M103 Best Motor Ever - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

junqueyardjim · #16 06-18-2009, 01:51 PM

I have a W123 with AC running 134. It pulls hard, and the cooling is a joke. Now our 95 Town Car Lincoln is on 134 since new, 200,000 miles and only occasionally have I had to add a bit of freon. And it will freeze your bottom. I'll keep my fingers crossed on that town Car. But my W124 will have R12, maybe duracool, or no AC, but no 134. But my W124 with a 5 speed is an awesome driver. I think that starting pretty easy in second gear, it will do 0 to 60 in about 6 seconds, and will reach just about 80 mph at redline. It is a flyer! I got that great engine from John Hef. Thanks John!

JimFreeh · #17 06-18-2009, 01:53 PM

[QUOTE=amg280;2227281] I had an 86 300E with a 5 speed. I found the manual in that to be the clunkiest, rubberized shifter I have ever driven. QUOTE]

I've owned a number of manual transmission Benz cars, in fact my first Benz was a manual (59 190SL in 1974).

Without exception, I've found the shifter to be way to insulated and vague.

It's not that I do not like manuals, I currently have 4, it's that the later MB automatics are so nice, that I prefer my Benz cars to have automatics.

Jim

JimFreeh · #18 06-18-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

My W124 300E runs about 3100rpm at 77mph.....very quiet and fast. And the pickup it has from 75 to 125 is amazing.

Ever driven a 400E?
It'll run away from a M103.
And gets about the same highway mileage as the M103.

Loved my 400E, but boy that engine is tight in a W124....

By the way, I am fond of inline sixes......

Jim

wbain5280 · #19 06-18-2009, 02:40 PM

Mine is smooth as silk and from 60 mph on up is very quick.

Chowbow · #20 06-18-2009, 02:44 PM

Gotta agree with lkchris a bit. I think the M103 is a great engine, but I'm much more fond of some BMW engines. I personally really like the M50/52 engines. Long lasting and a decent amount of power and really smooth, and sounds great to boot. The power delivery is very linear and predictable, and just a blast to drive. I'm also driving an N54 motor in a newer E90 BMW and while the power is awesome, I'm just not confident that the engine and turbos will last like the E36/M52 combos have done so in the past. Time will tell...

pawoSD · #21 06-18-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

Ever driven a 400E?
It'll run away from a M103.
And gets about the same highway mileage as the M103.

Loved my 400E, but boy that engine is tight in a W124....

By the way, I am fond of inline sixes......

Jim

I almost bought a 400E, but the seller decided not to sell.

Eventually I'll have one.

The tightness in the engine bay was one of the main reasons I went back to looking at M103 cars....

#22 06-18-2009, 03:12 PM

There is a reason the 400E gets virtually identical fuel mileage. They are the same car. Beyond driving style, the most important factors in fuel consumption are weight and aerodynamics.

Although, I'm fond of my 5 speed 300E and have lots of time in the drivers seat, I don't consider the M103 the Masterpiece engine of all time. It rates reasonably high, but there are lots of modern engines, even some of US design and manufacture that are masterpieces IMHO.

#23 06-18-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

I have a W123 with AC running 134. It pulls hard, and the cooling is a joke. Now our 95 Town Car Lincoln is on 134 since new, 200,000 miles and only occasionally have I had to add a bit of freon. And it will freeze your bottom. I'll keep my fingers crossed on that town Car. But my W124 will have R12, maybe duracool, or no AC, but no 134. But my W124 with a 5 speed is an awesome driver. I think that starting pretty easy in second gear, it will do 0 to 60 in about 6 seconds, and will reach just about 80 mph at redline. It is a flyer! I got that great engine from John Hef. Thanks John!

You are comparing Oranges to Apples with those two a/c's. The MB is a converted system originally designed for R12. The Town Car has an a/c that was DESIGNED for use with R134a. 134 requires more condensor area to make up for the use of a less effective refrigerant.

pawoSD · #24 06-18-2009, 03:27 PM

Since this is a thread about the M103.....does the timing chain on a M103 ever need to be replaced or dealt with? I remember reading that since its such a short traveled/simple setup that the chances of failure are nearly 0. Is this the case?

volosong · #25 06-18-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Since this is a thread about the M103.....does the timing chain on a M103 ever need to be replaced or dealt with? I remember reading that since its such a short traveled/simple setup that the chances of failure are nearly 0. Is this the case?

Purchased my coupe with 75k on it, with full records, from the original owner. Has ~220k now. Timing chain never replaced, and I have it serviced religiously by Enrique at Mr. M.B. Motors. If it needed a chain, he would have told me.

pwogaman · #26 06-18-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

The tightness in the engine bay was one of the main reasons I went back to looking at M103 cars....

That is probably the main reason I have cars with an OM617, an M110, and an M103. The only V-8 equipped Mercedes I got were for bought just for stripping. Even for that purpose the engine bay was too tight. I don't want it unless I can work on.

pawoSD · #27 06-18-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volosong

Purchased my coupe with 75k on it, with full records, from the original owner. Has ~220k now. Timing chain never replaced, and I have it serviced religiously by Enrique at Mr. M.B. Motors. If it needed a chain, he would have told me.

Awesome. Mine only has 139k....so it has a looong way to go yet.

pawoSD · #28 06-18-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwogaman

That is probably the main reason I have cars with an OM617, an M110, and an M103. The only V-8 equipped Mercedes I got were for bought just for stripping. Even for that purpose the engine bay was too tight. I don't want it unless I can work on.

Same here. I'd never want a V8 that I had to maintain to daily driver status....as a project/fun car maybe, but they are indeed a pain to work on.

All but one vehicle in my entire family have inline engines! Once my sister's minivan bites the dust (probably not too far off).....we'll peer pressure her into a 240d or 190e or something.

That thing is a PAIN to work on.

#29 06-18-2009, 04:45 PM

The M103 has very little strain on the chain AND has a ratcheting tensioner. My car just hit 310,000 miles with the original chain.

That said, FREQUENT oil changes, which my car has experienced will add greatly to timing chain life. Lack of frequent changes allows tiny particulate to circulate with the oil that adds significant timing chain wear.

pawoSD · #30 06-18-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

The M103 has very little strain on the chain AND has a ratcheting tensioner. My car just hit 310,000 miles with the original chain.

That said, FREQUENT oil changes, which my car has experienced will add greatly to timing chain life. Lack of frequent changes allows tiny particulate to circulate with the oil that adds significant timing chain wear.

How frequent? I change it every 4k with synthetic Rotella Diesel oil. 5w40....and I use the genuine German filters (Mann or Bosch) Is that a good enough interval?