Is it normal in a E-320?
 

In my 98-E320, I noticed that after full stop, if I let go of the brake and not apply any gas (there must be a term for this), the car can barely move. It has a hard time making through a very, very casual slope (my short drive way into the garage). It is a little tacky for parking uphill as I need to move up about 2 feet, I have to apply gas, the car surges and almost hits a car in front.
My previous car was a 97 Maxima, and it doesn't feel like this. I understand the MB is 500 lbs heavier, but in the Maxima, it has seated 5 adults and I don't see this problem.
The MB operates perfectly fine otherwise.
Any thought?

Thanks,
JeffreyP

None of the MB's we've owned were very good "creepers." Our Subaru and Mazda both move around easily with the service brake off and idling. Even up a driveway. Not the Mercedes'.

It takes some time to get used to the different pedal travel. On the W202, W210, and later cars, the gas pedal has less travel and is a little lighter, but still very different from any Japanese car. Is the idle proper? Should be 600-700rpm in gear.

Go drive an older Porsche 911. The pedals are bottom hinged and come out of slots on the floor. That sure takes some time to get used to! You "Stomp" them...

Thanks,

Jeffrey

Not familiar with your model at all, but I would have thought an increase of idle speed by say 50-100 rpm would ease that particular situation without detriment.

It might be the stall charcteristic of the torque converter. Probably set pretty high for use with a torquey engine.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Something else I thoght of is the position of the S/W switch. In W mode, the trans starts in second gear, and that really reduces the "creep" effect. Check that too.

Same here, I have a 92 400e and it's on of the things I don't like about my car. Why does it have to be this way? I am NOT a fan of the floor hinged, overly stiff accelerator pedal. Sure it LOOKS cool, but it is INFERIOR as far as function is concerned, not to mention it's ergonomic short commings.

I think your condition may not be normal - mine doesn't do this at all - it's an excellent "creeper". It hardly moves at all when the brake is released, then I can smoothly apply as little or as much throttle as I want. Very easy to control, smooth as silk.

That is what is meant by "creeping." The amount of movement that the car provides on it's own, for lack of a better phrase. The condition you describe is "not creeping."

I agree though that there might be something amiss. My car moves very little with the service brake off and at idle, but moving the car with the throttle is very easy and very smooth. Perhaps it is that I've logged some million kilometers in MBs? Maybe I'm just "adjusted?"

Though, it could be the 722.6 bogging or slipping a bit in first gear. This is not uncommon in 1997 and 1998 models. There is a possible fix with a control pressure spring, and if that doens not do it, a new tranny might be required.

Thanks John - didn't know the difference.

Also mentioned before was whether or not it was in W or S; I can still easily control the throttle in either setting. If I'm on a steep incline it's easier to be in first (S), but I can still do it in W with no trouble at all. BTW, there is nothing special about my driving skill either.

Thought that was weird in mine as well. Mine doesnt creep much at all. However, its an old v8 with a low idle.

My old Buick would creep nicely, 5-10mph for a short distance. If I got it on a flat, it would idle itself into 3rd gear @ 25mph. That was cool.http://www.thehighroad.org/images/smilies/cool.gif

JeffreyP

If it were my car I'd check the throttle linkage and cable for proper adjustment and lube.

It could be that there is a slight resistance in the first few mm of gas pedal/throttle linkage travel contriubting to an almost off/on feeling of pedal response.

Haasman

My 320 actually has very good response to feathering the throttle. I've had other cars that were just horrible in parking lot situations.

Jeffrey's car has drive-by-wire technology. However, there is a mechanical link through the firewall that could still be inspected for binding.

One thing that he could do is find a used E320 for sale, hopefully at a dealer, and drive it. See if it feels the same. If not, complain to the dealer...

Thanks to all for responding.
I don't think it's as serious as a tranny slipping(certainly hope not). The idle is about 600rpm, the W/S switch is in the S position. I think tkamiya is right as the car has a very stiff gas pedal.
Per Mr. haasman, I checked the throttle linkage (I believe it's at the other end connection to the gas pedal?), I notice that the spring is quite stiff so that maybe the case. I am not sure how to adjust the cable or lubricate it?

Mr. beevly & Kestas, I wander if you have felt a difference in "feathering" a Japanese's car? (say Honda accord, Nissan Maxima something of a V6). To me, it just seem much easier. Maybe, it's something that I need to get use to.

Regards,
JeffreyP