Test drove a 1989 300E the other day, and it was the slowest car off the line I think I have ever driven.

Is this normal for a 300E, or is this car just in need a tune-up and fast!!!


Brian Minson
Editor
Prestige Magazine, The Magazine About Mercedes-Benz
http://www.benzmag.com

Throttle response of the KE system is not a neck-snapper, but build-up should be strong. If you notice a sluggishness, maybe the electronic controls were not providing acceleration enrichment. Could be a bad OVP fuse or relay, or a disconnected or bad EHA, etc.

Steve

__________________
'91 MB 190E 2.3
'08 RAV4 Ltd 3.5
'83 Lazy Daze m'home 5.7

The car also starts in second gear.

When I first bought my 89 300E, with everything working as it should, transmission, CIS-E ,ect., I was impressed with the performance of such a heavy car with 'only' 170 horses. If everything still worked correctly I would still be impressed.
But, if I were the editor of a magazine about Mercedes Benz cars, I don't think I would focus on what might be considered a negative aspect of a car that is widely considered by Mercedes techs as one of the best cars ever built. Focus on the positive.

1. You need to determine if your expectations were not met, or the car is not performing as designed.

Sluggish acceleration can be a number of causes. Figure out #1 and we will get started. I suggest driving other models with the same engine/gearing/tranny combos.

Being the editor of an MB magazine, I am going to assume you can get ahold of another 300 easily.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

you can come try out mine. 1st gear start and it's still pretty leisurely getting going. I drive like an old man most of the time though so it doesn't really bother me. Nice smooth power once you do get going though, and if you hold it in 3rd for a bit longer than the auto would you can really move...

__________________
1993 320TE M104
---------------------------------------------------
past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
----------------------------------------------
"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

The second gear start is probably the biggest "problem". If you pull the selector to "L" or "2" - whatever it says, it will start in first.

The engine is a bit torque shy, but the car is not that heavy - about 3200 pounds for the early 300E models, which is lighter than some current C-Class models.

Car and Driver reported a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds in their first road test of a 300E back about 1986, but their test car had a five-speed manual.

The couple of 190E 2.6/automatic models I have driven felt sluggish compared to my five-speed, which is 2929 pounds curb weight (full fluids including fuel).

Duke

This is what I have discovered with my 91 300e 4matic. It starts off the line in second gear. If you put the pedal to the metal, (floor it) it will drop to first and go........ Try it you will like it. The first gear is still high but much better than starting in second. Or as others have stated you can drop the shift knob down.

The car does have a first gear.

I'm curious. I have a 91 300TE that starts in first gear without kickdown. Has this been modified by a previous owner or is this standard for the 91TE? In any case I am thankful that it starts in first especially with the A/C blasting--not a great deal of low end torque.

My '91 300E is a 1st gear starter too. Is your TE a late '91 model?
Mine was made in oct '91 and had the 1st gear start incorperated for '92 sale year I guess.

__________________
1993 320TE M104
---------------------------------------------------
past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
----------------------------------------------
"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

Chazola, my TE was produced in 03/91. Your 10/91 E is probably a 92 model although I haven't checked the reference for this. As I recall, it is not terribly expensive or difficult to convert most 2nd gear starters to 1st gear starters. One option (although I don't see a listing for 124 six cylinders) can be found at this link.
http://www.bergwerks.com/control_module.jsp#appg]
I have driven an 88 560SEL that starts in 2nd gear and am surprised at how sluggish it feels for the first 15-20mph despite all the low end torque that engine has. Makes sense considering 2nd gear is good to approx. 70mph. I have never understood Mercedes' penchant for 2nd gear starts--but alas, I am not the man in charge over there. Mark

yours must have been modified then I presume.

I guess the start in 2nd gear saves a little on fuel or maybe wear and tear?

I'm glad I got the 1st gear start, I actually didn't know about the different gear starts before i bought the car, or auto boxes in general, being used to driving a manual car.

If my driving instructor knew I was driving an auto (and a German one at that) he'd be using some very colourful langauge in his Renault Megane.

__________________
1993 320TE M104
---------------------------------------------------
past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
----------------------------------------------
"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

I don't believe that works on the '91 and older cars. The valve body can be modified on some of them for 1st-gear start.

I can also tell you that all these cars are not the same. Our '91 has always run like scalded dog...the '90 has always been sluggish.

__________________
2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

brewtoo, thanks for the info. Glad I don't have to modify mine.

chazola, I always wanted non-slushbox Mercedes until (a) they essentially stopped bringing them over here, (b) they stopped putting them on V-8's, and (c) I moved to Jax, FL from Gainesville (Steve Brotherton country) and had to drive in rush hour traffic (nothing "rushed" about rush hour traffic here). I also had the opportunity to drive a 2000 E200 six speed in Europe a few summers back. Although driving this car and an E430 4matic is what made me look into and eventually buy an 01 E55, the shifter was very rubbery and I frequently shifted into 4th instead of 6th at speed. I caught my mistake before blowing up the engine but the lack of feel and terrible precision was a real disappointment. From what I read in the magazine reviews Mercedes still has not corrected this problem. A far cry from the 123 240D manuals I used to drive and repair. Very nice 4 speeds with excellent feel. I guess I would have to drive a BMW if I want the manual trans. Mark

Its too bad that MB had to continue with a bad transmission design into the early 90s when it was already out of date 10 years earlier. Must have been German "stubborn male blindness". Craig

__________________
90 300SL Pearl Gray
92 300CE Smoke Silver