W124 Running out of gears?

[Andy Wall]

Could someone please advise if my E 230 has a probelm with its gearing as it appears to me to be revving rather excessively for the speed? At 60 mph the rev counter is reading 3,000 rpm, at 80 it's 4,000! Is this normal? My 2.0 petrol Omega used to rev at least 1,000 rpm less at speed.. Thanks, Andy

 

[pascal]

Sounds about right for the older 4sp auto 230e. Thats assuming its a w124, and also assuming its an automatic.
But I think when the letter went in front of the W124 (late93) it was a E220.
So if its a w210 four speed auto, its an E230, '96ish. Anyway 4sp autos do about 20-22mph per 1000rpm in top gear on 4cy engines.

This is crazy, having to guess what you are driving
If you dont tell us your car, know one can really answer

 

[Keith D]

Revs

I think you will find that correct, as the speedo will read half the rev counter number, it is the same with my wife's car (CRV, auto) and the same on my motorbike.

Regards

keith D.

 

[Andy Wall]

Crazy WXYZ 12345!

Hello Pascal, :twisted: tis crazy Andy here! the vehcile is a 1990 230te which I incorrectly described, for which I am sorry... it's just my lack of familiarity with the forum, especially since I had two other threads running regarding the car very close to this one with the proper decriptions! Thanks for the info anyway, Andy

 

[pascal]

Hi Andy,

Wasn't sugesting you were crazy. It was I whom was crazy trying to guess what car you have.
Presume (since you didn't contradict) its an Auto.

The top gear (4th) is almost equlivent ratio to 4th gear in a five speed manual.

Top speed for the auto is 203 kph

The manual goes to 198 kph in 4th, and 203 kph in 5th (less revs).

So your figures seem near enough right.
A bit anoying I know. Had an 88 230e.

'Spose that is why MB Automatics all have 5 gears now, (some have 7).

 

[Andy Wall]

Comforting to know!

Yeah, the thought that I was doing some damage by travelling in the wrong gear had occurred but the box itself is sweet and apart from the heater gremlins (duo valves!) she's a nice drive. Within the next few months she'll be travelling ot for retirement in Spain (the car not me!) so hopefully things should be good! Thanks for the info again, Andy

 

[SLinKyjoe]

I would have added to this thread ages ago had i remembered to check until yestarday.

5 speed auto in SLK is doing 3000rpm at 75mph.