Hi All,
New guy here, and proud owner of a darn near mint '85 230e! Only complaint is it's automatic and figuring beggars shouldn't be choosy (or just tired of waiting for the right manual one to come along!), I grabbed it. My question is simple: will the box and related parts (driveshaft, clutch, x member, pedals, etc.) from a w123 240D swap right in, or do I need to search for the Euro counterpart option(s)? There seem to be enough older 240D's available to make this a valid question. And yes, I know the hot ticket would be to source a Euro 5 SPEED overseas, but that would be a) complicated b) expensive c) nerve wracking trying to be sure all the necessary parts come with it, never mind if the darn thing is even any good, as the Euro drivers tend to be, er, aggressive shifters! Thanks so much!

a diesel trans isn't geared right for a gas motor-different torque. you need a gas trans, etc. good luck, chuck.

The pedals from any W123 will work; the M102 engine, however, has the starter on the left side; all the diesels had the earlier right side location. As a consequence, the transmission would have to be sourced from a W201 or W124. Shift linkage from a 201 or 124 may bolt in, or can be adapted. Driveline probably custom length, crossmember by ingenuity.

Re: gear ratios. The gas and diesel ratios for the earlier iron 4-speeds are effectively the same.

Thanks Frank. I figured there'd be some sort of fly in the ointment, otherwise there would be way more postings about doing it. Funny thing is, with all the damn traffic where I live I should just be content with the slushbox, and let's face it, at this point in my life I'm not nearly as obsessed with performance as in my e30 BMW days, or I wouldn't have chosen this model to begin with!

frank-i didn't study the trans ratios, sorry. my statement was based on a volvo 240 gas we put a diesel trans behind. revved high and barely moved in 1st. had to use a gas trans to do it right. thanks, chuck.