I plan to buy W140 next week, what to look for?
I plan to buy W140 next week, what to look for?
For quite some time w140 has been on my wish list and next week I'm planning to buy one. Aside from the obvious things like rust, what else should I be looking for? I'm planning to get a 1996 3.0 turbo diesel, which supposedly hasn't been driven in winter for the past 12 years is garage kept and in great condition overall.
I also wanted to ask questions about the engine itself, I understand it will be an om 606, since w140 doesn't have any other 3 liter turbo diesels:
1. Is it true that 3.5 turbo diesel in w140 is worse than 3.0 turbo diesel?
2. How much power can the stock motor (3 liter turbo diesel) produce without new parts?
3. I understand that there is no use in doing ECU remaps on this car because the engine setup is mechanical (with pump upgrades, turbo, intake, etc.)?
4. Can I just purchase a set like this or this have it fitted and be happy?
P.S. I was just wondering in general, why there aren't many w140 projects? Am I the only one who find this car cool?
LastPhoenix
05-07-2017, 04:18 PM #1Good evening!
For quite some time w140 has been on my wish list and next week I'm planning to buy one. Aside from the obvious things like rust, what else should I be looking for? I'm planning to get a 1996 3.0 turbo diesel, which supposedly hasn't been driven in winter for the past 12 years is garage kept and in great condition overall.
I also wanted to ask questions about the engine itself, I understand it will be an om 606, since w140 doesn't have any other 3 liter turbo diesels:
1. Is it true that 3.5 turbo diesel in w140 is worse than 3.0 turbo diesel?
2. How much power can the stock motor (3 liter turbo diesel) produce without new parts?
3. I understand that there is no use in doing ECU remaps on this car because the engine setup is mechanical (with pump upgrades, turbo, intake, etc.)?
4. Can I just purchase a set like this or this have it fitted and be happy?
P.S. I was just wondering in general, why there aren't many w140 projects? Am I the only one who find this car cool?
On the other hand crap is everywhere 
1. The 3.0 (om606) is slightly better than the 3.5 (om603). It makes more power than the 603, gets slightly better fuel economy but has a bit less off boost torque. The 3.5 can move a mountain off idle. The 606 comes with the 5 speed automatic(722.6) while the 603 comes with the 722.3 four speed auto. The 722.6 is a bit smoother and better, nice long fifth gear for comfortable cruising.
2. Remap only - around 210 HP. Turbo is the limiting factor. Stock 6mm pump is maxed out somewhere between 250 and 300 hp.
3. No, the 606 has an electronically controlled inline pump. There are no screws to adjust, so you pretty much have to get a remap. Cheating the sensors with resistors is not a proper way to do it.
4. Maybe. Depends on how much power you want. As I said the injection pump is the limiting factor past 250 hp, so you would need 7.5mm elements for more power. IMO the W140 is a comfortable cruiser, not a racecar so you should select a turbo which spools early for good low and mid speed torque, sacrifice peak power if you must. At some point the transimission might require an upgrade.
I also think the W140 is awesome, but finding one in good condition is very hard here. They exist but they are few and far between. On the other hand crap is everywhere
1. The 3.0 (om606) is slightly better than the 3.5 (om603). It makes more power than the 603, gets slightly better fuel economy but has a bit less off boost torque. The 3.5 can move a mountain off idle. The 606 comes with the 5 speed automatic(722.6) while the 603 comes with the 722.3 four speed auto. The 722.6 is a bit smoother and better, nice long fifth gear for comfortable cruising.
2. Remap only - around 210 HP. Turbo is the limiting factor. Stock 6mm pump is maxed out somewhere between 250 and 300 hp.
3. No, the 606 has an electronically controlled inline pump. There are no screws to adjust, so you pretty much have to get a remap. Cheating the sensors with resistors is not a proper way to do it.
4. Maybe. Depends on how much power you want. As I said the injection pump is the limiting factor past 250 hp, so you would need 7.5mm elements for more power. IMO the W140 is a comfortable cruiser, not a racecar so you should select a turbo which spools early for good low and mid speed torque, sacrifice peak power if you must. At some point the transimission might require an upgrade.
2. Good to know, So by just upgrading the turbo I could get some first improvements in horsepower area?
3. I understood that all of 606 setups were mechanical. Is there something specific I should be aware of, or should all decent remap specialists should be able to do a remap?
4. 500 is the number which I would like to achieve and I totally agree that this car should be used for cruising, I have no intentions to go to track with it, however an hp upgrade is definitely necessary for car this size.
LastPhoenix
05-08-2017, 03:19 AM #3It is not easy to find one in good condition, that is true, but I think I got quite lucky with this one
2. Good to know, So by just upgrading the turbo I could get some first improvements in horsepower area?
3. I understood that all of 606 setups were mechanical. Is there something specific I should be aware of, or should all decent remap specialists should be able to do a remap?
4. 500 is the number which I would like to achieve and I totally agree that this car should be used for cruising, I have no intentions to go to track with it, however an hp upgrade is definitely necessary for car this size.
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