Last MB model offered with a stick shift? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Fintail Fan · #1 01-09-2003, 07:30 PM

I know that MB currently offers it's entry level model in a stick shift, but what I would like to know is what/when were the last model(s) offered, say pre 1995, that offered a stick shift? I am a devoted stick shift driver and MB enthusiast and so I would like to someday find a used MB coupe, cabriolet or sedan with a stick, (preferably performance oriented). I have been to Europe and it seems that the Europeans have always had the option of a stick in most all of the models there, but I don't know about here. Thanks.

1962 MB 220SEb Fintail, 4 on the tree
1963 Vespa VNB 3 speed
1992 MB 300TE 4Matic Wagon, Auto (wish was a stick)
1995 Subaru Legacy AWD Wagon, 5 speed

suginami · #2 01-09-2003, 07:59 PM

Many of the 190E's had manual transmissions, and they may have made them until the end of the W201 chassis in 1992,

In the W124 chassis, in 1986 there were 781 US legal 5 speeds imported to the US. There were none in 1987 and 311 in 1988. There have been none since 1988.

Further, the diesel W124's never came with a manual transmission.

suginami · #3 01-09-2003, 08:00 PM

As for as performance oriented models, all of the 190E 2.3-16 models have a 5-speed stick.

speedy300Dturbo · #4 01-09-2003, 08:03 PM

No, there are 190E 2.3 16's out there with automatic transmissions.

suginami · #5 01-09-2003, 08:12 PM

You're right.

In Europe it was only available with the 5-speed manual, but about half of U.S. cars came with an automatic.

Ashman · #6 01-09-2003, 08:21 PM

they made the r129 300sl in 1990-1993 in 5 speed, they are a rare find, and some say the car is underpowered, but I think its not bad.

Alon

Gilly · #7 01-09-2003, 08:26 PM

From 1990 to 1993, you could buy a 300SL with a 5 speed manual, saved you about a $1000.

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp?spec=0&subNav=overview&yearModelCode=88_SL300CR&class=88_SL&rnav=012345678&menu=2_3

Gilly

Gilly · #8 01-09-2003, 08:31 PM

Alon beat me by about 5 minutes on that last one, I was screwing around getting the link.
They also had one or two years where you could buy a 190E 2.6 with a 5 speed in it too.

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp?spec=0&subNav=overview&yearModelCode=88_SL300CR&class=88_SL&rnav=012345678&menu=2_3

Gilly

Limited Edition · #9 01-09-2003, 11:44 PM

I have a 93 190E 2.3 5-Speed U.S. Spec

Regards,

Don

Fintail Fan · #10 01-09-2003, 11:44 PM

Great, thanks for all the prompt responses! I'll start researching those years and models. Any word on the reputations of the 190E 2.6 and 300SL's with a stick: good, bad, or indifferent? Any owner recomendations/warnings, such as the M103 head gasket and transfer case problems on my W124 4Matic?

#11 01-09-2003, 11:54 PM

The 90-93 300SL 5-speed looks like fun. There was one for sale recently on eBayMotors. I think I searched through mbusa.com's 15-year overview and found that 94-98 no manuals were sold in NA.

pentoman · #12 01-12-2003, 10:27 AM

There's a 190E 2.5-16v Automatic just along the road from me, I'm in England

suginami · #13 01-12-2003, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pentoman
There's a 190E 2.5-16v Automatic just along the road from me, I'm in England

Weeeeellllll, then there must be an error in Frank Barrett's Illustrated Buyer's Guide to Mercedes Benz.

Are you sure it's a bona-fida Euro model?

Gilly · #14 01-12-2003, 07:26 PM

In my Mercedes history disc, they list the 190E 2.3-16 and 190E 2.5-16 as being standard with a 5 spd manual and a 4 speed auto as optional.
The 190E 2.5-16 Evolution and Evolution II were 5 speed manual only.

Gilly