W124 - altering the gearing?

[S80]

One of the minor(ish) irksome aspects of my W124 280E auto is the relatively low gearing - at least by modern standards. I think it's about 24mph/1000rpm in top - by comparison, my 'daily driver' Volvo S80 pulls about 30mph/1000rpm, despite having a smaller engine (both in capacity and power). I doubt there is much difference aerodynamically, either.

The Volvo 'box is a 5-speeder as opposed to the 4-speed W124, so I accept that it's easier to provide a longer-striding top ratio without sacrificing lower-end acceleration.

However, I wouldn't mind trading low-speed grunt for lower cruising revs, so maybe a final drive swap is possible? Can anyone say whether the diesel W124s have a numerically-smaller final drive ratio than mine - and whether they would be a straight swap?

It would also help if I could cure some annoying wind noise from around the driver's door/window :-(

 

[Juddian]

I agree and will be very interested in the replies, even my auto Hilux is only revving at about 2200rpm at true 80mph in lock up top.

How often i've wished for a simple switchable overdrive on the car.

I can already see the frown on my indy's face at the suggestion mind....

 

[S80]

Hi Juddian - yes, that's what we need - an overdrive button on top of the gearstick I used to have a Triumph 2500TC (should have kept it) which had overdrive on 2nd, 3rd and top. Added some entertainment to journeys!

On the W124, the six-cylinder motor is very smooth which does help mask the relatively high revs (and wind noise *should* be low, too), but overall is does feel too low-geared at speed. The payback is pretty smart acceleration at 70mph, but I've long since tired of outside-lane shenanigans :wink:

'The Russian site' suggests that the 300TD may be the only model with a lower-ratio final drive, but these are probably pretty sought-after :-(

 

[Juddian]

S80, we'll have to wait and see if anyone comes up with an idea i suppose.

I too had proper overdrive on my Ventora, good car that would pull cleanly from 10mph to 110 so i'm told in top gear.

Have to be careful not to go too far the other way on the gearing, my old boss replaced the short lived hub reduction rear axle on a Scammell Crusader with an unbelievably high geared Rockwell direct drive rear axle from a Ford Transcontinental...result couldn't get the thing into top gear till you were doing about 75mph...this was approximately '78/'79.goodness how time flies..and so did that truck.

 

[simon_wall69]

I think my diesel revs about the same, iirc 70mph is just under 3000rpm.