Elusive ZF 5-speed

[Jonny B]

I stopped and chatted with my mechanic this morning and we got to speaking about the "supposed" ZF 5 speeds that are "available(??)". My question, has anyone on the forum actually bought one, or do you even know of, heard of, rumored of, someone that has? This has turned into sort of a running joke as to what is really out there. He has been trying to get one for several years.

[Peter h]

I know someone here in Europe who has ordered a ZF 5-speed and also installed.
Peter

[mbzse]

.../... ZF 5 speeds../... My question, has anyone on the forum actually bought one.../...

Yes, certainly, I have mounted one in a 280SL. See for instance this thread http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=19856.0

He has been trying to get one for several years

Well, not easy to find a ZF five-speed today. The window for ordering one of the "new batch", made by ZF factory, was in 2011.
I enclose the "info flyer" from back then [.pdf].  Ads were also printed in various M-B magazines
Some info on the delivery from ZF in 2012 in this posting of mine: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=15652.0
/Hans in Sweden
.

[mbzse]

Just noted, vendor AuthenticClassic does seem to have the ZF for sale
/Hans in Sweden
See web site http://www.authenticclassics.com/category-s/55.htm?searching=Y&sort=13&cat=55&show=14&page=3
[I have no association w. seller etc.]

[Garry]

I purchased one and had it delivered, just after I sold my original 5 speed. 

The new owner purchased it from me and I believe had it fitted in place of the temp Getrag I had fitted.

Garry

[sandcrab59]

Hey Jon:
I just came across some people stating that the Getrag 265 5 speed is far superior to the ZF Transmission.
Take that for what it is worth.

I just purchased a Getrag from your neck of the woods and a conversion kit from Germany. It looks great.
I am contemplating bring the whole assembly to Blacklick, so you can see it.
I have not had time to inform Joe about it.
 See you in Sep.
Tom

[Montreal V8]

   Hi Tom. Re. ZF versus Getrag, I should like to add a comment or two. I put a Getrag  in to my 280SL, and it transformed the car, in my opinion. I also have an Alfa Romeo Montreal with the ZF , and the difference is noticeable. The Getrag has a much nicer shift, and the pattern is also more sensible. I couldn't confirm it as being far superior, as both do the job they were designed for, just that the Getrag is much nicer to use.   Cheers,  Dale.

[tom.hanson]

we will be getting more of these in the not too distant future.

[UJJ]

Tom
which one do you get in, the ZF or the Getrag?
Do you know the $ yet?

[GGR]

The stock trans on Pagodas are also Getrags. So one needs to specify. The one we are talking about here is the 265, mostly found on BMWs.

I'm sure Tom is referring to the ZF.