I have enjoyed over 12k trouble-free miles with my '83td 4-speed manual transmission conversion. I see 27mpg beating around town and a bit over 30mpg on road trips (if I can keep the speed under 80mph). Driving pleasure increased immeasurably. The point is, this has certainly made the car much more valuable to me, but how might this have effected its value to anyone else? (other than another enthusiast) This beauty has only 133k miles and will last the rest of my life. I have no intention of selling, my wife promises to bury me in it. Anyone with thoughts on this subject? (-the tranny)
Jacob

Take your automatic and STICK IT!

I would pay a little more for a MB with a manual tranny. I think it makes it more marketable than it makes it more valuable, from a proportional standpoint.
Value to you: PRICELESS

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

generally cars with automatic transmissions have a higher resale value than the same model with manual trannies. that being said, manual gearboxes generally require less maintenance and will usually last longer than automatics, which is always a plus for me.

i guess it depends on how you define "value."

__________________
- 1980 300D "citrogroen" (puke green) - +300,000 KM, homemade WVO 2-tank conversion
- 1974 Ford Econoline Club Wagon - for sale
- 1988 Honda Hawk GT - sold

If you find the right person, it could be worth more.. find someone who wants a slushbox and it's worth nothing..

Jacob,

I would love to have a 116 or 126 with a manual transmission.

P E H

you and me both............still looking for parts for mine for in case the auto ever dies.......................
last settup I didn't grab and have seen nothing since.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Jacob

Any idea what the total cost for your conversion was? How many hours did it take?

Chuck

__________________
1983 300td 240k (down with bad tranny)
1984 300d 222k (daily driver) "Olive"
1997 GMC K2500 105k (sled dog limo)

"The scenery in ANWR is as spectacular as the Grand Canyon and the wildlife is more impressive."

i think the value is enhanced... also the marketability. after all the market now is us diesel geeks.. not the doctors wives they were originally marketed to.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

See this link to another thread where you can learn everything you need to know about this conversion.
My total cost was $900 and took about two days after prep and parts orders.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=88699

The resale value is ALL in finding the right buyer. Someone said earlier in the thread that most people want auto's. That is true, however, I am not MOST PEOPLE.

Almost all my cars have sticks including my 300E. I'm not interested in buying ANY car with an automatic. I don't like driving them, I don't like maintaining them and I just don't like them PERIOD. For that reason, I would be the type of oddball that you would have to find in order to get top dollar for the car.

I can imagine how much fun the car is to drive.

Have a great day,