I am restoring an 87 300TD wagon, and would like to run it with standard trans. I have never been a fan of the auto trans, and getting an aging merecedes to shift smoothly is a chore
Any leads appreciated thanks terry

My '87 300TD is in the shop getting a new (rebuilt) tranny as we speak. I asked the mechanic the logisitics of converting the car to a manual. He said that it's very very difficult. Many parts need to be changed beyond what you can think of. The entire vacuum system and computer in our car (w/ auto) is designed for a car w/ automatic. The entire driveline is different. Also, as I am sure you are aware, the majority of the manual tranmissions are not in the US. The majority of W124 cars with manuals have much smaller engines (like the 200E, 220E w/ 4-cylinders). The 6-cylinder cars are much less common outside the US where taxes are very high on 3-liter motors. Anyhow, not to burst your bubble. I am sure that it's possible but my mechanic said it would not be worth-while. It would be pretty freakin cool though! BTW most of the reason that older autos don't shift smoothly is because vacuum lines get disconnected or have leaks/blockage, etc. These can often be fixed within a few minutes of hooking up a guage to test a few lines. I know this because my mechanic fixed the auto tranny in my 240d in about 20 minutes. It was shifting so hard to 2nd that it sometimes made the tires churp. Once he found and fixed the line that was leaking and made a few quick adjustments, it now shifts nice and smooth. Jon

Terry, I did this on a 87 300E sedan. Computer doesn't know or care (its an 87, the trans. doesn't talk to any computers). Vacuum modifications consisted of a 29 cent cap on the intake manifold where the auto trans. vacuum line was attached. Its an easy swap... intelligent grunt work, if (big IF) you have a donor car parked real close. Lots of stuff you don't think of ahead of time (both the exhaust hanger that bolts to the trans and the wood shifter surround are different with a manual trans). Minor stuff, but gets expensive if you need to get them individually. Do a search, many posts on this subject for this model car, complete parts listings also.

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

I too was thinking of putting a 5-speed in my '87 300D.
It isn't a terribly difficult job if you have all the parts available. The driveshaft can be tough to find as is the flywheel.
I read up a bit and found that the MB manual transmissions are pretty stiff and hard on the driveline especially with all the torque the 603 engine can crank out, it would make for a jerky ride because of the boost has to drop before shifting, an automatic is ideal for the turbodiesel. I was also informed that running a manual trans would necessitate more frequent suspension repairs incl. rear control arms and diff mounts.
If you were driving long haul often a 5 speed would be useful because of its OD and better fuel mileage.
Basically I was talked out of considering a conversion.
I have a friend that was selling a 5-speed with all associated parts out of a 124 chassis. PM if anyone is interested.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Lookie what is on sale on eBay Germany!
http://cgi.ebay.de/Mercedes-E250T-Turbodiesel-diesel-W124-E250D_W0QQitemZ4583578047QQcategoryZ18220QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!