The original, manual 300-24s were fitted with the Getrag "dogleg" gearbox. Not sure of the part number but someone'll know. Pretty rare these days so like to cost a lot.

RayH

 

Yeah I've seen that posted around as well and suspect that has the same part number as the slk 6 speed .663 but could be very wrong. Ill find a pic of each and post it as well. From ehat I can see it might have a dual cable system like Hondas but i could be wrong.

The top is 716.663 and the bottom is the vito 716.652
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From further digging it looks like it uses the same single shaft system at the top too just adapted for 2 shifter cables on the side. The big arm at the top does front to back movement and the other twists left and right. Might still have all the mounts for the .663 shifter. Ill have to find a cheap one and do some digging. The cable shifter might even fit the 124s.

 

Why not just buy a W124 that already has the manual trans factory installed, if row it yourself shifting is your thing???

 

There are none here mate (Australia) closest I've seen are some c180s/200s that are 5/6 speed.

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You're not missing out on anything. The auto is the better pick

MB manual trannies suck, especially from this generation. If it has to be a manual, buy a BMW

 

Im a manual guy through and through but i think there is potential. I like older mb cars like the 124s its different. starting to see the lack of strength for sure after more research and definitely looking at mating one of our own much stronger 5 speeds. Rennsport make a custom single mass that i might have to get especially with my future power goals in mind. Does anyone have bellhousing to shifter lengths?

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The gearboxes from the W124 generation are agricultural at best. Case in point, the E30 BMW M3 and W201 Cossie share the same Getrag manual trans. The BMW is as sweet as a nut, the MB is numb, and feels like me after a root canal at the dentist.

Not convinced? Try a Mazda MX-5 1st gen from the same era as the W124. The MB manual box is just woeful.

If you're keen on having a thoroughly enjoyable manual, buy a BMW like a E39 5 series.

 

Yeah the 5 speed i spoke of is neither mb or bmw its actually an odd Toyota made one thats basically the big brother to the r154. We have stupid amounts of these here and they have been seen holding 800+ hp wheel from v8s. The mb m104 engine is super stout and with just a few mods can make some serious power not to mention they sound great. Plus the 124s chassis is awesome and looks good so why not make something work. Always loved the look of a low w124

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Don't know if a Jap box has ever been fitted to a W124. I do remember reading about somebody with a 500E had a manual conversion done using the Getrag manual box from a M5 V8 car.

FWIW, I have a slightly tuned Honda Accord diesel (Euro Accord in Australia) which was sold here in Europe as manual or automatic. The automatic is bulletproof, while the manual is prone to snap ring failure on the input shaft along with a dualmass flywheel that rattles like a tw@t after about 100K on the clock. And the best part is that a new flywheel is "only" 1500 Euros. No such issues with the auto. Just sayin'

 

Definitely haha i dont doubt the toughness. The 722 autos in the 124s can be seriously tricked up to take over 1000hp no problem. Im aware there capable but sorry id rather shift myself and really enjoy the car. Plus i might wanna take it to a drift day who knows. Nothing against autos just really not my thing.
And yeah i havent found anything much about none mb boxes mated up but the bellhousings are very similar so it shouldn't be too hard. I've attached pics bellow of the 716.663(top) vs the ma5(bottom)

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Then you should start searching for a breakers yard with a BMW manual trans V8 OR pave your own way and see what comes of it.

FWIW, the 722.3, 722.4/5 in the W124 definitely cannot take big power. The 722.3 on my V12 W140s have kevlar internals (as fitted from the factory) to keep the box alive. Really big power requires a 722.6 5 speed, which is way stronger than the newer 722.9 7 speed box.

 

Yeah it definitely could have been that .6 box I was thinking of I'm new to the mb world. Yeah I'm sure I'll figure something out. Does the bmw 6 speed have much of an upgrade path as far as internals? Ive heard they have a similar cap of about 800 wheel like the r155/ma5 I'm looking at. And do you know of anyone with bellhousing to shifter measurement?

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IIRC, the BMW trans (as used in the E39 V8 M5) is the Getrag 420G and is good for up to around 500Nm of pull. The manual box from the 540i E39 is the same as the M5.

The 6 cylinder BMW also used this trans BUT the bellhousing pattern is different and is not designed to handle the torque of the V8 box.

The weak point on these manuals is the internal shift linkages when pushed to the max torque ratings. The internals are not available as separate spare parts, only complete boxes. Just something you should be aware of

 

Yeah thanks heaps for pointing me in that direction. After plenty more digging I actually found that the best tranny to use from the bmw side is called the g6s 53dz. According to sweeds this this in factory form is good for 1500nm! 6 speed too with great ratios so this could be the transmission of choice if all goes well.

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Sbaert is full of shit as usual. He's never actually driven a manual MB, he's just regurgetating the BS he read somewhere. The w124/w201 5 speeds (there were 3) are excellent if properly maintained. Most of the ones you find on the road today have never had the shifter bushings replaced. Swap out the bushings and give one a try. It makes the ancient e30 look pathetic.

 

Haha yeah thats fair. I think given my power goals tho its definitely reasonable to assume they wont hold up very long if at all. I found someone who makes gs6 53dz 6 speed conversions but specifically for om60x engines. now iirc are the bellhousing pattern for m10x and om60x are the same are they not?

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While it's no Miata neither is the 722.4 auto a Ferrari DCT. Even an old rubbery 5spd is better than a shitty old vac/hydro controlled auto in any situation other than stop-go traffic. A guy who owns an e39 M5 rowed through the gears in my car and asked how I got it to feel so tight and direct. It's because I rebuilt the shifter and replaced all the worn rubber bushings with delrin.

Before/After

 

While it's no Miata neither is the 722.4 auto a Ferrari DCT. Even an old rubbery 5spd is better than a shitty old vac/hydro controlled auto in any situation other than stop-go traffic. A guy who owns an e39 M5 rowed through the gears in my car and asked how I got it to feel so tight and direct. It's because I rebuilt the shifter and replaced all the worn rubber bushings with delrin.

Before/After

BINGO
I was part of the first group buy for 190e delrin shifter bushings about 8 or 9 years ago. That shifter and transmission lives on in my 300d. Those delrin bushings put the average BMW shifter to shame.

now iirc are the bellhousing pattern for m10x and om60x are the same are they not?

M102, m103, m104, m111, om601, om602, om603, om604, om605, om606 all share the same bell housing bolt pattern. I have an early 90s m102 5spd behind my om603 with a dual mass flywheel.

Ehhh, just ignore the 6. It was either this or a unimog 8spd shift knob.

 

Awesome pics man and cheers. The only thing i have to disagree with is the stop and go thing. Ive driven plenty of different manuals through peak hour traffic here. Stop and go only sucks for those who cant really drive properly I never had an issue and loved it all the same.

 

No disagreement there. Having to ride the brake pedal in an auto in stop n go sucks just as bad. Main annoyance is the traffic itself.

 

Haha couldnt have said it better. I hate traffic purely because its full of people that somehow get there damn licence from a cereal box. Like some of them will use indicators to change lanes. Them 5 mins later just flat out ignore that indicators exist for a traffic light turn? [emoji2357]

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I guess I need to re-do my bushings now. 30 years and 195K miles later, it must be time.
Original clutch by the way, mostly city driving all that time. 95 124-sportline auto transmission bit the dust 5 years ago at 140K miles.

Yes I know it is not the best gearbox around but I've been driving basically the same gearbox since the family car - 1975 W115. These box's and clutches last and last. At this rate it will out-last me or the rest of the car.

Only reason I bought the W201 back in 1989. Alternate was an e30.

It is also the only reason I still own the W201.

No disrespect meant to all the auto trans owners, just personal feelings about the manual....

- Cheers!

 

You manual transmission guys are living in the past, along with those lamenting the abolition of leaded gasoline and the lack of choice in bias ply tires.

The sun has long set on World War 2 technology, and the manual trans has about as much of a future as a shoeshine stand at the airport.

A few examples of car models that used to be referred to as the gold standard for manual transmissions, but now only come with a automated box: The new C8 Vette, Acura/Honda NSX, Porsche 911, Ferrari, Lamborghini, AMG, Aston Martin, etc, etc, etc.

 

This is an odd take in a message board about 30 y/o cars. And personally, I'd love to have a self-driving EV, but I that's beside the point.

Your list of cars no longer available with manual is full of caveats, but more importantly, they all have DCTs and none are a W124. If you guys who think/say/believe that MB manual gearboxes are truckish would keep your comparisons to the available autos that are either OE or viable swaps the discussion would be a lot more fruitful.

 

Pffft lol good one. im staying with a manual till i die. You wanna drive auto go a head but id rather make achievements in a manual and know I did all the work. Auto takes zero skill and is just plain boring to me and there are plenty of us die hards out there so i doubt manual is gonna just go away haha.

And the whole new car argument doesnt really stick either. Im never gonna be interested in buying a new car when i can build a car perfect for me for way less and make it the way I want. Plenty of people like that too. Manual has a future for as long as people like me keep driving them. Its called supply and demand. Sure its much less cos most people these days get there licence in a cereal box but it wont die off. Not for a long time.

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I guess it's safe to say we won't ever see you in a self driving car either.

But seriously, there is no need to feel like your manhood is being threatened by the use of a auto. I still remember long ago when "real bike guys" said they will only buy a bike with a kickstarter. Those guys are all dead or gladly pushing a starter button every time. I know my next bike will be a Honda Goldwing with the DCT.

The only stick I need is the one between my legs.