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1999 C230, manual transmission compatibility

4043 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  tjts1, 
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After driving my newly acquired 92 300D for a few months, the one thing that I really don't like is the transmission. It shifts firm and not when I would like it to. Nothing is wrong with it, it just kicks my ass.

So, I would like to put a new(different) tranny in. Would a manual 5 speed from a 1999 C230 fit? If so what modifications would be necessary? Would it just bolt on?

How about an auto tranny from a 2000 E430? Compatibility issues? Electronic?

Thanks for input.
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sbaert said:
If you don't like the auto, you're going to hate the manual tranny. MBs manual aren't nearly as good as their good automatics, nor are they as much fun as say a Audi or BMW manual tranny.

The manual boxes in the W124 were very numb, and with a diesel the experience is even less pleasing.

As far as using a auto box from a V8 W210, the answer is no due to being fully electronic with gear selector module, etc, etc, etc.
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I was reading in the SLK forums and the guys who have the 6 speed manual say that it is the best manual transmission that they have had. Particularly the SLK350 manuals. Take a look--they love them. This would probably be my first choice.
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How about this one: a 722.364 from a 90-96 SL500? What type of issues would I deal with when installing this one?
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Zeitgeist said:
I always hated the 722.4 transmission in my 602 sedan, but my problem was the inconsistent kickdown function. Sometimes it would automatically downshift when I floored it, and sometimes it wouldn't. I got used to just manually downshifting for nearly a year. I later swapped in a good low mileage rebuilt 722.3 and I couldn't be happier.

Both the quality of the shifts (modulator) and timing of the upshifts (bowden cable) can be adjusted. I recently rehabbed the shift characteristics of a 722.4 in a 123 chassis by replacing both those items, and then adjusting them according to specs. The results were like night and day. Well worth your time and expense.
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What does the 722.3 shift like? Smooth like a W210 or what? People tell me my tranny shifts to hard--it's getting embarrassing.
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