Yes Roncallo, I'd like the 5 spd. as well, We've discussed this at length at 500Ecstasy.com. Right now I'm looking at an ad for a "mint cond." "low mileage" 97 E420 (Auto&TruckBuysSouth-Recycler.com) for $5500 obo which means I can get the whole car for what Seattle Man wants for just the trans swap---no thanks. Here's some of what I said on this topic at the other site: Imagine, a next gen. E-class with headlights that actually kinda light the way (what a concept!), a double control arm front suspension instead of the cheap strut set-up (which looks way too much like the Ford "Fox" platform design--am I the only one who noticed this?), distributorless ignition (finally! MB catches up with the 89 SC T-bird!). [yeah, I've added a bit more this time]. For $5500 I could do a STS turbo and be so fast I wouldn't need to swap the trans. or the gears! Installing that turbo would be easier than installing that trans.!

I know a lot of people prefer the W-124---Me too! But ...

Maybe this swap makes sense for a $20,000 500E/E500, but not for a $5,000 400E/E420. I'll just keep my 2.24 gears. I'm already running 14s. That's good enough to hold my own against the wannabes in the trucks and SUVs (which tend to be what I have the most trouble with out there. The guys in the truly fast cars generally behave themselves). And from a roll I do way more than simply hold my own.

What I proposed then (and now) is that someone who has done this swap post a "How to" thread so we can do the swap ourselves. It's definitely a difficult job but not worth $5500. Regards, Eric