W124 400E Power Output
03-23-2013, 03:55 PM
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1988 300CE 160K & 1993 400E 115K
W124 400E Power Output
Hey guys, I hope I'm not duplicating a pre-existing thread here, I looked around but didn't see anything similar.
I've got a 1993 400E. I've owned it a littel over a year now after I purchased it from an older gentleman who was the original owner. The car is in great shape and has a full service history on it. It currently has 125k miles.
Today I had the chance to drive a mostly identical 1993 400E (95k), apart from the options, the only mechanical difference is that mine has the self-leveling rear suspension that you typically see on the wagons. While driving the other 400 I immediatly noticed a substantial increase in horsepower (both high and low rpm ranges) as compared to my 400.
So my question. Could a 30k mile difference and previous owner care really make that much of a difference to the hp output of it? I always thought my car had a decent amount of power but after driving that other one I'm curious if theres anything I can do to improve mine. I know its a total grey-area question and there are many answers, but I just wondered if you guys have any thoughts? Perhaps the power steering pump (which drives the sls system) draws more power from the engine on mine.
I might do a leak-down test out of curiosity. Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks
--One other note. My 400E rarely reaches operating temp. In the winter it runs right above the 40 C mark. Summertime it hovers around 65-70C. I've always been ok with it and figured the wiring harness won't cook as fast :P. But perhaps it runs rich because of this?
I've got a 1993 400E. I've owned it a littel over a year now after I purchased it from an older gentleman who was the original owner. The car is in great shape and has a full service history on it. It currently has 125k miles.
Today I had the chance to drive a mostly identical 1993 400E (95k), apart from the options, the only mechanical difference is that mine has the self-leveling rear suspension that you typically see on the wagons. While driving the other 400 I immediatly noticed a substantial increase in horsepower (both high and low rpm ranges) as compared to my 400.
So my question. Could a 30k mile difference and previous owner care really make that much of a difference to the hp output of it? I always thought my car had a decent amount of power but after driving that other one I'm curious if theres anything I can do to improve mine. I know its a total grey-area question and there are many answers, but I just wondered if you guys have any thoughts? Perhaps the power steering pump (which drives the sls system) draws more power from the engine on mine.
I might do a leak-down test out of curiosity. Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks
--One other note. My 400E rarely reaches operating temp. In the winter it runs right above the 40 C mark. Summertime it hovers around 65-70C. I've always been ok with it and figured the wiring harness won't cook as fast :P. But perhaps it runs rich because of this?
03-23-2013, 05:47 PM
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92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
Theres a chance that car could have an early (1992) ECU, which could net it about 15 more hp. Would the owner be willing to let you pop the top off of the CAN box to check?
03-23-2013, 08:01 PM
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1988 300CE 160K & 1993 400E 115K
Yes I think you're correct. I don't have access to that car now, but i did look at the manufacture date on that car and it was october 1992. I'm guessing it had the old ecu. I might look into swapping mine who knows :P. I'm not sure what the CAN is, would you mind describing what that is for me? I'll research how to decipher a 92' ecu from the updated version. What was their reason behind the change, environmental?
03-25-2013, 03:36 AM
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I doubt you will feel the difference, and by now you surely know that it is on full throttle only.
Also, this is assuming the car is tuned up and retains its original hp, which is not very likely. And like someone once said, if you don't think the 300E is powerful, get a 400E... if that isn't powerful, get a 500E.. if that isn't... get X. Small ricer type of upgrades only cost money and you will not see the difference in this case.
It's another story that this is once of the only types of power increase you can do on these motors (1993-1995)...
Also, this is assuming the car is tuned up and retains its original hp, which is not very likely. And like someone once said, if you don't think the 300E is powerful, get a 400E... if that isn't powerful, get a 500E.. if that isn't... get X. Small ricer type of upgrades only cost money and you will not see the difference in this case.
It's another story that this is once of the only types of power increase you can do on these motors (1993-1995)...
