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  #1  
Old 02-11-2001, 07:55 PM
Dave Quint
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I am new to this site and I cant believe I havent been here before. I was wondering what the most cost efficient suspension upgrade is. Also more importantly can I get a short shift kit for My Trans.

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  #2  
Old 02-11-2001, 09:38 PM
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JCE JCE is offline
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Dave:
I am quite biased in my opinion, but check out the Sportline info under the "Cars" tab above. Also, there is a TON of info in previous threads that you can find by typing "Sportline", "Eibach", "300E suspension", and so forth. Plus check out the pics of members (including suspension modified) cars at the thread Pictures - Everyone contribute...!

9 pages long!

Welcome to a neat forum!
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  #3  
Old 02-12-2001, 06:50 AM
LarryBible
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I also have a 124 car with a 5 Speed. It's absolutely great. Get ready for people to start emailing you wanting to buy it.

I did not put the entire Sportline suspension on my car. I put on the sway bars and performance shocks. It does great, and that's with 195/65-15's. Some 16 inch wheels with 225/50's would work even better.

I don't know of a short shift kit available for this car, but I understand why you're looking for one. In mid '87 they changed to a totally different manual transmission and shifter, so mine is not as long throw as yours, but it is still a little like a truck. I'm still not complaining, I love driving this unique (at least in the US) car.

Have a great day,
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  #4  
Old 11-09-2005, 10:45 PM
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So which year is shorter, pre-1987, or post-1987 ? If you know the transmission model #, even better.

:-) neil
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  #5  
Old 11-10-2005, 11:04 AM
LarryBible
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Niel,

I don't understand your question, but I will tell you that the '86 and '88 transmissions are totally different. They even have different shift patterns with reverse in a different location.

Everyone,

An update on my 300E suspension. My car has been through quite a few experiments since the post in this thread and I have gone almost full circle to find what I like the most as a suspension combination.

My car now has the original front sway bar back in place and a 500E bar in the rear. The sport KYB's are gone in favor of Bilstien comforts.

Stiffening the rear bar only, takes away about as much understeer as can be removed without changing springs. I am not changing springs because of loss of suspension suppleness (is that a word?) We are dealing with the worst drought here since 1956 and some of the farm roads are heaving in places so I would not want to go to shorter, stiffer springs.

I recently took the car to the mountains on vacation and the combination of the heaviest rear bar along with the lightest front bar has removed a noticable amount of understeer.

I just wish that from the very beginning I would have simply put in a 500E rear bar and left everything else alone.

Have a great day,
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  #6  
Old 11-10-2005, 11:49 AM
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The 5-speed I'm looking at is from a 1986 300E. Reverse is BELOW 5th gear.

Are the throws on this long or short ?

Before installing it, which seals would you renew ?

Since I want to mate this a M104 engine, do I need to use a different flywheel and clutch/pressure plate, or will parts from the M103 donor be fine (I will get a new clutch and pressure plate and relase bearing, just need to know for M103 or M104) ?

Thanks,
:-) neil
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  #7  
Old 11-10-2005, 01:13 PM
LarryBible
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Since I've never done this I don't know for sure, but I expect that the flywheel and trans will bolt up okay. I do wonder, however, if the crankshaft end is different on a manual in order to take a pilot bushing. I know that the diesels are.

If it is not leaking you don't need to worry about seals. Since there is no slip yoke on these units that is not typically a problem.

I have no idea about throws. I've never driven an 86, only my 88 and the shifter is just fine. I've driven stick shift cars for well over 40 years now, so whatever shifter characteristics are present I just drive it and enjoy it.

Have a great day,
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  #8  
Old 11-11-2005, 02:23 AM
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Neil,

For what it's worth, my 1990 190E-2.3 runs the 5-speed 717413 with reverse to the left and back (not easy in right hand drive when you have to lift the stick at the same time). I'm not sure if this is similar or the same 5-speed as used with the M103, but I know mine is the later transmission. It is pleasant to use with very easy shift action (can use one or two fingers to shift) and has shorter throws than I can remember on earlier MB transmissions (mainly '60s and '70s models although one was an early 190E 5-speed).

I'm not sure about the later (HFM) versions of the M104, but the early 3 litre 24-valve (which did not have lots of low-down torque but worked well at high revs) was available with the close ratio (direct rather than overdrive 5th) with first to the left and back (like the 16V 190E). I'm not sure if the overdrive 5-speed was also available for that engine.

If I had to complain about anything with my 5-speed (apart from awkward reverse selection in RHD version), it would be a tendency for shudder on clutch engagement if the engine revs are not right which I attribute possibly to the amount of lash and "flex" in the driveline (flex couplings, diff, rear axle splines, etc.). MB clutch action is not as nice as some other cars either. Despite this I would not own this car if it was not a manual.

Greg

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