When you get that campaign petition for more manual MB trannies all setup Larry make sure I get to sign it :D

I'll be in Europe this month, needless to say I have my drool bib ready!!:)

The mileage numbers on all these trannies make me feel extremely confident people!!Thanks to the thread starter!

I agree with Larry.
 

My sense of the fact that there are manual trannies in some of the new C-Class and one of the Roadsters is that MB is attempting to complete directly with BMW in that class (3 Series v. C-Class, etc.) An attempt to secure market share and entice new folks into the showroom. BMW may brand itself as "The Ultimate Driving Machine" but Benz may very well be able to cop to "The Ultimate Driving Experience."

Mine (87 190e 16V) has about 180k. I am kind of guessing as I don't know how many prior owners there were. Based on a Carfax and the observed prior repairs to the speedo, 180k would be my best guess. Kind of a shame, a 16V with an auto, but my girlfriend drives it and I only beat on it on the weekends. It has a leak from the front seal/pump, about an eighth of a quart in a week. I wait till it really starts to puke before I pull it. Shifts fine although I wish it would kick down without really having to mash the accelerator. Probably a simple adjustment?

Tinker

once again what this seems to say is that the older models where the better machines.

1980 300SD automatic turbo diesel has 525000 miles, still shifting strong....regular and complete fluid changes (not synthetic) every two years, never had a problem. I would prefer a manual BUT...

I agree with Larry, and I would like to add my personal 2 cents worth that God never intended for diesel powered vehicles to have automatic transmissions! Give me a manual transmission any day.

Happy motoring to all !

Hmmm,
Have 206,000 on original 5-speed tranny. FWIW, bought
car from an elderly gentleman. I would guess his age at
59-61. His wife was 43. Young at heart:)

Gary

yal,

One of the neatest things about Europe is that it's extremely easy to get a rent car of any kind with a manual transmission. A little piece of heaven!

Gute Reise,

I have a 84 300SD with 290,000 miles on the original tranny and still running strong.

Nolan

my 300sd has 305k with no problems and my 560sl has 200k with no problems...can I say knock knock knock on wood. my dad's 300sel has problems..please see post and pass on any advice.

greetings from charlotte, nc

I heard the manual trans on MBs are very problematic. That is why most don't come with one even, in Europe.

For the driver or the car? :D

My '83 300 D has 338,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. Neither has been opened for any internal repairs. My 190 SL with about the same mileage has had the engine rebuilt twice. '50s metals were not as good as today's.

Robby

While smooth shifts FEEL good, I don't see how they can be doing the transmission any favors. Smooth shifts=more wear on the transmission, right?

My 1987 300D Turbo can shift somewhat harshly if you mash the accelerator and suddenly lift off the accelerator. I wouldn't expect a super smooth shift in this case, because the modulator has to go from no vacuum to full vacuum very quickly to make that shift smooth. When I am using a nice steady foot, the transmission quickly and firmly "bumps" from one gear to the next, but doesn't bang like it was before I had a new modulator installed, nor does it sliiiiiide like other newish cars I have driven. This is about the closest this diesel can be to feeling sporty!

Seems that the desire for imperceptible shifts between set gear ratios is what's causing most of the wear on an autobox. Any transmission gurus care to comment on this?

Justin Dobbs
Oakland, CA
1987 300D Turbo 201k

I just got rid of my '85 190e 2.3 that had approx 500,000 km on it. The tranny shifted beautifully when hot but had a slightly harsh kickdown-forced downshift. I just downshifted manually. My c280 has a very nice shift, but is still very young. I am a firm believer in regular fluid changes on all systems and am thinking of switching to synthetic tranny fluid. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on this subject?