In Europe you can get basically every model, except the S-Class and the largest engine E-Class with a manual transmission. I have a CLK 200 Kompressor (C208) with a 5-speed manual.
Especially with a Merc. Most of their stock auto transmissions start off from a dead stop in 2nd gear with a ghosted 1st gear that Mercedes calls a " Towing gear " . You can get the car to downshift into 1st if you gag it just right but it shifts pretty violently, lol.
This changes everything! It transforms the car for sure. I am a huge fan of manual swaps in auto only cars. I did a 5-speed swap in a Honda Odyssey when the auto took a dump.
I had a CLK 430 some months ago and it is an amazing machine, 1999 model tuned to 300hp lowered on H&R springs, looked stunning. Can't even imagine how well it must run on a manual gearbox that's working properly without fault :) I upgraded it to a 2001 CLK 55 AMG which i love dearly. Can't even compare the power, but really miss the huge exhaust pipe on the 430 and the roar as it takes off in kickdown which the 55 lacks. Thinking of installing a second set of pipes running separately, double trouble ;)
I've literally thought the same thing; put a six speed manual in a CLK chassis and have the best all around Grant Touring Coupe. If this gentleman does indeed put a 5.5 motor in there, PLEASE do a redo because that just sounds like it would be perfect. Great job David and great video Matt!
The owner of this car is such a nice guy. Great video Matt. I already felt the owner was a genius before you said so in the video and before I actually commented on it. Pure genius. He is smart and nice. The car sounds and looks great!
I own a CLK430 cabrio that I drive in the summer and warmer weather and I llove it I always thought someone should do this and here it and this is amazing!!!!!!
I think the dude from concierge is holding back and he just doesn’t want anyone to jack his idea, understandably.... hopefully there will be a CLK 55 or 63 with a six speed very soon!.
I have a second gen! Excellent car and I love every second with it. It handles so much better than you'd expect and is a real joy to drive, especially in the mountains. The second gen also has pillar-less windows which makes it amazing. Having a stick in it would complete the car.
I've just recently bought an R170 SLK with the 320 M112 mated to manual 'box. I'd owned an SL 320 M112 for years. The manual 'box just transforms the engine.
It's been done before. There's a guy on MBworld with a 6 speed CLK500, and Renntech converted a CLK430 to a 6.0L and slapped a 6 speed on it back in 2003.
The funny thing is this 5 speed automatic is simulated very well in Gran Turismo 4 on two Merc models only. The SL500 and SL 55 (both R230). When you drive them in manual mode in the game, the transmission does exactly what you want but you get the very smooth shifts as a torque converter auto should (the best part of the transmission I really liked). But in real life its the opposite. 🤣 I feel like the transmission in real life needs a tune for the shifting program, atleast in Sport mode with manual mode engaged, but leave Comfort mode as it is.
I love these cars. I almost bought a 99 CLK 430 that was pimped out with wheels and a sound system tapped into the factory system. the day I came to get it, it was sold and I ended up with a 2000 Volvo C70 coupe
This addresses a critical issue with ALL Mercedes: people (journalists, professional drivers, enthusiasts, weekend warriors) RAVE about the engines but ALWAYS shit on the transmissions, especially in the late-model vehicles. And I'm sure we could all agree that we've all thought "Why doesn't Mercedes offer manual transmissions?" ESPECIALLY since they haven't seemed to have gotten the automatics mastered. It's like they're trying not to do what everyone has done but they've alienated themselves from a large segment of buyers and enthusiasts. It's like that ONE THING they can't get right.
Wow Truly Amazing Someone that's Installed a Manual Transmission into there Car as a Solution eventhough The Transmission was Originally Automatic. Swapping is Expensive & Tricky Work.👍👍👍 Manuals are Truly Awesome🚘 I'm Always Happy to See a Benz Since I Had Driver Training & The Test In a Benz. With a Manual Transmission. In The Summer of 2022 on the 1st Try A Terrific Video Thanks Allot👍👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌🚘🚘🚘🚘 Manual Car
man i wish if i knew how to do such work . that is the only ability that will encourage me to buy them cars . simply because money can't fix their endless problems . so that kind of knowledge is a blessing. for real. working on your car is way better then having a mechanic . no matter how much money you pay still not his car !!!
I wonder what the final weight figures are for this swap vs a stock/unmodified CLK430? I'd imagine it would've helped lighten up the front end to make it more nimble too!
My first introduction into the luxury world. He should do the upgrade brake caliper next I forgot what model Benz you can take them from. Great job bro.
Great transmission swap. It must change the car behaviour and must be fun to drive. I think manual Mercedes desapeared a long time ago. Congratulations to this guy for make it manual
@Mozart Lalanne - yes, the late ones have cool bodywork, but the pre-facelift models have the black lines on the bottom that ties it somewhat with the CLK-GTR. And if you get one with the regular AC you get the circular ventilation controls just like in the CLK-GTR.
Man... you did something that bloody Mercedes had to do decades ago! What always puts me off of Merc is lack of proper manual for their V8 engines! More over nowadays you can have manual only with the weakest one! BRILLIANT JOB!
I always loved those cars too (I had a SLK a few years ago; same engine) until I saw the Jeremy Clarkson Crossfire clip, and now I cant unsee what he saw lol
I have an SRT-6 with a really good ECU and TCU tune with a few bolt ons and it really makes the car pretty capable. It should have come a little more responsive from the factory.
In the video he mentioned it’s basically fooling the transmission computer to think it’s in P all the time. Does that affect ABS and traction control functionality?
Super cool, the Mercedes community needs more people that modify and swap engines and transmissions etc like in the BMW community. Not saying that there aren't, but it needs to be larger. Heck, even the Mercedes community needs to be larger I think.
I don't know why people are afraid to experiment with Mercedes...at least here in the states. Everyone is like "Nah man, I wouldn't do that if I were you." It's just a fuckin car. And the people that do manufacture/modify charge more than the quickest depreciating 2-tons are worth.
It needs bigger front brakes, Germany spec W208 430 have bigger rotors and 2/4 pod calipers versus US models with one piston caliper and 300mm rotor, same stuff is installed on CLK320...P.S. Car sounds awesome!!!
What you'll find is that if you go to England and even Europe there are manual transmissions everywhere. I was very surprised to find they have manual transmission station wagons, mini vans, and big luxury cars. When I learned to drive in high school the instructor taught us on a automatic. I much prefer manual transmissions. I think there must be a conspiracy against offering manual transmissions here in the US.
(~5:10-5:25) THANK YOU! THAT IS WHY I ONLY WANT MANUALS. I mean, a PDK nearly reads your mind, and I hear the M DCT is very close, but short of that...gotta have a manual and three pedals. Drives me crazy not to.
The SRT Crossfire doesn't come in a stick. It's built on SLK 32 AMG bones and uses the automatic only. That's Merc's problem you can't swap most of them without going to huge trouble because there is a dearth of manual transmissions even made to mate to the MB engines.
Wow.... I am pleasantly surprised with this build. I must say, when I read the video title I was fully prepared to laugh my way through this one. What you did is amazing and totally badass though ! Props !!!
LOOK TAVARISH! SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY FINISHED A MANUAL SWAP!
Big Country first person I thought of. I need someone to manual swap an SL 65 Black.
Lol
Maybe he's getting ideas in Italy now.
At this point, fuck Tavarish.
Big Country His amg has twice the power of this clk, conversion isn't as easy.
Manual Merc with a V8. Boss. Love it.
ChaosphereIX and it's the sexy gen of CLk
Richard Harrold 2nd gen = best gen
@Richard Harrold nope. Looks like a womans car.
1st generation is much more muscle car looking.
@Richard Harrold how are they different
This man is a hero ! A manual swap on any Benz should be standard 😁
Look out Mercedes bmw is watching👀
Only the 430 and 55 AMG of these models are auto only. The others can be found with a manual.
Manual take rate these days is very low though.
M113 ftw
vdochev nope, the v6 was auto-only too
when I saw manual and benz together, I got my lotion ready
Mercedes Mob Username checks out
real men would use engine oil!
Mercedes Mob lmao
In Europe you can get basically every model, except the S-Class and the largest engine E-Class with a manual transmission. I have a CLK 200 Kompressor (C208) with a 5-speed manual.
@Generic 2020 - I don't know what your point is, but did you see the pictures? All of these are automatics.
Tremendous, dude fixed the biggest issue that the majority of mercs have.
Most Merc autos are well built though
and which issue is that ? ? /
you haven't even driven the car how do you know it's a good manual trannsmission car
@@jetstream454 for a auto yeah, but is still miles away from the enjoyment and raw feel of the manual.
@@christophercolumbus8944 because manual Mercedes are really good to drive.
Lol, finally, someone found the one good use for a Chrysler Crossfire!
LOL oh the savagery
🙄
Matt you are right! The type of transmission does completely change the vibe of any car.
Especially with a Merc. Most of their stock auto transmissions start off from a dead stop in 2nd gear with a ghosted 1st gear that Mercedes calls a " Towing gear " . You can get the car to downshift into 1st if you gag it just right but it shifts pretty violently, lol.
Aefwa Efwe you Start off in 1st gear, when driving in s Mode. C/w Mode Starts off in 2nd
This changes everything! It transforms the car for sure. I am a huge fan of manual swaps in auto only cars. I did a 5-speed swap in a Honda Odyssey when the auto took a dump.
Doing this very soon allready built a shifter box for the van,cant wait to look at the wife with a smile when it blows and it will j35 love lollll
V8, RWD, MT, sound, torque curve, awesome.
“ yea, I call it Project Sex Change “ lmaoo
or conversion therapy...
TRANSgender
There should be more and more 'transgearboxes' now that humans led by Caitlyn have popularized it.
Literally no one does that.
That’s Insane, You actually get to use the motors raw HP...! I want one
The 430 is a nice balance of power, luxury and economy...never seen a manual! 👌😀
Nice exhaust note! 👍
I had a CLK 430 some months ago and it is an amazing machine, 1999 model tuned to 300hp lowered on H&R springs, looked stunning.
Can't even imagine how well it must run on a manual gearbox that's working properly without fault :)
I upgraded it to a 2001 CLK 55 AMG which i love dearly. Can't even compare the power, but really miss the huge exhaust pipe on the 430 and the roar as it takes off in kickdown which the 55 lacks. Thinking of installing a second set of pipes running separately, double trouble ;)
This is a game changer, if someone could pull this on an M156 based engine that would be amazing
I'm thinking a Viper trans swap would be ideal. They pitted one against an SLS and they're VERY similar in character
@@1stGenStunter viper lol. dogshit cars.
This is kick-ass...now 55 time...I salute you sir, this is the way a Benz should be, well done!
The death of the manual crossfires. Benz people will start raiding the market soon
good!
Well crossfires are garbage so...
Crossfires are garbage anyways unless you have the SRT-6
Slk should have the same gearbox
So do 05 and up Jeep Wranglers
Love the old school Star on the hood. Remembers me of my old E Class.
I've literally thought the same thing; put a six speed manual in a CLK chassis and have the best all around Grant Touring Coupe. If this gentleman does indeed put a 5.5 motor in there, PLEASE do a redo because that just sounds like it would be perfect. Great job David and great video Matt!
My favorite design, a Clk 55 AMG W208 is the car of my dreams, especially with manual transmission
CLK55 AMG Conversion please..👌
What the fuck...
That escalated swiftly.
I'm waiting for the 2017 Mercedes Benz S550 6 speed swap lol.
Frank Rizzo Yes. That's exactly what I meant. By the way, it's, "their car is done."
Frank Rizzo That was a good one. I can't lie lol.
The owner of this car is such a nice guy. Great video Matt. I already felt the owner was a genius before you said so in the video and before I actually commented on it. Pure genius. He is smart and nice. The car sounds and looks great!
Oh this is nice....this is some serious dedication right here.
5:04 "I call it project sex change"... Cut away to b-roll... Cut back to him laughing. I can only imagine what he said in between lol
I always thought my old clk430 coupe would have been perfect in a 6sp, this proves it.
Love this. A true car guy takes a nice car and improves so much on it with some handy work.
By ‘nobody had done it’, he meant that I have been producing V8 manuals mercs since 2013. First to figure it out 100% factory, and still the only one.
I don’t use the TCU or shifter for autos either. It’s actual factory.
@@TheMercedesSwapShop what country
I own a CLK430 cabrio that I drive in the summer and warmer weather and I llove it I always thought someone should do this and here it and this is amazing!!!!!!
AWESOME ! GO DAVID @ Concierge Autoworks is the best !!
Very cool car. Manual makes SO much sense for this car.
JohnnyNr5 still a boat to float.
One of the best in a while Matt. Kudos. Find more like this.
i've always had a fetish for a manual Mercedes
this mercedes is beautiful
I think the dude from concierge is holding back and he just doesn’t want anyone to jack his idea, understandably.... hopefully there will be a CLK 55 or 63 with a six speed very soon!.
I have a second gen! Excellent car and I love every second with it. It handles so much better than you'd expect and is a real joy to drive, especially in the mountains. The second gen also has pillar-less windows which makes it amazing. Having a stick in it would complete the car.
I like this conversion, and I like the change it makes to the character of the car.
Wow you have perfect the clk430. You should start a mini business converting them into manual. I would absolutely send mine over too you.
Dream car would be clk63 amg with a manual swap
All that torque will shatter the gearbox like glass though.
The naturally aspirated motor with the right clutch and transmission will be fine.
And he has top notch reviews on Yelp. A job well done sir!
I've just recently bought an R170 SLK with the 320 M112 mated to manual 'box. I'd owned an SL 320 M112 for years. The manual 'box just transforms the engine.
Matt "If I disclosed how fast that was, I would be arrested on site" Farrah
It's been done before. There's a guy on MBworld with a 6 speed CLK500, and Renntech converted a CLK430 to a 6.0L and slapped a 6 speed on it back in 2003.
“Always in the wrong gear” story of my life with my facelift w203. I want to swap it bad
SAME the flappy shift thing sucks
Any luck? I really hate the Auto Box.
@@Caswell404 nothing has changed here. I'm not going to invest in doing it.
The funny thing is this 5 speed automatic is simulated very well in Gran Turismo 4 on two Merc models only. The SL500 and SL 55 (both R230).
When you drive them in manual mode in the game, the transmission does exactly what you want but you get the very smooth shifts as a torque converter auto should (the best part of the transmission I really liked).
But in real life its the opposite. 🤣 I feel like the transmission in real life needs a tune for the shifting program, atleast in Sport mode with manual mode engaged, but leave Comfort mode as it is.
Mercedes V8 and manual box. I clicked.
I love these cars. I almost bought a 99 CLK 430 that was pimped out with wheels and a sound system tapped into the factory system. the day I came to get it, it was sold and I ended up with a 2000 Volvo C70 coupe
Go get another one....i love mine
WTF????
One of the best and simple project i have see!
Trying to drive a Mercedes in sporting fashion has always been a challenge with their slush box transmissions.(dual clutch excepted). Good swap.
Nice conversion. Looks great! All merc parts is awesome.
(Borat voice) nice!!
This addresses a critical issue with ALL Mercedes: people (journalists, professional drivers, enthusiasts, weekend warriors) RAVE about the engines but ALWAYS shit on the transmissions, especially in the late-model vehicles. And I'm sure we could all agree that we've all thought "Why doesn't Mercedes offer manual transmissions?" ESPECIALLY since they haven't seemed to have gotten the automatics mastered. It's like they're trying not to do what everyone has done but they've alienated themselves from a large segment of buyers and enthusiasts. It's like that ONE THING they can't get right.
I have a 2002 clk430. Saved from going to scrap. Would LOVE to do this with mine!
You sir are my hero!
Wow Truly Amazing Someone that's Installed a Manual Transmission into there Car as a Solution eventhough The Transmission was Originally Automatic.
Swapping is Expensive & Tricky Work.👍👍👍
Manuals are Truly Awesome🚘
I'm Always Happy to See a Benz
Since I Had Driver Training & The Test In a Benz.
With a Manual Transmission.
In The Summer of 2022 on the 1st Try
A Terrific Video Thanks Allot👍👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌🚘🚘🚘🚘
Manual Car
Great video I’m about to do this to my W202 C55 track
man i wish if i knew how to do such work . that is the only ability that will encourage me to buy them cars . simply because money can't fix their endless problems . so that kind of knowledge is a blessing. for real. working on your car is way better then having a mechanic . no matter how much money you pay still not his car !!!
Liked just for the manual swap.
Totally agree with Matt. Surprise no one did sooner.
My god, what seems so simple but probably isn't is soooo worth it. Very nice car.
I finished my swap thank to this vid
Damn,my W210 E55 would’ve been killer with a manual!!!
Congrats for the build man!
I wonder what the final weight figures are for this swap vs a stock/unmodified CLK430? I'd imagine it would've helped lighten up the front end to make it more nimble too!
the exhaust note 👌
I miss having this car. Mine was totaled a few months back. Gonna buy it again & LS swap it one day.
ls swap lol. nothing is better than a benz v8
Wow nice !! It's about time someone did this
My first introduction into the luxury world. He should do the upgrade brake caliper next I forgot what model Benz you can take them from. Great job bro.
Great transmission swap. It must change the car behaviour and must be fun to drive. I think manual Mercedes desapeared a long time ago. Congratulations to this guy for make it manual
That gen of CLK in silver are sexy
Clous von especially the late model years
I know, right :)
@Mozart Lalanne - yes, the late ones have cool bodywork, but the pre-facelift models have the black lines on the bottom that ties it somewhat with the CLK-GTR. And if you get one with the regular AC you get the circular ventilation controls just like in the CLK-GTR.
Clous von I think you mean they are ugly. ESPECIALLY a CLK in silver.
cutthroat795 you probably haven’t seen a really clean one. It’s hard to find one that’s not beat to death
Gearbox of Crossfire 3.2 m113???
Man... you did something that bloody Mercedes had to do decades ago!
What always puts me off of Merc is lack of proper manual for their V8 engines! More over nowadays you can have manual only with the weakest one! BRILLIANT JOB!
I had a crossfire..I miss it , beautiful car
I always loved those cars too (I had a SLK a few years ago; same engine) until I saw the Jeremy Clarkson Crossfire clip, and now I cant unsee what he saw lol
I have an SRT-6 with a really good ECU and TCU tune with a few bolt ons and it really makes the car pretty capable. It should have come a little more responsive from the factory.
Tavarish needs this guy
Man i had a 2002 CLK320 as my first car and I miss it, It rusted really quick but it was one hell of a first car!
Alexander Czerniecki your Chrysler was cherished ??
Soooo No-one asked what the exhaust setup is?!?!..... Please let us know the exhaust setup, please!
An slk 55 Amg with this swap would be sick nasty!!
Cool stuff! Very sensible and unique conversion.
This is a critical evolutionary step !
Most interesting car you have driven since the 1200hp McClaren nice
In the video he mentioned it’s basically fooling the transmission computer to think it’s in P all the time. Does that affect ABS and traction control functionality?
Danm it sounds good, Great vid Matt
You can tell Matt really enjoyed this car :)
Any advice on manual swapping the m119 e420 w210?
There is a guy in Europe that does a kit for the M119. I will be buying one soon
I really love the spirit of this car. nice job!
wow i have the same car, manual this is absolutely beautiful
Super cool, the Mercedes community needs more people that modify and swap engines and transmissions etc like in the BMW community. Not saying that there aren't, but it needs to be larger. Heck, even the Mercedes community needs to be larger I think.
I don't know why people are afraid to experiment with Mercedes...at least here in the states. Everyone is like "Nah man, I wouldn't do that if I were you." It's just a fuckin car. And the people that do manufacture/modify charge more than the quickest depreciating 2-tons are worth.
Exactly what I've dreamed about for since I bought my '94 E420. Damn!
I bought it new. :-)
What a unique and cool swap! But why didn't you put in a new Mercedes clutch?? I definitely would have for good measure.
he said in the video it was a mercedes clutch, daimler (chrysler) and mercedes shared parts to make these two cars
It needs bigger front brakes, Germany spec W208 430 have bigger rotors and 2/4 pod calipers versus US models with one piston caliper and 300mm rotor, same stuff is installed on CLK320...P.S. Car sounds awesome!!!
This is a cool car. Love this body style. Well done - thanks for sharing.
Wow. Absolutely loving this car. Always shied away from these because of the auto box. He might make some money doing these swaps
What you'll find is that if you go to England and even Europe there are manual transmissions everywhere. I was very surprised to find they have manual transmission station wagons, mini vans, and big luxury cars. When I learned to drive in high school the instructor taught us on a automatic. I much prefer manual transmissions. I think there must be a conspiracy against offering manual transmissions here in the US.
(~5:10-5:25) THANK YOU! THAT IS WHY I ONLY WANT MANUALS.
I mean, a PDK nearly reads your mind, and I hear the M DCT is very close, but short of that...gotta have a manual and three pedals. Drives me crazy not to.
The SRT Crossfire doesn't come in a stick. It's built on SLK 32 AMG bones and uses the automatic only. That's Merc's problem you can't swap most of them without going to huge trouble because there is a dearth of manual transmissions even made to mate to the MB engines.
Wow.... I am pleasantly surprised with this build. I must say, when I read the video title I was fully prepared to laugh my way through this one. What you did is amazing and totally badass though ! Props !!!
Now this guy might be on to something here..... All he should do now is put some TLC into that interior.
excellent work and exhaust, sounds, well perfect
I remember when Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos had this.......
can you do a manual swap on a e55amg or clk 55amg?
WOW. just wow. The exhaust is badass too. What a bitchin conversion. Just happen to have a 2003 clk 430...
I have an '01 E430 Wagon.... would love to have that swap 😁
Similar to bmw 5 series sport(and of course the M), a manual transmission transforms the car! Nice!
This car always deserved a manual and it was a CRIME by Mercedes that it was never so much as even offered.
GunsNBudder it still sucks compared to an M car
Bill Brasky why because it doesnt burn oil like a BMW?