Five-speed ZF gearbox deliveries

[mbzse]

Well, the long-awaited ZF 5-speed gear boxes type S5-20 new production run are presently being delivered to the customers who pre-ordered.
A couple of dozen have been sent out already. One ends up in Stockholm, i enclose a picture here. Not mine, though.  Ain't that a beauty  
/Hans in Sweden

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[mdsalemi]

Was the case of the original black?  Or, is this "new and improved"?  (I've never been underneath a 5-speed...)

[mbzse]

Was the case of the original black?

Yes, certainly. Also the bell housing. However, it certainly wasn't powder coated...  on both my original ZF SL:s, the black paint on the bell housing has almost completely worn off

/Hans in Sweden

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[George Des]

The body on my ZF is black but the bellhousing is in cast aluminum grey.

[Benz Dr.]

The body on my ZF is black but the bellhousing is in cast aluminum grey.

So is mine, which makes me believe that they were never painted. There was no evidence that it was ever painted. The box is black.

What does that sticker on the bell housing say?

[Cees Klumper]

"Caution, gear box without oil" ( you need reading glasses Dan!)

[Benz Dr.]

I do, but only for close up.

[DaveB]

Thanks for posting that Hans. Do you have access to the installation/modification instructions?

[George Des]

Looks really nice! I'd like to hear how it performs relative to the originals, particularly the noise levels and the shifting when cold. Also noticed that at least one vendor is selling one of these newly made ones with several conversion pieces for about $14.9K.

George Desiderio

[Jack Jones]

Makes the six speed Getrag conversion look really attractive at 5K.

[George Des]

This was certainly an interesting undertaking by ZF. What really intrigues me is the economics that were behind this. Like, how much tooling needed to be developed and what was the breakeven point for production. I'd be curious to see if once they hit the breakeven point if ZF lowers the price in an effort to make whatever more they can off the tooling investment.

[jaymanek]

I really cannot understand why anyone would do this when you can do the Getrag 265 conversion for relatively peanuts.

If you are going to stray from the original spec then the getrag is a far superior box.

[Benz Dr.]

That's a rather simple answer. The 113 is about to take off in price and only original cars with all the right stuff will be worth the big money. A ZF trans is the one that means something. If you have an original car with this option, you have something.

Anything that was an option, or was currently available on the car, when or during the time it was being produced, is acceptable. Anything that wasn't available or placed on the car during those production years may be desireable but won't bring the same money at time of sale. The reasons for this are simply because it's harder to find, fix, or sort out these rare parts or options than it is to replace them with something different or newer.

 

[jaymanek]

No offence intended but each to their own I guess.

[simonarn]

Thats what makes a market

[Montreal V8]

Jaymanek, I agree re. cost of ZF v. Getrag. I installed my Getrag for less than $1000.oo, and couldn't be more pleased. However, I agree with Dan regarding originality, although my car was not bought with its' future value in mind. I have kept all the original parts, incl. 4 speed, drive shaft, mount, shift linkage etc, so the car can go back to "as it left the factory" condition , should a future owner wish.

[Benz Dr.]

If that price is '' installed '' then you did OK.

[Garry]

If that is the installed price, I could not even get the conversion kit and the worm drive for the mechanical speedo for that price let alone purchase a good Getrag gearbox, drive shafts etc etc etc and after all that then there was the installation price and I could not even get it for that with every thing provided.  How much did he charge you an hour?   I am a bit    that the installation can be done in that time.  unless the guy only charged $30-40 an hour??

[Montreal V8]

  Re. Getrag installation.I did the installation myself at home.As a retired mechanic, after working on Jaguars for the last 30 years, the 280SL is a dream to work on. I also have a well equipped home workshop, including a lathe and milling machine. I machined the bell housing spacer myself (Don't ask how long that took !!) and also did all the other mods required at home . I bought a mount from Mark (Bull) in the UK, as that was the easiest route. He is extremely helpful and friendly. So the cost to me is roughly as follows :-
    Gearbox         $450  (Bought on Ebay some time ago.)
    Drive shaft      $250 (Sedan unit, modified as necessary)
    Trans. mount  $90   (App.)
    Labour           $0
    Heineken        $150
  Oops, didn't include the cost of the Redline, So I guess it cost a bit more than I first suggested.
  Hope this explains how the cost was  relatively low.

[Louis]

He he ,  Heineken....

[71Beige280SL]

Dale - Sounds like you have the perfect setup in your Man Cave!

[Benz Dr.]

I could see that job being 3K or more at most places. You however, have an unfair advantage sir - you can actually do all of these things yourself, AND, you know what you're doing.  
More than most, I'm sure.  

[Montreal V8]

Dan, Thanks for the kind comments  -  Heavens, I can't recall the last time I was addressed as "sir" !! My decision to become a "Technician" (What a euphimism!) to my late mum's horror, God rest her, has stood me in good stead over the years. My shop equipment also took many years to accumulate. Of course, lastly, I can't overemphasise the invaluable encouragement given by Messers Heinekin over a sustained period !!

[Benz Dr.]

I corrected my post where I said that you '' can't '' do these things yourself because,  clearly you can.

[tradjim]

Where can this gearbox be ordered from ?

[Garry]

You could try ZF but my understanding is that all 250 production units were pre sold.

Here is the contact.
i.A.Thomas Neuenfeld
ZF Services

Vertrieb Kundenservice / Ersatzmarkt EUROPA ( MATE3 )
Customer Service / Aftersales EUROPE  ( MATE3 )
Auftragserfüllungsprozess / Customer Order Processing
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Leutholdstraße, 88045 Friedrichshafen, Deutschland/Germany
Telefon/Phone +49 7541 77-5406, Telefax/Fax +49 7541 77-905406
thomas.neuenfeld@zf.com
www.zf.com


 I had an email from them last week advising me that mine is ready for delivery and giving me a set of instillation instructions for it.  I am passing it on to the new owner of my 280SL.

Garry

[George Des]

These guys look like they picked up a few and are offering them as well.
<http://www.authenticclassics.com/New-ZF-5-Speed-Transmission-for-230SL-250SL-280SL-p/auth-004230.htm>

George

[Garry]

Interesting pricing given that ZF are offering them at 7800 Euro

Price gouging already.