Hi, we've just got a 430
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Hi, we've just got a 430
Hello from the UK!
My Dad just bought a 2000 (Y-reg) E430 with about 50k on the clock. Silver, estate. It replaced our much loved 330i sport estate, and how different it is!
Hes done about 3k already back and foward to work (in so much as 2 or so weeks) and said on the motorway cruising at 80 its really good. But when I went in it even though I was amazed at how quick it was for such a big car looking at it sweep the speedo wen it goes past 60, it didnt feel a patch on the old beema company car. We went away last weekend up to North wales, if anyones heard of the A470, (It goes the length of wales for about 3/4hours of A-road fun). about an hour into the journey we had to rag it to get round a car and we both looked at each other as if something odd had happened. This is NOT our first auto, and it had been kicking down before, but this time it really really kicked down and actually made a noise for the first time, fizzy away like mad!!!
My question therefore is; Is there a VVT or something like that on the car? I mean, it really did seem to actually use the engine and WAS faster, and my dad said he hit another part of the long pedal (kickdown like on all autos) which we did alot for the remainder of the journey!!! I know the engine is 24v v8, so im guessing that theres one inlet and two exhaust valves, and when you boot it properly, both the exahust valves open? It felt as though the other half of the engine started working!!!
Thanks for reading!
_phil
My Dad just bought a 2000 (Y-reg) E430 with about 50k on the clock. Silver, estate. It replaced our much loved 330i sport estate, and how different it is!
Hes done about 3k already back and foward to work (in so much as 2 or so weeks) and said on the motorway cruising at 80 its really good. But when I went in it even though I was amazed at how quick it was for such a big car looking at it sweep the speedo wen it goes past 60, it didnt feel a patch on the old beema company car. We went away last weekend up to North wales, if anyones heard of the A470, (It goes the length of wales for about 3/4hours of A-road fun). about an hour into the journey we had to rag it to get round a car and we both looked at each other as if something odd had happened. This is NOT our first auto, and it had been kicking down before, but this time it really really kicked down and actually made a noise for the first time, fizzy away like mad!!!
My question therefore is; Is there a VVT or something like that on the car? I mean, it really did seem to actually use the engine and WAS faster, and my dad said he hit another part of the long pedal (kickdown like on all autos) which we did alot for the remainder of the journey!!! I know the engine is 24v v8, so im guessing that theres one inlet and two exhaust valves, and when you boot it properly, both the exahust valves open? It felt as though the other half of the engine started working!!!
Thanks for reading!
_phil
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Anyone? (Sorry I'm used to cliosport.net, people are online all day everyday, you get a rely within minutes!)
And another thing- how crap is the gearbox on the Eclass. OMG i felt like ripping it out even when I wasn't driving it! You'd go to overtake and because it was so slow reacting, the overtaking proceedure was about the same as the bmw (330i) due to the 1st 3 or so seconds of waiting for the car to understand that you want to go faster...quickly!
And another thing- how crap is the gearbox on the Eclass. OMG i felt like ripping it out even when I wasn't driving it! You'd go to overtake and because it was so slow reacting, the overtaking proceedure was about the same as the bmw (330i) due to the 1st 3 or so seconds of waiting for the car to understand that you want to go faster...quickly!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 2
From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Benzes have a two stage kickdown. When you floored it, it would have triggered the second stage hence the uumph.
My only compliant about the benz is the torque delay...can't get an immediate response like my ex-bimmer but afterall, these cars are built more for comfort....
BTW, welcome and enjoy your "new" ride
Post some pics if u can.
Also, bear in mind this is a predominantly US site, hence there is a time difference
My only compliant about the benz is the torque delay...can't get an immediate response like my ex-bimmer but afterall, these cars are built more for comfort....
BTW, welcome and enjoy your "new" ride
Post some pics if u can.Also, bear in mind this is a predominantly US site, hence there is a time difference
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
I know the engine is 24v v8, so im guessing that theres one inlet and two exhaust valves
It felt as though the other half of the engine started working!!!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Yeah sorry I forgot you guys must be in bed!!!!!
Thanks for the replies, so what your saying Lexrex is that the shorter intake valve is ramming the mixture in at higher revs? So is that how the engine actually feels like its coming alive!? My Dad will be pleased to read this.
Thanks for the replies, so what your saying Lexrex is that the shorter intake valve is ramming the mixture in at higher revs? So is that how the engine actually feels like its coming alive!? My Dad will be pleased to read this.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
Actually, it not a shorter intake valve. It's a shorter intake manifold runner.
The spiral shape of longer intake valve creates turbulence in the airflow. At low RPM, the turbulence somehow helps boost torque. At high RPM, the engine needs to breathe as easily as possible. That's why it switches to the short, straight pathway at about 3700 RPM, allowing maximum airflow to pass.
I hesitate to use the word "ramming" becasue that suggests forced induction (turbo or supercharger).
Read this article by Mercedes about the M112/M113 V6/V8 engines, especially the section titled "The Longest Intake Runners In The Industry":
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/new_V6.html
The spiral shape of longer intake valve creates turbulence in the airflow. At low RPM, the turbulence somehow helps boost torque. At high RPM, the engine needs to breathe as easily as possible. That's why it switches to the short, straight pathway at about 3700 RPM, allowing maximum airflow to pass.
I hesitate to use the word "ramming" becasue that suggests forced induction (turbo or supercharger).
Read this article by Mercedes about the M112/M113 V6/V8 engines, especially the section titled "The Longest Intake Runners In The Industry":
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/new_V6.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, B.C.
2002 E55 AMG
S2 PTH, congrats on the car.
BTW, the M112 and M113 are supposed to be optimized for low end torque, but in my E320 it doesn't fell as if I have much power below ~4000RPM. For example, accelerating up a hill from a stop. Here is what I did step by step.
1) The car was in S mode and from a stop, I hit the gas around half way, keeping it there.
2) The car shifts at 4500RPM from 1st to 2nd and drops down to somewhere above ~3000RPM.
3) I could feel a loss of power (keeping my foot on the gas in the original position)
4) As the revs climb I feel a small surge of power at ~4000RPM.
This when keeping my gas pedal in the original position the whole time. Could this be because of the variable intake manifold because the second runner opens up at 3700RPM?
BTW, the M112 and M113 are supposed to be optimized for low end torque, but in my E320 it doesn't fell as if I have much power below ~4000RPM. For example, accelerating up a hill from a stop. Here is what I did step by step.
1) The car was in S mode and from a stop, I hit the gas around half way, keeping it there.
2) The car shifts at 4500RPM from 1st to 2nd and drops down to somewhere above ~3000RPM.
3) I could feel a loss of power (keeping my foot on the gas in the original position)
4) As the revs climb I feel a small surge of power at ~4000RPM.
This when keeping my gas pedal in the original position the whole time. Could this be because of the variable intake manifold because the second runner opens up at 3700RPM?
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Congrats on your new car! I'm also a former BMW driver who fell in love with this car's power and road manners. I think the main reason this car feels suprisingly fast is the amount of low end torque it generates. It's definately faster than the beemer down low.
You mentioned a delay in downshifting....use the manumatic it's terrific! a couple slaps to the left and you've got instant power at your disposal. While this car has way to much body roll to feel sporty in hard cornering, the braking and shifting ability more than makes up for it. I've never had an automatic shifter that was this responsive in manual mode. Have fun!
You mentioned a delay in downshifting....use the manumatic it's terrific! a couple slaps to the left and you've got instant power at your disposal. While this car has way to much body roll to feel sporty in hard cornering, the braking and shifting ability more than makes up for it. I've never had an automatic shifter that was this responsive in manual mode. Have fun!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the replies, im beginning to understand why the engine behaves as it does. I must admit, I love the lowdown "wave" of torque that wafts u along effortlessly, but now im glad that it does have some of the highend power too!
The 3l straight-6 beema engine was a masterpiece though and its almost unfair to compare the non-sport model merc with it (eg- i should compare a 540i with a E430).
I think the best part about having the Eclass is for the motorway/freeway. All the tailgating teenager sees is the 430 badge, and then b4 hes managed to shift the decimal point two places to the left to work out the literage... whoooooooooosh!!!!
The v8 acts very much like our XJS engine does (4.0l S6) not quite as torquey but still packs a punch at 240bhp.
The 3l straight-6 beema engine was a masterpiece though and its almost unfair to compare the non-sport model merc with it (eg- i should compare a 540i with a E430).
I think the best part about having the Eclass is for the motorway/freeway. All the tailgating teenager sees is the 430 badge, and then b4 hes managed to shift the decimal point two places to the left to work out the literage... whoooooooooosh!!!!
The v8 acts very much like our XJS engine does (4.0l S6) not quite as torquey but still packs a punch at 240bhp.
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta
2020 S Cabriolet, 2014 SL63, 2002 SL500
I not exactly sure where the A470 is in the UK, but I'd love to have my 2001E430 over there to be able to "open it up" on the likes of the M1 . Most of the raods we have around Atlanta are too crowded to get a real feel for the car. Just when you start getting it up there, some old fool pulls out of no where and cuts you off! lol. Kidding, but I do envy you being where you can reallyenjoy the charactaristics of the the car while driving on some of the A,or even B roads,,,enjoy!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Helmut430
I not exactly sure where the A470 is in the UK, but I'd love to have my 2001E430 over there to be able to "open it up" on the likes of the M1 . Most of the raods we have around Atlanta are too crowded to get a real feel for the car. Just when you start getting it up there, some old fool pulls out of no where and cuts you off! lol. Kidding, but I do envy you being where you can reallyenjoy the charactaristics of the the car while driving on some of the A,or even B roads,,,enjoy!
The M1 then the A1 is pretty good as a motorway goes, but the A1 is about 60 junctions of dual carriageway, which can get a bit annoying when slower people try to overtake lorries.
But the A470, basically appart from about 30/40miles of dual carriageway goes the length of wales on single track hedged roads. Very dangerous for bikers as you can't see them coming most of the time! The whole road is 60 (appart from the dual carriageway which goes up to 70mph, so long as theres a central reservation) but then again, those are only reccomended speeds hehehe! But most of the way, 60-80 on the single track roads is more than fun enough, only needing to break the 100 barrier overtaking on long straights etc. I was trying to find a site on the road but i couldn't.
