Manual Gearshift Pattern Question
 

My right hand drive gearbox shift pattern is as follows

--1-3-5
R-2-4

Reverse is selected by pulling up the gear knob.

What is the pattern for LHD Merc 190s?

Mike.

All the Mercedes "overdrive" five speeds have the same pattern, but to engage reverse on mine, I press down on the lever.

The 16V has a "direct drive" five-speed (1:1 fifth gear) with the "racing" shift pattern:

.24
135

Sorry, it's been so long since I've driven a 16V I don't remember the reverse engagement scheme.

Duke

The W201 (190's) have had 3 different shift patterns over the production run. The one that you have is also on the 1988(USA) & later NON-16V cars.

For LHD of course, the pattern is usually identical to RHD,

Thanks for clearing that up between you all! :)

I had wondered if there was any diff between left and right hand drive.

Mike.

Here is a photo of a 190D 4-speed (1986 German model).
You pull up for reverse...

And here is a 190D 5-speed (1984 USA model)
You push down for reverse.

16V shift patter is as follows:

R 2 4
|-|-|
1 3 5

Pull up to engage reverse

My lefty is the same as Mike65.

Speaking of...which way are the pedals?

Pedals are the same regardless of whether the car is LHD or RHD:

[c] [b] |t|

c = clutch
b = brake
t = throttle

Hey cornblatt!
 

Do you happen to know what type transmission is in your 190D?

Is it a 717.400? This number might be in one of your manuals, or on the bottom left side of your transmission case.

I am wondering if this is an additional option in my search for five-speed linkage.

TIA

Re: Hey cornblatt!
 

The transmission was replaced about 18 months ago. I still have the receipt from the dealership where the work was done, so I'll take a look at it when I get home and see if the part number for the transmission is listed on it anywhere.

:)

I wish my 190E-2.3 Sportline 5-speed had reverse next to 4th like that in the pic of the 190D 5-speed. In my RHD version reverse is difficult to select having to lift and push across and back next to 2nd. It's always easier to lift and pull towards you for reverse.

I always find it amusing how questions regarding pedal layout in RHD versions come up. Some of the car is mirror imaged but pedals definitely aren't. Imagine the confusion it would cause when switching from LHD to RHD if the pedals were mirrored. It's bad enough remembering which side of the road to stay on and where to look for your mirrors. Strangely, the gear shift is the only thing that seems to come naturally regardless of which side of the car you sit to drive.

One confusing aspect we get in our RHD cars is the location of control stalks for blinkers etc. MB used to mirror these so that your right hand was for the blinkers and your left hand free for gear shifting. More recently (since the introduction of the W202 & W210), presumably to cut costs, they have copied most other manufacturers from LHD countries and left the blinker stalk on the left of the steering column.

I think it might actually have to do with the fact that most of the population is right-footed and therefore would have an easier time of modulating the throttle with the right foot rather than the left.

I've driven a number of left hand drive cars in England, changing gears can't be done as slickly (I found) until you're used to it. Bit difficult staying to the side of the road, you tend to drift into the middle.

I always change gears on the gear selector in my auto RHD 190E - if (when!) I get a 500E, it will be LHD and I'll have to learn to get slick with the selector again.. :o.