starts and it should be kicking down if you are launching aggressively. So I would check the kick down switch for one. That said, guessing you have some general housekeeping wich would include addressing your fuel and ignition systems. I would start with fuel and injection condition ala Seafoam, and unless you have records of recent service. Replace, cap, rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs and try to stick with copper core wires and plugs. Not saying this is the problem, but can make a VERY substantial difference if these wear items are not replaced in a timely matter.

Welcome and enjoy the site!

Assuming he has a U.S. model, it should start off in 1st gear and shift 3 times. His description is little vague, but I would check the trans. fluid and the Vacuum Modulator.
I been driving my '93 190E since new and when I drive my SLK230 there is no comparison in transmission operations. The W201 has its own characteristics.

W201 180e was a special model only released in Australia.

New automobiles prices in Australia are three times the cost of which you pay in the U.S.

The 180e was a poverty pack 201 specifically designed to get around the Tax laws in Australia. In 1989 a threshold was introduced on cars costing over $ 37,500. Any car costing over this was subject to an extra "Luxury" tax.
This specced down car was available for Aus$36,000. (Around US$35,000 at the time)

A new 1989 560SEL was Aus $212,000 (US$200,000). My 1993 W140 420SEL was Aus$ 240.000
Ridiculous prices compared to the rest of the world.

These 180e's had manual wind up windows, steel wheels, cloth seats, manual gearbox - lucky to get a radio.

They sold like hotcakes - and still sell very well on the second hand market. 1993 was the last year they were sold before the W202 was introduced.

One problem = most likely disconnected control pressure cable.

Are you out there?
 

I think we've lost the OP. If you're out there, are there any other symptoms to report? CEL on? Codes read? Hard starts? Did you get maintenance records that show what's been done to the car in the recent past?

Excuse me onlyaftrdrk, but did you trade in your 180E within a month of your post in May 2009? was your number plate RXQ007? If so, I'm the current owner of your 180E! If only you could see how powerful it is now...

*RXB007, oh and by the way, it wasn't properly tuned while also being run on regular unleaded (which didnt help either).