Is your Pagoda’s automatic gearbox shift glacial? Is the kickdown lazy or sporadic? Perhaps your manual gearbox is whining? Is the selector loose and worrying you? All of these are tell-tale signs of a gearbox that needs an overhaul. On the whole, the K4C 025 and K4A 025 gearboxes are exceptionally reliable, but it is lack of maintenance that can lead to these issues.

When rectified and routinely serviced, your Mercedes W113 Pagoda’s gearbox will be effortless and function on par to modern standards. This level of mechanical composure is what makes the Mercedes-Benz Pagoda an exceptional grand tourer, while also giving it more spirited traits in the corners when the driver desires.

GLACIAL AUTOMATIC SHIFTS:

Driving a classic Mercedes Pagoda stands out from other classics from the same era, simply because it was superbly engineered; to the point where keeping up and even out-doing modern traffic can be achieved comfortably. A lagging gearbox on modern roads can be stressful and put one off from using our Pagoda. SLSHOP’s resident gearbox team would likely diagnose a double-stroke solenoid, replacing the solenoid and associated components with our genuine parts.

A SPORADIC OR INACTIVE KICKDOWN:

When you find yourself at a roundabout, needing to make an overtake, or are coming into a tight corner, the kickdown is there to give you the right acceleration according to your needs. Over the years, regular or over-use of the kickdown can damage the solenoid. On the flip side, lack of use can cause a frozen solenoid. Regardless, a replacement of the solenoid and associated parts will be necessary.

WHINEY MANUAL GEARBOX

A classic Mercedes-Benz allows you to escape the usual pressures of modern life, allowing you to tune into the note of the engine and simply enjoy the drive. A whining gearbox will not only intrude on your experience, but also eventually cause major issues with your gearbox. This is usually down to a leaking gearbox, causing the bearings to dry out and thus generate a noise. Long-term, this can potentially cause irreversible damage.

LOOSE SELECTOR:

A loose selector can potentially put you to a halt at any point in your journey. Too much ‘grabbing’ could result in the selector coming away completely. To rectify this, our craftsmen will replace the selector rod bushings.

Aside from gain you pure enjoyment? Investing in your gearbox will also give you and your co-driver confidence in your car. You’ll be able to drive without concern for other road users and take advantage of the six-cylinder engine your Pagoda was endowed with. Additionally, a well-tuned and restored gearbox will give a potential buyer confidence that they are investing wisely, allowing you to command a higher sale price.

Oliver is our dedicated Heritage Mercedes-Benz advisor who will work with you on a 1-2-1 basis to give your classic Mercedes-Benz the care it deserves.

In the beginning, R107 customers started bringing their 1960s cars to SLSHOP. Following this, we’ve grown into a dedicated workshop specifically for cars of this era. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of Pagodas. Of those, some are here for final touches, some for initial assessment, and everything in between. After all, every Pagoda’s needs are different. And it’s not just SLs in this workshop, either… In addition, we regularly see earlier SLs and all manner of saloons, coupes, and convertibles from this glorious era of style and statement.

So step back in time and browse our 1960s workshop here. Because who doesn’t love eyeing beautiful old cars!

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ENJOY YOUR VEHICLE WITH CONFIDENCE. PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT FOR AS LITTLE AS £55.00 PER MONTH