I too have seen a 280SE with a 4-speed in the junkyards. They were mass produced in Euro form only, none were sold in the USA.

The W126 order book for Germany starts with a manual transmission, 4 speed, as standard on the in-line 6. A 5-speed was optional as was an automatic with a column or a floor shifter. I have the books for 1982 to 1985. The German models would be perceived as peculiar here in that nearly everything Americans believe is "normal" for a car (electric windows, automatic transmission, "climate control," power mirrors, etc.) is optional. You could even order only electric windows in the front or the rear.

Germany was extremely frugal in the 1960s' and 1970's. I lived there and when we moved there in 1959 there were still non-functional, bomb damaged buildings, like the opera house. The economic recovery was definitely "on" but it took a few decades for the average German to be able to afford any luxuries.

Automatics were viewed as a luxury, and, so was any engine with more than about 1.3 liters displacement (property tax on cars were calculated on displacement). In fact early 1960's "S" class cars with automatics actually had the word "automatic" written on the trunk lid opposite the engine/model designator. So, the logic originally went, if you can afford a luxurious 8 cylinder of multiple liters of displacement, not springing for the automatic would ruin the image. In the early days of MB V-8's they just didn't make that much more torque than the in-line 6's to suggest there was a technical hurdle too large to overcome. As time went on, there just wasn't a compelling reason to change, and then, as displacements went into the 4 and 5 and 6 liter ranges and output sky rocketed, a manual transmission became less and less of a desire by MB customers, and the technical challenge became larger and larger. Today it is not that it cannot be done, it is that they would sell too few to make it worth their while.

Jim

I know of a 280S four speed W126 (I want it LOL) and a 280SE in the yards with a four speed W126.

Four and five speed were options on the I6 cars 116 and 126, Euro.

Also I read many years back that they decided not to bring any sticks here anymore after the early seventies, and for a long time they did not except for the 240d. They said 'mericans didn't know how to use a clutch and were burning them up and wanting them warranted.

Tom W

You can use the W123 pedals and shifter in the W126, I have done it, it works fine. the shift rods need to be lengthened. about 3 inches IIRC. (i used the 2 longest out of the 240D and used the auto one as the longest) some custom bending and fabbing required.

Also you can align the trans crossmemer with some of the factory holes, just need longer bolts.

One problem I have not completley sorted out is the clutch lines (they need to be longer) and the speedo....

Rick its a great idea, I worked really hard on mine last year, i am about 80% finished, but I didnt want to rush the fine details so i put the project on hold till i had more time.

Im doing a 84 Euro SEC, with a 300 SD engine, 240D trans, I am also installing a big air water IC, and a few other upgrades. I should be done by spring.

The typical American MB customer doesn't want a stick, if they wanted a sports sedan to row the gears, they would buy a BMW.

Even the AMG models, they are made for older guys who just want to put the kids in their Mustangs to shame once in awhile. They are point and shoot. Aim where you want to go, floor it, the computer does the work, and before you can blink your over 100.:D

Having a stick in a large luxury car like the S class is pretty pointless, thats why only the cheap "hotel" models could get them. Why would anyone want to shift gears on a 5k pound luxury car.

If you want to shift buy a BMW or Audi.

I love my manual transmission. It's just too much fun and it keeps me in better sync with the car. Automatics are boring and inefficient.

I guess the "Typical American" profile does not quite fit me. :cool:

There are typical americans who buy new cars and then there are us. Car nuts who like to turn wrenches and shift gears. Maintaining An automatic in a twentyfive year old car is always a dicey thing.

Tom W

I wouldn`t mind shifting a 5 thousand pound luxury car. BMW AUDI suck.
BMW too much of a status symbol.

Actually I was thinking if a 13 speed Road Ranger :D.

One more item to put on my to do list. Now just talk the wife :gorgeous: into it.
she likes her automatic.

Charlie

Manual transmissions don't seem to fit with the luxury-car philosophy of the S class cars in my thinking. Well, except for the SEC's maybe. I love having a manual trans, but it's an absolute killer in areas like Washington, DC. Here you'd have trouble getting much past third gear because of the traffic. All the up and down shifting really wears your left leg out after awhile.

Couldnt have said it better myself.

I'd never buy a manual, I don't want to have to shift. 90% city driving.

The 560SEC is a GT car, not a sports car.

The TDI is a blast to drive with the stick, but I'd never want a stickshift E300...the E and S classes are made for luxury; who wants to ruin their creamy-smooth ride with having to shift?

AT cars are good for daily driving for sure in big cities. I remember driving my 5sp Eclipse downtown Chicago with a ACT 2600 clutch that was smoking after 30min of spirited driving. Not cool considering a $600 clutch setup. Automatics put less wear and tear on a engine also. An amateur could easily over rev a manual diesel then an automatic! I do enjoy the manual better because you have more control over the power band specialy with a diesel, but AT are the way to go in heavy traffic.