E36 AMG

[BigBen]

Does anyone know anything about the above W210 shape (that is the one after W124 isn't it)

Specifically:

-Which gearbox are they fitted with the 4 speed mechanical or 5 speed electronic version
-Do they all have LSD fitted
-Are high miles a problem, have seen one but don't trust the milage

Ben

[iluvmercs]

Yes, it's the W210 Series, which means RUST!

M104 3.6 AMG engine, which carried over from the 1240-series.
Watch out for the usual M104 problems, such as weeping oil from the engine, pointing to a head gasket, and ECU wiring harness becoming brittle and breaking up.
That said, the engines are capable of mega mileage, if correctly serviced.

The gearboxes on all factory E36s (124 and 210) were the 4-speeders.
Later C36 AMGs came with the electronic 5-speed, so if the car isn't factory (ie. it's a 210, which has been given an engine transplant), check with 'box it has! 5-speed 'boxes have a manually selectable 4th gear is the way to tell, IIRC.

I don't believe any 36s came with an LSD. I'm not sure if it was offered for the model. It has a beefed up Diff from the C36, but I'm not confident whether or not it was a Limited Slip Diff. Early forms of an ASR-based traction control system was an optional extra.
I'm sure someone would be able to correct me if I'm wrong on this last point, though

HTH

Darren

[BigBen]

iluvmercs said:

I don't believe any 36s came with an LSD. I'm not sure if it was offered for the model. It has a beefed up Diff from the C36, but I'm not confident whether or not it was a Limited Slip Diff. Early forms of an ASR-based traction control system was an optional extra.
I'm sure someone would be able to correct me if I'm wrong on this last point, though

HTH

Darren

That is really good info, especially about the gearbox being the 4-speed as this is allegedly more reliable. I am really only after the engine and drivetrain, the other bits will be going on ebay so rust is not a problem as I suspect the body is the only bit that will be scrapped.

Ben

[iluvmercs]

That is really good info, especially about the gearbox being the 4-speed as this is allegedly more reliable. I am really only after the engine and drivetrain, the other bits will be going on ebay so rust is not a problem as I suspect the body is the only bit that will be scrapped.

Ben
[/quote]

Yup, the 4-speeder is known to be (generally) more reliable, however they can still go wrong. When driving, make sure there is no clonking or over-revving when changing gear.
If the 1989 300SL mentioned in your profile has a 4-speed 'box, it should have a similar "feel" to that

And after your after the engine and drive train, that implies a Project - care to share? Pretty please?

Darren

[BigBen]

iluvmercs said:

That is really good info, especially about the gearbox being the 4-speed as this is allegedly more reliable. I am really only after the engine and drivetrain, the other bits will be going on ebay so rust is not a problem as I suspect the body is the only bit that will be scrapped.

Ben

Yup, the 4-speeder is known to be (generally) more reliable, however they can still go wrong. When driving, make sure there is no clonking or over-revving when changing gear.
If the 1989 300SL mentioned in your profile has a 4-speed 'box, it should have a similar "feel" to that

And after your after the engine and drive train, that implies a Project - care to share? Pretty please?

Darren

I suspect the 300SL box is the same as the E36 as the E36 engine is based on the M103 block.

The idea is to fit the drive train to the SL and see what happens. Given the commonality between the engine blocks I suspect it won't be that difficult and given that I will be taking the old engine out anyway to restore the rest of the car it would seem silly not to take advantage!

Ben