560 SEL vs. 300 SE engine power
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Commierado
Deleted
Hi Niclas,
I have not driven a 300 but I have a 560SEL and it is a surprisingly agile car. The long wheelbase and heaps of options that Mercedes put in the 560SEL makes it big and heavy, yet it is superb to drive around town and on open roads. I have cruised mine at 200kph and it's so smooth and still wants to go more. [Australia]
I have not driven a 300 but I have a 560SEL and it is a surprisingly agile car. The long wheelbase and heaps of options that Mercedes put in the 560SEL makes it big and heavy, yet it is superb to drive around town and on open roads. I have cruised mine at 200kph and it's so smooth and still wants to go more. [Australia]
) have lots of power for how old they are. And for a 4000+lb car, they are suprisingly nimble and "light" feeling. Only thing that might stop you from buying, might be the maintenence costs. One of ours is smoking (and to fix that it is going to be around $5k so we are just going to sell instead).
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Commierado
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I think the American 560sel torque is... about 300-330 ft lbs if memory serves me right.
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
From: Nevada, USA
CLS55
Hi! I'm new,my name's Andreas I'm 26and I'm from Italy (at the moment I live in spain, with my w126 300SE)
I've found this topic on google because my 300SE automatic has a too short 4th speed ratio.. as all 300SE's .. so I would like to put a 560 LSD ! What do you think about?
My 300se is equipped with ASD system , I think I must dismantle all if I want to put the v8's differential! is correct?
I have another question... I've found in a scrapyard a crashed euro 300bhp 560SEC, my dream is..
putting the big v8 engine and gearbox on my L6 whale... so anyone knows if FITS?
a 560SE without rear hydraulic suspensions and with LSD would be amazing...
here some pics of the baby, she's eurospecs 188bhp no catalyst ,model year 1988,original paint bison braun, never repainted
I've found this topic on google because my 300SE automatic has a too short 4th speed ratio.. as all 300SE's .. so I would like to put a 560 LSD ! What do you think about?
My 300se is equipped with ASD system , I think I must dismantle all if I want to put the v8's differential! is correct?
I have another question... I've found in a scrapyard a crashed euro 300bhp 560SEC, my dream is..
putting the big v8 engine and gearbox on my L6 whale... so anyone knows if FITS?
a 560SE without rear hydraulic suspensions and with LSD would be amazing...
here some pics of the baby, she's eurospecs 188bhp no catalyst ,model year 1988,original paint bison braun, never repainted
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
From: Nevada, USA
CLS55
I've owned the following:
1984 300SD
1991 560SEL
To be honest, I enjoyed the 300SD more because it did, indeed, feel nimbler to drive. The 560SEL certainly had it merits but I found the "floaty" or "boat" feel discomforting, especially when taking corners at speed. The pneumatic suspension and added weight of the 560SEL is to blame. However, I love the 300SE, and when I choose to purchase another W126 in the future (I definitely will), I will find the best and most contemporary model I can. It's amazing that the 'freshest' models are almost 20 years old now. I miss both of my W126s, dearly.
1984 300SD
1991 560SEL
To be honest, I enjoyed the 300SD more because it did, indeed, feel nimbler to drive. The 560SEL certainly had it merits but I found the "floaty" or "boat" feel discomforting, especially when taking corners at speed. The pneumatic suspension and added weight of the 560SEL is to blame. However, I love the 300SE, and when I choose to purchase another W126 in the future (I definitely will), I will find the best and most contemporary model I can. It's amazing that the 'freshest' models are almost 20 years old now. I miss both of my W126s, dearly.
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ON SUSPENSION
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
Quite a few:)
Yes, you'll need to dis-able the pressure/return lines to your ASD, but that aside, you Should be able to install the 560's 2.47 LSD. My only unknown is if the ASD system uses additional wheel speed sensors as per ASR, I would check your differential first for two speed sensors @ each half shaft.
As for the ECE engine, yes, it can be made to fit. You'll have to make up some custom engine brackets to utilize the M103's engine mount configuration but it is workable! And yes, a 300HP SE would be a lot of fun
If you don't buy the engine I would be interested in the exhaust manifolds should you be up to the task of removing them/interested in selling.
Good Luck w/ it!
Jonathan
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As for the ECE engine, yes, it can be made to fit. You'll have to make up some custom engine brackets to utilize the M103's engine mount configuration but it is workable! And yes, a 300HP SE would be a lot of fun
If you don't buy the engine I would be interested in the exhaust manifolds should you be up to the task of removing them/interested in selling.
Good Luck w/ it!
Jonathan
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
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Volvo
Hi there,
I've driven both and currently own a 560SEL. They're quite different cars. The 300 feels a lot lighter and more nimble, particularly around town and the power transfer is more immediate in stop-start driving. The 560 is a bit of a sleeping giant unless you really plant your foot, however in open-road conditions it has really long legs and will pass just about anything effortlessly (except a gas station) with fantastic power past 100kmh.
I have previously owned a 560SEC and 450SEL. The 560SEC was significantly quicker than both the 450 and 560SEL and only fatherhood has prevented me from getting another one. The 450 was a great old bus but the NZ models are all a bit worn out now, which is why I went for the '89 560SEL, which is still tight and tidy with only 160kms on it. A bargain too for NZ$3,500.
My 560SEL is a Hong Kong import and I've only had her a couple of weeks. I'm still trying to work out whether the HK units were US or Euro spec. If what I have is the US spec that would explain the performace difference between my SEL and my old SEC, which is a bigger difference than I had expected given their weight isn't all that different. It is RHD so I'm assuming it is Euro spec, but if anyone out there knows how to check I would be greatful to find out.
Meanwhile, I'm loving driving the old girl and salute all you out there with the good sense and taste to drive MB.
I've driven both and currently own a 560SEL. They're quite different cars. The 300 feels a lot lighter and more nimble, particularly around town and the power transfer is more immediate in stop-start driving. The 560 is a bit of a sleeping giant unless you really plant your foot, however in open-road conditions it has really long legs and will pass just about anything effortlessly (except a gas station) with fantastic power past 100kmh.
I have previously owned a 560SEC and 450SEL. The 560SEC was significantly quicker than both the 450 and 560SEL and only fatherhood has prevented me from getting another one. The 450 was a great old bus but the NZ models are all a bit worn out now, which is why I went for the '89 560SEL, which is still tight and tidy with only 160kms on it. A bargain too for NZ$3,500.
My 560SEL is a Hong Kong import and I've only had her a couple of weeks. I'm still trying to work out whether the HK units were US or Euro spec. If what I have is the US spec that would explain the performace difference between my SEL and my old SEC, which is a bigger difference than I had expected given their weight isn't all that different. It is RHD so I'm assuming it is Euro spec, but if anyone out there knows how to check I would be greatful to find out.
Meanwhile, I'm loving driving the old girl and salute all you out there with the good sense and taste to drive MB.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Lake Mohawk/Sparta NJ
1987 190e 2.6; 1989 300se ; 1987 560SL; 1994 BMW 840ci
Re; your question about the feeling in power of the 300se v the 560 sel....I just sold my 560SEL and bought an 300se. LOVED the power of the v8, the gas mileage not so much.
The pickup was great, from any speed - and totally silent. The 300SE I6 is a little louder, but once you get to cruising speed...seems like very little difference.
The reason for the switch was size and nimble-ness of the cars. I never felt in the 560SEL that I was "one with the car"; the 300se is lighter and more nimble, and when I glance over my right shoulder I don't feel like I'm the chauffeur or driving a wagon.
The second reason was the rear suspension - just didn't like the ride. I prefer putting Bilstein HD shocks in all my cars and 560SEL's rear "self-leveling" system wouldn't allow that.
Too bad they didn't offer a 560SE w/o self-leveling!
The pickup was great, from any speed - and totally silent. The 300SE I6 is a little louder, but once you get to cruising speed...seems like very little difference.
The reason for the switch was size and nimble-ness of the cars. I never felt in the 560SEL that I was "one with the car"; the 300se is lighter and more nimble, and when I glance over my right shoulder I don't feel like I'm the chauffeur or driving a wagon.
The second reason was the rear suspension - just didn't like the ride. I prefer putting Bilstein HD shocks in all my cars and 560SEL's rear "self-leveling" system wouldn't allow that.
Too bad they didn't offer a 560SE w/o self-leveling!
