When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
How to determine if transmission is original (5-speed)
Hey guys, I am looking to buy a 1996 EURO spec 5-speed 280SL
I want to know how I can confirm the vehicle hasn't been swapped from an auto to a manual?
When I check the Vin, it says Transmission 717444 07 042717
When I google that, I get nothing so I am just wondering before I go fly out to where the car is and get all excited if I can confirm whether or not its a factory manual or may have been swapped?
Also the current owner says the car was having trouble going into 3rd gear so the whole transmission was shipped out to a specialist to be rebuilt
Is it common for these 5-speed dogleg cars to have issues with less than 100K miles on them?
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Did not know MB put doglegs into the SL class. I thought it was just for the W201 Cosworth's. I could be mistaken but you might want to check into that.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Originally Posted by Ahmed
Yes, Europeans 280's had a 5 speed manual as standard actually, autos were an option.
So you might have yourself a keeper.
Contact MB directly.
I think my comment may have been misunderstood. 5-speed dogleg shift pattern is what I meant (is only put on cosworth's). Not 5-speed in general (including H pattern W201 like I have).
I was just speaking to the OP's comments about originality and if by any chance a dogleg pattern specifically even was offered in W129 class anywhere. I do not know the answer to that question.
R129.058 SL 280 (1993-1998) had 5-speed manual transmission 717.444 as standard. The 722.362 automatic was optional. I've never seen statistics how many buyers ticked the auto option. Probably many assessed the heavy R129 with 142 kW + auto a bit underpowered?
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Originally Posted by Pazo
R129.058 SL 280 (1993-1998) had 5-speed manual transmission 717.444 as standard. The 722.362 automatic was optional. I've never seen statistics how many buyers ticked the auto option. Probably many assessed the heavy R129 with 142 kW + auto a bit underpowered?
So you are saying 717.444 is a dogleg shift pattern then? Information on the web is conflicting some say dogleg others standard H pattern. My 717.435 is H pattern.
I think my comment may have been misunderstood. 5-speed dogleg shift pattern is what I meant (is only put on cosworth's). Not 5-speed in general (including H pattern W201 like I have).
I was just speaking to the OP's comments about originality and if by any chance a dogleg pattern specifically even was offered in W129 class anywhere. I do not know the answer to that question.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Originally Posted by AndreasHannover
Nice! Standard shift pattern offered by mercedes in the 80's and 90's. I have the same on my W201. We lost OP (Strider) here but I'm still thinking that the dogleg pattern was not offered outside of Cosworth's. These Benz H-pattern manuals were super hard to find in the US, which is why my W201 ended up in the showroom 'cause they could not sell it otherwise back in '89.
- Cheers!
There were two shift patterns in R129 manual transmissions. I believe the thread starter's Italian spec 1996 prospect car has the one on left but not fully sure. AndreasHannover is from Germany and probably knows - as his picture suggests too. From 1991-1993 owner's manual.
04-04-2023, 09:34 PM
