Used vs. Rebuilt Tranny, Pitfalls?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ThosDoran · #1 12-01-2006, 01:46 PM

hey all,

some of you may know, Regenbogen, my 240D suffered some abuse in the hands of a local tow co. that resulted in a deep fried transmission.

Insurance came through, valued the car at $3500 and cut a check to cover the cost of a rebuilt tranny + labor. Dodged a bullet there; at first they had totalled it but perserverance pays off. I've now got $2400 to work with.

The car is waiting now, either for a used transmission to go in or for a SunValley rebuild to ship out. The used tranny would come from my mechanic's shop and he would take all liability for defects. Any problems with the rebuilt tranny itself would rest on me, but comes with a 2 year warranty.

Which would you go with? What's your logic? Pros and Cons for each?

t

TMAllison · #2 12-01-2006, 01:56 PM

If you had some reasonable assurance from your Indy that the donor trans he has doesnt have a zillion miles on it and he is willing to stand behind it I would probably go that way.

You could then use the balance of the $ for other needed upgrades/maint or fun projects.

ThosDoran · #3 12-01-2006, 02:05 PM

That's my thinking too. The difference would be about a cool grand. That's alot of jet fuel.

I'll ask him about his guarantee. If I were him though, I wouldn't guarantee much beyond my labor.

Brian Carlton · #4 12-01-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThosDoran

That's my thinking too. The difference would be about a cool grand. That's alot of jet fuel.

I'll ask him about his guarantee. If I were him though, I wouldn't guarantee much beyond my labor.

How long will you keep the vehicle?

How many miles are on the "used" transmission?

If the used transmission has 100K on it and you plan to keep the vehicle for another 100K, odds are 50-50 that it won't make it. The "cool grand" is now toast and then some.

The mechanic will "stand behind" the used transmission for 12 months......maximum........some won't go that long.

If you plan on disposing of the vehicle within the next 50K miles, then the "cool grand" savings looks fairly attractive, but, even with this scenario, I wouldn't install a used trans with 150K on the clock.

The problem with "used" is that one never really knows the mileage or the abuse on the unit. It's really a blind crapshoot. The statements made by the salvage yard are pure BS.

JimmyL · #5 12-01-2006, 02:08 PM

We would need to know the economic impact of both options to weigh it properly....

JEREMYC · #6 12-01-2006, 02:12 PM

Hey all. I run a salvage yard in SW MO. There are many good shops out there and there are many bad ones. I would be careful though assuming that the mechanic will assume liability for a used transmission. Most I deal with won't. I have even seen some, that I refuse to do business with now, who would love to see a bad trans so they can get paid twice on the job. Used transmissions can be a bargain if the SALVAGE YARD will stand behind them. You could always ask to buy a labor warranty which would cover costs of R&R if it were to be bad. Some yards do this, some don't. See my profile for my # if you have any further questions or if I can do anything to help out. Good luck!

JimmyL · #7 12-01-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEREMYC

Hey all. I run a salvage yard in SW MO.

Dang Jeremy, sure wish you ran one down here in the DFW area......

ThosDoran · #8 12-01-2006, 02:23 PM

Haven't had any luck finding a salvage yard with a 123 tranny let alone one that will stand behind it.

Jimmy, I'm not sure what you mean by economic impact, but I'll tell you what I know. I bought the car for $1000. I've put about that into it (paint and parts). This tranny issue brings in $2400 for repairs. A used tranny installed will run me ~$1500. That $900 remainder is very tempting to finangle, but incurs a certain amount of risk. The rebuild would give me some real peace of mind, but I'm concerned about any potential defects coming from Sun Valley.

In reality I could walk away from the car right now and come out a little better than break even.

Brian Carlton · #9 12-01-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThosDoran

A used tranny installed will run me ~$1500.

The cost from Sun Valley is about $1300. Add $400. to R & R and you're at $1700.

IMHO, a used transmission from a salvage yard is ridiculous for a savings of $200.

ThosDoran · #10 12-01-2006, 02:27 PM

Brian,

Overlapping posts here.

I hear what you're saying. Crap shoot with a used.

I've got 217,000 on the body and engine. Overall it's mechanically sound and I hope to get at least another 100K.

A rebuild from his guy will run $2700 and he will stand behind it, but for how long? It could be very good insurance against defects to pay a little extra.

JEREMYC · #11 12-01-2006, 02:45 PM

Lets see if this link will work. I dont think I am suppose to do this but here it is.....

http://trade1911.car-part.com/cgi-bin/tpSearch.cgi?userSearch=int&userPID=1911&iIV=3.2.0.59&iCN=jeremy@rjautosalvageinc.com&uID=rjas1tp&uPass=zv7%3F77&imsFullSpecification=2&userIMS=A&userInterchange=B%3EBEBN&userSide=&userDate=1982&userDate2=1982&dbModel=49.8.1.2&userModel=MB240&dbPart=400&dbSubPart=1&userPart=TRA&sessionID=978&userPreference=price&userZip=64843&userLat=36.7164&userLong=-94.3594&userPage=1&userLocation=usa

JEREMYC · #12 12-01-2006, 02:46 PM

Hopefully the link wont ask you for a password. Potomac German and Rite-Way are both real good to deal with. If I can help any more, let me know.....

Hit Man X · #13 12-01-2006, 03:39 PM

Rebuilt it yourself if you have the ability to do so. $2400 is MORE than enough to even have one shipped in to you... You're talking MAYBE $400 in parts to DIY. As stated, it's not a single day project.

Put that other $1k into your IRA for the year. Or use it for the suspension on the car. Book hour is 14 hr for front, 9 hr for rear I recall... if you wanted to pay someone.

rrgrassi · #14 12-01-2006, 03:46 PM

Rebuilt is usually better than used, and has a better warranty.

I have not heard any bad things about Sun Valley, and from what I have read about them, they will be my first choice when my tranny lets go. My car has a rebuilt one in it. I do not know who rebuilt it, but it had 30k miles on it when I bought my car. I just added 10k to it. It is past time to do a fluid and filter change on it. That is next on my list.

Based on how much easier my 300D is to work on compared to other vehicles, I kick my self for not getting one sooner!

Hit Man X · #15 12-01-2006, 03:54 PM

Reman is better than rebuilt... better than used.

Used is pretty silly unless you can confirm the mileage on the unit.

Problem is most local trans shops don't know how to rebuild foreign units easily, despite them being VERY simple. There is just not much to the 722.3 I had Cottman do the A341 in my Mother's LS400 and it seems to be doing fine still as it was maybe 3-4 years back. Probably has 50-80k on it by now, not sure. I just service it every 10k with a pan drain of two quarts (the filter is only a 100 micron screen)

I still can't figure out why people get hooked for a reman torque converter either on the MB units. There's no lockup clutch within. I could see if you have excessive spline wear maybe...

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