My 1st Benz... Observations and questions
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Pleasanton, CA USA
'92 300CE, '93 300ZX Twin Turbo
My 1st Benz... Observations and questions
So I never have owned a Benz so my recent need for a daily driver sent me lookin. Happened across this very well taken care of '92 300CE with 103k miles.
Everything works except the trip odometer.
But I'm thinking the oil pressure gauge should be added to the mix because it reads 3 bar all the time when the car is on. 1st question: sound like a typical sending unit problem?
The car rides excellent with good braking and smooth ride. Low speed accelleration is a bit disappointing tho. I read praise for this car in this department but mine seems very sluggish from a start. Rolling accelleration doesn't seem as bad but I'm wondering about the transmission. It's almost as if first gear isn't used on take off and I can't seem to get it to downshift just one gear. After it detects the request to speed up, it "thinks" about it and then when it doesn't downshift once, I squeeze a bit more throttle but then it downshifts 2 gears. 2nd question: how much of this could be normal or do I need a trans service? BTW, I would have expected the upshifts to be silky smooth on this car and they're just so so.
I'm sure I'll have more questions over time.. so thanks in advance!
Everything works except the trip odometer.
But I'm thinking the oil pressure gauge should be added to the mix because it reads 3 bar all the time when the car is on. 1st question: sound like a typical sending unit problem?The car rides excellent with good braking and smooth ride. Low speed accelleration is a bit disappointing tho. I read praise for this car in this department but mine seems very sluggish from a start. Rolling accelleration doesn't seem as bad but I'm wondering about the transmission. It's almost as if first gear isn't used on take off and I can't seem to get it to downshift just one gear. After it detects the request to speed up, it "thinks" about it and then when it doesn't downshift once, I squeeze a bit more throttle but then it downshifts 2 gears. 2nd question: how much of this could be normal or do I need a trans service? BTW, I would have expected the upshifts to be silky smooth on this car and they're just so so.
I'm sure I'll have more questions over time.. so thanks in advance!
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From: Long Beach, Ca
lots of cars
Most people will kill for an interior like that cuz i know i would. How much did you spend?? About the tranny you can adjust the linkage and about the shifts you may need a new flex disc.
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Mercedes-Benz w124
Are all the shifts rough? Or are they a flare? If so, you can just adjust the modulator. Interior looks pristine! don't forget to get euros and updated tails! And you may think the acceleration is bad because it starts off in second gear. To start off in first when first accelerating, move the gear into second, then back into drive. you will love the improvement in handling. Good luck with your car!
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From: Pleasanton, CA USA
'92 300CE, '93 300ZX Twin Turbo
Thanks for the props gang! Yea, was very pleased with the condition. Even the trunk is clean! I did the second gear thing once and thought I noticed a difference but thought I was crazy! I'll check it out again.
I'm already considering some mods. I've already been scoping posts about clear corners. I think they would update the look of the car a bit. Is there a board sponsor that sells them? Also, found some really clean 8 hole chrome wheels. A little more contemporary and nice to have 16" instead of my 15's.
They have 50% Conti Sport Contacts (which I'm not fond of) Are these worth $500?
-Dan
I'm already considering some mods. I've already been scoping posts about clear corners. I think they would update the look of the car a bit. Is there a board sponsor that sells them? Also, found some really clean 8 hole chrome wheels. A little more contemporary and nice to have 16" instead of my 15's.
They have 50% Conti Sport Contacts (which I'm not fond of) Are these worth $500?
-Dan
Last edited by flyt300; Oct 18, 2005 at 08:09 PM.
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From: Pleasanton, CA USA
'92 300CE, '93 300ZX Twin Turbo
Originally Posted by LnkPrkSoldier
Are all the shifts rough? Or are they a flare?
-Dan
PS I have 2 Linkin Park CD's in my 6 multi disk.
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From: Irvine, CA
2016 AMG C63s
Originally Posted by flyt300
Thanks for the props gang! Yea, was very pleased with the condition. Even the trunk is clean! I did the second gear thing once and thought I noticed a difference but thought I was crazy! I'll check it out again.
I'm already considering some mods. I've already been scoping posts about clear corners. I think they would update the look of the car a bit. Is there a board sponsor that sells them? Also, found some really clean 8 hole chrome wheels. A little more contemporary and nice to have 16" instead of my 15's.
They have 50% Conti Sport Contacts (which I'm not fond of) Are these worth $500?
-Dan
I'm already considering some mods. I've already been scoping posts about clear corners. I think they would update the look of the car a bit. Is there a board sponsor that sells them? Also, found some really clean 8 hole chrome wheels. A little more contemporary and nice to have 16" instead of my 15's.
They have 50% Conti Sport Contacts (which I'm not fond of) Are these worth $500?
-Dan
Last edited by AMG_Eric; Oct 18, 2005 at 08:18 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by flyt300
No, I'd say it's just the 2nd to 3rd that is a clunk (in action, not sound) Otherwise other shifts are "ok", just not silky smooth. Maybe I have too high of expectations for a Benz.
-Dan
PS I have 2 Linkin Park CD's in my 6 multi disk.
-Dan
PS I have 2 Linkin Park CD's in my 6 multi disk.
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124s usually start in 2nd gear. that is normal
there usually is a slight wait before commands are executed by the tranny. i mistakenly dropped the shifter into 2nd one time when i was doing about 80, recognised it and averted an expensive breakdown with some quick action.
i think they also have a 2 stage kickdown switch. this one i could be wrong about.
there usually is a slight wait before commands are executed by the tranny. i mistakenly dropped the shifter into 2nd one time when i was doing about 80, recognised it and averted an expensive breakdown with some quick action.
i think they also have a 2 stage kickdown switch. this one i could be wrong about.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 560
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From: Walnut, CA
MB 1990 300E
about the acceleration, i dunno what other people have been saying but the w124's are....well hahaha yeah. at least to me it feels more of a tank than a 'quick' car. but nice car, clean interior.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
the kick down switch is located behind the gas pedal.
Anyways, nice CE you have there Dan.
As what Eric said in his post, those wheels aren't worth throwing 500 down for. I would save the money or perhaps save a little bit more and wait until you find a perfect set. Keep a constant eye out in the classified section here on this forum. You'll find some good deals on wheels, like Eric did on his Brabus Monoblocks.
You can find corner lights here on this website.
http://www.importvision.com
they have a selection to choose from. I don't see a point to get the updated W124 Clear/Amber corner nights. You might as well go all out and get fully clear ones. May I also suggest painting the grill black.
Anyways, nice CE you have there Dan.
As what Eric said in his post, those wheels aren't worth throwing 500 down for. I would save the money or perhaps save a little bit more and wait until you find a perfect set. Keep a constant eye out in the classified section here on this forum. You'll find some good deals on wheels, like Eric did on his Brabus Monoblocks.
You can find corner lights here on this website.
http://www.importvision.com
they have a selection to choose from. I don't see a point to get the updated W124 Clear/Amber corner nights. You might as well go all out and get fully clear ones. May I also suggest painting the grill black.
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From: Pleasanton, CA USA
'92 300CE, '93 300ZX Twin Turbo
Update...
So I called the mechanic that had been working on this car to see what scheduled maintenance had been done and when. 90k done at 94k (and air con converted to R134 ) so it has recent tranny fluid change and filter.
He said I can adjust a cable from the trans to make the car stay in gear longer and decrease the amount of throttle input required to start in first gear. So.... this makes me think that if you floor it in D, that the car will start in 1st gear. (I have yet to prove this theory) But I did unscrew the cable adjuster (white plastic hex around a black cable coming up from the tranny behind the airbox) two rotations and it made a BIG difference. The car definitely stays in each gear longer, i'm not convinced it's starting in 1st yet, but it feels WAY better in the "how much throttle I have to apply to get the thing to go" dept. It also seems to downshift more quickly now. Meaning it takes less throttle input to get it to downshift.
Much happier now!
) so it has recent tranny fluid change and filter. He said I can adjust a cable from the trans to make the car stay in gear longer and decrease the amount of throttle input required to start in first gear. So.... this makes me think that if you floor it in D, that the car will start in 1st gear. (I have yet to prove this theory) But I did unscrew the cable adjuster (white plastic hex around a black cable coming up from the tranny behind the airbox) two rotations and it made a BIG difference. The car definitely stays in each gear longer, i'm not convinced it's starting in 1st yet, but it feels WAY better in the "how much throttle I have to apply to get the thing to go" dept. It also seems to downshift more quickly now. Meaning it takes less throttle input to get it to downshift.
Much happier now!
Last edited by flyt300; Oct 21, 2005 at 12:13 PM.
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From: Bryson City NC
93 300SE Rauch "Smoke"
Your going to have to add a "start in first " for a better word part to make car start in first gear. You can also just manualy upshift through the gears if you want the extra zip!
Smokie
Smokie
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From: Pleasanton, CA USA
'92 300CE, '93 300ZX Twin Turbo
Clear corner update
For those that stumble across this thread because of the clear corner banter, here is my experience with them...
I ended up getting the frosted corners. I put them on the car and even they were on the road to too blingy for me. One of the lenses I received had some glue along one edge and instead of shipping back and sending new they offered to just send me a new set. I asked if I could switch to the smoked and they said yes. So now I have the smoked ones and they are WAY better. No comparison, much better match to the stock headlights.
Now as long as I don't do the headlights I'm good! (although I have the frosted, the glue really isn't that visible when they're on the car, if I go for headlights some day!)
For clarification I found 3 kinds of corner lights. 1) chromelike background with a non textured lens. 2) chromelike background with a textured lens, and chromelike background with a smoked textured lens. I had 2 & 3 and liked 3 better with the stock headlights.
I ended up getting the frosted corners. I put them on the car and even they were on the road to too blingy for me. One of the lenses I received had some glue along one edge and instead of shipping back and sending new they offered to just send me a new set. I asked if I could switch to the smoked and they said yes. So now I have the smoked ones and they are WAY better. No comparison, much better match to the stock headlights.
Now as long as I don't do the headlights I'm good! (although I have the frosted, the glue really isn't that visible when they're on the car, if I go for headlights some day!)
For clarification I found 3 kinds of corner lights. 1) chromelike background with a non textured lens. 2) chromelike background with a textured lens, and chromelike background with a smoked textured lens. I had 2 & 3 and liked 3 better with the stock headlights.
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From: Savonlinna, Finland
W202 C 220 Elegance
It starts always with second gear. Only when kickdowning, 1st comes in. You can adjust it yourself, how hard are the changes.
There is no need for repairing transmission with those mileages. They last over half million kilometers without repairing. But I suggest you change the oil and filter about every 50 000 miles. The manufacturer says that even oil is not needed to change, but it always helps the durability when you change them regularly.
There is no need for repairing transmission with those mileages. They last over half million kilometers without repairing. But I suggest you change the oil and filter about every 50 000 miles. The manufacturer says that even oil is not needed to change, but it always helps the durability when you change them regularly.
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From: Savonlinna, Finland
W202 C 220 Elegance
Originally Posted by Makahveli
I myself am a recently 1st benz owner and was wondering what this seat belt extender I read about and how does it work
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From: Texas
1966 250SE Cab, 1985 500SE Euro, 1985 190e 2.3-16 AMG, 1986 300E LeMons Car
Sluggish? Try the diesel sometime. Getting to 80mph takes a bit, but it sure loves cruising at that speed.
My little "wagon":
My little "wagon":
Last edited by POS; Nov 9, 2005 at 08:43 AM.
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From: Pleasanton, CA USA
'92 300CE, '93 300ZX Twin Turbo
Originally Posted by Luokyio
It starts always with second gear. Only when kickdowning, 1st comes in. You can adjust it yourself, how hard are the changes.
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From: Savonlinna, Finland
W202 C 220 Elegance
Originally Posted by flyt300
If you were asking how hard is it to make the adjustment I spoke of, its easy. Read above for the location of the adjustment, grab a 13mm wrench and adjust away. You don't have to remove anything, just reach behind the airbox and find the white plastic adjuster. (keep in mind it may be covered in dirt and not look white!) A shorter wrench is helpful, but not necessary.
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92 300ce Major Problems......i Need Help
i bought this 92 300ce less than a year ago and all it has been is trouble. i dont even know if i want to buy another benz ever again. thats how bad my experience has been. in less than 9 months i had to replace the battery, air pump, all belts, 2 belt pullys, rear shocks, fan clutch, and electrical wiring for radio. right now the car still does not run good. it idles high in park and neutral and i think it has major tranny problems. when put in drive it will sometimes stay in drive and sometimes switch to neutral....than go back to drive.....than go back to neutral. rpms will usually go high when shifting and it rarely shifts smooth. i do not know if the tranny is almost gone, or i need to get a tranny flush or replace the air filter or something. can someone please help me. it seems to only do this at lower speeds and warming up.
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From: London, UK
W124
flyt300,
Your interior is one of the best I've seen.
It's only let down by these parts..
They are available from your dealer for about $5.
Part numbers (check with your dealer)
MA124 692 11 22/ 8412
MA124 692 12 22/ 8412
Your interior is one of the best I've seen.
It's only let down by these parts..
They are available from your dealer for about $5.
Part numbers (check with your dealer)
MA124 692 11 22/ 8412
MA124 692 12 22/ 8412
