Gawd, I'm so confused about my gearing right now. I thought my car was completely stock but something seems odd.

Anyways I want to compare notes... can any and all of you guys with 300E's or TE's (M103) tell me what RPM's you're turning at about 65 or 60mph. Actually any rpm at any speed would help, but I'm probably best comparing in 4th gear.

Just a quick post will do. Thanks!

-Kevin

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-Kevin

I'm having trouble with my '89 right now not shifting into top gear. I was pulling about 3200 rpm at 70 mph on the way home this evening.

That sounds like mine my friend. I just replied to your post. I'm suspecting that I have a TE's 3.27 rear in my E because of the gearing. I turn about 3000rpms at 65 which equals about 3200 at 70 like you said

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-Kevin

My 87 300E is just about spot on 3k at 65mph. According to the tech info on the early 300E under the 'cars' section at the top of the page, " The early 300E's had a 3.07 rear differential to make up for the lack of low end torque while the E320 made due with a 2.65 ratio"

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Interesting. This is a new input of information for me. You're the first one to clarify this. I have talked to other people and they told me that my gearing should be much lower. Thanks for your input. Any idea if all the M103 cars had the same ratio or was it just the first couple years?


Anyone else with input?

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-Kevin

Early 300E's had 3:07 rear ends. Later ones had 2:87. I believe that all 4-Matics had 3:07.

70 mph rpm
300cd=3000
380sec=2400

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72 250 CE-5spd-gone
79 280 CE
82 300TD
83 300 CD
83 380 SEC

i don't go slower than 70 when possiable,sorry,its' more like 90 really ,and i don't have time to really notice too much but the road and oil press.

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72 250 CE-5spd-gone
79 280 CE
82 300TD
83 300 CD
83 380 SEC

Revs at any speed =

tire revs/mi x trans ratio x axle ratio x (xx/60)

where xx is the specific speed.

The 195/65VR-15 Michelin MXV OE tires are speced at 837 revs/mi; 185/65s on W201s are 849 revs/mile. The above relationship will hold regardless of installed tire revs/mi. If installed tire revs/mi are different than OE, speedometer accuracy will be effected, but the speed/rev relationship does not channge.

The above relationship may be rearranged to solve for axle ratio if you know the OE tire's revs per mile and have a good value for revs at any speed.

For top gear the transmission ratio is 1:1 for automatics and 0.80:1 for M103 five-speeds.

Duke

My '91 300e 2.6 is at around 2500 at somewhere around 57 mph. I just happened to take note of my rpm about 20minutes ago while driving home. Hope that helps

I have a 92 300E. I can only feel the car shift into 3rd gear. I don't think I have a 4th gear.

At 70 I'm at 3000
At 80 I'm at 3500

what complicates this for an automatic is that you need to be sure that the torque converter is locked up before taking any measurements.

72mph @2500rpm

Oh wait, I have a manual, so no one cares...

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

62 MPH @ 3000 RPM

89 300sel

From what I've read.. That's about right..

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89 300SEL Money Pit

92 Blown Buick Ultra Pimpmobile 220K and adding 1K per week

88 Wagoneer Slightly modified (Not for soccer moms)

04 Kia Sedona with every option... NICE

darn you, i want your transmission!!!

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-Kevin