Have recently purchased a 88 300sel and noticed that RPM shows about 3500 at 70 mph. I don't feel more than two gears shift after accelleration from a stop. Is it possible that high gear is engaging? or is this normal?
I also own a 420 SEL and the RPM at the same speed is only 2500. I also only feel two gears shift as I accelerate from a stop.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

Sounds like you are not getting into 4th gear. You should feel at least 3 shifts since your tranny starts out in 2nd (I think). Otherwise you should feel 4 shifts if it starts in 1st.

__________________
I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k

If the trans starts in second you should feel two shifts, one to third and then another to fourth. I would manually shift the car myself from a set of lights and count the shifts. My 560 is only pulling about 2100rpm at 60mph.

3500rpm at 70mph is a little high. It will read that as you accelerate to 70mph then settle a couple hundred rpm lower. Since your car starts in second gear, you should only feel two shifts (second to third and third to fourth).

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
81 300SD

What your are experiencing is normal. My '91 300-SEL runs about 3400 rpm at 70mph. The 2 shift thing is also ok. These cars by design, start out in 2nd gear. Your shift from 2nd to 3rd and from 3rd to 4th. There's your two shifts.

Enjoy and get use to the high revs. You get power one of two ways: cubic inches or rpms. Your straight 6 ain't got much of the former but plenty of the latter.

Dave,

So that's what you look like without your hat

Sixto

Thanks to all that contributed the helpfull info. I feel a lot better now knowing that there is nothing wrong.
I am absolutely blown away by this forum, I just joined a couple of hours ago and already have 5 helpfull replies.

Thanks again
Armind