I purchased a 1995 c280 with a 5 speed manual swap problem is the throwout bearing is going out quickly and I'm trying to figure out which trans I have so I can fix it. I'm new to these cars so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brian.

Since the trans is not the original, folks here probably would expect YOU to inform THEM of the component details. Look all over the gearbox for stamped in numbers in particular, as well as casting nos.

Yea just seeing if there are any specific places to find these numbers. I'll look closer.

Numbers I found.
26 260 12 01 717 432 0 1636428

I took your request as " where do I start to figure this out" rather than " tell me what specific part # to order" .

Mercedes part # are in the format " 123 456 78 90 " The first 3 are the body that first used the part, sometimes the part is tied to an engine model so the first 3 will be the engine.

The next 3 are the type of part ( I don't have a list )

The next groups of 2 have to do with the specific part , left / right and sometimes revision.

26 260 12 01 ( look for another # near the 26 , it might be 126 making it from a W126 body car. Your C280 is a W202 )

717 432 ( I recall seeing a 717 trans designation somewhere )

0 1636428 This might be a date code or something like that. )

If you see part # in the format of 0 123 456 789 , that is typically a Bosch # . There is a code of sorts but I don't have a list.

Yea It's not the original transmission it was an auto car and swapped to the 5 speed at some point in its life. I think I figured it out as a 190e transmission so I ordered a throwout bearing for that.