euro manual shifting speeds. speedo implant questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

C.Doner · #1 11-27-2006, 03:23 AM

I was wondering if anyone has a euro 240d with the four speed. My speedo has redline marks at different places than the u.s version. Mine says top speed in first is around 30 mph,second 50 mph and third 80 mph. ive never actually gotten to these limits, but maybe within 5 mph a couple of times.
I noticed on the us version the shift speeds are about 5 or so mph lower than my euro.
Im pretty sure the car was retrofitted with a speedo reading mph. I'm wondering if they put in a speedo with inaccurate shift markings,or if the car is geared differently. I already know it is not the same as the us version 4 speed transmission. is there a way to tell what type of car my instrument cluster is from.
does anyone have actual gear ratios for all 4 speeds in the U.S. 240d manuals. also maby my tranny is simular to the 190d 4 speed manual. what are the shifting points for these cars. is the redline for the engines the same as the 616. I am thinking this might help me figure this out because my 240d tranny uses a 190d clutch disc for 26 spline input. its original. believe it or not
Does anyone know what the i.d. numbers on the 190d 4 speed transmission are?what's the transmission group for these cars around 1984 or so. I will post my transmission numbers soon. i know it is a different transmission than U.S. version. I'll post my tranny no. shortly

t walgamuth · #2 11-27-2006, 05:17 AM

i suspect that the euro may have a taller rear end gear ratio.

you can check it by jacking up one side of the car and spinning the wheel one full turn. count the revolutions of the driveshaft and multiply by two to get the gear ratio.

be sure the car is in neutral for this test.

report back. we are curious.

good luck

tom w

R Leo · #3 11-27-2006, 05:42 AM

You can also look for the diffy's numeric ratio which is stamped into the lower, left side of the differential case rear flange.

t walgamuth · #4 11-27-2006, 09:11 AM

us spec d240s have the 369 ratio. you rs might have the 354.

tom w

C.Doner · #5 11-27-2006, 12:28 PM

I'll be looking at the rear end as soon as i get a chance. a couple of days and it should be clear again. I wish to have a garage at the next place I live.

TwitchKitty · #6 11-27-2006, 03:46 PM

You might have a speedo from a gasser or a 300, etc.

Shift a turbo car by boost and a naturally aspirated car by revs. Shift a turbo car to keep it on the boost and a naturally aspirated car to keep the revs up in the power curve.

Look at the road, not at the shift marks.

t walgamuth · #7 11-27-2006, 09:30 PM

i would look at the shift marks from time to time until i was used to the car and can shift by ear.

tom w

C.Doner · #8 11-28-2006, 03:19 AM

I know how to drive a manual. That was not the original question,but thanks for the lesson.
If anyone has more spacific info like someone with a euro four speed that would be appreciated. I am just trying to now the limits of my vehicle. This car was a MB 12 Month employee vehicle so I imagine it could have any sort of package. I bet quite a few of the euro's came from company employees
My Grandfather was a Cadillac engineer and he got a new car to drive each year. Sometimes it would be a MB or Jag or whatever the competition was. . he gave me a hard time about driving it, but was impressed when I told him how many mpg's I got.

#9 11-28-2006, 04:05 AM

The dots are NOT redline. They are about 4000rpm.

t walgamuth · #10 11-28-2006, 08:43 AM

the dots are mainly there to avoid overrevving on downhill sections.

tom w

carusle · #11 11-28-2006, 09:42 AM

I would shift long before the dot because I thought I was over reving the engine. The 240 needs to be shifted close to the marks to keep the revs up. I almost posted before going out and looking because my speedometer is in both Kmh and Mph. I did not bother to convert so don't get anything in a wad because the numbers are a little off. I just guestimated the points, they are within a few of each.
Dot Kph Mph
1 38 24
2 65 40
3 105 65

C.Doner · #12 12-12-2006, 01:08 PM

I looked at the numbers on the diff. and they read 123 351 0101 that is all i could find. I suppose that means a 3.51 ratio. are these the correct numbers?
I would think if MB made a transmission that has different part no. than U.S. model 240D's, it even has a different clutch setup, than the gearing must be different in some way. Why would they make it identical to another transmission.

Boardmonger · #13 12-12-2006, 01:46 PM

I just checked the shift points on my 81 300d euro. It is a factory 4 speed and still has the original kilometer speedometer. Shift points as follows:
1st gear: 41 km/h
2nd gear: 66 km/h
3rd gear: 110 km/h
4th can run up to about 155 km/h (the mechanical top speed)

Later this afternoon I'll get the diff. numbers.

Are you sure your speedometer is accurate?

C.Doner · #14 12-12-2006, 02:04 PM

I've been driving both the euro and the us 240d and it is hard to tell if the revs are the same at simular speeds. They are not that different. The euro definitly has more pep, but its engine is in better shape than my us model so its hard to tell based on speed.
The euro will barely reach the dots. if it does is sounds like it is at redline. when I shift at the U.S. shifting spots in the euro It seems right. The euro does seem to have more top speed. I'll have her at 85 with some pedal left on a flat road. The U.S. model seems to be done at 80.