W201/W202/W124 manual transmission
 

Hey there!
I'm a proud owner of a 1994 W124 E220 (with the M111 engine). I want to convert it to a manual (the auto box is leaky) and, although I've spent hours searching through the threads, I couldn't find any definitive answer to my queries. Hope you guys won't mind!

First of all, I am unsure specifically which 5speed manual gearbox I should get, and what are my choices.
Secondly, being a novice at these conversions, I am unsure what parts to gather. Getting a donor car is next to impossible so I need to get parts imported from Europe (probably Germany?).
Also, what problems will I encounter? Do I have to change the diff as well? If I'm not mistaken I have the 3.07 final drive. I stand to be corrected though.

That's it for now. I'll post updates of the conversion when I get it started!

Cheers!
Jeff

The 124 chassis and the 190 both came with five speeds optional. they were extremely rare in the 124 and more common in the 190 so there are some out there in the salvage yards. you should not have to change the diff or speedo, but you will need the tranny, shifter, pedal cluster and driveshaft. possibly the cross member too.

afik that should be a bolt in.

tom w

Note that some of the parts may be chassis specific even though the trans itself may interchange. don't forget clutch hydraulic lines, shifter rods, etc. The wood trim around the shifter is also different between manual and auto box on the W124. Once you have the required pieces and little bits, its a straight forward swap, all intelligent grunt work (no fabrication or welding) as the manuals are common in the rest of the world.

Cheers!
Does that mean I can have my pick as to which manual transmission to use? I gathered that there are different part#s like 717415 and stuff like that. Do I need to find an engine specific trans to minimise the headache?
Would there be any mods or anything on the drive shaft? I'll surely be changing the flex disks while I'm at it!

Thx once again for the replies!
Jeff

bumpy?

There was just two manual trannys in that time period, the normal one with an od fifth gear and the close ratio on the 190 16v which had a one to one fifth gear. They are all interchangible, I believe.

Tom W

Cheers.
So does that mean I can get any 5 speed W201 tranny and it will work?

Thanks a bunch!

The W201 (190) regular gassers (not 16 valve) also had manual trans available and they do carry different part numbers than the W124 trans. Unsure if its just minor ratio differences or something else. I believe they will interchange as to fit. Also unknown is if the W201 pedal assy, driveshaft, crossmember, etc. will interchange into a W124. I want to learn this but don't have the hours to study the EPC. Also, your 94 may need to have the donor flywheel modified to work whatever electrical position sensor is currently in your car. Have fun!

In the US, the W201 and W124 were the last models that offered a 5-speed manual transmission. All the M102, M103 and M104 engines take the same bolt pattern bell housings . . . so, a transmission, whether auto or manual from a 190E can be installed on a 300E, etc.

Flywheels, torque converters, miscellaneous fittings will have to be engine specific.

manual pedal assembly bolts right in to a 124. Near impossible to find though... Oh wait, i have two for sale :D
I am not familiar with the m111. I dont think that has the same bellhousing as the 102/103/104

Chuni, thanks for the information. Do you know if other major parts from 5 spd W201 bolt in to W124 (crossmember, driveshaft, shifter)?

driveshaft will physically bolt up, but it is unlikely that it will be the correct length for 124 chassis

and the shifter assy wont work iirc

Appears that I'm back to a model specific search....W124, 86 or 88 300E 5 spd parts car or beater.

Where are you located?

I think you're better off looking for a C220/E220 manual transmission (which was offered in Europe).

See this C220 in eBay item # 290190137060

Finding a manual from an m111 is likely going to be an easier bolt up than one from an m102/103 (although I believe the m104 is similar to the m111).