I just bought a 97 e300d with 200m miles. It is great shape.
What should the rpm's be on the highway between 60-70 mph?
I understand this is supposed to be a 722.6 trans, but I can only recognizes 4 changes. My ford f150 is between 2000 and 2500 at 60 -70.
Thanks

Mine's a 95, and only drove it once ( home from dealer), but 80 mph was just north of 3 grand. 75 was just under.
No OD trans in this one!

Four changes is five gears, right? I think that's what you have. My RPM at 80 is also right about 3K, perhaps just over. 427 and I both have 4-speed transmissions.

Same here, at 80MPH its slightly over 3k, 70 runs at or a little below 3k. I too was concerned at first.. Seems like if they had one more gear and dropped the rpms our fuel economy would be pushing 40MPG.. Where are you located? Where did you find your 97??

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Dennis
2006 E320 CDI Black/Black Leather. Nav, HTD Seats HK stereo 32000 miles.
2000 VW Passat 1.8t 300,000 miles as of Dec 09, 2009 original owner
1997 E300d Silver 300,000 miles As of Jan 05, 2010
3rd owner SOLD

No overdrive on that five-speed?

Matt, you know I am not sure, I have never investigated whether 5th was OD or not. I think its just a straight 5spd, but maybe someone can chime in with the info.

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Dennis
2006 E320 CDI Black/Black Leather. Nav, HTD Seats HK stereo 32000 miles.
2000 VW Passat 1.8t 300,000 miles as of Dec 09, 2009 original owner
1997 E300d Silver 300,000 miles As of Jan 05, 2010
3rd owner SOLD

Apples and oranges.

Your Ford is 4.6 or more liters and the MB is just 3.0.

3.0 liters = 183 cubic inches.

For a 3.0 engine to pump through same amount of air as a 4.6 it has to run faster.

And it has too, as it requires a fixed amount of hp to go a certain speed. (Yes your MB is more aerodynamic)

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Does the 97 have the Winter/Summer switch on the shifter console? If so, perhaps it is in Winter mode for second gar start?

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Thanks for all the good answers. To answer some of the questions.
I am in NC. Been looking for a 96-99 for a couple of years. I had a 95 e300d. Gave it to my son at 375000. He is at 400,000 and still going strong. Original motor and transmission. He also has a lead foot.
My wife drives the 97 to work now. She loves the wider tires.
And yes 4 shifts means 5 gears, what was I thinking?(wasn't).

Also it does have w/s switch. Wife likes the W switch for faster start.
The car seems to shift hard down from 2 to 1.
In S mode it starts out in 2 gear. Don't know if the trans fluid,filter has been changed. Gotta check. May take it to local benz mechanic.

W/S is actually reversed from what you stated above.

Summer is 1st gear start.
Winter is 2nd gear start.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)