190D Baby Benz 5 Speed Manual | W201 Project Car

In this episode of Auto Afflicted we purchase the 190D Baby Benz. This W201 project car is a true gem, boasting a 5-speed manual transmission that will add an extra layer of driving pleasure.
In this video, we cover the Facebook marketplace interactions, trailer the 190D home and reveal the plan for this cool hit of Benz history…. Should we swap the manual into the W124 turbo Benz?
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[@ANDERZENAMG]

I got your back jack! Thx for the shout out, god those diesel motors are God tier when it comes to running forever! Coupe is gonna be sweet rowing gears!

[@AutoAfflicted]

🙏🏼 yes! Hopefully some puts the diesel motor to use… feels like I’m going to have to keep the coupé after this crucial upgrade, makes it pretty pretty pretty rare 🥩

[@jeffbender5055]

Can’t wait!

[@AutoAfflicted]

I know! Gonna really change the game, waiting is the hardest part

[@kyledrums702]

This is gonna be a sweet build for the coupe.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Definitely will level up the experience and rarity of the build - hopefully I can get started by August and have a little time to enjoy it before winter

[@TheCluelessEnthusiast]

The coupe is going to be a lot more fun when the manual goes in

[@AutoAfflicted]

Yes yes! I was already having fun banging the 4 speed auto, 5 spd manual will be all time

[@SuperRudolfMan]

Hey man, just found your channel and love you content. Keep it up. 👍 Just a quick note regarding what you said about the gearboxes. Yes w124 and w201 do share same gearboxes, engines and other parts. However, Mercedes manual gearboxes cannot handle lot of torque especially those fitted small N/A diesels. Best manual gearboxes that came with those models are the 5 speed dogleg (fitted in 190 2.3-16 and straight 6 gas w124 and SL R129 manual) and standard 5-speed from any straight 6 Mercedes or turbo diesel. Don’t get me wrong, it will with 100% got, but the probability of the 2.2 diesel gearbox to go “kaput” is higher than the other gearboxes. I get what you are trying to do, but if I were you I would not trust the 2.2 diesel tranny to handle the torque of the turbo m103 on the long term. (NOTE: I am no expert, just sharing opinion and info that I have gathered over the years, also I am prepping a similar build like your coupe) ✌️

[@AutoAfflicted]

Thanks for checking out the vid… I’m def leaning toward not using this manual.. the crossfire manual would be better but surely requires adapting… I’m thinking about keeping the auto for the advantage of keeping the turbo spooling between gears ⚙️

[@daveynino5141]

Fantastic video (babyBenz)

[@AutoAfflicted]

Thx mane! Can’t wait to get this 5spd in the turbo Benz

[@TheOnlyKontrol]

Hey only found your channel a month ago and just stumbled on this video…love all the ce content. As a 124 enthusiast myself who has done a 5speed and 6speed swap I have all the information you need if you’d like any help. Also potentially parts and ideas on what parts to get. The trans in that 190 will most like be one of the weakest Mercedes released. So basically what this means is you can’t expect to bang gears with a 250whp car and have it last forever especially 3rd gear which is a weak spot on those transmissions. Stock clutch won’t work also just for the simple fact of clamping strength. It will slip but the flywheel is something you can keep and use…Mercedes basically just used the same flywheel but machined the inside surface out half inch more to fit a 9” clutch for the 6cyl and 2.3/2.5-16v and they also added some timing marks on the back of the flywheel for the gas engines which can easily be cut of and welded on to the manual flywheel in the correct spots. The 4cyl and diesels usually have a 8.5” clutch. So realistically you can always machine the flywheel to fit a bigger clutch or what I have done before is buy a upgraded stage1/2/3 clutch from a company called SPEC they make clutch’s for all w201 models. Once you get passed that hurdle is really does start becoming plug and play. The whole clutch line and clutch pedal system is plug and play. Shifter arms only need maybe a inch of lengthening but the shifter bolts in the same way. The driveshaft on your ce will have bigger flex discs and center splines that connect the two shafts but all you really need to do is have the 190 flange welded onto your front shaft section. Trans mount might also need a little work. After this though you are basically done. If you have any questions let me know.

[@AutoAfflicted]

Yes! I’m still gathering knowledge and will def hit you up! Swap is on the back burn rn as the turbo went and took the head gasket with it… so time to rebuild the top end and strengthen for more boost, 300+ WHP … do you think I should look for a stronger trans?

[@DarinNederhoff]

Nice hat! ;-)

[@AutoAfflicted]

Custom 90s flexfit 🤣

[@VITOSGARAGE]

Restore please!

[@AutoAfflicted]

I can’t resist taking its special parts to manual swap my C124 turbo coupe

[@VITOSGARAGE]

@@AutoAfflicted ohhh so you modify cars, you don’t restore? Makes sense now. Oh well

[@AutoAfflicted]

@VITOSGARAGE yes, mostly modifications, but especially in this instance where this would be a rebuilt title anyway, and so not really worth trying to restore when it could donate it’s wonderful parts to a more interesting project… perhaps someday I’ll come up on something that’s worth restoring