After owning a 300SEL for a couple months now I thought I would chime in on this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by S-Class Guru
I've owned one for 21 years, so I've seen it all.
You might scan over my posts over the years - S-Class Guru - 90% of my posts relate directly to the 1991 300SE. I need to change my 'handle" though, since I've forgotten most of what I learned about it.
Number 1 con is the transmission gearing - the poor engine just screams at highway speeds.
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Yep, no doubt.
One little trick that I use
occasionally regarding the 2nd gear takeoff is to
lightly ride the brake pedal with the left foot when needing to coax a downshift to first. Not recommended as a regular procedure of course, but handy in certain situations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by S-Class Guru
This wears out all the belt-driven accessories, so prepare for pulley/water pump/tensioner issues.
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I would think that the MB engineers would have solved this with simple adjustments in pulley diameters. For example, if the alternator is the same as other models that run at lower rpm, just making the M103's pulley circumference larger (to the same degree as the difference in rpm between the two) should have the alternator spinning at the same speed on both models. If this is not the case, is there a pulley swap and longer belt mod that can be done?
Quote:
Originally Posted by S-Class Guru
Number 1 pro is the overall durability of the chassis and body and general driveline - indestructable.
Details:
- tranny wears out the reverse clutch plates and starts clicking when moving in reverse. Pretty easy to fix if caught early.
- Head gasket scrubs itself to death every 100k and needs replacement.
- valve stem seals leak oil, but once replaced last a long time.
- upper timing cover leaks oil every 50k or so.
- rear main seal dies every 100k.
- injectors go bad every 100k or so.
- climate control vacuum system components go bad.
- Center driveshaft u-joint will eventually vibrate.
- front suspension ball joints, track rod joints, control arm bushings, not to mention tie rods and idler arm bushing kit. Rear subframe bushings bring the rear end back up.
- heap motor mounts do last too long.
- Belt tensioner damper starts clicking.
- brake rotors warp and wear out at 50K.
- Mufflers, mufflers, mufflers.
Anyway, check out all thse posts, makes interesting reading.
DG
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Much of the above also applies across the W126 line, no? Apart from engine/model specific items like head gasket, valve seals, mufflers, etc. of course. My old 300SD had the reverse clicking issue, front suspension & brake rotor problems, climate control gremlins, and so on...
Nevertheless a nice writeup that has been helpful. Many thanks for the tips.