Okay, we picked up a 89 190E 2.6 with a 4 speed auto transmission. My only question is, it seems like it doesn't shift into overdrive, at about 70 its turning about 3500 RPMs. But when we drop it into 3rd it down shifts. So i am not to sure whats going on. It shifts fine through the gears nice smooth shifts.

I have heard that the first gear isn't really used unless you are really hauling on it so in-fact a normal start off is in 2nd, is there any truth to this?

 

they do indeed start in second gear and they dont go into overdrive until about 90 - 100mph!

 

Would this be the same for a 1987 260e?At about 60mph, it downshifts when I put it into 3rd, so are you saying that it is really a 5 speed trani?</P>

 

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Your transmission is operating properly, second gear starts unless you move the shifter down into second when you take off, that will force it to start in first gear. Makes sense right <IMG src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0"> Anyhow 3500rpm's iscorrect for 70mph and it is indeed in 4th gear at this time. I would like to clarify what Jocor said about it not going into overdrive until 90mph though, that's a true statement only if you have your foot buried to the floor. In normal driving conditions it will go into 4th around 35 if my memory serves me correct. And one other thing is you don't have a locking torque convertor, so don't look for it to lock onto any rpm while your cruising like most other cars will. Benz didn't go to a locking convertor until 94 I think and that was only on some of the S-class automatic 5 speed models.</P>

 

thanks for your help, i thought it was a little weird.