Autobahn Runners

BMW Sequential Manual Gearbox

2009-11-05T17:12:00.004+08:00

The Sequential Manual Gearbox II, aka SMG II is a somewhere between a conventional manual and an automatic in terms of operation. You can shift gears in the same way you do with a manual, but there is no need to step on the clutch (actually, there is no clutch). It's done via hydraulics. Instead of the conventional H-pattern, drivers can shift their own gears by pulling back or forward on the "shifter". Shifting is lightning fast. You can also let the computer automatic shift gears for you if you like.

This 2004 325i E46 BMW is equipped with second generation Sequential Manual Gearbox. This car is for sale in the Philippines.

Mercedes-Benz C280 Sportline

2009-11-01T02:57:00.005+08:00

If you did not need the monster engines found in Mercedes-Benz's AMG modified cars, and did not want to pay the premium price, but still wanted sportier performance from you Merc, the Sportline package would In the 1990's, Mercedes-Benz offered an option called "Sportline" for its sedans and coupes. The option package included Sport Seating, wider low-profile wheels and tires, quick ratio steering, lowered ride height and a specially tuned suspension.

Not many "Sportline" Merc's are available in the Philippines. I found one for sale a year back or so, a 1995 Mercedes-Benz C280, and made the owner an offer on the car, unfortunately the owner change his mind about selling the car. I found another one, a 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280. Unfortunately, I am not in the market right now, having purchased another car a few months ago.

This car is available for sale here.

Mercedes-Benz 280E W123

2009-09-07T09:31:00.004+08:00

The Mercedes-Benz W123 cars were produced by the German manufacturer from 1976 to 1985. W123 Mercedes-Benz'a were sold with gasoline and diesel engines, the most powerful varaint being the W123 280E. The 280E has a 2.8 liter M110 engine which in Euro trim produces 177hp and 173 lb-ft or torque. The US and Japan versions had a tuned down engine which produced 142hp and 149 lb-ft or torque.

This 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280E is for sale at this link

While W123 Benz's were once the most common being sold in the pre-owned market (a total of 2.5 million) havig n produced, less and less of them are on the road, and even less good samples can be found. Maybe time to invest in one of these classics?

1997 Mercedes Benz E50 AMG

2009-08-02T08:39:00.003+08:00

The Mercedes-Benz W210, or E-Class, is a mid-size luxury car–executive car which was produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz from 1995 through 2002. The mid-size category is Mercedes Benz's best selling category. Mercedes Benz tuner, AMG came up with three supercar variants of the Mercedes-Benz W210 during is seven years, the E50, E55 and E60.

The first of this was the E50 produced from 1996 to 1997, although all the E50's priduced were sold as 1997 models. A total of 2,870 units were produced and sales were primarily in Europe.

The E50 carried under its hood a 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8 engine which produced 347 HP and 295 pound-feet of torque. The E50 road on borken size 18-inch wheels with 235/40ZR18's up front and 265/35ZR18's in rear.

This E50 is for sale in the Philippines at this link

1995 Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG

2009-07-27T16:04:00.003+08:00

This car is for sale in the Philippines

There seem to be a lot of C36 AMG's hitting Philippine shores from Japan these days. We found two for sale in March 2009 and another earlier this month. This one has 59,000 km on the odometer and is for sale at Php880,000.

From our previous article on this car:

The C36 was introduced in 1995 to counter the new six-cylinder BMW M3. The C36 and M3 continued the horsepower war originally began in the 80's with the rivalty of the BMW E30 M3 and the Cosworth tuned Mercedes Benz 190E's.

The C36 was developed with AMG, a car tuning company that had been acquired by Daimler-Benz a few years earlier. Compared to the regular W202's, the C36 had a racing-tuned suspension and a 3.6 L engine that had a maximum output of 276 hp at 5750 rpm and 284 lb·ft at 4000 rpm. The top speed of the C36 was electronically limited to 250 km/h. Only a total of 5200 C 36 AMGs were produced.

Autobahn Runner: Privacy Policys

2009-07-24T12:21:00.000+08:00

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1996 Mercedes Benz C36 AMG

2009-07-02T15:27:00.003+08:00

The C36 was introduced in 1995 to counter the new six-cylinder BMW M3. The C36 and M3 continued the horsepower war originally began in the 80's with the rivalty of the BMW E30 M3 and the Cosworth tuned Mercedes Benz 190E's.

The C36 was developed with AMG, a car tuning company that had been acquired by Daimler-Benz a few years earlier. Compared to the regular W202's, the C36 had a racing-tuned suspension and a 3.6 L engine that had a maximum output of 276 hp at 5750 rpm and 284 lb·ft at 4000 rpm. The top speed of the C36 was electronically limited to 250 km/h. Only a total of 5200 C 36 AMGs were produced.

Excellent examples of Mercedes Benz C36's abound in the market today, many still in excellent condition. If you want one, now would be a good time to get one before it goes the way of the 2.3-16... When you find a 2.3-16 these days it is usually in really bad shape or commands the price of a car the has archived collectors status. We found a nice one for sale here, although the price is higher than other C36's we have seen for sale in the past.

All stock low mileage 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190e 2.5-16 Cosworth

2009-06-30T00:37:00.003+08:00

The rare Mercedes Benz 190E 2.5-16 we posted earlier this year is still available for sale. Here are a few more pictures for those interested.

This car is in fine condition with service records and 60K kilometers on the odometer.

The car is available for sale in the Philippines at this link.

1995 Mercedes-Benz C36

2009-03-17T00:40:00.004+08:00

The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz entry into the compact car segment. The W202 C-Class was produced from 1993 to 2000. Among the various W202 variants were the AMG modified sporty C36 and C43 sedans.

A 1995 AMG C36 is for sale in the Philippines

The C36 was introduced in 1995 to counter the new six-cylinder BMW M3. The C36 and M3 continued the horsepower war originally began in the 80's with the rivalty of the BMW E30 M3 and the Cosworth tuned Mercedes Benz 190E's.

The C36 was developed with AMG, a car tuning company that had been acquired by Daimler-Benz a few years earlier. Compared to the regular W202's, the C36 had a racing-tuned suspension and a 3.6 L engine that had a maximum output of 276 hp at 5750 rpm and 284 lb·ft at 4000 rpm. The top speed of the C36 was electronically limited to 250 km/h. Only a total of 5200 C 36 AMGs were produced.

In 1998 AMG developed a new C-Class sports sedan, the C 43 AMG. The C43 powered by a 4.3 L V8, which pridcued 302 hp/225 kW at 5850 rpm, with a torque 302 lb·ft at 3250 rpm. Only 4200 C43's were produced.

1983 Mercedes-Benz 300SD

2009-03-16T21:55:00.007+08:00

The Mercedes-Benz W126 was a series of flagship vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz from 1979 to 1991. It was the successor to the earlier W116 line, and was the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz vehicles to officially bear the S-Class name referring to Sonderklasse or "special class." Offered with 6 and 8 cylinder petrol engines and turbo diesel models.

The "bulletproof" OM617 engine.

The W126 turbo diesel model built from 1981 to 1985, the "300SD" with the OM617 engine is probably the most desirable W126's built. The OM617 diesel engine gives the large W126 decent fuel economy even by today's standards. The OM617 diesel engine is also reputedly the most reliable engine ever built, with several examples hitting 1,000,000 kilometers.

This well preserved 300SD is for sale in the Philippines.

1997 BMW M3 E36

2009-03-07T10:43:00.003+08:00

The BMW E36 was a compact sedan sold from 1991 to 1999. The E36 came out in sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon body styles and a variety of gasoline and diesel powered engines. The E36 was larger and roomier than the previous version E30 but still retained the fun-to-drive factor of the former car.

BMW M3 Sedan. This car is for sale at the Imus Car Center in the Philippines for Php1.3 million pesos.

The most powerful E36's were BMW's M3's, which were powered by 3 liter or 3.2 liter engines. The 3 liter versions produced 291 HP and 238 ft/lbs or torque. In 1995 a more powerful 3.2 liter engine became available producing 31 7HP and 258 ft/lbs or torque.

Super 190e or Frankencar?

2009-02-23T12:40:00.005+08:00

Up to you to decide. Does a Mercedes-Benz car lose its allure when you have a Toyota engine inside? Or is this the next best this to a Mercedes-Benz 190E 3.2 AMG?

The car: A 1989 190e

The engine: A Toyota 1JZTGA

This turbocharged 2.5 liter inline 6 produces 280HP and 268 ft/lbs. of torque.

This car is for sale in the Philippines at this link.

1991 Mercedes-Benz 260e

2009-02-09T13:32:00.007+08:00

Mercedes-Benz cars use to be designed to last for a extraordinarily long period of time, with awards, in the form of the replacement of the small round grill emblem, given and worn by high mileage versions (150,000 km, 500,000 km, 1,000,000 km). However, cost cutting became critical in the early 90s, with competition from lower cost but highly luxurious Lexus, Infiniti and Acura offerings. The last "no expense spared" over engineered Mercedes-Benz model was the W124. This also makes it one of the favorite models for Mercedes Benz enthusiast.

The W124, was built from 1984 to 1995. It is the most common modern classic Merceds Benz you are likely to see on the road today. While not as bullet proof as the older W123 model, the W124 combines a level of durability which you will not find in the cars of today, with features that make it more contemporary than the older W123. The W124 had a drag co-efficient as low as 0.28 in some models (a figure that other cars would not achieve for another decade), Anti-Lock Brakes and even a airbags. Basically, that it is a classic car that still feels fairly modern even by todays standards.

A good example of a "enthusiasts W124". This 1991 model Mercedes Benz 260e is upgraded with an AMG body kit, magwheels, pedals, shifter, door sills and muffler tip. While the 2.6 Inline 6 found in the car produces a modest 160HP, that is more the sufficient even while dring down Philippine provincial highways... and this one has the tires, shocks and springs to make it a very capable car in the twisites. This car is for sale in the Philippines.

1988 Mercedes-Benz 190e 2.5-16 Cosworth

2009-01-30T15:30:00.010+08:00

In 1982 Mercedes-Benz unveiled its 190E compact sedan. As part of its marketing efforts, Mercedes-Benz wanted to enter the car into motor sports events, and tapped British race care engineering company, Cosworth to do the job.

Cosworth took the 2.3 liter 8-valve 136HP engine and modified the head to a dual overhead cam 16-valve set-up boosting power to 185HP (US Version 167HP). The new engine was mated to a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox. The suspension was modified from the stock 190E for more sporty handling, a body kit was added to reduce drag and rear bucket seats were added, giving the car a more sporty demeanor.

The 16-valve 190E is my personal grail car... although the prices the premium price they command keeps me from getting one. There is one for sale in the Philippines (follow this link).

To show off their new sports sedan, Mercedes-Benz ran three of them at the Nardo, Italy, where the 190E 2.3-16v had set three world records running an average speed of 154.06 miles per hour (247.939kph) for 50,000 kilometers non-stop (except to load gas).

In 1988, the 2.3 liter engine was replaced by a 2.5 liter engine which increased horsepower to 202HP. More importantly, the timing belt was replaced by a more durable timing chain.

BMW M5 E34

2009-01-11T09:49:00.000+08:00

If you looking for a high, performance E5-Series 34 BMW, BMW's mid-sized sedan produced from 1987 to 1996, we the 535i is a good value for money proposition, but if you really have to have the most powerful E34 ever built, than you need to find a BMW car, specifically the E34 M5.

BMW M, also known as M-Technik. "M" stands for Motorsport. BMW Motorsport GMBH was initially created a a facility to facilitate BMW’s racing program, in the 1960's. In the late 1970's BMW Motorsport GMBH began creating modified street legal road cars.

The "M" also means fast.

The M5 was released in 1988 with a 3.6 liter 310 HP engine, later models received a 3.8 liter 335 HP engine. The 3.6 liter version could do 0-100 km/h in a impressive 6 seconds. The 3.8 liter model brought this down to 5.7 seconds.

It is pretty hard to find one in good condition today. Most were bought because of their performance, and many had very eventful lives.

A 1990 BMW M5 with 65,000 km on the odometer. This car is for sale in the Philippines: BMW M5 for sale.

BMW 535i E34

2009-01-09T23:48:00.000+08:00

Ultimate Driving Machine. In 1987 BMW launched its 5-Series E34, to replace its aging E28 mid-sized sedan. From its inception, the E28 was criticized for looking too much like the car it replaced the E12. The E34, did not disappoint. Over 1.3 million E34's were built from 1987 to 1996. This is almost as many as the combined total of 1.4 million E12 and E28 5-Series sedans built from 1971 t0 1988.

The most powerful E34's ever built were the M5 and the 540i, but with only 12,254 and 26,483 built, finding one can be difficult. The most common high performance E34 in the market its the big bore six, 535i. A total 99,861 of E4 535i cars having come of the production line. It is also probably the best bang for the buck high performance cars in the second hand local market today.

While not as fast as the M5, the 3.5 liter engine in the 535i produced 208 HP and 225 FT/LB of torque. This was enough to power the mid-sized sedan from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 235 km/h gives meaning to the slogan "Ultimate Driving Machine".

Looking for a BME 535i E34 in the Philippines? One of the best examples you will find for sale in the local market (pictured above) can be found here: 1992 535i for sale.

BMW 528e E28

2009-01-07T21:55:00.000+08:00

Green Driving Machine. The E28 was BMW midsized 4-door sedan produced from 1981 to 1988. The car was equipped with various engines from a modest 1.8 liter carburetted engine to a 3.5 liter 285 HP screamer. One interesting model had an engine produced for the E28 was the 2.7 liter "eta" engine in the BMW 528e. The "e" or eta, stood for efficiency.

A BMW 528e. This car is for sale (it is not mine, I was thinking about buying it myself, so don't inquire about it with me, just follow this link: BMW 528e for Sale), and is located in the Philippines.

The BMW modified its fuel injected 2.5 liter M20 engine which produced 168 HP and 226 Nm of torque to be more fuel efficient. The end result was a low revving 2.7 liter engine which produced 121 HP and 240 Nm torque. Combined with high drive gearing the "e" model BMW's achieved exceptional fuel efficiency at the expense of accelaration and top end speed. The result was a BMW 5-series mid-size sedan that delivered 22 miles per gallon on the EPA's city fuel economy cycle and an impressive 32 mpg on the highway.

At low speeds, driving one of these eta powered machines feels a bit like driving a diesel (although it accelerates faster than a naturally aspirated diesel engine) but feels better once you pick-up some speed. The car goes from first to second gear very quickly, and the tremedous torque the engine creates allow for this.

Buyers looking for the "Ultimate Driving Machince" shunned the low revving eta engine and preferred BMW's more thirsty screamers. BMW no longer produces "eta" engines today. While BMW has continued to build efficient engines it has avoided calling attention to the engineering change with a different moniker.