V8 Stick Shift Models? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

350SL4spd · #1 03-16-2008, 08:04 PM

Hey All,

As my thoughts drifted up & away from my work this afternoon to my SL (parked over 400mi away where she sits being vigorously not worked on), a question rang out through my bored mind:

How many V8 manual transmission models of Mercedes were ever produced?

I (very obviously) know that some early 107s got that treatment in europe, but I couldn't think of another for sure. I believe some late W111s w/ the M116 did?

Anyone else want to take a crack?

I'm talking non-AMG, regular production cars, that were available from the factory w/ a V8 and a manny.

I've barely driven mine and I want another one...

alabbasi · #2 03-16-2008, 09:04 PM

I have a W116 model with the 3.5 liter and manual combo and I have seen W108 and W109 models with 3.5 liter engines and manual transmission.

t walgamuth · #3 03-16-2008, 10:51 PM

They are few and far between, for sure.

Tom W

cth350 · #4 03-17-2008, 07:13 AM

there were a small handful of 300sel 3.5's produced with 4-speeds. I had one out in Chula Vista in storage, but the yard went under and the car went poof. My own fault for leaving it out in the sticks so long.

-CTH

350SL4spd · #5 03-17-2008, 01:10 PM

I've never seen the W116, but I had suspected that they might exist in that form. The 300sel is a surprise though.

Anyone ever see one attached to anything other than a M116?

alabbasi · #6 03-17-2008, 01:13 PM

I think that there is a Mercdesshop Member who has an AMG R107 500SL with a 5 speed. There is also an outfit that fits 5 speeds to 6.3's in Australia.

From the factory, only the M116 V8's came with a manual.

magnumrick · #7 03-17-2008, 02:16 PM

I have my eye on a 1970 3.5 sedan with a 4spd that has been sitting at an auto repair shop for over a year with clutch problems. I'm hoping the owner will let it go cheap.

Tony H · #8 03-18-2008, 05:33 PM

There were 3.5 coupes produced with a manual transmission. Not sure why MB put a man trans in an expensive luxury car-I can't imagine someone was trying to save a few bucks with the man trans. But I'm glad they did.

t walgamuth · #9 03-18-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

I think that there is a Mercdesshop Member who has an AMG R107 500SL with a 5 speed. There is also an outfit that fits 5 speeds to 6.3's in Australia.

From the factory, only the M116 V8's came with a manual.

I would think some of the euro 500sl 107s must have had five speeds since they ralleyed them extensively back in the day.

Tom W

alabbasi · #10 03-18-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I would think some of the euro 500sl 107s must have had five speeds since they ralleyed them extensively back in the day.

Tom W

Nope, even the rally cars were automatic.

hanno · #11 03-18-2008, 09:24 PM

350sl4spd, if you come across a 300E 5 spd set up you don't buy, let me know, I'm laying in parts for the next project, would purchase a complete parts or beater car. I so "need" a 95 E300 diesel with a 5 spd

350SL4spd · #12 03-19-2008, 12:19 AM

hanno,

A man of my taste indeed. I'm still looking for my 300E 5spd parts car, not that I have the time or space anymore...

A '95 E300D has always been on my list & one w/ a 5spd would just about be t*ts. There's the sweetest one I've seen in a while for sale locally here: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/car/607254173.html

Unfortunately (apparently because I like to torture myself) I'd love to add a late 107 M103 5spd to my stable. Between that & my '72 I'd have both ends of a timeless chassis wrapped up, and in two of their rarest forms.

But, alas, I need to get the 350 on it's feet first...

Hey, there's a new question: Anyone see a late 107 get an M104 treatment from the factory? It was a few years early for the US, but we've all seen the euro M102 powered W123s...

todds · #13 03-19-2008, 03:15 PM

Are the replacement clutch and shifter parts easy to come by for these? I'd imagine they'd be pretty pricey given the limited production, unless I am mistaken and they are the same as the 4/6cyl's

POS · #14 03-19-2008, 04:59 PM

Search AutoTrader.com for a 5-speed 300E in Houston (zip 77056). There's a dealer down here called Chase Motors who has one for sale for only $1700. I haven't seen it, but I will go by and look if one of you guys is a serious buyer.

And I have a 1983 500SL with a manual tranny, but the Getrag manual was put there by AMG. Fun as hell to drive.

sjefke · #15 03-21-2008, 01:35 PM

I typed in part number for my V8 manual transmission bellhousing (117 251 2501) in EPC and it came up with the following model numbers:

107: 023 & 024 (Europe and Japan)
116: 028 & 029 (Europe and Japan)
111: 026 & 027 (Europe and Japan)
109: 056 (Europe and Japan)
108: 057 & 058 (Europe, Japan AND North-America)

So, there must be some 108 cars out there that were with manuals intended for North America, but it all seems a bit unlikely given the fact that I have never seen a 111 280SE 3.5 cabriolet (111 027)with manual transmission. The only ones I have seen have been converted/chopped coupes.

All of these were of course 3.5 M116 engine powered cars.

The key question would be: how many of each were produced?

I have uploaded a picture of two V8 manual transmissions. Right side one is a G76/27A serial no. 000201 from my 1970 111 026 280SE/9 3.5 coupe (serial 741). Left one is a spare (serial no. 017479), supposedly from a 1974 W116 450SEL, but I bet it was a 350SEL. Bellhousings are identical (117 251 2501), so are casings, except for part numbers. Right one has casing number part number 1172611201 & side cover no. 1172610419, whereas spare left one has casing number part number 3092610101 and cover number 3092610019.

Bert