Since I bought my 400E, I noticed quite often when I stopped behind those Bimmers at traffic light, when light turned green most Bimmers jumped away from me like rabbits, does anybody experience the same thing?

I didn't experience this when I drove my previous Volvo and Toyota, were they challenging my MB or I was just too sensitive? I know my 400E looks exactly like 300E in the rear view mirror, and I did teach some 3 series good lessons when I felt good

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99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

The Benz starts in second gear thats all. They are not stop light racers unless you can get the tranny to downshift into first by punching the gas or dropping the gear selector down.

TRIVIA: Did you know that euro spec benzs actually come with a selector switch for sport or economy driving. Selecting sport actually allowed you to automatically drop into first when you hit the gas. Even 200E's got this selector over there. Just another thing for you to add to the what we don't get list.

let them beat u from 0-10mph

u will eat them alive from 10mph - governed speed limit

The E420s aren't meant for drag racing..but once it moves that ample torque comes on whenever u need it...at any speed

you punch the accelerator and ur gone!

-Ren

The BMW guys (or gals) watch too much F1 on T.V. They think they must get into the Williams (BMW) McLaren (Mercedes) rivalry

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Reno

'93 300E 4Matic
'98 Nissan Altima
'00 Yamaha Road Star Silverado

So US MBs don't have the switchable trasmission?! That's stopped me from making a stupid response to people asking about getting their cars to start in first (just stick it in S!). I would have thought it was more effort than it was worth to take a feature like that out. On another trivia note most people here refer to it as Sport/Economy mode, but I gather the correct translation from German is actually Standard/Economy mode (MB oviously didn't want to encourage us to have too much fun in their cars )

My 1990 300e started in second gear all the time but my 93 400E and my 97 E420 both start in 1st. The 97 has a winter switch on the tranny that allows you to start in 2nd. The 93 will smoke the tires pretty easily starting out.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I notice more jackrabbit starts by BMWs, ricers, and some others at lights when I am in my 560SL than when in any other of my cars, though it is older and not too hot by most standards. Then again it seems absolutely everyone jackrabbits away from my 240D!
I have supposed its the Star in the grill that sets them off. Don't know how they would know a 400E from the front, though. Maybe just any MBZ sets some folks off and running.


But........Maybe I don't understand this thread. I thought carman 850 was commenting on his perception that Bimmers were challenging him because of his car being a hot MBZ, rather than about his MBZs acceleration being less than his Toyoto or Volvo's when behind a BMW

If I am confused, then how about this:
I am sure I can start the SL off in first by just down shifting to "2B" (flick to the right from bottom most position of shift lever) while stopped, then back to D. Doesn't stay long in first after starting off unless you are pushing it though. Isn't this actually a shift to first? If not why the extra shift? If so, can this simple shift to first not be done on other models?

Roger
75 240D
86 560SL

No, I don't mean my 400E is slow at all, like renyf1 said I may lose 0-10mph, but any speed above that, it leaves most of Bimmers in the dust, I think only M5 M3 and 540i can actually beat 400E. It seems to me BMW owners admire German engineering like us, seeing a MB behind them really set them off.

0-60 involves some other factors, eg. gear ratio and tire size etc. I once did some calculation on the power/weight ratios of most high performance 4 door sedans, I think this ratio determines the real world passing capabilities, The result is only a handful out there can beat 400E, they are: 2002 Maxima, 2002 Altima, 2002 Infinity G35, Volvo S60T5, S80T6, Lexus GS430/400, BMW M5, and 540i, cars have similar ratios are: Lexus LS430/400, Acura CL/TL type S, and MB E430.

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99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

Hey, Carman and PJG56 (and any other lucky 400E owners.)
Pls. tell me about the 400E.
I am seriously considering a 1993 400E, 163,000Km (101,000mi) one owner car with all the records. Light green with tan interior.
Any maintenance problems?
Is this a troublesome car in terms of always having something going wrong?
Cost of ownership/maintenance?
What are the things to watch/check before buying?
Nothing major has been done on the car. No timing chain, head gaskets, A/C work. Will these thing go wrong within the next 25 miles? What size tires are you using.
Asking price: $19,000. ( approx $12,500US)
I am told a simple tune-up cous cost over $1,000. Any comments?
Thanks.
jackD

Are you the one who posted on the alt.auto.mercedes? I just replied you in that news group.

Also check power steering pump for leakage and if idle is smooth, I have only owned it from 4 months, bought it without the last 100k km service history, the last owner abused it, it took me 2 months to slowly repair all the problems he left to me, so I really can't speak about the reliability.

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99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

I bought the 400E with 39K on it in 1996. It has been a fantastic car and everything I hoped it would be. I never even drove it before I bought it because it was raining out and I didn't want to mess it up. I have had 2 transmissions and an engine put in it, all under warranty, and there are definate extenuating circumstances involved here. I would not hesitate in a minute to buy another 400E. My wife and I just got back from dinner and we took the 400E tonite and the power and refinement never fail to excite me. This is a car you will never get tired of. Pete

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Let the BMW's Jackrabbit themselves all they want. As always, they will never last as long as an MB!

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

Jack D,
I highly recommend the 400E. I've had mine fore 6 years. Yes, maintenance is more expensive, mostly because it's a bit harder to get at things under the hood. On the other hand, the M119 engine is, by all accounts, bulletproof. It's the kind of engine technicians describe wistfully (or at least mine does), they like it so much.

A couple areas to focus on. Check the operation of the cruise control for an extended drive, if the car has traction control. The throttle actuator is a known problem area and a $900 USD fix and will show up as the car going into "limp home" mode while using the cruise control.

Also, the AC evaporator may leak, being made of aluminum, and this is a $2000 USD fix.

Yes, routine mainenance can be expensive AT THE DEALERSHIP. You would definitely want to find a good independent to work on it.

ALso, get a good pre-purchase inspection so you know what you're getting into.

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Steve
'93 400E