Racing

Does flooring the gas from a stop promote transmission damage? I don't drive like that all the time, but it is nice to do it once in a while. I am just not sure whether the transmission will wear out faster on my 190E 16v if I decide to have a little fun. Also, is there more pressure placed on the engine and all of it's components when driving fast on the highway, around 80mph and faster? I am kind of scared to drive any faster than 75 because I don't want anything to blow on me.

I just posted a question called "redline-avoidant" in the performance section of this site, which was well-answered. I had concerns about revs and shifts too.

Matt

There has been a log distance test with the 190E 2.3-16 in 1983 on an oval circuit in Nardo Italy.
For 201 hours they drove without stopping at an average of approx. 250km/h.
The car was almost completely stock and the outside temperature was max. 40 degrees Celsius.
Several long distance records were broken.
Distance: 50000km
av. speed: 247,939km/h
time: 201h 39min 43s
This information comes from an original German brochure which I have from my car.
regards,
Robert Z
The Netherlands
1986 190E 2.3-16

When I was at the Mercedes Museum in Stutgart a few years ago, I saw the car that posted that record. It was on display. Except for the roll cage and other safety measures, the car was stock. As an owner of the car, I thought it was cool.

[jeffsr]

You can probably do this once in a while, but I wouldn't make it a habit. That's why race cars spend most of their time being taken apart and repaired. Any time you apply max power from a standstill, you give all the moving parts a good torqueing (twist). Nothing made by man will last forever (even a Benz). Don't be afraid of 75 per. That's about the real world cruising speed in most of the USA. Just remember, the benz has all those years and heritage from the Autobahn. Just get out there and cruise. Don't worry be happy.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e