First gear start modification
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3
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From: Tampa Bay area, FL
1990 MB 300TE
First gear start modification
My new (to me) '90 300TE runs great on the highways. But around town it's a dog. I have heard of a valve body modification which allows the auto trans to start off in first without having to floorboard the gas pedal. Any info would be appreciated. Also want a front air dam/spoiler - any source suggestions? Thanx.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 252
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Nice souped up wagon 
!
Uh, second gear start is better, I think. I seem to be the only one who thinks so, but I have two reasons for the second gear start idea:
1.It's better in snow (Not sure where your from)
2.Much more comfortable
Now, I am a VERY aggressive driver. I'm not dangerous, but i like to get going fast when I'm the only one in the car. I usually do do a first gear start, by doing a "manual" autoshift using the selector in the center. It's an easier shift that way from 1-2, because I usually switch just before redline. I like the option of starting in 2, and starting in 1, but I'm in control.
If you always start in 1, you have no control (can't start in 2)
If you still want that first gear start, just type in "first gear start" in a search in the W124 forum. People have discussed this b4. I might have said the same thing to them, as I am saying to you now!
If you can't find it here, head over to www.benzworld.org. But I'm pretty sure I saw it MBworld.org.
Take care & good luck!
PS: I assume the wagons are just as peppy as the sedans?
!Uh, second gear start is better, I think. I seem to be the only one who thinks so, but I have two reasons for the second gear start idea:
1.It's better in snow (Not sure where your from)
2.Much more comfortable
Now, I am a VERY aggressive driver. I'm not dangerous, but i like to get going fast when I'm the only one in the car. I usually do do a first gear start, by doing a "manual" autoshift using the selector in the center. It's an easier shift that way from 1-2, because I usually switch just before redline. I like the option of starting in 2, and starting in 1, but I'm in control.
If you always start in 1, you have no control (can't start in 2)
If you still want that first gear start, just type in "first gear start" in a search in the W124 forum. People have discussed this b4. I might have said the same thing to them, as I am saying to you now
!If you can't find it here, head over to www.benzworld.org. But I'm pretty sure I saw it MBworld.org.
Take care & good luck!
PS: I assume the wagons are just as peppy as the sedans?
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 14
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From: Adelaide, Australia
1988W126-300SE
First gear start
.........Ted, I'm also interested ....... can you say how much it all costed and did it drop the fuel economy much?
I'm only a newbie at driving my '89 300SE W126 (only been driving it regularily for 1 month) but the other day when I took off from the lights with a little more pepper in my foot, I was surprised when the car churped the tyres as it changed down to first! A car dealer did say the car can be quite nimble once you master the throttle positions - he wasn't kidding!!
I also like Chubber's view though about leaving it stock and manually change to the lower gear - I assume he changes to "2" initially (there is no "1" setting on mine) then manually to "3" and then "4" or "D" ?
I guess I'm still experimenting ............ it's good fun !!
I'm only a newbie at driving my '89 300SE W126 (only been driving it regularily for 1 month) but the other day when I took off from the lights with a little more pepper in my foot, I was surprised when the car churped the tyres as it changed down to first! A car dealer did say the car can be quite nimble once you master the throttle positions - he wasn't kidding!!
I also like Chubber's view though about leaving it stock and manually change to the lower gear - I assume he changes to "2" initially (there is no "1" setting on mine) then manually to "3" and then "4" or "D" ?
I guess I'm still experimenting ............ it's good fun !!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
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From: San Diego, CA
1992 Mecedes-Benz 400E
I have a '92 400E and as far as I know it does start out in first gear always. I heard that in '92 Mercedes changed the transmission to always start in first gear. Well anyway, I was replying because of your mentioning that the gear selector for your car only goes down to "2". In '92 with the 124 chassis the gear lever only goes down to "2" for all models except the 400E and 500E. There is a location labeled "B" that stands for brake. It is the 1st gear selector but Mercedes intended its use for slowing the car down on steep hills. So you might not even be able to manually select 1st gear yourself. If you have to floor the accelerator all the time to start out in 1st, think of your mileage, I would suggest the first gear start mod.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 6
300ce
.............You are correct that the W124 from 1992 on were all first gear start cars. I became aware of this information through this forum when my car was in the shop for the modification. It turns out KOOLY2 is correct.........at least for 1992 not all the W124 cars start ot in first gear always. Perharps the 400E is one of does that does. In any case, the first gear start for most W124 cars was a kick down system that engaged when you press the accelerator down harder. What the first gear modification in my car does is to allow the car to start on first gear always as in the 400E. The difference is quite remarkable. I underdstand that KOOLY2 recommends against the first gear start because of gas mileage considerations. His response is understandable since he is happy with his 400E. Talk to other W124 owners and you will find that it is an almost universal complaint that the cars feel slugish. The first gear star mod cost me $650. I know that that is not an insignificant ammount of money, but I was ready to sell my 300CE until I got the first gear start, then it changed my mind. There is more info on first gear starts at Bergwerks.com.
LINK
If you get a first gear start, you will enjoy driving your car again.
Ted
LINK
If you get a first gear start, you will enjoy driving your car again.
Ted
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
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From: San Diego, CA
1992 Mecedes-Benz 400E
......I actually encourage the first gear start mod. What I was referring to was if one were to not get the modification and always floored their accelerator to get the car into first gear then that would make the mileage horrible because of such a large amount of gas released into the engine all the time. There would also be constant stress on the engine, transmition and driveline. I think the mod is totally worth it.
......This brings up a question that I have as well. On the speedometer there are three dots in the line that go around the numbers. I think that they are indicators for the shift points since the first one is around 50 mph and the second around 85 mph and so on. Just wondering if I am right?
......This brings up a question that I have as well. On the speedometer there are three dots in the line that go around the numbers. I think that they are indicators for the shift points since the first one is around 50 mph and the second around 85 mph and so on. Just wondering if I am right?
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 14
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From: Adelaide, Australia
1988W126-300SE
I used to drive a 1996 quad cam 3.0L Toyota V6 Auto sedan and that took off like a scalded cat if I planted my foot at the lights.
The '89 300SE is sluggish in comparison with it's 2nd gear start, but somehow the car feels more refined and "regal" in it's behavior ie. it takes off smoothly always and when you do plant your foot, there is that slight delay .... and whoosh .... off she goes! I just wish that the delay wasn't there when I do urgently need the acceleration and that I could select 1st gear manually in an urgent situation (which I can't as my selector only starts at "2".
..... $650 you said it cost you Ted? Thanks for the info ...... I'll have to give it some serious thought!
The '89 300SE is sluggish in comparison with it's 2nd gear start, but somehow the car feels more refined and "regal" in it's behavior ie. it takes off smoothly always and when you do plant your foot, there is that slight delay .... and whoosh .... off she goes! I just wish that the delay wasn't there when I do urgently need the acceleration and that I could select 1st gear manually in an urgent situation (which I can't as my selector only starts at "2".
..... $650 you said it cost you Ted? Thanks for the info ...... I'll have to give it some serious thought!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 252
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JohnB-
regarding your gear selector only going to "2"...
There are two ways to get your car to start off in first gear. One, pop that power button, or two put your selector in "2". I know it says 2, but when you are stopped, just minus one from each number and thats the gear it will stay in. The exception, of course, is when you redline with the selector in 2 from a start, the car will move into 2nd gear.
PS> The delay is significantly reduced when I put my selector in 2 before I floor it.
regarding your gear selector only going to "2"...
There are two ways to get your car to start off in first gear. One, pop that power button, or two put your selector in "2". I know it says 2, but when you are stopped, just minus one from each number and thats the gear it will stay in. The exception, of course, is when you redline with the selector in 2 from a start, the car will move into 2nd gear.
PS> The delay is significantly reduced when I put my selector in 2 before I floor it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,213
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From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
My 92 190E 2.6 starts in first gear, whether or not I stomp on the accelerator or not. Pretty easy to determine, from a slow stand still accelerate easy and count the gear changes, mine goes 1,2,3,4 every time regardless if I stomp the accelerator or not. No different when the gear selector is in D, 3 or 2.
Maybe this was different for the W201
Maybe this was different for the W201
