hi all, i am about 140 miles and $1800 into mercedes ownership. i scored an 80 300 sd turbo, 116 body style. overall seems like a good car, usually. mine has been seriously neglected. is there something to swap in besides the 4speed slush box? it seems the 240d 4 sp manuals don't cut it on a 3L. What if i lower the diff ratio? the 5 speeds seem rare in the u.s. (anyone got one for sale??) will a 5-speed off a chevy s-10 fit-up or any other vehicles? I am looking for a die hard solid car, even if i have to build it myself, that is cheap to run. as far as conversions i am not afraid to chop, weld or butcher.
i am not spoiling a classic, this thing has had alot of problems surprise me like a brake pad worn past the sensor and destroy a caliper and disc and a supposed "rebuilt transmission" that looks that clean with clean fluid be toasted for instance. its only been 2 weeks i have had this car and it is seeming like i got trouble

have patience... sort out the problems using stock parts before jumping into the torch route. if the tranny is acting up start with a fluid and filter change... sometimes this will cure problems if they arent too advanced. a sorted benz is worth a lot more on resale than a modified one especially with a chevy tranny.

buy a good repair manual and work through problems one at a time and try to avoid throwing money at it.

good luck.

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[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.

hmm, sagely advise but let me digress, i bit the bullet on this one and took it in. figured have it done right the first time. my neighbor, an aerospace engineer, suggested vaco precision inc. after an hour interview decided to religeously take his wifes late 70's 450 slk? been at the same location for 25 years. and really seems great, said its the worst smelling one he's ever done. it gets a test drive tomarrow but i don't think i have long after. as far as resale if i start pouring my piggybank into the trunk i am holding on to it. the good luck is this is southern california and the junk yards have quite a few benzs, sadly most are in better condition than mine.