Classic car with automatic or manual gearbox?
Discussion
I'm curious if anyone here owns a Mercedes Benz 280, either the automatic https://dyler.com/cars/mercedes-benz/280-sl-for-sa... or manual https://dyler.com/cars/mercedes-benz/280-sl-for-sa... version.
How has the maintenance been for you? Are there any common issues I should be aware of? How does the cost of parts and repairs compare to other vehicles you've owned?
How has the maintenance been for you? Are there any common issues I should be aware of? How does the cost of parts and repairs compare to other vehicles you've owned?
Turbobanana said:
I firmly believe that some cars suit automatic boxes better than others.
Your example of Mercedes SLs is a case in point: almost all are autos. The auto box is good and, unlike some others, doesn't seem to affect performance enough to be an issue. Manual might be more involving, but auto suits the cars' characteristics better. If it were the other way around, would there not be more manuals about?
US iron is another example: big, slow-revving V8s suit an auto box quite well, whereas I wouldn't want one in a European, small-engined car. Jensen built a handful of manual Interceptors but most were autos.
Mercedes even took automatics rallying, with some success:
Your example of Mercedes SLs is a case in point: almost all are autos. The auto box is good and, unlike some others, doesn't seem to affect performance enough to be an issue. Manual might be more involving, but auto suits the cars' characteristics better. If it were the other way around, would there not be more manuals about?
US iron is another example: big, slow-revving V8s suit an auto box quite well, whereas I wouldn't want one in a European, small-engined car. Jensen built a handful of manual Interceptors but most were autos.
Mercedes even took automatics rallying, with some success:
Dapster said:
Mechatronik will do one for you but I doubt you'll get much change from €500,000
https://www.mechatronik.de/en/m-sl/engine/
As Turbobanana says, some cars are made to be automatic and the W113 Merc SL, in fact any Merc SL, and possible any Merc ever (except perhaps the 190E 2.5-16v Evo 1 and 2) should be automatic!
Dapster, this car looks amazing! Where did you find it?https://www.mechatronik.de/en/m-sl/engine/
As Turbobanana says, some cars are made to be automatic and the W113 Merc SL, in fact any Merc SL, and possible any Merc ever (except perhaps the 190E 2.5-16v Evo 1 and 2) should be automatic!
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