1986 300E with 5-speed. 190K, going strong and needs to stay that way for a while - daughter starts at Tulane next month.

I also saw a '90's US model 124 2.8 with a 5 speed.

When we say five speed, we are talking about manual transmissions of the two legged operation variety.

Have a great day,

Hey guys,

Thought I'd chime in with my baby, a 1985 190E 2.3 5 Speed with 275,000 great miles and many more to come.

Attention all biped drivers!
When I had my car at the shop for A/C conversion, the mechanic says "I fixed something else that isn't on the bill. That shifter. I couldn't stand it so I fixed it."

It used to be hard to find gears but I got used to it. The mechanic lubricated all points and now it shifts really well. I said that I didn't know what it was supposed to be like since I had never driven another MB manual. He told me that it wasn't supposed to be like that.

So, get your shifters lubed regularly.

Thought I'd join in, got an '87 2.3-16 w/ 131k. Interesting how many have responded to both this survey and the 500E survey, but so few to my post looking for other 16v'ers out here. Whatever.

Anyway, I too agree the gearing on my car is well matched to both the power curve and the chassis. And it is truly sad that there were not more manuals imported here, life would be so much better if they had! As good as an auto can get these days, you cannot replace the involvment / control / feel of a manual.

HOWEVER (and I know I'm throwing myself to the dogs here), I have driven an infinite number of automobiles with FAR SUPERIOR shifters than the one in mine (as well as the one in the 300E I drove). Granted, the bushings could use some sprucing, but let's be real about this shifter. It (sadly) feels similar to an early Ford Escort's shifter. While the dog legged 1st is cool, it SPRO-INGS out of 1st into 2nd, slides too easily up and down the shaft when shifting (some sort of bastardized VW theory?), and has an awfully long throw for performance use. For a Getrag unit, I am less than impressed. The Getrag in my '88 ///M5 was worlds better in terms of feel (heck, even the non-synchro'ed 1st gear unit in my TR3 feels better!). The new shifters in the new C / SLK are aguably much improved. I'll soon be spending some coin for sure an aftermarket bush kit and weighted short thrower, and then it will be at least marginal.

So, bring on the abuse, I know I've upset more than a few of our faithful here... those seeing through unbiased eyes may agree though... I try not to be partial, rather objective in my views...

Paul,
I think I know what you mean about the feel of the shifter but might I suggest some of the problem is your particular car? The reason I say this is because I recently drove a '85 Euro spec 190E 16V. The shift lever in that car was considerably longer (no idea why) with much longer throws than my car. More than that, the shift action was very sloppy. The owner of that car couldn't believe the difference when he drove my car. While it does "sproing" out of first gear, I don't think the fore/aft movement it too bad. I owned a Porsche with the same shift pattern for many years so maybe I'm more accustomed to it. Having said that, the 16V shift action IS less than ideal. For instance, the shifter in my nephew's Integra GS-R is smoother and quicker.

I've never driven an E28 M5, but my brother has an E28 535i that I'm quite familiar with. Maybe the M5 used a different shift linkage but I'd have to say that my 16V shift action is way better then my bro's 5 series, with shorter throws and being more precise...but slightly more notchy.

Glen-

Na, I'm pretty comfortable in saying it's the unit's design itself, not specific to my car. Same was the case with the 300E's unit. Both more vague, long, and rather slushy than should be expected. Albeit some of the lateral action is obviously bushings, but as you mentioned it still pales in comparison to many, many other cars' shifters. Bushings do not excuse the spring-action 1-2 upshift that I did not experience in a '71 911T or 914-6. Regarding the 535i, that was different altogether as that was not a Getrag box... that thing is like rowing a boat!

While we've all got opinions, mine is just one man's observation in comparison to the multitudes of other makes I've experienced with better shift feel.

Dare I go into clutch take-up feel? This and the shifter are 2 of the FEW complaints I could possibly issue these cars...

Sorry all, I've managed to ramble. Maybe another thread about this issue alone? This thread is to celebrate shiftable MB's, they're too few but certainly appreciated! Drive them like you stole 'em!

vrsmith,

Thanks for coining the term "biped drivers". I love it!

Have a great day,

A 230E '92 W124 with a 5-Speed Manual box.
Benz with manual boxes are pretty common in Jakarta, most people had 300E's with 5-speed manual rather than matic. Same goes for the E320s...

Until the late W210's which came in Matics mostly..
but there were some E230 W210 w/ Manual boxes..
cuz they were the cheapest ..

vrsmith,

I finally remembered to try and find which code indicates the five speed on my 300E. There are a zillion three digit codes on the plate that is riveted to the core support.

I found the transmission (getriebe) code in the back of the maintenance schedule book, it is 717430 00 08642. I believe that 717 indicates transmission and 430 indicates the transmission option code.

I THINK if you find a 430 as one of the codes on the core support plate, this means that it is an original five speed.

Do you have the maintenance schedule booklet or are you completely without any original records.

Let me know what you can find and we will continue our attempt to confirm your original transmission type.

Have a great day,

What I saw once
 

When I was looking for my 5 speed I used the computer and searched for any 5 speed Mercedes. One I found I thought was unusual. I forget exactly what it was but it was big. It was a mid 80's 300SE or 380SE or something like that. I wasn't serious about cause it was too big and thursty for me but I had to check it out. I didn't get a chance to get into it but looking through the window it definitely was a stick. I remember the owner said it was euro version and that it was fast. Never saw anything like it before then or since then.


BTY I build multistage rockets. Would that count as shifting?

Jim,

The multistage rockets only count if they require pressing the clutch pedal to ignite the next stage.:)

In Europe, manual transmission big bodied cars are not uncommon, but much less common than stick shift smaller cars.

Some time ago there was a frequent poster here with a large engine, stick shift, euro, 126 car. I'm sure it is a kick to drive.

Have a great day,

User "Stick6" here offers additional information on the rarity of the 300E 5 speed at the post:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=14406

The posted unofficial import figures are 781 in 1986 and 311 in 1988.

1987 2.3-16

1989 230te w124 140k!!