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280SEL M110 performance

Started by bb, 02 December 2007, 06:17 AM

bb

Being my first W116, I really dont know how they should perform. From what I am told, a typical 0-100 time for a 280SEL when new was about 12 seconds (?).

Out of curiosity I did this in my 280SEL to see how it went.

This 280SEL of mine has 180000 odd k's and the original motor. Being such an old car, and certainly not a performance car, I did this as gently as I could: Gearbox in drive and not loading it up against the brakes. Its interesting to note how early the gearchanges happen even with the pedal to the floor.

Should also point out that I have not done any mechanical work on this car yet (only had it for a month); I have NFI how long since the last tune up.

The resulting time was just on 15 seconds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWXLFU29x74

About what I expected for a heavy car with an old motor not being driven overly aggressively.

mirafioriman

I've always found they are a lot faster if you drive them as a manual. This also of course means the gearbox shifts up on the redline. Obviously mechanical sympathy comes into play here though. Is it really worth flogging the guts out of a car just to see how fast it is?
I'm called Dave! I currently own: Mercedes W116 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes W109 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes W126 420 SEL, Fiat 130 Berlina, Fiat 131 Supermirafiori, Fiat 131 Panorama, Fiat 132 2000, Fiat Argenta and a Citroen Xantia.

Bandolero

#2
"Is it really worth flogging the guts out of a car just to see how fast it is?"

Er......Yes!    ;D

I noticed in the video clip that the changes were done at 4000rpm.
This is way too low as the torque band starts at about 4000.

Do another test but hold the revs to 5,500 to 6000rpm and it will be a lot quicker.

I use my 280 everyday and going up the Mt Barker road here in Adelaide with a 7% incline, I have to hold it in gear and use the revs to keep up with the traffic.
These 280's love to rev.
Russell Bond - (Adelaide, South Australia)
1978 450SEL 6.9 .... #5166 .... 12/78 (Sold.) [url="//www.ezycoat.com.au"]www.ezycoat.com.au[/url]

Andrew280SEL

Besides, 180,000 odd kms is nothing for these cars ;)

My own 540,000+ km 280SEL still loves to rev, and yes, these cars are way quicker when they are in their 'zone'. ;D
'79 280SEL- 560,000 Kms
'73 350SE- getting an AMG facelift
'79 450SEL 6.9

bb

Ok... talked me into it  ;)

When I get a minute and it stops raining, I'll go and be a hoon :)  The difference, if any, will be interesting.

The behaviour of this gearbox is interesting to me because of all the automatic cars I have owned (6, not inc the Merc), none have ever changed so low with the pedal floored. Actually, of those 6, only one would not run to the redline, but would get within 1000rpm of it.

WGB

I think the official figure to 60 was about 10.5 seconds for a 280SE - the L might slow it down a bit but not much.

Probably just not trying hard enough ;D

Bill

Bandolero

That's 60MPH of course....not 60KPH!.... ;D ;D
Russell Bond - (Adelaide, South Australia)
1978 450SEL 6.9 .... #5166 .... 12/78 (Sold.) [url="//www.ezycoat.com.au"]www.ezycoat.com.au[/url]

CraigS

[url="http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n77/Aegeanfoods/My%20Cars/"]http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n77/Aegeanfoods/My%20Cars/[/url]

Andrew280SEL

9.7 secs eh? ;)

That's quicker than MB's official rating of the 450, which is 9.9 secs. For some reason MB seems to always have been very conservative with their figures.

But yeah, you gotta love how MB engineered the 280+ 4speed gearbox combo. ;D
Works a treat with the little motor IMO, especially if your in the know about how to get the best results from them. :)
'79 280SEL- 560,000 Kms
'73 350SE- getting an AMG facelift
'79 450SEL 6.9

bb

Ok, did it a bit more aggressively and the 0-100 time was about 12 seconds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vypTiZCGos

Andrew280SEL

Gotta love that sound, eh? ;)

That was pretty good. What gear selection did you start off in?

L or S?
'79 280SEL- 560,000 Kms
'73 350SE- getting an AMG facelift
'79 450SEL 6.9

bb

#11
Started off in L. The 1-2 change happened automatically and the 2-3 change was me moving the selector to S just before 6000rpm.

I could have held second gear a but longer, but I was busy holding the camera (phone), the steering wheel, moving the selector and watching the road at the same time :-) The ~500rpm extra  I could have held second for would have made bugger all difference.

<Hoon mode off  ;)>

Big_Richard

#12
.

WGB

So long as your engine is healthy they were always run to the redline by enthusiastic owners.

Bill

Nutz

Ehhh,turbocharge it but be aware that you'll need to add water injection to combat detonation.