Discussion:
560SL with manual shift?
(too old to reply)
Stuart
2003-09-15 16:44:56 UTC
Permalink
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1988 560SL with 19k miles and very good
condition but it has a manual transmission. Were these models ever sold in
U.S.? IF not, is this car worth having or are there likely to be problems
with registration, smog, safety, other?

Stuart

***@valontechnology.com
JB
2003-09-15 18:01:18 UTC
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The only 'normal' manual shift Mercs I've ever driven have been awful, with
slow, notchy gearboxes. Best to avoid the Manuals if possible and stick with
the excellent autos especially on something like the SL.
--
JB

E500
190 Evolution II
190E 2.0
Coming soon... W126 500SEL
Post by Stuart
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1988 560SL with 19k miles and very good
condition but it has a manual transmission. Were these models ever sold in
U.S.? IF not, is this car worth having or are there likely to be problems
with registration, smog, safety, other?
Stuart
Roy G. Ovrebo
2003-09-17 00:16:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by JB
Post by Stuart
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1988 560SL with 19k miles and very
good condition but it has a manual transmission. Were these models
ever sold in U.S.? IF not, is this car worth having or are there likely
to be problems with registration, smog, safety, other?
The only 'normal' manual shift Mercs I've ever driven have been awful, with
slow, notchy gearboxes. Best to avoid the Manuals if possible and stick with
the excellent autos especially on something like the SL.
Huh. The manual gearboxes sure are wooden, but neither notchy nor slow
IMHO. It's no BMW-style rifle-bolt action, sure, but it is no worse than
any front-wheel drive car. You get clutch feeling, though, which is far
more important. Automatic transmission sucks.

I don't think a manual gearbox 560SL was ever offered _anywhere_, though.
(Somebody will doubtlessly correct me if I'm wrong.)
I suspect that the car must be either built to special order by DB
or modified by a previous owner.
--
Roy G. Ovrebo

1982 280SE, 5-speed manual
Dori Schmetterling
2003-09-17 10:10:25 UTC
Permalink
Front-wheel drive?

DAS
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NB: To reply directly replace "nospam" with "schmetterling"
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"Roy G. Ovrebo" <***@c2i.net> wrote in message news:***@sheepish.local...
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Post by Roy G. Ovrebo
IMHO. It's no BMW-style rifle-bolt action, sure, but it is no worse than
any front-wheel drive car. You get clutch feeling, though, which is far
........................
Roy G. Ovrebo
2003-09-18 18:15:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dori Schmetterling
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Post by Roy G. Ovrebo
IMHO. It's no BMW-style rifle-bolt action, sure, but it is no worse than
any front-wheel drive car. You get clutch feeling, though, which is far
........................
Front-wheel drive?
Yes, a configuration used on inferior cars.

Did you perhaps read an "other" into it?
--
Roy
Dori Schmetterling
2003-09-18 21:53:37 UTC
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Maybe I misread your post, but I thought you were suggesting front-wheel
drive on a Merc...

DAS
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NB: To reply directly replace "nospam" with "schmetterling"
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Post by Roy G. Ovrebo
Post by Dori Schmetterling
.......................
Post by Roy G. Ovrebo
IMHO. It's no BMW-style rifle-bolt action, sure, but it is no worse than
any front-wheel drive car. You get clutch feeling, though, which is far
........................
Front-wheel drive?
Yes, a configuration used on inferior cars.
Did you perhaps read an "other" into it?
--
Roy
GSS
2021-09-16 03:31:13 UTC
Permalink
In 1985, while working in a shop, I saw a gray market 560 sl with a 5 speed manual mb transmission arrive in the shop for service. I did not work on it, and ever since I have wondered if that car was a special order, or if it was available somewhere in the world.
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For full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/mercedes/560sl-with-manual-shift-3351-.htm
Brownie-
2023-08-04 21:02:02 UTC
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Interesting My neighbor has a 1987 560Sl with a 5 Speed... He bought in Germany and shipped it home after putting 7000mi. on it vacationing in Europe in 1987 - Went through Dot Etc.. drives it 2 times a month... factory installed he bought new ? Ill need to reach out for some more info... I'm Porsche guy, and not a Benz guy ...
Cheers -
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For full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/mercedes/560sl-with-manual-shift-3351-.htm
E 55 AMG
2003-09-17 03:14:28 UTC
Permalink
As Roy correctly pointed out, the 560 SL was not sold with a manual
transmission anywhere. The 560 SL was made only as a U.S., Canadian, Japanese,
and Australian model. There was never a Euro model. The only transmission it
came with was a 4-speed auto. Have you actually seen the car with a manual
transmission? If so, ask which transmission it has (MB or other, 4-speed or
3-speed) and who converted it.

Best regards,

Danny
Post by Stuart
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1988 560SL with 19k miles and very good
condition but it has a manual transmission. Were these models ever sold in
U.S.? IF not, is this car worth having or are there likely to be problems
with registration, smog, safety, other?
Stuart
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