Just Tell Me That I'm Nuts....W124 Posi - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

350SL4spd · #1 12-09-2004, 01:44 PM

I have been lusting after a limited slip rear for my (hopefully soon to be turbo-ed) '91 300E. I just need a reality check here...
There is no (easy) intall an old school limited slip (ie: no ASR brain) right? And how stupid would it be to attempt an ASR conversion? Vague idea of cost for a DIYer?
Just trying to find the ground.

Cheers,
-Matt-

nglitz · #2 12-09-2004, 03:40 PM

I like the idea. Can't tell you how many times I've spun one wheel with a mere 260E. On dry pavement yet.

d2bernhard · #3 12-09-2004, 05:04 PM

Really? I've been thinking it is my car. I also easily spin my 300E, much less after the rear end suspension rebuild and even less with better tires. But still happens. My '92 TE wagon is far less prone -- I realize the gearing is different, as well as weight ratio as well as cam, etc. Is this common in the early W124s?

A264172 · #4 12-09-2004, 05:11 PM

86 300E spins at certain places (when wet) on my regular routes.
I have also noticed lately that it can be fishy in wet corners under acceleration.

I am starting to consider adding rear suspension to my never shrinking list of projects.

#5 12-09-2004, 05:51 PM

Yeah right. It's those 170 some odd screaming horses under the hood.

I think you guys must be getting a little dillusional (sp?) Putting limited slip in one of these cars would be like putting a $100 saddle on a $10 horse.

These are great cars, but traction is not a problem that can't be EASILY dealt with. Save your money.

Merry Christmas,

350SL4spd · #6 12-09-2004, 06:16 PM

Thanks Larry. That is what I am looking to hear from someone w/ your experience. Sometimes I get daydream crazy.

I love the hell out of my car and just start daydreaming....a little too much body roll, I'll do bigger sway bars....man, how much more would this car rock w/ a 5-speed conversion...and I really want the twin turbo...and if I get that, I should have a posi rear.... Somehow, it seems cheaper to do it a piece at a time than to just go out and buy a damn 500E!

...I'd probably want to put a turbo on a 500E too..... It just seems more mine when I make it faster and better handling than just buying a 500E.... Oh well, I know I'm nuts

.

Besides, I love a sleeper. I love having more than I''m showing. LOL.

C'mon, you know you'd love to confuse other MB freaks by driving by w/ a W124 tagged "300E Turbo" on the back. Leave 'em going "WTF?".

#7 12-09-2004, 06:41 PM

In my 87 300D, and everytime the pavment is wet, or even damp, the rear wheels spin and the car slides on the banked road surface starting from a dead stop, such as waiting for on coming traffic to pass before turning onto my road!

I have to let off the pedal to prevent sliding more sideways! It'a as though I were on ice!

BB

ksing44 · #8 12-10-2004, 06:46 AM

So far, my car seems to be MUCH better on wet roads with Bridgestone Turanza LSH than it was with the Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus. It isn’t a 4 x 4 or like I have traction control, but it is definitely better. Maybe different tires would help you guys too.

kramlavud · #9 12-10-2004, 07:29 AM

Tires are the 1st place to look. When I bought my 94 E320 the Michelin Energy tires were about 1/2 used, and wet traction was an issue for the next 20,000 miles. Just replaced with Kuhmo Ecxta (sp?) and no problem at all.

Mark

#10 12-10-2004, 09:21 AM

I replaced a set of Dunlop 65's with Yokohama H4S's and the sliding around in the rain is gone.

Lukejt

#11 12-10-2004, 11:28 AM

One more point, I used to have a p/u truck with a ps rear. You know what happens when both tires let loose instead of one tire when you are going around a turn in the rain right?

I let my friend drive my truck home in the rain, and he spun it out into a pole (too much gas).

Not that I'm against them, just pointing out a draw back of the technology, esp. in the rain.

Lukejt

#12 12-10-2004, 11:54 AM

wdba123190,

Yes, the amount of power and performance that most people want, no matter how much they have, is; "just a little bit more." This statement applies to me as much, or more, than anyone else.

Yes, a limited slip can be a handful to drive sometimes. On wet roads, my Vette with posi, and 11" wide tires takes a very light throttle foot or it goes all over the place. Coming out of the car wash is always touch and go.

Merry Christmas,

milhan · #13 12-10-2004, 12:40 PM

Why not get a 4matic and do all of the turbo things to that. All wheel drive is all the rage now. Bmw, Lexus, Acura, Audi, even frickin Cadillac! I love mine. Never will I go back to a RWD

Duke2.6 · #14 12-10-2004, 12:58 PM

My car definitely needs a limited slip. Being more front heavy than a W124 it will easily spin the inside rear wheel on a tight second gear corner. I would hate to see what it's like in snow! The couple of times I drag raced it yielded about 17 flat at 86. The high MPH for that ET indicates the poor starting traction and 2.5 second 60' times - really BAD! Improved traction from a limited slip should yield low sixteens and low 2 second 60' times. For comparison, my '91 MR2 runs 16.7 @ 82 with a 2.2 60' time using a 2000 RPM clutch drop and it has goobs of traction. A 2000 rev clutch drop on the 190 just lit up the RR tire. I had to just drive it off the line like a normal street start and then floor it.

Based on my evaluation from ten years ago it appear that the limited slip diff from the 16V is the same housing and will integrate right in including the ABS sensor, driveshaft and axle shafts. The US 16V models have a 3.27:1 ratio, 3.07 on Gray market Euro models.

Never got around to doing the job - too many other projects, and I don't drive my 190 that much anymore.

Duke

350SL4spd · #15 12-10-2004, 05:20 PM

I had actually considered the 4-matic twin turbo idea, but I quickly found out that the 4-matic system couldn't take the torque and would self destruct very quickly. It would all have to be beefed up, but that would just be way too expensive.

I have been drooling over the new E500 4-matic wagons though

.....GAWD.... those are just SICK !!!!!

-Matt-