I was just wondering what year 300CE 124 came with a "stick shift"? Were those cars 4 or 5 speed? How were those transmissions, any problems?

I love my mercedes, but I miss the stickshift. I almost bought a BMW over my MB because the BMW was a stickshift.


jrmd01@yahoo.com

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic

Never on a USA spec car!!

Only the 300E sedan from 86/88 (USA)

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Yes, the CE came to the US after they had already stopped shipping manual transmission 124's. There were about 700 manual 300E's in '86 and about 300 in '88. Although the two years had slightly different transmissions, they were both five speeds.

It took me about 2 years to find one and it was worth the wait. I have now driven mine almost 200,000 miles and I've really loved it. It is still on the original clutch and the only thing I've ever done to the transmission is change lubricant.

If you were bent on finding a CE with a stick, it would have to be a conversion or a grey market Euro car.

Have a great day,

There were a lot of grey market cars imported in the 80s, but I believe the numbers were way down by the time the CE came out. Could be a tough find.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

There's a fellow in the UK who posts to this fourm that has a stick CE. But . . . I got first dibs if he ever decides to sell it.

While off-topic: don't forget the 1990-1991 300SL had a 5-speed manual tranny as well.

:-) neil

volosong,

That car will be a PITA to drive in the US with the steering wheel on the right side.

ke6dcj,

I think that the original poster was only talking about the 124 cars. If you start talking about all the MB's in the US with sticks, there are a few more variations with the one you mention being maybe the most exciting. Being the stick shift enthusiast that I am, my MB selection is very slim. That's why I bought my C240. I figured that it might be my last chance to buy a new MB with a stick.

I saw a five speed 300SL at a Euro car dealer some years back when I was looking for a sedan. At the time I had to have a sedan because I was in sales. I really wanted that car, but just couldn't use it at the time.

Have a great day,

The car is a 1991 300SL, gray on gray. I only have the soft top wich is like new. The car has a five speed manual shift and 91K miles on it. The car runs and looks perfect. I'm curious to see how rare this car is with the five speed. Anyone have any ideas on how rare? In perfect condition what should I be asking for it?

there is one on fleabay right now #4628379850 and the owner says only 200 made whether this is true or not is anybodies guess,but if so that would be a somewhat rare beast.

They were offered from 1990 to 1993, no more than a few hundred per year with declining numbers over the period. You should get a premium over an automatic but that isn't saying much as bad as the market is. 100k mile automatics have dipped under $10k for serious sellers. I would think you're looking at $12k-13k for a nice car. The stick shift premium would be more if it wasn't such an inelegant set up - long throw, dog leg shift pattern, heavy clutch and ridiculously short rear axle ratio. The car is 3,000 rpms at 60 mph. One needs ear plugs for highway driving. The 124 sticks are 2,000 rpms at 60 mph. The U.S. 129 SL stick has always had my vote as the biggest modern day screwup by Mercedes - not because it's so terrible but because it missed its potential so badly.

I'm just going to throw this out there:

Since the 90 - 92 SL's came with the same 3.0L m104 that the 90 - 92 c124's came with - I would imagine that a trans swap into a 90+ c124 wouldn't be extremely difficult. Now, I'm no expert and I haven't looked at the details of said swap but at least the engine and trans match (in fact it might be possible to get the engine and trans as one piece from a wrecking yard)

This may be easier than finding a gray market c124.

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