Will a '78 280SE 4-speed fit a 603?
 

Found a '78 Euro 280S w/ manual 4speed, is it worth buying for the transmission? I'm playing with the idea, unless I can find a 5-speed. Would this be a stout enough transmission for a slightly tweeked 603?

Nope.
 

For the 603 engine, you need the "later" style transmission, with the starter on the driver's side of the engine. You can get a 5-speed from a manual trans W201 car that would work, or from a W124, but they are a bit more rare.

SteveM.

Thanks Steve.

I've been watching for a 260E 5-speed, haven't been any around. If I can find a complete car I'd have the pedals and other goodies also, I'll wait.

If anyone wants that car, it's apparently driveable, rusty rear bumper and body fair, wet rear floor, good Euro front bumper, bad driver's seat cushion (black leather), ... I didn't hear it run (nobody home).

It's in Holland, Michigan, 616.392.3602 (no affiliation). I'll post it in for sale in case anyone is interested.

Yup, wrong bellhousing.

There should be tons of available 190E's with the same 5spd that the 260E had.

If you're worried about durability with a tweaked 603 engine you should pick up a Getrag 5spd. These were standard in 16v 201's and R129 300SLs. Needless to say, they're quite a bit harder to find.

I seem to remember reading about someone put a 5spd on a 603, but I can't immediately find the article...

190d manual
 

Not sure if it works, you're in a more advanced vehicle & diy territory than I'm familiar with - in Grand Haven:

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/car/639062709.html

Thanks Paul, I emailed him.

As far as the 16v getrag box, isn't that the 1:1 5th gear? I'd really prefer an overdrive transmission as the 2.65:1 is good, but not great for mileage. Maybe I can re-ratio the diff.

You are saying that the getrag 5spd. in the 16v 201 is the same in the R129 How do you know that?

From what I remember about MB 5spd's when I was researching them about five years ago (a lot of 'water' under the bridge, or scotch over the tonsils, since then ;)) was that the Getrag 5spd w/ the dog-leg shift pattern was the same tranny in the 16v & the 300SL. Both are fairly rare vehicles and there's not a ton of information out there. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone here will set me straight. Anyone have part #'s to compare?

I had eyed a Getrag for a mod-ed turbo diesel that I was considering, but plans never got off the ground. Life sucks that way...