Miss the performance of my 300TE-24

[5907]

Now I've had the lambda sensor changed on my '95 E280 (W124), I was expecting an increase in performance; it is certainly more responsive and the hesitation / stumbling has completely gone, but I can't help feeling it feels a bit flat compared to my last 300TE-24.

That was a bit of a basket case of a car; 210k miles, with a leaking head gasket meaning that it smoked a bit and drank it's coolant, and took a lot of cranking to start it from cold (never failed to though). Nonetheless, it went like a rocket once it hit about 3500rpm, with a kick that just isn't there on the E280.

The E280 is certainly easier to live with and more modern, but I do miss the motorway acceleration of the 300TE.

Is the E280 really that much slower than the 300TE? I know it has less HP (190 vs 215) but slightly more torque.

 

[television]

25bhp is a fair chunk to lose, the 300TE was a fast car, never driven the 280

 

[mikestrivens]

The difference between my 280TE and my current 320TE is astonishing. I was really surprised that the extra 400cc made such a difference between the two cars.

 

[Bolide]

Allegedly it's not the 400 cc that makes the difference - it's the other stuff. According to a German techie type I spoke with the 320 has different cams, timing & other changes

I have noticed that the engines vary quite a lot. Some feel tight at around 100k miles but rev like crazy when the car has a few more miles on. At around 150,000 miles they all seem to be loose enough to work really well - but some examples are still friskier than others

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[5907]

Allegedly it's not the 400 cc that makes the difference - it's the other stuff. According to a German techie type I spoke with the 320 has different cams, timing & other changes

I have noticed that the engines vary quite a lot. Some feel tight at around 100k miles but rev like crazy when the car has a few more miles on. At around 150,000 miles they all seem to be loose enough to work really well - but some examples are still friskier than others

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Interesting; there's 137k on the E280, maybe you're right.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

At around 150,000 miles they all seem to be loose enough to work really well - but some examples are still friskier than others Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Gives a whole new meaning to "running in" Nick.

Some Forum members with 220 CDIs were concerned recently that they were not run in (and giving best fuel economy) by 10,000!

In the bad old days - and not so long ago, you could be doing a top end overhaul by 35,000!

 

[television]

Gives a whole new meaning to "running in" Nick.

Some Forum members with 220 CDIs were concerned recently that they were not run in (and giving best fuel economy) by 10,000!

In the bad old days - and not so long ago, you could be doing a top end overhaul by 35,000!

A Ford prefect or anglia would just about make 22k miles, back in the 50's when it would need new end shells and mains.

I am older than you

 

[Alex M Grieve]

A Ford prefect or anglia would just about make 22k miles, back in the 50's when it would need new end shells and mains.

I am older than you

But you don't feel it - and nor do your posts, so there!

 

[kth286]

Now I've had the lambda sensor changed on my '95 E280 (W124), I was expecting an increase in performance; it is certainly more responsive and the hesitation / stumbling has completely gone, but I can't help feeling it feels a bit flat compared to my last 300TE-24.

That was a bit of a basket case of a car; 210k miles, with a leaking head gasket meaning that it smoked a bit and drank it's coolant, and took a lot of cranking to start it from cold (never failed to though). Nonetheless, it went like a rocket once it hit about 3500rpm, with a kick that just isn't there on the E280.

The E280 is certainly easier to live with and more modern, but I do miss the motorway acceleration of the 300TE.

Is the E280 really that much slower than the 300TE? I know it has less HP (190 vs 215) but slightly more torque.

The 24 valve version of the 3 litre engine produce something like 228 bhp and was very fast at the higher revs.

When the 3.2 litre version was later produced the power was reduced to 217 bhp BUT the torque was 229 ft lbs (so significantly higher).

YES - so your previous car was fast; but I have been helping a chap out with his 280 and there is certainly a good boost at around the 3500 ish mark when the variable cam and variable inlet manifold adjuster both 'kick in'.

Perhaps those items are not working properly on your car.

Do you have a code reader - where you based ?

 

[5907]

The 24 valve version of the 3 litre engine produce something like 228 bhp and was very fast at the higher revs.

When the 3.2 litre version was later produced the power was reduced to 217 bhp BUT the torque was 229 ft lbs (so significantly higher).

YES - so your previous car was fast; but I have been helping a chap out with his 280 and there is certainly a good boost at around the 3500 ish mark when the variable cam and variable inlet manifold adjuster both 'kick in'.

Perhaps those items are not working properly on your car.

Do you have a code reader - where you based ?

I have a home-made LED blink tester for the 16-pin diagnostic socket, and that isn't showing any problems. I'm not sure if there's anything more advanced that can be used with my engine. I'm based in the South-west.

I suppose it's possible that the adjuster could be faulty; it feels kind of flat compared to the last one. There seems to be more low-end power and pull through the gears than the 300TE-24, but little in the way of top-end pull.

 

[S80]

One problem is that you very soon become accustomed to a particular level of performance, and the manner in which it is delivered - such that even quite small differences become noticeable.

Changes in gear ratios, torque characteristics, engine NVH etc. all affect the 'feel' of a vehicle, which can be much more subjective than objective.

However, all road tests indicate that the 300-24 will outperform the 280, so your experiences are not that unexpected.

 

[kth286]

Could the car be in limp-home mode ?

Will it rev up to the red line when being driven ?