560SL with manual shift? (2023 Update)

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1988 560SL with 19k miles and very good condition but it has a manual transmission. Were these models ever sold in U.S.? IF not, is this car worth having or are there likely to be problems with registration, smog, safety, other?

Stuart

snipped-for-privacy@valontechnology.com

Reply to
Stuart
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The only 'normal' manual shift Mercs I've ever driven have been awful, with slow, notchy gearboxes. Best to avoid the Manuals if possible and stick with the excellent autos especially on something like the SL.

-- JB

E500

190 Evolution II
Reply to
JB

Huh. The manual gearboxes sure are wooden, but neither notchy nor slow IMHO. It's no BMW-style rifle-bolt action, sure, but it is no worse than any front-wheel drive car. You get clutch feeling, though, which is far more important. Automatic transmission sucks.

I don't think a manual gearbox 560SL was ever offered _anywhere_, though. (Somebody will doubtlessly correct me if I'm wrong.) I suspect that the car must be either built to special order by DB or modified by a previous owner.

Reply to
Roy G. Ovrebo

As Roy correctly pointed out, the 560 SL was not sold with a manual transmission anywhere. The 560 SL was made only as a U.S., Canadian, Japanese, and Australian model. There was never a Euro model. The only transmission it came with was a 4-speed auto. Have you actually seen the car with a manual transmission? If so, ask which transmission it has (MB or other, 4-speed or

3-speed) and who converted it.

Best regards,

Danny

Reply to
E 55 AMG

Front-wheel drive?

DAS

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Reply to
Dori Schmetterling

Yes, a configuration used on inferior cars.

Did you perhaps read an "other" into it?

Reply to
Roy G. Ovrebo

Maybe I misread your post, but I thought you were suggesting front-wheel drive on a Merc...

DAS

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Reply to
Dori Schmetterling

In 1985, while working in a shop, I saw a gray market 560 sl with a 5 speed manual mb transmission arrive in the shop for service. I did not work on it, and ever since I have wondered if that car was a special order, or if it was available somewhere in the world.

Reply to
GSS

Interesting My neighbor has a 1987 560Sl with a 5 Speed... He bought in Germany and shipped it home after putting 7000mi. on it vacationing in Europe in 1987 - Went through Dot Etc.. drives it 2 times a month... factory installed he bought new ? Ill need to reach out for some more info... I'm Porsche guy, and not a Benz guy ... Cheers -

Reply to
Brownie-

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