How fast will you drive your vintage mercedes at?

[auriga]

Installed new LED light on my W108 280SEL, and take a drove days ago. Ive noticed the engine make quite a lot of noise when im about 75mph to 80. I believe my tachometer is faulty as it only shows about 2700 rpm at that speed.
And the wind noise.

So how fast will you drove your car comfortably at?

[fonzi]

It all depends on how well maintained the vehicle is.

[PreferVintage]

About 10 years ago, I remember briefly taking my 280SL to 120MPH....high revs near 6K, but car was very smooth, and she still kept pulling! I was quite surprised at the high end torque still available...wish I could drive a W113 on the autobahn for an extended time over 100...my W108 has only seen 80MPH, and my W123 was still pulling at 90MPH, which is amazing for a diesel!

[t walgamuth]

Bringing my 92 original 300TD home from Vegas I hit a bit over 100 mph a couple times when going downhill a bit. It felt like nothing.

[fonzi]

The v8s have no trouble exceeding 100 mph and if the steering, suspension and brakes are up to snuff, the cars should feel like they could go much faster. At triple digits you have to start thinking about how bad things could be if something went wrong and question the purpose. I had my motorcycle up to 120 once and decided that was enough.

[Squiggle Dog]

I used to drive my 1968 200D fintail at 80 MPH for hours on end when making multi-state trips. Keeping up with traffic on the freeway was no problem at all, and I was often driving in the fast lane.

My 1980 300SD is even better. I never exceed the speed limit by more than 5-10 MPH unless traffic conditions call for it. I could never understand why people refer to the diesels as slow, and they always got up to speed as fast as was needed. Unless a person drives very aggressively and drives twice the speed limit, I don't understand the need for hundreds of horsepower.

For what it's worth, the early inline gas and diesel engines are supposed to turn at high RPM's on the freeway because their power curve is more on the high end than the low end. I think maybe people are used to feathering the accelerator instead of romping on it, and think the high RPMs mean trouble, but that's as they were designed.

[Fitts07]

My 1968 230 really comes to life above 70mph. You'll find me in the left lane on the interstate.

[rwd4evr]

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

I used to drive my 1968 200D fintail at 80 MPH for hours on end when making multi-state trips. Keeping up with traffic on the freeway was no problem at all, and I was often driving in the fast lane.

My 1980 300SD is even better. I never exceed the speed limit by more than 5-10 MPH unless traffic conditions call for it. I could never understand why people refer to the diesels as slow, and they always got up to speed as fast as was needed. Unless a person drives very aggressively and drives twice the speed limit, I don't understand the need for hundreds of horsepower.

For what it's worth, the early inline gas and diesel engines are supposed to turn at high RPM's on the freeway because their power curve is more on the high end than the low end. I think maybe people are used to feathering the accelerator instead of romping on it, and think the high RPMs mean trouble, but that's as they were designed.

The turbos are just so laggy off the line. Once bossy is on its not that slow. But it's nit fast by any means. Any granny in a 4 cyl Camry will dust you if she wants to. Propane can help with that

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[rwd4evr]

My 64 220b really like 75 more than 65. It got quieter and smoother at a higher rpm. I had it up to 100 on plenty of occasions. My 450slc is top speed limited by the 3.69 gear I have in it with a 4 speed Manual and no overdrive. I've had it maxed at near 130mph. Rock solid. The suspension is pretty highly modified but I don't think it would feel unsafe in a good condition stock 107 chassis. I've drifted it at 80+ mph on Pocono infield south course and Jefferson circuit at summit point raceway as well.

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[Knownworldwide]

I don’t drive anything over 70mph in my 300sd. It will go faster but honestly the noise becomes the limiting factor for me. I just don’t like it sitting way above 3k rpms forever. Sounds all kinds of wrong. I’m sure it’s just fine, but for me personally. I just park it at 70mph and cruise.

[rwd4evr]

Originally Posted by Knownworldwide

I don’t drive anything over 70mph in my 300sd. It will go faster but honestly the noise becomes the limiting factor for me. I just don’t like it sitting way above 3k rpms forever. Sounds all kinds of wrong. I’m sure it’s just fine, but for me personally. I just park it at 70mph and cruise.

What year SD? Just found out my 85 has a 2.88 while I was under the assumption all gen 1 cars were 3.07. Now driving ma 84 300td will the 3.07 it definitely makes little bit of difference on acceleration and highway scream. My 1985 300SD will cruise 80 all day. 300sdl om603 would cruise 85-90. It just eats fuel. I can't wait to get my on606 swap done. 6 speed with . 83 od on a 2.82 rear will give a 2.34 final drive. That will be so nice .

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[auriga]

I just put a real checp tach to my 280SL and its showing 2700rpm, when im at 80mph, which I believe this tach is faulty.

How do u guys limit the windnoise?

[Knownworldwide]

Originally Posted by rwd4evr

What year SD? Just found out my 85 has a 2.88 while I was under the assumption all gen 1 cars were 3.07. Now driving ma 84 300td will the 3.07 it definitely makes little bit of difference on acceleration and highway scream. My 1985 300SD will cruise 80 all day. 300sdl om603 would cruise 85-90. It just eats fuel. I can't wait to get my on606 swap done. 6 speed with . 83 od on a 2.82 rear will give a 2.34 final drive. That will be so nice .

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Mine is a ‘83 300SD. Mine will cruise at 80mph all day as well, heck it will cruise at whatever speed I make it, I simply just do not like the high RPMS. At 70mphI am running 3-3100rpms. It’s plenty loud and I just park it there. I have driven faster and I know it can do it no problem. However for me personally I just draw the line at 70mph which is 5mph faster than most our posted speed limits here in Cali anyway.

[bracurrie]

Used to drive my 73 450 SE 80 to 100 regularly. My 70 280 SE seems to be a little uptight at speeds over 80, but I have been told its capable of cruising 100 all day long. Maybe I am getting older but 80 is comfortable on the ears and I can go as far either my bladder or gas tank can go.
Well maintained these cars seem to run better if driven regularly with vigor. If the car isn't sorted out then driving it lightly is all you have.

[fonzi]

Originally Posted by bracurrie

If the car isn't sorted out then driving it lightly is all you have.

Well said.