Are there any relatively simple (cost effective) ways to upgrade HP in a 95 E320? (ours is a cab)

Thanks for any advice,
Scott

 

The quick answer is NO.
This engine is already very efficient. Any significant increase is very difficult and very costly to achieve.
There are strocker kits available, tricky heads, turbo kits and all sort of miracle products sold to improve performance.
The real performers (stroking , heads, turbo)) will cost several thousand of $$$.
The miracle products (chips, filters, tornado, etc) will cost less but you won't feel/see any difference, except in your wallet.. Just a waste of money.
The most cost effective and the biggest bang for the $$$ spent would be to trade your E320 for a E420.
JackD

 

I dont think (?) they made an E420 cabriolet back in 93-95...

Scott

 

You are right Scott. There was no E420 or 400E cabriolet in those years. Sorry for the mistake, I simply did not read your note very carefully.
JackD

 

I was told that for the W124, the reason you have poor speed pick up is because they are undergeared not because of inadequate HP. I have a w124 myself and I am looking into modifications such as first gear start or rear differential adjustment. You may wish to contact the guys at bergweks for more info.

bergwerks link

Ted

 

I have one. I agree there is not much performance on hand in this car. I don't think it is designed to be a competitior on the street. With the stock setup there is not much handling capability. Skinny tires, heavy steering effort. You can add bigger wheels and tires, flare out the fenders, yadda yadda. Then you go get performance chips and screw up all kinds of other stuff in the process. I read on this and other BBs all the time about people with idle problems, stalling, etc. They have tried platinum spark plugs, K&N filters, whatever. I think the stock setup is the way to stay with these cars. Otherwise you end up with a bunch of curb feelers and other low-rider equipment that degrades the value. I'm leaving mine alone. I put in a kick-*** stereo and boxed up the original in casr the next owner wants to restore it to total originial. These cars are somewhat rare. They are going to hold value if we don't queer em up. $0.02

 

As far as first gear start in a W124, beginning in the 1992 model year, all W124's came with first gear start.

 

As far as first gear start in a W124, beginning in the 1992 model year, all W124's came with first gear start.

...........I don't think this is correct. I have a 1992 300Ce that is currently in the shop undergoing a first gear start. So either the shop is just lying to me or your info may be incorrect.

Ted

 

Hmmmmm, I could be wrong, but this has been discussed on several of these MB Forums before, and I thought it was determined that first gear start was rolled out in the fall of 1991 for model year 1992 cars.

Further, Frank Barrett's Illustrated Mercedes Benz Buyer's Guide lists model year 1992 as the first year of first gear start.

You might want to confirm this with your mechanic just to make sure.

 

thanks

 

My dads 1990 300e starts in 2nd. I test drove a 92 300e same engine but started in first.

Dan
VW parts guy
92tsi 13.72@100mph