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Author Topic: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?  (Read 3681 times)

Cole

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What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« on: January 12, 2019, 01:05:48 »
Hi,

I have a '68 280SL with a stick shift that was originally sent to Italy. The VIN has the 113044 "10" indicating manual trans. I'd like to confirm what the original trans was on the car. Where on the data card is the type of manual trans specified and what would the code be for a 4-speed and a ZF 5-speed?
Thanks!
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Cole
'69 280SL, 40G Black/Burgundy Interior

Cole

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2019, 05:11:09 »
More info on this:
My 280SL currently has a 4-speed trans and there's no indication that the car was originally a 5-speed. I was just hoping that maybe it was and a prior owner then changed it.
I don't have the data card to check for the "230" code indicating a ZF 5-speed trans. The data plate attached shows only code "620" for Italy.
Joe Alexander was very helpful in providing some good info on this, particularly that a conversion from 5-speed to 4-speed or vice versa, would have involved a lot of work and expense for a prior owner as well as for me now.
If anybody has a picture of a data card with the 5-speed option or a picture of a data plate indicating this, I'd like to see it.

Thanks!
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Cole
'69 280SL, 40G Black/Burgundy Interior

Jonny B

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2019, 16:45:06 »
Take a look here - https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=13297.0

The 429 code is also listed in the technical manual (available to full members) it is the combination of power steering and the 5-speed manual.
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Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Cole

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2019, 22:54:52 »
I appreciate it.
These 5-speed codes are clearly on the data card, but what about the data plate on the car?
Does anybody have a data plate or seen one that includes the ZF 5-speed code(s)?
I'm not certain MB put these 5-speed codes on the data plates though it would make sense that they did. See the picture of my data plate above which does not show them --either because my car was not a factory 5-speed or they don't include those codes on the plate.

Thanks.
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Cole
'69 280SL, 40G Black/Burgundy Interior

Garry

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2019, 23:24:00 »
here is a data card with the 5 speed option.  And no it was not put on the plate on the car by MB



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Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

Cole

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2019, 01:18:01 »
Thanks. That helps.
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Cole
'69 280SL, 40G Black/Burgundy Interior

MikeSimon

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2019, 17:56:46 »
So, my question is, was there a "1" in the code section for the transmission.
The "10" indicates 1= Left Hand Drive and 0 = manual.
Mine is an automatic and it says "12" there, 1 = LHD and 2 = Auto Tranny.
Was there a "11"?
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1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

sandcrab59

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2019, 15:41:07 »
Gary I see your data card, but in which box is the code for a 5 speed. What is the code?
Tom
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71 280SL-8  Euro
67 250 SL
72 220 D
1982 300 SD
1983 300SD
1985 300SD
1931 Model A Ford Roadster
1997 Corvette C5

Matt Stickley

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2019, 04:21:08 »
Tom,
5speed manual is Code 230; Hi Diff Ratio is 232.....
Anybody know what 666 and 320 mean?
This is the Data Card for my ZF 5 speed 1969 280 SL.....
cheers
Matt😊
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Garry

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2019, 06:39:56 »
666 transport preparation, the rear diff ratio on that car was 4.08 and the 320 is left hand mirror
« Last Edit: July 28, 2019, 06:44:23 by Garry »
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Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

neelyrc

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2019, 16:19:32 »
Quote from: Matt Stickley on July 28, 2019, 04:21:08
.... This is the Data Card for my ZF 5 speed 1969 280 SL.....

Matt, Very close to my car leaving the factory.  Mine is 007749 only 36 cars before yours.  I also wanted the 5 speed but when I ordered they had already stopped processing 5 speeds for the USA
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Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
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Shvegel

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2019, 08:05:46 »
Another telltale indicator of a 5 speed car is the low number on the gearbox ID box.  4 speeds were produced in much greater numbers and carry much higher serial numbers in the tens of thousand range.   We did some "Supposing" a few years ago and at that time the theory was that the body plate listed only options that effected the body build.   Things like radio prep where there would be an additional hole for an antenna or market info where you would have marker lamp codes etc.  Since the 5 speed didn't require the body to be modified it wouldn't be listed on the body tag.
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sandcrab59

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2019, 19:48:15 »
Matt:
Thanks for that picture of your data card.
I finally found time to get back to the site.
I thought my car had it , but it does not.
A euro and produced end of jan 1971.
Thanks
Tom
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71 280SL-8  Euro
67 250 SL
72 220 D
1982 300 SD
1983 300SD
1985 300SD
1931 Model A Ford Roadster
1997 Corvette C5

Matt Stickley

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Re: What are code(s) for a 4-speed and ZF 5-speed trans on the (280SL) data card?
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2019, 11:44:15 »
Thanks Gary,
You have been so helpful, as always....
Matt
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