300SEL Q's - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hit Man X · #1 02-05-2006, 05:54 AM

I'm looking at picking up an '88 300SEL here for another family member but was curious to what current owners, past ones, or even people that have driven the vehicle on/off thought of it... I'm aware of the valve guide problems they have but just general input on it.

Also, I have some questions regarding them:

Are these also 2nd gear start cars like the 300E?

Any idea on their appx weight? Maybe 3800lbs?

What about average fuel economy? I figure about 15 city and maybe 20 freeway?

Rear axle gearing? I looked and it came back as a 3.46:1?

0-60mph times? I know it's no rocket but it can't be slower than my SD can it?

Thanks for the input

t walgamuth · #2 02-05-2006, 01:23 PM

had one for a while that he bought with a blown engine and put a new used engine in it. i think it was a 91.

i drove it once. it was astoundingly quick for a large heavy car with a 3 liter motor.

i believe it started in first. dont really know about economy. i assume it is a little not a lot better than a 380 or 500. though it has a smaller motor it is geared lower. i would expect to be able to get in the low 20s on the highway and mid teens around town.

tom w

Moneypit SEL · #3 02-05-2006, 01:45 PM

Last tank of fuel gave 19 mpg with all short-trip driving. I've seen over 23 mpg with a full load of people/luggage on the highway.

It weighs around 3600-3700 pounds, IIRC.
Second-gear start, but can be overcome with the shifter or throttle.
Not a rocket off the line, but will do fine once it's rolling. I remember someone posting here that he'd seen around 130 mph with his.

Hit Man X · #4 02-05-2006, 04:18 PM

Any clue as to those speeds it was cruising to get 22-23mpg freeway?

Moneypit SEL · #5 02-06-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Any clue as to those speeds it was cruising to get 22-23mpg freeway?

Speed limit + 5-10 mph.

davestlouis · #6 02-06-2006, 10:24 AM

holy cow, 3000RPM @ 60MPH...the 300SE I have is a parts car, so I've never had the pleasure of taking it on the highway, but good grief, that's short gearing.

wbain5280 · #7 02-06-2006, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

I'm looking at picking up an '88 300SEL here for another family member but was curious to what current owners, past ones, or even people that have driven the vehicle on/off thought of it... I'm aware of the valve guide problems they have but just general input on it.

Also, I have some questions regarding them:

Are these also 2nd gear start cars like the 300E?

Any idea on their appx weight? Maybe 3800lbs?

What about average fuel economy? I figure about 15 city and maybe 20 freeway?

Rear axle gearing? I looked and it came back as a 3.46:1?

0-60mph times? I know it's no rocket but it can't be slower than my SD can it?

Thanks for the input

They do indeed start out in 2nd geear, 1st would be better. AMHIK.

3800 lbs sounds about right.

I get 22 mpg hwy.

Can't say about rear axle gearing.

0-60, slow, 2nd gear start slows them down alot. More HO than an SD, more HP than a 380SE(L).

Fine car, stout engine, 3000 rpm at 60 mph, mine uses a quart every 1000 miles which is considered 'normal' by the factory. I need new valve seals. That's next.

Don't forget about the front end rebuild.

Hit Man X · #8 02-06-2006, 02:16 AM

I found out thanks to a member here they have a 3.46:1 ratio out back.

lee polowczuk · #9 02-06-2006, 04:15 PM

I have a friend who has a 90. she has about 225k on it...seems to be mostly trouble free for her... i think she did somethign to the differential recently about 1k... other than that seems trouble free.

a bit too big for me.

Hit Man X · #10 02-06-2006, 05:22 PM

What about timing chain intervals? Fuel unit?

Just curious what I could be getting myself into before giving the vehicle as a gift...

dkveuro · #11 02-07-2006, 11:14 PM

Currently doing a 1990 420SEL...has timing chain noise cold.....211,000 miles....Did all steering to chassis bushes last week and lower ball joints. Drives great and quiet too.

Would not think the 177 hp of the 103 engine would be so bad though...my own '92 300E beats my friends warmed over 1984 VW GTi by several car lengths on the interstate ramp...Factory 0 to 60 is 7.9 seconds.

I've been servicing a 1991 300SEL for a while out of Texas...she says the mpg is about 22 to 24.....My 300 is 24.6 mpg on a run to Florida.

The weight of a 300SEL is 3322 lbs.
420SEL is 3520 lbs.
300E is 2948 lbs.

.You do the math.

.

Mike Murrell · #12 02-06-2006, 05:22 PM

300SEL vs. 420SEL. In the end, which model you get doesn't matter that much.

What does is the condition(not what you CAN see) and how much you are going to have to shell out to get it functional/reliable.

These cars are 15-20 years old. I don't care how well the car was cared for, it will likely need work and that's probably why it's for sale.

I'm rather fond of my 91 300-SEL, but I do about 80% of my own work. If you can't do most of your repair work, you could end up spending 2-3 times what you pay for the car.

Cars this age often times end up becoming cash pits.

My 2 cents.

Hit Man X · #13 02-06-2006, 05:41 PM

I own all old vehicles minus that Chev, the maintainence does not scare me... I'm still on top in payments and insurance. PM, rebuild the front end, swap timing chains, pull heads, etc. Even have access to a lift if needed. That's not the big deal.

Just concerned with the quality of the 4.2L motor, I know the 722 trans is simple and have somone that rebuilds autos.