W124 E300 auto box

[telletubby]

Hi. Can someone advise me whether the auto box fitted to the W124 300 diesel was essentially the same throughout the production run. Were they always the straight four speed, or did any have a switchable or 5 speed box? or was that just for the petrol models?

 

[television]

the first 5 speed option came in around 1991-2 at first it was only offered on certain engines, it was an electric type 5th.

Malcolm

 

[DITTRICH]

To the best of my knowledge the 5speed was not offered on the 3 litre diesel models - in RHD anyway. The 5speed works (so I have been told) electronically for the 4-5 shift (solenoid operated) and this is governed by the ECU (so I have been told) fitted to certain petrol engined cars. The diesel doesn't (I think) have an ECU so therefore can't control the gearbox fully. There remains the possibility that some brave soul will try to install a 5speed box in their car with an ECU from say a 3.2 litre petrol engine. The trick is then to convince the ECU (by wiring it up appropriately) that it is connected to an engine and thence for the ECU to decide when to change gear. I have an E300D estate too.
Les

 

[Bolide]

Late cars had a 722.4, earlier cars and earlier version of the 722. 4-speed only on the 300TD / E300 as Dittrich says

Annoying, as the E300 Diesel could pull a higher gear quite easily. The 5-speed manual is quite a bit higher-geared and doesn't feel overgeared in 5th

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk