Manual trans ,MB 4 and 5 spd roll call!!!!
 

Hello

I was wondering how many Mercedes manual shifting people
are on this web site? After having 5 MB's all with stick shift,
and numerous friends and family with manual's , I have NEVER
seen a broken tranny. I see the auto's are being rebuilt all the time, and I had one auto once, it needed a rebuild,
So ,I would like to know have many people broke there
4 or 5 spd MB trans? not the clutch or the driveshaft, but the tranny
thanks
Dave

240D 4 spd
300TD 4 spd
190E 2.3 5 spd
300E 5 spd
190e 2.3-16v 5 spd wish it was 6 !

speaking of auto rebuilds..
i am buying a rebuilt tranny, since the reverse in my 77 350SLC just gave up..
i wish i could get a stick on my benz
:(

I have a 1982 Euro 300D with a 5 speed Getrag manual transmission. I bought it last July and changed the fluid (ATF) last fall. No other problems. Works perfectly.

Manual Transmission MB's:

Currently own:

'84 Euro 240D 4 Speed
'80 Euro 240D 4 Speed parts car
'88 US 300E 5 Speed only about 300 imported to US
'01 US C240 6 Speed

Past Manual Transmission MB's

'77 US 240D 4 Speed
'68 US 230 4 Speed


Love my manual trasmission cars. The only down side is that it narrows my selection of available cars considerably. It took my two years to find a manual transmission 300E, but it wast worth it.

Have a great day,

WOW , there was only 300 5 spd 300e's, I guess i was luckly
in that find. and it sold really fast to, mine had over 300K
when I sold it, with no tranny problems ever!!
My guess are these transmissions are bullet proof and would be hard pressed to break one, any of the techs ever see one
blown or worn out?

I had to rebuild mine on a 220D at 200k but I was the third college student to own it, so I actually thought that in itself was damn good.

No, there were about 300 '88's with manuals and about 700 '86's with manuals that were imported by MBUSA.

The MB manuals are as durable as any properly built, constant mesh manual. The only need for them to need repair is if they have been abused or driven by someone not very good with a clutch. My 240D has 533,000 miles and the transmission has NEVER been apart. It is on its fourth clutch.

Have a great day,

I had a '70 280SL that needed a new synchro ring on 2nd gear at 185K miles. And there are times when I think possibly the 2nd gear ring on my '90 300SL is showing signs of wear. That car has 117K miles.

Have an '88 190E with 240K on original clutch.

kool Bob , you must drive those Sl's like a mad man,:eek:

Current manual gearbox MB's in the garage:
1979 350SE Euro (W116) 4-speed
1986 230E Euro (W124) 4-speed

Past manual MB's:
1968 280S Euro (W108) 4-speed
1982 230E Euro (W123) 4-speed

After going through several MB's with automatic transmission (two 123's, a 201, and a 108) -- I've come to the conclusion that I prefer to do my own shifting, thank you. The automatics just can't pick the right gear for me, half of the time.

regards,

__________________
Johan Limcangco
Manila, Philippines
79 350SE
86 230E
http://www.geocities.com/johan01.geo

I have a 5-speed manual
 

I was attracted to my 190E 2.3 Sportline because it was a manual. In fact, I was not even looking to buy another car! It was the fact that not only was it a manual which is rare here but a 2.3 (most, especially manuals, are 2.0 or 1.8) and a Sportline. That combination makes it very rare here. I have been told it may be the only one in Australia so I'm happy I purchased it. With 215,000km the gearbox still feels fine. The synchros are all good and the shift action is sweet. Previous owners records show that it has had gearbox seals replaced. Unfortunately the clutch action on these is not great. A low kilometre 180E (190E 1.8) I owned for a short time that my brother now owns felt the same. I would prefer shorter pedal travel even if it meant a heavier pedal. Mine also suffers a little clutch shudder when cold. A fellow club member with a 190E 2.3-16 (fairly rare in Oz) also complains of a little clutch shudder (despite being a new clutch). He also had to have his Getrag 5-speed rebuilt due to bearing failure.

The auto gearbox in my 1987 190E is nearing rebuild time with 100,000mls on the clock whereas the Getrag 5 speed on my factory 190 Evolution feels like new. It's a little cantankerous when it's cold and it like a good beating before it starts to work smoothly - lol - it's not a gearbox for casual changes but it's great apart from that. Next Benz I get will be a manual for sure.

I had cold problems with shifting until I went with Redline MTL years ago.

what i like about my 190e2.6 5spd is that top speed can be attained in 4th or 5th gear. The 4th gear ratio is the same as 4th on the auto-box, and 5th is overdrive.

so for relaxed highway cruising, 5th is just the ticket, with the tach at slightly below 3000rpm at 80mph.

i use 4th when I need to do an italian tuneup (e.g., in the winter), when driving fast on back country roads, or when there are honda civics around ... ;-)

My 5-speed seems fine at 200K mi.+
I sometimes think I might be hearing a vague hint of shaft bearing whine, but I do hope it is my imagination...

Running Redline MTL made a big difference on cold days.

The shifter mechanism currently has significant slop in it, which detracts from the driving experience.
I have the parts, just need a free weekend day...

yes, I have the same problem with sometime's spacing
the 4 to 5th shift in all the MB's on the highway, if I am
chatting with someone or looking out in crowded traffic
I look down and see the tach at 4500, in the flow of traffic,
smooth ,can't even tell i needed to shift, just feels more powerful,all that sound proofing I guess

I have 120,000 miles on mine with no problem, except getting around to changing the oil. BTW what kind of oil should I put in it.

The only standard transmission problem I've had was on my wifes Datsun B210, the case bolts came loose and the oil ran out. I tightned it and filled it and it was left with a "funny" sound for years. It finally lost its sense of humor and was making outright rude sounds. When I took the drain plug out pieces of metal came out:eek: It turned out to be the soft metal of a $15 bearing cage:D

I suggest Redline MTL.
Many years of good results in a wide variety of cars.

Big improvement in cold weather.
Other synthetics may be as good, but this one has proven itself to me.

I have a 5-Speed 1993 190E! :cool:

other benefits of manual transmissions:

* easier on the brakes, since you can take advantage of engine braking (i.e. by simply lifting off the gas)

* more control in the winter, since you can easily sense loss of traction, because of the linear relationship of rpm to vehicle speed in a given gear

i am also able to practice heel-and-toe downshifting, which is an even rarer art than being able to drive a manual ...

one downside is that i cannot trust anyone to drive my car, even a (non-benz) mechanic, since very few of them are familiar with how to place it in reverse.

I broke m manual tranny
 

I broke the four speed manual tranny of my last Mercedes. A 1984 123 Series 200. You can see a pic of it and a brief description of the event at my cars page...

http://members.cox.net/pjcoll1/cars.html

I'm in the minority in disliking the Mercedes Manual tranny. I had two auto's before that and preferred both. The manual was way to unrefined for a Mercedes in my opinion. Also the auto's I had never gave a spot of trouble in the time I had them. Though I will say I've not yet owned a diesel auto with it's attendant harsh shifting and vacume related problems.

- Peter.

Do you have any pictures on the web of your 190E
With the monoblocks?

Sure, Click Here for Pics \

Regards,

Don

Don,
Looks great. I did not know that they had the 5 speed in 1993.

BTW, What tires and size are you using so you do not get fender rub?

We have four manual 240Ds, which includes my euro "85" 5 speed with under 100K, my highway cruzer. Is there no one else around this forum with a 240d 5 spd? I use Amsoil synthetic ATF in them all and the only problem is the 1st to 2nd sincro in the wifes "79" may be showing signs of needing to be replaced. Really fun cars these 240Ds with manuals:D :D

Stevo,

As you know the 123 five speeds are very rare in the US. My Euro 240D is a four speed. I would really like to have a five speed 240D with the right rear ratio set.

Everyone,

Now that this thread has migrated toward mileage on these transmissions and clutches:

'88 300E Five Speed 251,000 miles with original clutch and transmission has never been apart. Everything still in perfect shape.

'84 Euro 240D 533,000 miles, third clutch but transmission has never been apart.

I find the comments about the MB manual being "unrefined" kind of amusing. It is really no different than any other decently built constant mesh manual transmission. What could be "unrefined?" I always seem to hear such comments from someone who actually prefers automatic transmissions.

I have shifted everything from Volkswagen bugs, to '48 Chevys, to an Army Deuce and a half. If you are competent with a manual you really never know the difference.

Have a great day,

205/55/16 ;)

Count me in
 

1980 240D with 4 speed manual, purchased about a month ago. Having lots of fun driving a manual on a regular basis again, after 15 years with automatics.

As for longevity of auto boxes, the one in my 99 E300 was just rebuild at 88K miles. :eek: A lot of the credit for the E300's performance should go to the awesome 5 speed auto transmission. But I may have to be gentler with it from now on, because there's only 10K miles of warranty left and I don't want to pay for another rebuild anytime soon!

"As you know the 123 five speeds are very rare in the US. My Euro 240D is a four speed. I would really like to have a five speed 240D with the right rear ratio set."

Larry

My 4 & 5 spds seem to be about the same until I get on a freeway and want to"make time" Around here I seldom get above 60 or 65. I really feel I spent my ration of good luck founding this car. Its been almost a year and no ugly surprises.

Steve