ML430 acceleration lag
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: New York
2000 Mercedes E320 and ML430
ML430 acceleration lag
Hey guys - i have a 2000 ML430, and i drive it *really hard* b/c its leased.... anyway, when i floor it from a stand-still it takes 2-3 seconds to really get going!!! (the acceleration from 20+/- to 40 is excellent and the sound is wonderful) I know its a big vehicle but it really feels SLOW initially. What would help here? Brake torque? (But isnt that really bad for the tranny?) Anyway - any thoughts would be appreciated.
(Also, my other comments on the car are: the brakes are excellent, the ride is OK, the body rolls WAY to much in corners (but hey, its an SUV), and the steering is HORRIBLE - overly light at higher speeds and NO progressive feedback around corners - none, zip, zero. - but anyway the acceleration after the initial LAG is good) Anybody notice any of this stuff too?
(Also, my other comments on the car are: the brakes are excellent, the ride is OK, the body rolls WAY to much in corners (but hey, its an SUV), and the steering is HORRIBLE - overly light at higher speeds and NO progressive feedback around corners - none, zip, zero. - but anyway the acceleration after the initial LAG is good) Anybody notice any of this stuff too?
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: California
99 ML 430
I have the same problem, it's slow at start...
But it kicks in after 2-4 sec, like a jet fuel or something. I think this is normal for these cars, it's an V8 and and it weight a ton.
Try better gas? I use Union 76 ( here in California, don't think you guy have 76 in the east) 92 octane. I heard the 76 gas is better, it runns smoother too.
Try better gas? I use Union 76 ( here in California, don't think you guy have 76 in the east) 92 octane. I heard the 76 gas is better, it runns smoother too.
What gas company?
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I live in British Columbia. Most stations have up to 94 here (Chevron, Petro Canada are the ones I usually use).
I tried comparing 91 octane and 94 octane in my Boxster S, and the difference was marginal. The difference between 89 and 94 was noticeable, however (anti-knock starts to kick in to compensate for the difference in combustion rates at lower octanes).
I would imagine it wouldn't hurt to put in the highest octane possible into your ML as well, then again it might hurt our wallets! I know that 94 over 91 means about $5 difference per tank for me.
I tried comparing 91 octane and 94 octane in my Boxster S, and the difference was marginal. The difference between 89 and 94 was noticeable, however (anti-knock starts to kick in to compensate for the difference in combustion rates at lower octanes).
I would imagine it wouldn't hurt to put in the highest octane possible into your ML as well, then again it might hurt our wallets! I know that 94 over 91 means about $5 difference per tank for me.
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Dirty Jerzee
2003 ML500
Re: ML430 acceleration lag
Originally posted by Andrew410
Hey guys - i have a 2000 ML430, and i drive it *really hard* b/c its leased.... anyway, when i floor it from a stand-still it takes 2-3 seconds to really get going!!! (the acceleration from 20+/- to 40 is excellent and the sound is wonderful) I know its a big vehicle but it really feels SLOW initially. What would help here? Brake torque? (But isnt that really bad for the tranny?) Anyway - any thoughts would be appreciated.
(Also, my other comments on the car are: the brakes are excellent, the ride is OK, the body rolls WAY to much in corners (but hey, its an SUV), and the steering is HORRIBLE - overly light at higher speeds and NO progressive feedback around corners - none, zip, zero. - but anyway the acceleration after the initial LAG is good) Anybody notice any of this stuff too?
Hey guys - i have a 2000 ML430, and i drive it *really hard* b/c its leased.... anyway, when i floor it from a stand-still it takes 2-3 seconds to really get going!!! (the acceleration from 20+/- to 40 is excellent and the sound is wonderful) I know its a big vehicle but it really feels SLOW initially. What would help here? Brake torque? (But isnt that really bad for the tranny?) Anyway - any thoughts would be appreciated.
(Also, my other comments on the car are: the brakes are excellent, the ride is OK, the body rolls WAY to much in corners (but hey, its an SUV), and the steering is HORRIBLE - overly light at higher speeds and NO progressive feedback around corners - none, zip, zero. - but anyway the acceleration after the initial LAG is good) Anybody notice any of this stuff too?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
My 430 used to have a very stiff gas pedal....easily fixed....see other threads. Could this be partly to blame?? My throtle response is excellent since I had the spring stretched!!! I love this beast!!
