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Euro 280SE 4-Speed manual

Started by TJ 450, 29 October 2011, 08:27 AM

TJ 450

As far as I can tell, the revs in top gear should be comparable to cars with the auto. It's interesting that there is a special rear axle ratio for France.

Regarding the appeal factor with the manual trans, I've always though the combination (with the high comp M110) to be appealing. I haven't experienced it in the metal, however.

I also think that there is something special about the M110 in general.

According to MT's research, the 5-speed was only available with the early D-Jet cars.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

samuli

Ok, it could then my low rear axle ratio. I'll get you some numbers rev/km/h next time I go for a ride.

That 5-speed option sounds interesting, must be ultra rare, though.

Cheers,
Samuli

Big_Richard

My research extended to the library on this website, i don't know how accurate it is though ;)

the 4 speed auto and manual have almost identical gear ratios and also share the same 3.69:1 diff. 4th gear is 1:1 in both anyway.

on the earlier 5 speed models the 5th gear ratio was an over drive of 0.875:1 but the diff was 3.92:1 so i doubt there would be a huge difference in top speed revs but take off would be very good.


see here: http://www.w116.org/library/116_024


1980sdga

The M110 is certainly a sexy motor  8)  Good power from a buzzin' half dozen as well. AND a 4 speed.

Domestic fare from the era:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1966_Ford_Mustang_170_Six.JPG

jbrasile

Guys,

My old 74 280S was a 4 speed with a special order 3.92 rear end, a little noisy on the highway and it did around 4200rpm at 120kph. A good friend of mine has a 76 car with a 5 speed and it does 3400rpm at 120kph, it doesn't seem like a lot but those 800rpm make a huge difference in noise. This particular car was a 4 speed converted to 5 using a box from a 114 but keeping the diff  at 3.69

One car that is just a blast to drive  is the 350SE with a 4 speed manual, feels like a very large sports car,  hehehe....

Tks,

Joe

Big_Richard

Quote from: jbrasile on 31 October 2011, 05:28 PM
Guys,

My old 74 280S was a 4 speed with a special order 3.92 rear end, a little noisy on the highway and it did around 4200rpm at 120kph. A good friend of mine has a 76 car with a 5 speed and it does 3400rpm at 120kph, it doesn't seem like a lot but those 800rpm make a huge difference in noise. This particular car was a 4 speed converted to 5 using a box from a 114 but keeping the diff  at 3.69

One car that is just a blast to drive  is the 350SE with a 4 speed manual, feels like a very large sports car,  hehehe....

Tks,

Joe

350's are the rarest of all w116's it seems, and finding one with a manual would be harder still  :(

I have always wondered thouhg, if one had access to a dead 350 manual, could one bolt it up to a 450 engine ? now that would be fun  8)

jbrasile

MT, when I was a kid my father almost bought a beige 350SE 4speed manual with plaid seats! They were actually not that rare here in Brazil since 90% of all MB's imported into the country during the 70's were manuals. I got to drive a white car about a year ago and just loved it. There is one currently for sale DB904/black with a sunroof, manual windows, they are asking R$30000.00 which is around US$17650.00 but I am sure it can be bought for a lot less since these cars have almost no market here.

Take a look at the link and "brush up" on your Portuguese, hehehe....

http://www.webmotors.com.br/webmotors/carro/usado/mercedes-benz-350-se-3.5-v8-gasolina-4p-automatico/7832083/detalhe.wm

Tks,

Joe

oscar

Stunning car Joe.

Definitely MT.  I can't quote but soemone had one on a 4.5 w107 from memory. 

I can't remember who now but there was at least one member from, I can't remember where, with a manual 350 d-jet.  Something common with d-jets that gets brought up occasionally is the fluctuating idle or fluctuating surges during overrun. For autos it can be annoying but is absorbed in the torque converter somewhat.  For a manual though this fella had troubles as the surges were transmitted straight through to the rear wheels making a bunny-hop effect during overrun.  Still, I'd love one.  The only manual trans coming up for sale for v8s I've heard about was one someone came across ages ago off a w108/9 3.5 in Qld.  It would've fitted to a 4.5 but was a column shift.

1973 350SE, my first & fave

mswcpt

Quote from: s class on 31 October 2011, 08:17 AM
MT, why exaclty do you think the manual is so great?  I've driven a few manual 280S' and they are OK, but for daily use in traffic I'd always pick auto.  BTW at some point I must introduce you all to my 280S manual.  Its in storage at the moment and I actually don't have any pics.

Would be great to see your manual  280 S , s class - then we can compare  8) I have to admit, that the manual is better on the open road - in fact it's a dream to drive when taken there, but around town it can get tiring with stop-start driving. That said, I love my 4 sp manual MB and won't change it for the world.

M

TJ 450

S Class, pics of the 280S would be great.

The manual sounds like a good choice then, I'd be using it to go places I wouldn't want to take the 6.9 too often, such as remote areas/extended country trips.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

TJ 450

I removed the dash and HVAC box, and treated some more rust in the usual places. I think this just about does the "rust exploration". 8) I do need to remove the sound deadening on the driver's side though, but that will be when I have a look at the brakes/brake master cylinder.

I've raided a few interior parts for the 6.9, too. I doubt this car will be getting a blue interior again, unless I happen to be very lucky.

Check out the sunroof frame below... That's what a rusty one looks like on the inside. The drain hose ends up with a split in it when the nipple expands. ::)

Anyway, attention goes back to finishing the 6.9 now. Well, except for bleeding the brakes, second hand master cylinder (just to get it functional) etc.











Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

s class

erh, that looks very ambitious TJ.  Best of luck....


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

Big_Richard

time to start saving up for a decent welder  8)

PS, So your building a 280SE Kompressor huh ???

TJ 450

Nah, no Kompressor for this.

I was thinking along the lines of the Volvo T6 setup... That would be nice, but I'll never do it.

Yes, ambitious sums it up. There's a "bit of rust", but I also have a fair bit of sheet metal as well.

I also need to fabricate front outer bumper mounts too, because the original ones have gone. :o

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

Mforcer

This makes my rust seem insignificant!

Thanks for sharing the photos. The timing is perfect for me to know what to do next.
Michael
1977 450SE [Brilliant Red]
2006 B200