500E vs 300E AMG 3.4L

[126v8]

I found this write up comparing the 500E to a 3.4 Hammer.Thoughts?Or we can't see beyond our cars?

http://www.mendelsgarage.com/listings/1991-mercedes-124-amg-3-4l/

https://www.classicdriver.com/de/car/mercedes-benz/e-class/1991/404398?language=en-US

"This 1991 Mercedes Benz pre merge AMG 3.4 ,2 owners car is offered for the first time in USA as the two other owners were owned by Amg enthusiast from Japan. This one is the 4-door variant, and is equipped with the 3.4L twin cam engine as opposed to the 5.6L found in the same bodied Hammers. It is in impressive condition, was only 48,000 miles from new, and wears probably the best exterior color offered.

The big monoblock wheels were the perfect match for the body kit components on this car, and the silver outer lips set things off nicely. The 3-piece rear spoiler is a classic Hammer cue that never looks quite as good on standard W124’s. This one shows the perfect stance.

This car offered with partial service history and all books and manuals in leather AMG pouch.

This car offers an interesting contrast to the 500E that was built on the same platform. This car is feels faster and more balanced compared to 500 E. The later merge AMG cars came later, and not offer same quality ,noise and feel as a pre merge cars. Price for this being equal to good 500E but any real Mercedes enthusiast will choose this AMG without question, unless he could find and afford the real Hammer.

This vehicles vin is WDB1240311B465137

This vehicle was legally imported from Japan and currently has a valid PA title. The mileage is displayed in kilometers which we cnverted to miles for the add.

Please keep in mind you are bidding on a pre-owned vehicle. Everyday driving can cause minor chips, dings or scratches on a vehicle. Unless otherwise noted in our photos or description these items are minimal, but may exist in some cases.If you have any questions about this or any of my other auctions please feel free to contact me at 267-471-6561. Thank you for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you."​

 

[Rouven036]

It's for sure a more rare vehicle then the e500e's but these engines have noticeable less torque. Especially low end, also this particular engine based on the 300-24 is a quite sporty engine in its layout and can be seen as the big brother of the 2.5-16 with its 7000rpm redline but on the other hand it works best only with the getrag sport transmission 717.450. The 4 speed auto cuts the balls of this engine same as in the 16v's.

If I had to choose in between this and a 500E than the decision would be clearly the 500, not because I see the world through 036 glasses but the 500 is a very well balanced package which is difficult to beat by any other Mercedes car of its time. (except the 6.0 version)

 

[mercepor]

I own both of them.
The 500e is well superior to the 3.4 in terms of quality, engineering, build, chassis, etc. Imho the 500e should be compared to the 5.6 4v hammer.
the 3.4 is a slightly modified 3.0 24v.
The 3.4 was often proposed with the 5speed auto gearbox, especially in the 4doors chassis.

As far as the performance concerns:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um-xM9ss8Js
[video=youtube;um-xM9ss8Js]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um-xM9ss8Js[/video]

 

[Stevester 500E]

If you put a c36 3.6 into the W124 and add a 5 speed getrag dogleg, then you just need to get a body kit and you are almost there.

 

[mercepor]

The w124 was also proposed with the 3.6
There is not a big difference between the 3.4 and 3.6

 

[8899]

As far as the performance concerns:

That was a quality beat-down. Thanks for that!

 

[psportoveloce]

I drove a dogleg R129 300SL-24 recently and I was really impressed by the motor. It has a good old fashioned naturally aspirated sports car character: smooth, loves to rev, and the more you rev it, the more you get out of it. It's a car where you think "it's time to shift up" and then you look down and there's another 1200rpm before redline; it just goes and goes. Doesn't really suit a comfy/civilized Mercedes chassis in terms of character because the chassis doesn't have the same "beat me and I'll reward you" character but it was really neat to experience because I have a lot more seat time in M119 R129s. It really changes the character of the car.

 

[JC220]

I have a 300E-24, a E36 build w124 & a 500E.

The 300E-24 is a high revving fast Saloon but it has its limits in terms of low rev torque & handling capability. I kept the 300E-24 100% stock.

The E36 is still an ongoing build- it has full C36 AMG running gear. The 200 car did have a manual 5 speed transmission but I decided to covert it to the Auto C36 box. Why? Because a w124 with a manual trans is a bit awkward for hill starts etc with the parking foot brake. Without a handbrake in the w124 chassis it just feels a little clumsy with a manual trans IMO. And the car used to require clutches every 3 years or so- PITA removing the trans for that. I prefer Autos now since they are relaxing to drive & only require ATF changes. The E36 has a new bodykit to be fitted which was taken from original AMG moulds. The 124 HWA stamps are even on them.

The 500E is a very capable car as we all know. I have not driven the E36 yet- I'm sure it will be a fast car but it I feel it cannot fully live up to the performance, pedigree or handling of a well sorted 500E.

Although I do intend to fit a Turbo Bandit kit on the E36 once it's passed an SVA test & is fully Road legal first. This will include an aftermarket ECU & it will be tuned to high HP . A stark contrast from its humble 200 origins

 

[maw1124]

That was a quality beat-down. Thanks for that!

That was actually never in doubt. Something about there being no substitute for displacement...

maw

 

[ccrelan]

I met up with Kushal last month and we drove each others engine swapped wagons. Mine being a 3.6 and his being a 500e powered.

Both cars had the identical 2.65 gearing so this was a true apples to apples comparo. His car was definitely quicker. Would I say the margin was huge- definitely not. My 3.6 engine was hindered by the 4 speed auto trans where as the same trans in his car was a good fit for the V8's torque. Others have mentioned the 3.6 engine feeling similar to a 16v and it is a apt comparison.

To my mind, the advantage of the 6 cylinder car is the availability of shifting yourself and getting a more aggressive rear end to compliment a overdrive 5th gear. These are only my observations and opinions so please take them as you will....