Car is a 1989, 260E. a) Hard cold start: When cold, it takes a very long cranking to get it going. For the first few seconds, it seems to be running on 2-3-4 cylinders, very rough. After a few seconds, everything clears-up and it runs perfect. It will sometimes dies on me during warm-up, (first traffic light when not fully warmed-up.) but will re-start easily.Never had any warm/hot start problem. It is not related to exterior temperature. -20C or +20C, same routine. b) What is the best shock absorber to replicate the original ride/handling/comfort. c) Cruise control: Engages OK, maintain steady speed, but there is always a little jerking taking place (very slight) except when going downhill where it jerks violently to the point I have to disengage it. The car just had: valve guides/seals, new spark plugs,wires, dist. cap, rotor, oils. Above problems were existant before the job was done and there is no improvement/worsening since. Your input/suggestions are appreciated. JackD

Jack:

Regarding item A.

When you look thru the archives here regarding hard cold starting, two areas keep poping up:

1. The OVP - overvoltage protection relay. This and high oil consumption in 103 motors are probably the two most covered areas at this site.

2. Fuel system pressure. Is it holding? Faulty fuel pump check valve, accumulator?

Lots of good info in the archives.

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