I'm sure the info is in the search list but I haven't been able to find it.
What is the best transmission fluid to use? I'm going to change fluid and want to use whats best for this car.
I know there are probably as many choices as there are people reading this but I hope to be able to make a wise decision.
As a side note I just changed the brake guide rod mounts - what a difference.
Thanks to all
Happy motoring

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1983 300SD
200000miles

Anything with Dexron III/Mercon in it is good.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I use McParts brand in all my vehicles and my buddies too... never had a problem. Many cars WELL over 130k mi for domestic junk too. I have the $1.35/qt stuff in Klaus and the 722 hasn't fallen out yet or skipped a beat.

The only other ATF I'd consider would be some syn but I've yet to see any significant benefits of syn ATF to warrant the cost or extended drain intervals. The trans is one place you don't want to run 50-60k mi between drains, I have yet to see some concrete evidence if the filter in there is infact a filter (which I belive it to be) unlike most other vehicles just have a simple screen in there which filter down to maybe 100 micron!

At times syn in the trans makes it slip too, some do some don't. So just something to think about. I know the 722 doesn't slip but I know many GM units and a few Ford ones like to slip with syn ATF.

IMO - dino ATF is made at the same plant anyway

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

BTW- Look what I found by doing a search. These are the MB approved transmission fluids. I have a bottle each of Valvoline Max Life Dexron III/Mercon ATF in the trunk of both diesels, it's not specifically listed here, but it probably falls under the Valvoline brand ATF listed.

For transmission fluid:
Castrol Dexron III
Castrol Transmax
Chevron Dexron III
Citgo Multi-Purpose ATF
Exxon Superflo Dexron III
Havoline ATF Dexron III
Texaco ATF Dexron III
Pennzoil ATF
Quaker State Dexron III
Sunoco ATF Dexron III
Unocal Multi-Purpose ATF
Valvoline ATF Type D

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

This is kind of like an oil thread that will generate a lot of opinions - here's mine: Mobil 1 ATF

I can't justify the synthetic for the engine oil as I don't drive in winter and the soot loading is too heavy to do extended drain intervals on the older Benzs.

That being said, the ATF is in for many miles and I figure anything that can help on an old tranny is good. I know for a fact that synthetic ATF's handle heat better if you tow, but that is not the case here. You could probably get by fine without it, but when I did my drain and filter change a couple months ago I spent the extra money on Mobil 1 ATF.

My .02

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

Mobil 1 atf. Tranny shifts much smoother when cold. Shift firmness and timing seems much more consistant. Its cheap enough at the McParts places and considering the change interval. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I will just repeat the above based on my experience since 1989, have been using M-I ATF and have never looked for anything else, this goes for my other vehicles as well, use M-I gear lube.

Although I don't think their oil is particularly cheap, I have been buying the MBZ recommended Texaco Mercon III at Sam's Club very cheaply by the case. It was something like $1.20/qt for 12. This was before oil prices spiked a few months ago ,so I wouldn't be surprised if it has gone up

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)