Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: mbzse on February 21, 2013, 10:48:52

Title: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: mbzse on February 21, 2013, 10:48:52
Well, the long-awaited ZF 5-speed gear boxes type S5-20 new production run are presently being delivered to the customers who pre-ordered.
A couple of dozen have been sent out already. One ends up in Stockholm, i enclose a picture here. Not mine, though.  Ain't that a beauty  8)
/Hans in Sweden

.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: mdsalemi on February 21, 2013, 13:02:05
Was the case of the original black?  Or, is this "new and improved"?  (I've never been underneath a 5-speed...)
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: mbzse on February 21, 2013, 13:15:02
Quote from: mdsalemi
Was the case of the original black?

Yes, certainly. Also the bell housing. However, it certainly wasn't powder coated...  on both my original ZF SL:s, the black paint on the bell housing has almost completely worn off

/Hans in Sweden

.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: George Des on February 21, 2013, 14:40:03
The body on my ZF is black but the bellhousing is in cast aluminum grey.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Benz Dr. on February 21, 2013, 16:22:19
The body on my ZF is black but the bellhousing is in cast aluminum grey.

So is mine, which makes me believe that they were never painted. There was no evidence that it was ever painted. The box is black.

What does that sticker on the bell housing say?
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Cees Klumper on February 21, 2013, 17:06:20
"Caution, gear box without oil" ( you need reading glasses Dan!)
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Benz Dr. on February 21, 2013, 19:42:29
I do, but only for close up.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: DaveB on February 21, 2013, 22:20:59
Thanks for posting that Hans. Do you have access to the installation/modification instructions?
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: George Des on February 22, 2013, 14:21:14
Looks really nice! I'd like to hear how it performs relative to the originals, particularly the noise levels and the shifting when cold. Also noticed that at least one vendor is selling one of these newly made ones with several conversion pieces for about $14.9K.

George Desiderio
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Jack Jones on February 22, 2013, 16:39:30
Makes the six speed Getrag conversion look really attractive at 5K.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: George Des on February 22, 2013, 19:29:07
This was certainly an interesting undertaking by ZF. What really intrigues me is the economics that were behind this. Like, how much tooling needed to be developed and what was the breakeven point for production. I'd be curious to see if once they hit the breakeven point if ZF lowers the price in an effort to make whatever more they can off the tooling investment.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: jaymanek on February 26, 2013, 15:13:25
I really cannot understand why anyone would do this when you can do the Getrag 265 conversion for relatively peanuts.

If you are going to stray from the original spec then the getrag is a far superior box.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Benz Dr. on February 26, 2013, 18:59:25
That's a rather simple answer. The 113 is about to take off in price and only original cars with all the right stuff will be worth the big money. A ZF trans is the one that means something. If you have an original car with this option, you have something.

Anything that was an option, or was currently available on the car, when or during the time it was being produced, is acceptable. Anything that wasn't available or placed on the car during those production years may be desireable but won't bring the same money at time of sale. The reasons for this are simply because it's harder to find, fix, or sort out these rare parts or options than it is to replace them with something different or newer.

 
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: jaymanek on February 27, 2013, 11:52:20
No offence intended but each to their own I guess.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: simonarn on February 27, 2013, 14:24:50
Thats what makes a market ;)
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Montreal V8 on February 27, 2013, 16:57:18
Jaymanek, I agree re. cost of ZF v. Getrag. I installed my Getrag for less than $1000.oo, and couldn't be more pleased. However, I agree with Dan regarding originality, although my car was not bought with its' future value in mind. I have kept all the original parts, incl. 4 speed, drive shaft, mount, shift linkage etc, so the car can go back to "as it left the factory" condition , should a future owner wish.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Benz Dr. on February 27, 2013, 22:49:21
If that price is '' installed '' then you did OK.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Garry on February 28, 2013, 03:38:42
If that is the installed price, I could not even get the conversion kit and the worm drive for the mechanical speedo for that price let alone purchase a good Getrag gearbox, drive shafts etc etc etc and after all that then there was the installation price and I could not even get it for that with every thing provided.  How much did he charge you an hour?   I am a bit  ???  that the installation can be done in that time.  unless the guy only charged $30-40 an hour??
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Montreal V8 on March 01, 2013, 16:22:56
  Re. Getrag installation.I did the installation myself at home.As a retired mechanic, after working on Jaguars for the last 30 years, the 280SL is a dream to work on. I also have a well equipped home workshop, including a lathe and milling machine. I machined the bell housing spacer myself (Don't ask how long that took !!) and also did all the other mods required at home . I bought a mount from Mark (Bull) in the UK, as that was the easiest route. He is extremely helpful and friendly. So the cost to me is roughly as follows :-
    Gearbox         $450  (Bought on Ebay some time ago.)
    Drive shaft      $250 (Sedan unit, modified as necessary)
    Trans. mount  $90   (App.)
    Labour           $0
    Heineken        $150
  Oops, didn't include the cost of the Redline, So I guess it cost a bit more than I first suggested.
  Hope this explains how the cost was  relatively low.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Louis on March 01, 2013, 17:03:25
He he ,  Heineken.... ;D
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: 71Beige280SL on March 01, 2013, 17:41:02
Dale - Sounds like you have the perfect setup in your Man Cave!
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Benz Dr. on March 02, 2013, 00:06:45
I could see that job being 3K or more at most places. You however, have an unfair advantage sir - you can actually do all of these things yourself, AND, you know what you're doing.  8)
More than most, I'm sure.  ;D
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Montreal V8 on March 03, 2013, 17:58:06
Dan, Thanks for the kind comments  -  Heavens, I can't recall the last time I was addressed as "sir" !! My decision to become a "Technician" (What a euphimism!) to my late mum's horror, God rest her, has stood me in good stead over the years. My shop equipment also took many years to accumulate. Of course, lastly, I can't overemphasise the invaluable encouragement given by Messers Heinekin over a sustained period !!
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Benz Dr. on March 03, 2013, 19:18:24
I corrected my post where I said that you '' can't '' do these things yourself because,  clearly you can.
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: tradjim on March 10, 2013, 14:32:54
Where can this gearbox be ordered from ?
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Garry on March 10, 2013, 22:52:29
You could try ZF but my understanding is that all 250 production units were pre sold.

Here is the contact.
i.A.Thomas Neuenfeld
ZF Services

Vertrieb Kundenservice / Ersatzmarkt EUROPA ( MATE3 )
Customer Service / Aftersales EUROPE  ( MATE3 )
Auftragserfüllungsprozess / Customer Order Processing
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Leutholdstraße, 88045 Friedrichshafen, Deutschland/Germany
Telefon/Phone +49 7541 77-5406, Telefax/Fax +49 7541 77-905406
thomas.neuenfeld@zf.com
www.zf.com


 I had an email from them last week advising me that mine is ready for delivery and giving me a set of instillation instructions for it.  I am passing it on to the new owner of my 280SL.

Garry
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: George Des on March 11, 2013, 14:54:44
These guys look like they picked up a few and are offering them as well.
<http://www.authenticclassics.com/New-ZF-5-Speed-Transmission-for-230SL-250SL-280SL-p/auth-004230.htm>

George
Title: Re: Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries
Post by: Garry on March 11, 2013, 20:45:04
Interesting pricing given that ZF are offering them at 7800 Euro >:(

Price gouging already.