Confusion about the E240 auto gearbox and trip computer

[tyronehowe]

Hello All

I have a couple of questions about the different versions of the E240 automatics please.

I am currently seriously looking to buy a 1999 E240 Auto. I have had a quick look at it, and then tried to get extra details from Parkers and Wisebuyers but my first problem was identifying which kind of Auto it is.

It seems that there are two autos, the 5 speed and the Tiptronic – but the E240 I was looking at only seems to have four gears (because there are positions for gears 4, 3, 2, 1, after the normal D position). So initially I thought that must mean it only has four gears – but I’m beginning to think I must be wrong. So my first question is: am I correct in saying that this is actually the 5 gear version (and that auto positions 1 to 4 are just to limit the highest gear it will choose)?

Secondly, I see several adverts (in Autotrader and eBay) saying that the E240 has a trip computer. Is this also true? If so, how do you control the trip computer because all I could see were the two normal stalks (for lights/wipers and cruise) and there were no buttons on the steering wheel?

I’ve spent quite a while looking on the Internet trying to get an answer to this, but I can’t find it.

So if anyone has such a car (or knows about them), I’d really appreciate your help.

Thanks.

 

[GordonTarling]

Welcome to the forum! You're right about the 5 speed gearbox - the 4,3,2,1 selections merely limit the highest gear it will 'choose'. Not sure about the trip computer if there are no buttons on the steering wheel - perhaps someone else will know?

 

[tyronehowe]

Thank you for the confirmation Gordon, and thanks for the welcome.

I was pulling my hair out yesterday trying to find information about a 4 gear auto!!

It all makes sense now.

I also can't see how the trip computer (if there is one) can be used without buttons on the steering wheel either, but maybe someone who has owned an E240 could post.

 

[Sonny Burnett]

what year is the car all have a trip computer but after 2000 its on the onbord computer in the middle of the clocks on the older models its under the speedo..

 

[Norse]

If it is a w210 the 1999 will not have a trip computer.

 

[tyronehowe]

Thanks for your replies.

It's an E240 (which I think is a w210) and it is definitely 1999.

... so looks like no trip computer then. Oh well, it's not too big a deal, just a nice to have. I am coming over from having been a "BMW man" for a lot of years and am used to keep checking my MPG regularly and so on.