Help me figure this out - M103 - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JohnM. · #46 04-02-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400Eric

Well bring it out here son! Our next track day is a week from today Sat, April 03, 2010 in Fontana.

He only ran a 17.73 on that first run. Still makes a nice picture though don't y'all think?

That 97 540i 6spd. got better as the day wore on. Here he is seen spanking a Camaro while running his best E/T of the day, a 14.908 at 97.33 MPH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0og-7EoUJ20

Bottom line: Benzes rule

Bimmers drool!

I'll have to take a raincheck on that invitation. But I'll be out in CA sooner or later. Most likely to buy another Benz. LOL @ at the Bimmer's first run. Doesn't a well tuned 300E run somewhere close to a flat 16-16.5?

Pshhhhh, I don't even really own that 540i. It's just a fix-n-flip sorta deal. It just so happens to be kinda fast so that's a cool bonus,I love to beat on it. But it's a piece of shiat compared to the W124. Seriously. Sporty my ass. I also never knew how slushy BMW auto gearboxes were. Damn. The 124 gearbox is 10 million times better. My 300E still feels like a stronger car than the 540i, but the BMW can throw you back in the seat pretty good. But it's comparing apples and oranges (Quad Cam 32V V8 vs 12V Single Cam I6). But none of the E34/E30 stock 6 cylinder BMW's can hold a freaking candle to the M103 I-6. There's a reason why! .......I've been thinking I might start looking for a nice 400E. They are soooo cheap if you wait to find one.

400Eric · #47 04-03-2010, 05:37 AM

If you go that route, try to get an early 93, one made before 03/93. That's when everything came together. You will get a closed deck, metal oil tube, 11.0 to one compression, 32 valve, 4.2L V-8 engine in a car that looks just like your 300E. Talk about a sleeper!
Regards, Eric

400Eric · #48 04-03-2010, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Update: Passed emissions today-- it did really well, way within the boundaries. Now, to make it run smoother and more powerful...pretty much going to take the entire day tomorrow to work on the car and polish it all up.

Were you still on the old cats?

Keep us updated!
Regards, Eric

tbomachines · #49 04-03-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400Eric

Were you still on the old cats?

Keep us updated!
Regards, Eric

Yep, old cats (I assume original) but newer OE catback system (can't even imagine how much that went for at the dealer...). I changed the fuel filter yesterday and the old one appeared to be original with the car

. It was really heavy as well even without any fuel left in it, I think I'm going to cut it open just to appease my curiosity. The car does seem marginally faster by the seat of the pants dyno after doing the filter change. Unfortunately, the fuel pump is pretty loud (assume from running on a clogged filter for so long), so I will need to replace that at some point. I do think that is contributing to the "hissing" sound on throttle, but it would be more of a constant than noise under load. Still have a lot more work to do today, will report back at some point.

tbomachines · #50 04-03-2010, 08:56 PM

Ok - update as promised:

Changed out oil/filter for 15w-50 synthetic. Also changed the transmission fluid and filter. I was quite unhappy to find a bunch of metal shavings on TOP of the old filter, though none in the pan. The fluid was a little on the brown side, but smelled okay and not burnt. Seems to be shifting okay now so hopefully the fluid flush was all it needed. The fluid and filter clearly hadn't been replaced in at LEAST 50k (my diesel had 45k on its filter/fluid and it was better condition when I changed it out). Also replaced spark plugs finally, the PO had Champions in there, most likely with resistors. I changed them out for the proper Bosch plugs. I also lubricated the entire throttle linkage assembly, tightened the throttle cable and gave a turn to (tighten) the bowden cable. I cleaned around the lip of the MAF sensor with carb cleaner and a Q tip, making sure it wasn't getting caught on it.

Tightening the Bowden cable (moving shift points upwards) seemed to make a huge difference, now the engine is actually using its ideal hp/torque bands under heavy acceleration. Also, the idle seems to have smoothed out a bit (spark plugs?). I floored it coming out of Home Depot and noticed there was a nice bit of smoke behind me. Unburnt fuel perhaps, but maybe a good ol' italian tune up spew of soot

there was an M3 behind me.

I still think I can improve on power, but it has DEFINITELY seen an improvement since I got it. Right now, I feel accomplished. Just need to get the slotted rotors on tomorrow and give it a nice wash/wax/polish.

Edit: I also did the mileage figures for my trip from Philly to CT - 29 miles a gallon. I had to double check everything to make sure I did it right because I didn't believe it could be that high...but it was GPS tracked and I actually overfilled at the gas station so it was marginally above 29.

400Eric · #51 04-06-2010, 02:54 AM

29 MPG at what speed?

tbomachines · #52 04-06-2010, 02:06 PM

29 mpg:

209 miles total trip
61mph average, 86.5 max
7.2 gal to fill up (and overflow)

Coming back down, 27.5 mpg:
225 miles total
48mph average, 78.1 max (hit traffic pretty bad in CT and NY...)
8.1 gal to fill up (w/overflow)

400Eric · #53 04-07-2010, 05:07 AM

That's an awesome number. My two M-103s were made when the rear ratio was still 3.07 (vs. your car's 2.87) so I'll probably never get close to your numbers unless I change rear gears.
Regards, Eric

tbomachines · #54 04-07-2010, 01:36 PM

I was in disbelief when I actually did out the mileage, seeing as the EPA rating is only 21 highway. I was a bit wary of buying the 300e for daily driver use due to the mileage but it is comparable with my diesels, so not too bad. City commuting isn't as nice with that 2.87, my city mileage is pretty low so far (haven't done it out)

400Eric · #55 04-25-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I still think I can improve on power, but it has DEFINITELY seen an improvement since I got it.

Have you found any more power? I know you're gonna turbo the car but I also thought you were gonna try to find some more N/A power in the meantime. Any progress?

tbomachines · #56 04-25-2010, 10:21 PM

Changing out the fuel filter, spark plugs and cleaning out the MAF sensor made a difference in the seat of the pants. I do think that the biggest difference I saw was in a Bowden cable adjustment...the car is still kind of sluggish but the shift points are vastly improved. Over 2500 rpm the thing actually has power now (after the fuel filter was changed) and you can feel it...only the transmission likes to keep the car as close to 1000 as possible which just stinks. It upshifts a lot more, but its better than flooring it to the hum of 2000 rpms and just not getting any power. I wish I had a 5 speed, especially since I want to throw a turbo on it.

400Eric · #57 04-25-2010, 10:30 PM

Even healthy M103s are not that strong below 2500 RPM. That's always been my biggest beef with this engine. It's hard for a guy raised on torquey American engines to get used to. Maybe the resistor mod might help. READ!!! Free HP for W201 & W124 owners! (Pictures!) It helped mine!

Lots of differing opinions about the mod but there is no harm in trying it just to see for yourself. You can easily go back if it doesn't work for you. My two M103s love it but 90 and later M103s may be different. Try it and see!

This lack of low end torque is something that all of the foreign automakers have addressed and improved upon because the American market demands it!
Regards, Eric