Fitting A Modern Engine & Gearbox

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[TheEngineer]

Yes, I know, you can’t leave a good thing alone. I’m a very old man and have been around automobiles a very long time. I served an apprenticeship as a mechanic in Switzerland, later got a MS degree in mechanical engineering and worked in the field until Boeing made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I know a lot about automobiles. The W113 developed from the 300SL. The 230SL was already a very fast car. On the tight three-quarter mile Annemasse Vétraz-Monthoux race track in 1963, Uhlenhaut put up a best lap time of 47.5 seconds vs. 47.3 seconds by Grand Prix driver Mike Parkes on his 3 liter V12 Ferrari 250 GT.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W113 For a car to be fast it has to have plenty of power but also good balance. If you install a big heavy engine forward, the car will just spin out. Most people couldn’t handle a vehicle like that. Case in-point: The 300SL Gull wing: People killed themselves driving it. The 280SL (in My Humble Opinion) has proven to be the pinnacle of the Mercedes car design. They have never achieved again the simplicity, agility, power and looks of the W113 series. I owned a 1995 W124 for a while and what a disaster that was. The engineers forgot to keep it reliable.


Pete 1969 280SL

[Larry & Norma]

Can't argue with that

[Flyair]

Pete,

On this site you are preaching to the converted. I am actually very happy with the Pagoda in its classic configuration. For speed and just going from point A to Z I use a modern car (a MB too . Different cars, different pleasures. Both intense, and that's what counts.


 

[GGR]

Welcome back !

Yes, I know, you can’t leave a good thing alone.

Oups !! I guess I should feel lucky you missed that thread: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=15521.0

The 280SL (in My Humble Opinion) has proven to be the pinnacle of the Mercedes car design. They have never achieved again the simplicity, agility, power and looks of the W113 series. I owned a 1995 W124 for a while and what a disaster that was.

Yes, the W113 is a very good car, though it has some issues. The most serious one, in my view, is the swing axle which was already old technology in 1963. Though it's a progress compared to a live axle, the change of camber and track in some circumstances can make it quite dangerous (all is well as long as you keep your gas pedal down in a curve. But if you lift it off to avoid a deer or any other unexpected obstacle, you have great chances to spin the car). In 1962 BMW showed the way with the Neue Klasse and its IRS system, which was finally adopted by Mercedes in 1968 on the W114.

In comparison, the W124 is said to have an excellent chassis, especially regarding the rear suspension system..... and some have used it to replace the swing axle ! (on W111s, for the ones I know).

[stickandrudderman]

I've never heard anyone complain about a 124 before! Great cars (at least, until th environmentalists had their way with it!)