Author Topic: are all 5 speed manuals zf? ......  (Read 2579 times)

flyingv

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are all 5 speed manuals zf? ......
« on: May 17, 2010, 22:11:30 »
hi i have been offered a beautiful 1996 lhd euro 230sl silver on red - its a 5 speed manual.......i dont want to 'tip' the owner off that it may be a zf gearbox as i believe they command a significant premium (correct?).....but is it??? how do i find out - are all 5 speeds zf's???......also i heard they are impossible to get parts for if theres a problem ie zf's....thx guys

Garry

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Re: are all 5 speed manuals zf? ......
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2010, 22:30:45 »
I assume you mean a 1966?

All five speeds that left the MB factory as such were ZF gear boxes.  All 5 speeds that are around now are not necessarily ZF or if they are ZF are not the original gear box in accordance with the data card but have been modified either from another W113 but most probably from a sedan.  There are probably more 5 speeds in the US with ZF gear boxes that ever left the factory with them for that market.  If it was RHD you could probably say it was original, LHD from Europe probably also ok but a LHD from US maybe 50/50.  
The best way to know if it is original is to see the data card and what gearbox it left the factory with and establish if it has been converted or not and to what.

They do bring a premium if it is a genuine original and not a conversion.  The converted cars are IHO probably worth a bit extra to cover what the gearbox cost to buy and fit but that is about it.

If you can get an original go for it, they are a very very expensive gearbox if they go wrong and at this point as there are next to no spares available but there has been some rumours  of ZF producing spares at some time in the future.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2010, 22:34:14 by Garry »
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G
2005 MB A200
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Electric
2024 Volvo EX30 Electric

flyingv

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Re: are all 5 speed manuals zf? ......
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2010, 22:57:04 »
thx garry - v helpful!

kbshearer

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Re: are all 5 speed manuals zf? ......
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2010, 06:00:59 »
I've got a ZF 5 speed '67 230 SL. It originally came from Italy, although it spent most of it's life in the States. My brother has a  4 speed....I certainly like the 5 speed better....but the 4 speed is pretty good too!