Hey guys, long time MB fan, newbie to Peach Parts:

I'll jump right in to business:
I got a 1984 190D for free for my b-day about a year and a half ago. I've gotten most issues on it tied up over this time, but still having trans problems I'd like resolved. I think it can be salvaged and I'm hoping for a little guidance on how to do this. If anyone can share their time and expertise I will be eternally grateful (as will my wife, who is the daily driver of this car!).

There are some things the trans IS doing right:
-pulls hard whether it's 15F or 115F.
-normally launches in 2nd unless you press throttle all the way and it quickly and willingly jumps down into 1st.
-all other kickdowns also work as desired.

What I've already done:
-one of my complaints is hard shifting. I know shifts can be jarring with old mounts, so all mounts on engine and trans are new.
-recently changed fluid/filter (I also drained converter at this time). problems same before and after fluid/filter change. While pan off for fluid/filter change, I emptied 2 cans of brake clean into all visible holes in valve body and let dry for 1 day before reassembling. Pan had NO metal in it, and only a very fine grey film on bottom of pan.

Trans does the following crap:
-hard upshifts from 1-2
-flares on upshifts from 2-3 (but makes quick firm downshifts from 4-3 so I assume 3rd is ok?)
-hard upshifts from 3-4
-once 4th is achieved, if you are coasting to a stop (say from 40mph to stop light), 4th stays engaged until road speed drops under 5 mph and then disengages very roughly.

I'm hoping to salvage this transmission with minimal effort...any body got any advice for me?

Thanks so much,
Brad
bfrinkus at gmail dot com