W123 4-speed to 5-speed manual swap - what donor cars are still findable in NSW now

Started by Kosta_K, 06-06-2017 09:35 PM. 18 replies. 2,031 views.

07-06-2017 06:59 AM

Kosta_K M.A.L.A.K.A.S.

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 1,923
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 280E Auto

not a crisis but.

1978 280E manual at the cafe. 4 speed currently. Want to do the 5 speed swap (Getrag 717.412). The 5 speed makes the car actually usable on the freeway - the 4 speed is 3,800 RPM at 110 which is wearing my customer down.

The 717.412 went into the 230E and 280E from 1983 (W123 facelift) and into early W124 200/230/260. Both are mechanically compatible with the M110 in his car with a different bellhousing.

Whats findable in NSW now. The 5 speed W123s have been picked clean. the W124 200/230 manuals were never popular here.

07-06-2017 06:59 AM

Vasilios_Billy

Lifetime Benzer

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 1,864
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 2020 AMG GT C

Kosta..

In 2019 NSW the realistic donor options for the Getrag 717.412 are:

1985-1992 W124 200/230 manual sedan or wagon.. rare but they exist. Maybe 4-6 cars statewide on club registration. None will be a donor; thier owners value them.

1985-1989 W201 190E manual. More findable. maybe 30-40 cars statewide if your lucky. The 190E gearbox is the same 717.412. Owners are mixed - some are project cars where the engine is the appeal and the gearbox is incidental.

1984-1985 W123 facelift manual 280E/230E. Picked-over, you are correct.

Imported from Europe. Cost is about EUR 1,800 for a known-good unit plus EUR 600 shipping. Total about $4,000 landed. Realistic for a fastidious build.

The cheapest in-Australia path is a W201 190E donor. Some are accident-write-offs at the auctions; the gearbox usually survives even a heavy front-end strike. Watch Manheim and Pickles for early-90s 190Es with front-end damage. Approximately $800-1,200 for the box if you can extract it yourself.

07-06-2017 06:59 AM

Cousin_Johnny_M Luxury Car Sales

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earlwood NSW
Posts: 1,438
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1981 W123 280CE

BRO Kosta.. I had a 1988 190E manual donor at Auburn 6 months ago. Burgundy. Front-end damage. The box was perfect. I sold the whole car for $2,400 to a Cousin in Strathfield who built a track car out of it. The box went into the track car..

I will keep an eye out. If something comes thru the lot at Scuderia Luxury Assets with the right box I will PM you first. Bring the cafe coffee.

07-06-2017 06:59 AM

Vasilios_Billy

Lifetime Benzer

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 2,118
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 2020 AMG GT C

Update for the thread: I have located a 1987 190E 2.3 manual donor in Wollongong. Front-end damage from a 2021 RTA accident, the car has been sitting since. The gearbox is intact and the seller (estate sale, the owner passed last year) will accept $600 for the box plus $200 to remove it from the car. Photos available. Kosta - PM me.

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