Throttle response on W124 E320 estate

[westcliff]

I bought a 1994 E320 estate to replace my 1997 BMW 528. One of the big differences between the cars is that the Mercedes will not start moving from a standstill unless I give the accelerator pedal a really good push. I realise that the BMW and the E320 are very different cars but I didn't expect the Mercedes to be quite so sluggish in moving off.

Is this normal for these cars? If not, does the solution lie in the accelerator linkage, or the gearbox? The car has a 4-speed auto box and was last serviced 600 miles ago.

 

[turnipsock]

I think there is a bit in the accelerator linkage that gets worn. It takes a 'push' to get it out of the worn bit. It's a nighmare when parking.

There is a quadrant bit somehwhere, I think that is the problem.

 

[stumpy]

Owning both types of car, this is a Merc trait. BMWs are more sensitive to the throttle. Get yours checked if you like but you will probably find that you just have to get used to it.

 

[wireman]

It may be worthwhile to check the throttle linkages for wear, all the way from the cable end to the throttle itself, ensure that the transmission control cable is adjusted (no slack in its cable) correctly at the throttle pedal position where any slack in the throttle linkage is completly taken up.

The Qudrant plate and its cam follower are prone to being short of lubrication or slightly worn, a dab of grease on the roller/cam follower may help (clean off any gritty stuff before you apply any lubricants) the quadrant is intended to help give a progessive fell to the throttle at smaller throttle settings, i.e. when manuvering slowly and cruising at moderate speeds.

 

[Bolide]

This is a bit of a characteristic of these cars. I have a theory that cars with cruise control are worst

Changing the throttle cable may help a little but lubricating the linkage would be what I'd try first. Also make sure the pedal moves freely & hasn't got a carpet mat wedged under it at the base

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[westcliff]

Thank you all for your responses. The car does have cruise control and I have checked that there is no mat stuck under the pedal. I took it to a local independent for a quick check over and he echoed the cruise control comment, but there's no harm in me lubricating the linkages. From memory, my old 300TE-24 was a lot more sprightly from a standstill and it had cruise control too.