3.27 axle

[Raymond]

So it sounds like an ideal set-up for a 280 would be a 3.69 diff turned by a Getrag 5-speed. Minimal loss of 1st gear giddyup and the advantage of high gear on the highway. Any opinions?

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Dick M]

I made the big decision not to install the 3.27 rear axle after our Sierra foothills weekend....car performed great with 3.69.  Even 70 mpr highway was good (this old person can't hear the engine anyway.) Anyone want a good 3.27 rear axle?

Dick M
1970 280SL

[Longtooth]

But the acceleration at hiway speeds (say 70 - 90 mph) is so much better with the 4.08... and I rarely need to use 1st unless starting up on a reasonable incline... and I live on a steep hill, so it's kind of an essential gear.  I average 16 - 17 mpg freeway driving at high speeds (avg 75-80 mph).... with my 250SL manual 4-spd. ~3800-3900 rpm at 70 mph with 205/70's.

I don't get much better mileage in my wife's '02 SL500 at 75-80 mph... 18-19 mpg... sometimes 20-21 mpg if I'm using cruise control for long, long stretches at a time.  By the way, you can't hear the damned engine hardly in that car anyway unless you press it to the metal... then the afterburner kicks in and it sounds like a rocket taking off.

I do agree though... it always feels like I should be shifting up a another gear when I'm in 4th... but I wouldn't trade the acceleation at high speeds for a lower geared rear-end just to get lower rpm's and quiter engine sound at highway speeds.  I have an Accord 5 spd manual for that and great fuel milage.  The 250SL's my fun in the sun car.  I wouldn't mind a 4.08 ZF 5-spd though.

I drove home from the Gold Country drive yesterday and after I left Interstate 80 toward San Jose it started cooling off considerably so rather than stop and put the top up, I sped up a bit to 80-85-90 the rest of the way home (just a tad faster than flow of traffic.. the traffic in the far left lane)... with some stretches to 100+.  Not that it got me any warmer, or home all that much faster, but it sure was a helovalotta fun being able to accelerate from 80 to 100 in a few brief blinks.  I don't think I averaged 16 mpg though on the home stretch... I'll be lucky if it was above 12.  You only live once.

Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
The 6% Club - Best of the Best
'02 SL500 Sport

[hill]

quote:Originally posted by Dick M

I made the big decision not to install the 3.27 rear axle after our Sierra foothills weekend....car performed great with 3.69.  Even 70 mpr highway was good (this old person can't hear the engine anyway.) Anyone want a good 3.27 rear axle?

Dick M
1970 280SL

Hi Dick; I will take the 3.27 axle. I'm hunting for a 4 speed car and that would be a perfect match. The next time we get together I will have you drive mine with a perfectly tuned auto. You might be quite surprised.

Happy Benzing
Darryl, Hill
350 SL4.5 #60
1967 250sl "California"

[Dick M]

quote:Originally posted by Dick M

I made the big decision not to install the 3.27 rear axle after our Sierra foothills weekend....car performed great with 3.69.  Even 70 mpr highway was good (this old person can't hear the engine anyway.) Anyone want a good 3.27 rear axle?

Dick M
1970 280SL

Several inquiries about the 3.27 rear axle.  I'm passing these on to my mechanic who actually has the axle.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8503059846546948448&hl=en

Dick M
1970 280SL

[J. Huber]

quote:Originally posted by Longtooth

....

I drove home from the Gold Country drive yesterday and after I left Interstate 80 toward San Jose it started cooling off considerably so rather than stop and put the top up, I sped up a bit to 80-85-90 the rest of the way home (just a tad faster than flow of traffic.. the traffic in the far left lane)... with some stretches to 100+.  Not that it got me any warmer, or home all that much faster, but it sure was a helovalotta fun being able to accelerate from 80 to 100 in a few brief blinks.  I don't think I averaged 16 mpg though on the home stretch... I'll be lucky if it was above 12.  You only live once.

Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
The 6% Club - Best of the Best
'02 SL500 Sport

Hey Bill, my little navigator wouldn't let me get over 60-65 MPH on our way home Sunday. She has more than just her Mother's hair!  

Here are my numbers -- a total of 398 KMs. 29.24 KPG (18.18 MPG). Axle is 3.75.

Dick, I think you are making the right move -- your car seems to do very well in these parts...

James
63 230SL

[Longtooth]

Jim, I concur with your little navigator's demands on keeping your speed down.... I only drive like the devil in my 250SL when I'm the sole occupant.  My "little" navigator's now turned 30 (coming up this summer), but when she was your navigator's age, and she loved to ride in the SL before I stopped driving it for 16 years, I drove it like my passenger was the queen (and she was and still is... way beyond a mere "princess").  My ego takes a far, far 2nd place to my daughter's safety.

Dick... I of course agree.... stick with what you've got... besides, with the top down at 70+ mph who can hear the engine anyway?  it's only while accelerating from 2nd thru to 4th that I feel like I need to shift to the non-existant 5th.  By the time I'm at 70+ with the top down I can't hear the engine much above the wind noise anyway.

Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
The 6% Club - Best of the Best
'02 SL500 Sport