I drove a very nice '96 E300D today. Noticed that the steering is very different from other modern rack and pinion setups I've driven in that it doesn't try to yank the wheel back straight so much. For example, at parking lot speeds, our Toyota Highlander (and my old '01 GTI) would sort of yank the wheel straight if you gave it a little gas. Not so with this E300. At highway speeds, it tracked straight and steady but if I turned the wheel a little to change lanes, it didn't really try to get back "on center" like I'm used to. A buddy with a '99 E320 wagon says his is the same way. In the E300, I did not hear any groans or weird noises when turning the wheel with the car standing still.

Are all W210s like this? Is it normal? It seems weird, although I'm very used to my W123 steering. They are very different setups to be sure, the W210 certainly lost that heavy slow feel we know and love, but it is certainly more direct feeling and quicker.

Also - it didn't feel appreciably quicker than my '85. Smoother to be sure. Is this consistent with other's experience? Even at highway speeds it is not as fast as I thought it would be. Having said that, I looked up horsepower ratings and it is not a lot more powerful than my engine so I guess that's to be expected. The W210 brakes were fantastic though.

thanks,

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Charlie

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'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

W210s (and perhaps other Mercedes) have recirculating-ball steering, not rack-and-pinion steering. Recirculating-ball steering is smoother but more expensive.

The OM606NA engine is indeed not very powerful but ours goes pretty good if you let it wind up. The engine's RPM limit is up around 6000; if you lug it around it won't develop much power. Put your foot in it and let it rev up and it will go pretty good. Top speed is about 120 although I've never had the privilege. Most I ever got out of my 123 was 105 indicated.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

This is incorrect. The W210 has a rack-and-pinion steering system. The W124 has a recirculating-ball steering box.

The engine is rated at about 135 hp, which is more than the turbo 617, but that power only comes with high RPM. The HP peak on the turbo 617 is much lower, which makes it seem more powerful.

OK, that makes sense.

__________________
Charlie

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'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

These cars are also rear drive and they don't have the torque steer that the FWD Highlander does.

As an example, on my car, at highway speed, I can "throw" the wheel in one direction and let go of it. The car will weave back and forth a couple times in decreasing amounts before coming back on center.

Also, if a car doesn't have enough caster, it will be less "eager" to return to center.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

It may be the car's particular steering damper you are not used to. It is different. I like it very much. I hope the W211's is similar, that I will probably be buying soon.

Can you post a video of this? I've got to see that.

Agreed. It does its job.

Luckily for you, you can't relate to the power question. The turbo model scoots along a whole lot better.

keep this in mind as well..
the 85 has a 2:88 rear gear ratio, and a 195/70R14 tire diameter is smaller than the 205/65/16 your 210 comes with, and the gear ratio is 2.65:1 both of these larger ratio/tire diameter will equate to more force from the engine needed to accelerate and maintain speed. the 210 606 has power on tap without requiring the turbo to spool, but the taller ratio and tire diameter make it slower acceleration.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I had to give back the flip cam I borrowed from a friend so I lost my way of easily posting videos...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

While driving at 70 mph, the '96 tach read a little under 3000 rpms. My '85 does about 2800-2900 rpm at 70 mph IIRC. My tach hasn't worked in a while. I thought I fixed it - see my post yesterday - but it's flaky again, but flaky in a different way. Anyway, I would have expected a bigger difference in engine rpms with the bigger wheels and rear end. Used car guy wants $8500 for it though, if I can get him down to $7500 maybe we can make a deal.

Today I went and looked at a '98 that a local dealer has as a trade. 210,000 miles and very clean. Dealer serviced its entire life! The car has the intake manifold off right now, they are replacing fuel lines, o rings, and glow plugs - salesguy said it started a little slow and they smelled a little fuel. That's great, but with that many miles I worry it's a fuel injector issue or worse, iffy compression. Salesguy said it should be back together Tues or Wed, will call when it's ready. If it cold starts easily, then I would feel pretty good about that issue. We'll see. Thanks to all who gave advice.

__________________
Charlie

---------------------------
'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

you should try the '98...a lot more umph off the line . Almost bought one myself