I have a 1987 260e the tranny seems like it shifts twice and then at about 60 mph's the rpms are at about 3000 is this common in the 260e series if this is a 4 speed automatic why doesn't shift at least 3 times

 

I also have an 87' 260E and have wondered the same things. I have had the car almost a year, and I am the second owner and I have paperwork on everthing that has ever been done to the car. It was extremely well cared for. </P>


I also wondered if my trasmission was bad on the car. It seemed like I only had 3 gears, and when I drive 75-80 MPH on the interstate the car runs at about 3500 RPM. A bit high I thought. Well I drove the car in 3rd and shifted into 4th and it shifted just fine. I then read somewhere on the internet, and I have no idea the validity of this, that this paticular model and some other actually start out in 2nd gear unless you really gun it from start and then you go in first. Now I have tried to experiment with this and I think that I am inclined to agree. At least that is how it feels. Whether it's real or imagined I don't know. </P>


Hopefully there are much more knowledgeable people who have more experience, I am just glad that someone has experienced the same things in the same model car that I have and I am not just crazy. <IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"></P><edited><editID>Miles</editID><editDate>38077.777025463</editDate></edited>

 

Yes most MBs start in first gear old and new alike. If you put the selector to the 2nd or if available on V8 models to 1st gear selection and floor it, it will take off in first but they normally take a little coxing to do so. EG park uphill on wet day. But be warned, when they do start in first gear they basically lose all traction and the tail normally slides from side to side until they reach about 30MPH. This is specially scary in V8 W126's as they had no traction control and a huge 5.2 petrol V8= NO traction.

The gearing sounds a little high and i would suggest that you either A: change aoutobox oil as this normally cures any tourque slippage thus lowering RPM at high speeds in extreme cases or B: call a MB station and check the Ratios they should be able to tell you the relative RPM to a given speed and as i have found are always glad to help.

PS, my 87 W124 200 (2.3 conversion but still same manual gearbox) does 3000RPM in 5th gear at 85MPH. Perhaps your cars shift into top at around 90MPH? this sounds rediculous i know but in germany the Autobans had no speed restrictions so getting economy at 90MPH cruising was actually a concern, hence the late gearing. I also have driven a 500SEL and its top gear comes in at 110MPH as it is capable of doing around 150MPH!

Try it and see id like to hear the outcome!

 

My 1986 260 always started in 2nd gear. First gear was too low and used for very steep hills I assume. I believe this also helps with winter traction.

Cheers.

 

guys i have w123 200 & w123 230 & w126 280 , all of them start moving on the seconde gear when the gear on the dreive mood (D) that why u feel it shifts only three time !

 

All 260E (an other 1st generation W124) start in 2nd gear, unless 'forced' to start in 1st, with the help of the shifter or kick down switch. Under normal circumstances, you only feel 9and get) 2 shifts (from 2nd to 3rd, and from 3rd to 4th)

3500RPM at 75/80mph is perfectly normal and the enngine can take this all day and ask for more.
At that speed, you are still 1100RPM shot or maximum torque and 2300RPM short of maximum horsepower.