My 1990 300 D needs some transmission work. At first it wouldn't shift into reverse after it had warmed up a bit. Then it shifted roughly into second. Now it won't shift into second at all.

I had it adjusted and the fluid changed about two years ago and it never gave me trouble until I took a vacation of about three weeks last December.

I have another car, a 300TD and have not driven the sedan more than 20 miles since it began acting up.

I need some advice about how much it is likely to cost me to get it fixed and running again, and whether the Mercedes transmission is so different from other types of automatics that a shop that a friend recommended for his Buick is likely to nbe able to fix it.

There is a difference of about $40 per hour between the Mercedes garage and the other place.

The car has about 150,000 miles, of which I have done the last 40,000.

It seems to be leaking small amounts of oil from the air filter (less than a qt between changes) and some A/C work as well, so I will take it to the Mercedes shop for that. I just don't want to spend more than I have to on the car.

If anyone can give me an idea about whether this is likely to need an overhaul and hios much it is likely to cost I will be most grateful

Also, I am in the North Dade-Miami area and can have it towed up to 50 miles.

Many many thanks.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)