M103 Best Motor Ever

[Michael K]

So this is not really a tech help thread but I just had to give a shout out to the M103, especially when driven by a manual transmission. The M103 has really seduced me. Let me say that I actually have three mercedes, two more modern chassis and motors than the the R107 with the M103, and I love the oldest the best. The more modern motors are technically better. I'm comparing the last of the true small mercedes motors from my two other cars, the M111 and M104, and they are smoother, quieter, have duel cams, are electrically managed, produce more power at a lower engine speed, give off less emissions, and are more fuel efficient. But they don't make my heart go pitter patter like the M103 does. Daily life with the M103 euro spec is like living with a Ferrari compared to the more modern engines from the nineties (note that the really modern from 1998 and beyond have a facsimile recreation of that classic sexiness, but it is so transparently manufactured). The M103 likes to rev. It's nothing to tool along with the engine going four or five thousand RMP. That's where its happy. The power, flexibility, and speed that it drives through the power band between two thousand and six thousand RMP something special. You really have to tune into its ability to dart up and down through its power to appreciate its nature. Hooked up through a slow, but seriously solid and smooth mercedes getrag manual transmission, and I don't think there is anything better.