92 300se W140,5 Speed Automatic - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

92300SE · #1 03-23-2004, 01:06 PM

I own a lot of the old diesel MB before my actual 92 300se,and
this transmission shifts and feels a lot different then the one
used on the w123 and w126 diesel.One question: when the car
gets down from driving speed(50-60mph) to a complete stop,
transmission downshifts without noticing,exept when it gets
around 1000rpm it will downshift with a hesitation before car
gets to the complete stop,700rpm.When I start driving again
it shifts smoothly regardless how I step on the gas.Thats the
way a 5speed automatic should act?

C32AMG · #2 03-23-2004, 08:51 PM

First, all diesels start off in 1st gear. Your W140 with a 722.5 transmission starts in 2nd gear, driving from a stop the car is going to feel heavier. Not having driven the car I would say the Bowden cable which controls shift timing is out of adjustment as well as the vacuum modulator. The right way to adjust the modulator is with a pressure gauge, Your Trans is not shifting right.

A. Rosich · #3 03-23-2004, 09:18 PM

By the way, the 5-speed automatic was not fitted into production on the 300SE/L-S320 until late 1993. Before that, all of these models were fitted with a 4-speed automatic which started from standstill on second gear (unless kicked down).

To check if you have the 5-speed auto, just check your tranny gate, it should read P-R-N-D-4-3-2-1, if it reads P-R-N-D-3-2 you have a regular 4-speed auto transmission.

Gilly · #4 03-23-2004, 09:22 PM

Quote:

By the way, the 5-speed automatic was not fitted into production on the 300SE/L-S320 until late 1993. Before that, all of these models were fitted with a 4-speed automatic which started from standstill on second gear (unless kicked down).

This is false. All 140 and 129's with a 104 engine had the 722.5, until the 722.6 became available.

Gilly

joe p · #5 03-23-2004, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gilly
This is false. All 140 and 129's with a 104 engine had the 722.5, until the 722.6 became available.

Gilly

And the 6's are first gear start.

Joe

C32AMG · #6 03-23-2004, 10:08 PM

722.6 transmissions are selective, in winter mode it will start in 2nd gear, sport mode 1st gear.

A. Rosich · #7 03-23-2004, 11:12 PM

Gilly, I am extremely sorry, but I beleive my information is NOT FALSE!

Maybe in the United States the W140s 6-cylinder cars always were equipped with a 5-speed auto transmission (with the early and overcomplated 722.5 and then with the cheaper to manufacture and mantain 722.6), BUT in Germany and FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD the W140 300SE/SEL-S320 came equipped as standard with a 4-speed auto transmission (which by the way, as all Mercedes-Benz 4-speed autos started in SECOND from standstill and not from first).

Just check bottom lines at the attached specification data below from a 1991 U.K. brochure (all other brochures I have from several countries including Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, Mexico the Latin Market, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong list the 6-cylinder cars as having standard a 4-speed auto, and the 5-speed auto as an extra cost OPTION!, the code number to order it was 423).

The 4-speed auto standard for 6-cylinder W140s was dropped according to all my literature from 1997 on (the 5-speed became standard).

You also have to remember that there was an S280 model which came standard from the factory with a 5-SPEED MANUAL transmission. So the 4 and 5 speed autos were NOT the only transmission available for the W140s.

92300SE · #8 03-24-2004, 12:15 AM

Thanks you all for your input in this transmission question.
I am 100% shure I have a 5 speed automatic PRND with the
selection left/right for D then 321,my car was one of the first
w140 sold in US(predelivery inspection in the owners manual in october of 1991),yes it feels very sluggish from
complete stop,it shifts excellent when you step on gas,regardless
if cold or warm engine,only sometimes it downshifts with a slight
hesitation before complete stop,not allways,most of the time
only if I use the"engine brake",I let the car slow down by herself
from cruising speed with very little brake pedal...if I step on
the brakes to stop it quickly it will not show any hesitation.

Gilly · #9 03-24-2004, 05:10 AM

A Rosich:
Nothing to be sorry about, if you are sure you are right, it's best to contest what is being said.

Being a typical belligerant American (actually I try not to be!) I had read your location of San Jose, then saw the letter "C" and "automatically" (sorry) thought "California", I needed to look closer. So I was thinking a "US" member and US cars. I had to break out my MB history disc to see that you are correct when looking at this from a worldwide view. But US versions were only the 722.5. I saw what you meant about the manual trans, that was even on the earlier 300SE's as well! WOW learn something new every day, a 140 with a 5 speed manual!

Regards...

Gilly

A. Rosich · #10 03-24-2004, 10:53 AM

Gilly, no problem at all. For your reference, I'm attaching below an interior pic of an S280 with a manual 5-speed transmission and cloth seat upholstery with UN-powered seats (very unsual sight indeed for a U.S. citizen).

Actually, the W140, as most Mercedes-Benzes for the rest of the world (besides the U.S. market) were very limited in their standard equipment: most (except the S600) were equipped with cloth seat upholstery (leather and velour being extra cost options) and zebrano wood (burl-walnut and option). Also, in many markets air conditioning was an option, so the cars came equipped with a heater only system with dial knobs similar to the ones fitted to the W124. Also, NO hi-fi was supplied, and the options started with a very basic AM/FM cassette unit.

Basically, the ONLY things that came standard were power windows, rear head rests, double-glass windows and a manual adjustable steering wheel. EVERYTHING else had to be ordered as an extra. Early production models (from 91 to 93) were even NOT equipped with airbags as standard.