Have you ever had one of those days that just seem to be amongst the worst in your life. Well today was just such a day for me, there are few cars I can say I have grown attached to, dare I say feelings for, well my 300 sdl was just such a car. today I took my car in for a check up as she was having trouble shifting into the top gear and as the trans warmed up she would refuse to shift out of second gear. Well my trusted indy called me later on the day and told me the car needs a new trans and the cost would be roughly 5000.00, 5000.00, I had initially bought the car to save money as I am putting my wife thru school and I figured a good mercedes diesel would last me long time and not to mention the savings in fuel, did I mention 5,000.00? I did? Oh, anyway, I had read of a few reputable trans shops here on the forum and I mentioned them to him and he says that I would just be throwing my money away, considering my wife has a few years to go, I really can't afford to second guess him, He has always been honest with me. I get the feeling that he would rather I not spend a few thousand on a car that only cost me about 3500.00. So basically I am here asking if there is any hope for my car. The engine shows no blowby, body is rust free, paint is great. Engine runs stroooong!!! Sorry about the long post but, i really liked my car and I feel as if I lost a very good friend.

see if you can find a used on off a parts car,bring it to him and have him install it.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

I had the transmission replaced in my 300CD for $1100, including parts and labor...

1100.00 is a little more manageable, I wonder if the cost is the same for a w126.

The finer things in life don't come free..


That being said, you can get an OEM rebuilt trans from Mercedes for $1700 with a two year unlimited mileage warrenty last time I checked. Find local MB guys, or good natured car guys in general, there out there, and beg, plead bribe with beer and pizza and get them to help you install it. I don't see where it should be that bad a job, $5K is a joke, I could probibly drive to where you are, do it in the yard, profit a grand and still come out cheaper than that...

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

where would i go to find one at that price? what do you figure labor would run? maybe there is light at the end of this tunnel!

I had mine rebuilt for C$2,000 after the bands broke climbing a small hill.

If you can, cross the border and save 30%.

Five thousand for a tranny rebuild ! what dose he charge for an oil change four hundred.I just got an estiment at a very clean looking shop with a good rep for $1600 or $1300 if I took it out and put it back in ..........

William Rogers.......

Check e-bay for the trans, or one of the many online MB parts joints.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33727&item=2476828355&rd=1

Note you should double check there references, that saga with TomJ and the name=changeing ebay bad guy still sticks in my head. Naturaly I don't recall the bad guy's name off hand...

You might call the dealer if you have one near, I don't know how much there markup would be, it'll probibly vary from place to place.

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

The SD I am acquiring this weekend had a rebuilt unit installed AT THE DEALER for 1900 bucks. That was a couple of years back, so unless they have become scarce I can't imagine the work being that much more. (It was 4 hours labor at even 100 bucks/hour, leavines 1500 for a unit). Maybe find a tranny specialist? A mechanic who is a friend of ours charges OUTRAGEOUS prices on tranny's, as he would rather not do the work. But if you are a payin'....
I could think of a lot of things I could do with the extra 3K.

thanks for the info, I am going to look around, being in south texas import repair shops are very scarce. I had always read on the forum that the dealers were to be avoided as they are quite expensive. I am going to call and price one. thanks again.

Check with the forum sponsor (Fastlane) or Rusty at www.*************** They have most trannies in the neighborhood of $1500, rebuilt by MB, 2 year warranty, etc. 5k is just crazy.

G'luck!

John
'79 300SD (2)

Seeing as how you are in south Tx you may want to try to get ahold of Larry Bible and see if he could maybe help out with the labor part for a nominal fee.

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Jim

Remember, the used/replacement tranny needs to come from an SD as well...the 126 having an electrically driven speedo.

Where in south TX are you moxwell?

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

rio grande valley