SL V-8 manual (stick) shift vehicle - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jfsehl · #1 06-04-2003, 10:42 AM

I'm pleased to own a 1980 350SL 4 speed stick car. I've decided that it is a very rare SL in that it is a V-8 with manual tranny (admittedly a euro model). Is there anyone else out there that has a V-8 manual tranny SL? Please let check in.

Thank you.

PeterSLC · #2 06-04-2003, 11:48 AM

I would like to know what transmission Mercedes used in your car. I'd love to convert my SLC to a 4 or 5 speed, though I suspect it would require an adapter plate and pedals from a donor car.

dpatterson · #3 06-05-2003, 03:59 AM

Hi,

Amongst my very small Mercedes collection I have a '73 350SL manual which I havnt yet had on the road. Its been undergoing body work and I'm still about 3 months away from getting it rolling (its a long story!). I've driven plenty of auto 350s and 450s but am DYING to find out how good or otherwise the manual will be. The original road tests suggest there isnt much between the auto and the manual. What can I look forward to?

Oh and in terms of rarity - this manual is the first one I've seen in NZ or Australia in 5 years of looking very hard. Just a shame it isnt a five speed.

Regards,
Daryl

'71 350SL auto
'73 350SL manual
'73 250CE auto

Robert Mowbray · #4 06-06-2003, 09:22 AM

The 107 version sl was made introduced into the luxury market, costing in excess of $25K in the '70s; alot of money for the time, and folks driving luxury cars didn't want to shift gears. That's why manual transmissions are harder to find.

jjrodger · #5 06-06-2003, 10:25 AM

Thoroughbred and Classic Cars did a feature on a 1971 350SL with 4-spd manual: reckoned it was great. They said the transmission not only gave the car an almost unique interest factor, but also made it a really sporty drive.

Robert Mowbray · #6 06-06-2003, 02:05 PM

I'll bet! I would love to have had mine as a stick, and was rather disappointed when I started to look at owning a 107 that manual transmissions were not the norm. To me, that's half the fun of driving a sports car!

jfsehl · #7 06-06-2003, 02:29 PM

JJRodger: Thank you for mentioning that Thoroughbred & Classic car article. I knew when I purchased my 1980 350SL four-speed that I had something special. In fact, my car looks very much like the 350SL in the background of the photo you included.

jfsehl · #8 06-06-2003, 02:38 PM

Robert Mowbray: It is fun to drive my four-speed SL but once and in forth gear and gaining rpm I want very much to put it in 5th but there is none. It really would have been best as a 5-speed. I checked the specs and found out the the US 450SL has about a 306:1 rear, whereas my 1980 350SL has a 330:1 (I may be slightly off on the numbers 'cause I don't have my book with me, but you get the idea). My car is so low geared that I can amble along in 4th gear at 15 to 20 mph without any bucking, etc. Of course there is lots of get-up off the line (though I drive very conservatably...a problem of being 64 instead of 46).

PeterSLC · #9 06-06-2003, 02:55 PM

Would any of you know which of their transmissions Mercedes used in this application? I've seen some 240D's and 300D's with manuals, I've done conversions like this on other cars.

Robert Mowbray · #10 06-06-2003, 05:33 PM

Sorry, I do not know, but would be interested in changing out mine, too. It's what I loved about my TRs and XKE. Same problem, though, JFSEHL; I was always looking for one more gear to go into. I have a 5sp Ford Tempo as my everyday car, and I still look for a 6th gear! Enjoy your weekend, Guys.

jfsehl · #11 06-07-2003, 12:03 AM

Here is info regarding the specific 4-speed manual shift transmission which came with my 1980 350SL. First, my Euro 350SL is a 107.043, whereas all of the 107s for the US market are 107.044s. My engine is a 116.984, and my manual tranny is a 716.100 (G 76/27 A). The factory differential for my car is a very high 3.46 to 1 (whereas the US 450SLs are 3.06 to 1). Hope this may benefit those who wish to know.

PeterSLC · #12 06-09-2003, 10:38 AM

Thanks jfsehl, those numbers should make it easier to reverse engineer a 4 speed 450 SLC.

73MB280SEL · #13 06-15-2003, 09:18 AM

Howdy,

Had a question for you V-8 stick guys: What approx speed do you shift into 4 by? On my190 D 2.2, I shift to 4th at 40. I really have no experience with high torque manual tranny's.

Sholin

kip Foss · #14 06-15-2003, 03:07 PM

If anyone is interested in it I have a '72 350slc Euro with a manual 4 spd. that can be had for $900 complete with 225hp engine. It has 100K on it and is basically a parts car. It is located in S Texas near Corpus Christi and can be towed on a car dolly. Sticking it into your car would make a nice little winter project.