Originally Posted by W140 S600

The S-class got the 5-speed transmission in 96. In my opinion, if you want a 5-speed S-class go with a 98 or newer...I always believed that the first of every new feature has some bugs in it. Also the 96 and newer have the "fill for life" transmissions which has raised alot of questions about their reliablilty. Some say never to change the transmission fuild some say to get it changed. Personally I'd go with a 4 speed because whether you have a 500 or 600, they have so much power that a 5-speed is not really needed.

Originally Posted by OhioMercedesBoy

The 5 speed was teamed with the I-6 back when the R129 came out, and it made its way into the 1992 300SE. It came out with the V8s back in '96.
~D.J.~