I like the 5-speed. The conversion from auto to manual (4 or 5 speed) should be exactly the same. Folks are always hunting for the coveted 5 speed tranny, except they forget it's much more than the tranny, e.g., need shifter, correct DS front section, et cet. If you can grab the entire car, then that's a bonus in some regards. Right now, the "kits" are priced at around $2,000 (less FW) and the FW is probably worth around $300 plus shipping. Folks will most likely balk at the pricing, but that is what they are selling for. Toss in an engine, then you're at or over $3K. Of course, folks will jump in and tell you how they scored a 5 speed 300D or 5 speed 240D for $500 bucks and in the trunk was $5K worth of rare Euro parts, et cet. However, looking at how few of these really exist or at least folks are willing to post snappies of, I am guessing there are very few indeed. I look now and then on CL, and I do see them selling for around $2K, but then again who wants to spend a couple of days on the road driving to Tim-buk-too hoping it's not a CL scammer? OR, get there and the car "won't start" and by the time you get it home, you realize the tranny is seized, or so worn out, it's worth .10 per pound...

Keep in mind parts (excluding clutch, et cet) are virtually non-existent from what I can tell. I used to have four (4) 717.400, but I am now down to one which will go into my current DD shortly.