That is the only complaint I have about my hotter-than-average E420, the lack of a manual. I called RennTech and confirmed the $20K story. They converted an E500 to a manual gearbox some years ago. Said the tunnel had to be enlaged to accomodate what I correctly guessed was a six-speed from a BMW 850CSi. The controllers are the other challenge mentioned by RennTech. Nothing money cannot buy, however!

If anyone solves this riddle economically, I would do it in a second. I don't think that the 190 16V tranny is the right idea. V-8 power would probably tear it up.

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Charles Cleaver
1975 350SE + 1992 300CE-24 SportLine 5-speed + 2002 SLK320 6-speed + 1974 W114 280
1986 190E 2.3-16 (Decomm rear self-leveling suspension; Euro-code headlamps) sold
2004 Audi S4 6-spd - sold
1969 (2) and 1980 Porsche 911T, S, and SC - alas gone
1987 300SDL - Graf Spee; Euro-code headlamps; 16-inch 8-hole wheels - sold
1994 E420+(E500 suspension/E-code headlamps/PAD chip) sold
1968 250SE 4-speed (NICE car) - long gone
1962 220S 4-speed/column mount - long gone