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  #1  
Old 12-08-2001, 02:04 PM
Chris17H
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Question 300E on a DIET...

Hey i have a 1987 300E (w124) and this is one heavy car, does anyone know of any weight reductions that can be performed and still have the luxery and smooth ride? I figure that if i can make it lighter it'll be faster.

Thank You

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Old 12-08-2001, 02:38 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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You want it different but the same?

Hmmmm

How about removing the engine, tyranny, drive shaft and rear end and replacing the components from a 500E? Only a little bit of weight gain, and a whole lot of speed gain.

No?

Okay, how about removing all of the body panels and replacing them with carbon fiber panels, or just leave them off! Lot of weight saved.

Not quite what you’re after?

Hmmmm….

Okay, how bout removing the complete interior, the glass, the carpeting, and screwing in some boxes upon which to sit. Plus remove the spare tire, and everything in the trunk, even the trunk lid, and keep the gas tank near-empty? Plus of course, provide some goggles for all aboard...

Of course, that would take it down a step or two in the luxury category…

You see, the folks at MB really did think it through, and they were offering a very comfortable, excellent performing and safe vehicle with a reasonable amount of HP. For those who wanted all the above except more performance they also offered the E320, 400E, E420 500E and E500 plus the E55. Guess what? They all weigh within a few hundred lbs of each other.

The bottom line is that you’ll probably have to accept it for what it is, or be prepared to substantially lighten your checking account in the pursuit of performance

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Last edited by Lebenz; 12-08-2001 at 03:13 PM.
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  #3  
Old 12-08-2001, 05:40 PM
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Chris:
1987 300Es are not that heavy...about 3200 lbs. if I remember correctly. There's really no economical way to lighten the car further, but if you want to try, I'd suggest custom fabricating the hood, deck lid, and front fenders in glass or carbon fibre. After that, you could try a compact spare tire or removing the spare completely. These changes should not negatively affect ride.

I have no idea what the performace gains would be...
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Old 12-08-2001, 06:21 PM
Chris17H
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hehe

Thanks for the good laugh LeBenz , but i really don't have the money for 500E parts, nor would like wearing goggles while driving...But im gonna concider the carbon fiber for the hood, also does anyone have a range of what this might cost? Oh yeah Glen does your car really have 72valves?

Thank You

Last edited by Chris17H; 12-08-2001 at 06:31 PM.
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Old 12-08-2001, 06:58 PM
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Re: hehe

Quote:
Originally posted by Chris17H
Oh yeah Glen does your car really have 72valves?
Thank You
LOL...sort of...I just added up the total number of valves in my three MB's
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Old 12-09-2001, 10:52 AM
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Chris17H:

Before you put a lot of ca$h into carbon body part$ for the 300E, consider getting the lightest, strongest wheels you can find (Luke at Tire Rack can help). Each pound of rotational, unsprung weight (wheels) that you can save will be will worth about 10 pounds of sprung, static (body panel) weight. Your handling AND performance will improve, and you will usually have better brake cooling as well.

This means resisting the "22" wagon wheel" trend and getting no larger diameter than 16", no wider than 8". Your 300e won't do justice to larger diameter or wider widths anyway - strictly show IMHO. BBS is one manufacturer of light wheels to consider, but I am sure that Luke has more in mind.
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  #7  
Old 12-10-2001, 01:19 PM
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Be careful with carbon fiber hoods. The orignal steel hood is designed to buckle so it doesn't go through the windshield and cut off your head. A well designed replacement hood should behave the same way. A quickie reproduction... hey, it's your head.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD
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  #8  
Old 12-10-2001, 04:31 PM
Chris17H
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Question thanks

Hey Thanks for all your responses, but how much do you a hood would cost?

(ps. i'll duck when i see the hood coming for me )
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  #9  
Old 12-10-2001, 05:15 PM
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A one off hood will be in the thousands. Your best bet is to find 20 or so people to absorb the cost of the mold. And make sure you'll save enough to make it worth the cost. As wimpy as I am, I can pick up a W116 hood by myself. That means there's not a lot of weight to save.

In older models, Euro spec bumpers weighed much less than US spec bumpers. That's a more sensible place to look for weight savings since I'm sure Euro cars protect their occupants as well as their US equivalents. While you're at it, look for non powered seats or maybe go with Recaros.

To add to LeBenz's thinking, carry just enough gas to get you to the next station. That extra 15 gallons is dead weight. And it sloshes around to affect handling, too.

Or how about a 190E?

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD
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  #10  
Old 12-10-2001, 11:11 PM
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Trade the MB for a Lotus 7.

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