Thanks for the succinct explanation. Very helpful. According to the information I've seen, the maximum torque for the M103 2.6L engine is 162 ft.lbs @ 4600 rpm. I'm picturing a torque curve that rises up to a peak at 4600 rpm before falling above that. Is that the way to interpret that spec? And how does this relate to the maximum power of 158 bhp which isn't reached until 5800 rpm?

I would love to find a graph of the torque curve for the M103 2.6L. Haven't found anything so far on Google. Any suggestions?

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't