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)

While I haven't had one apart personally...

I've always heard the precision in MB transmissions is quite high compaired to other makes. Getting someone unfamilar with your car will be more costly in the long run. They are much more likely to do unnecessary repairs because they don't have the trouble shooting experience. It might be fixable and someone familiar with that transmission can figure it out.

If you are looking at a transmission rebuild, I would recommend looking toward a factory rebuilt transmission. Warrentee is great and the "out the door" price shouldn't be much more. You can find an independant to install it and save a few bucks over the dealership.



Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Re-Post on Tech forum .

Contact "stevebfl" of these forums (Gainsville, Fla ...I seem to
remember him being very knowledgeable !)

First off, the dealer is definitely OUT, as all the local dealers charge over $120 per hour.

I am not looking for someone who is unfamiliar with the transmission, of course. I want to find out whether it needs to be rebuilt in the first place.

Buying a rebuilt transmission and having it replaced could be done with pretty much anyone with the equipment of dealing with a heavy part.

A lot of the time, the only reason fixing an MB is because the repair parts are somewhat better designed. A Shock absorber, for example, will cost around $100, but will probably outlast four cheaper shocks such as one might put in a Buick.

When I asked a shop for how much it would cost to replace the shocks, on my 1990 300D I was told it was a VERY DIFFICULT JOB and would cost me over $1000 because of the "special tools" needed, and how I would havce to remove the rear seat.

It took me six hours to do this on my patio.Total cost: $420, including all the rubber parts that the garage said they never replaced (but which clearly were seriously worn).

I needed no special tools, unless you include a simple "pickle fork" I got in a yard sale for $3.00. I did not need to remove any seat.

So often, you ask some expensive "expert" and they lie and stick you for a huge bunch of money. I just want to know enough so that I will not send it to some liar who needs to make a boat payment and takes it all apart and then tells me how I need to either pay $2000 or junk the car.


There are lots of older Mercedes in Miami. It is not a rare car here at all.

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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)

Richard Eldridge ..Said on May 22,2004....................................

"So often, you ask some expensive "expert" and they lie and stick you for a huge bunch of money. I just want to know enough so that I will not send it to some liar who needs to make a boat payment and takes it all apart and then tells me how I need to either pay $2000 or junk the car."

RE- Response:

Re-Post on Tech forum .

Contact "stevebfl" of these forums (Gainsville, Fla ...I seem to
remember him being very knowledgeable !)

"Bump, Bump, Bump."

Hi Richard.

The problem is that if someone who doesn't
know these transmissions, could diagnose it
as needing a rebuilt when in reality it doesn't
need it.

You said that the fluid was changed 2 years ago,
and that you did 40k miles with it.
Did you do the 40k in 2 years?

I would first change the fluid and filter as a start
and add some TRANS-X to the fluid(cleans all
the crud and varnish out of the fluid passages)
Cheaper then a rebuilt tranny.

I'm not sure that it is the same as with the w123
series but if it is then there is a vacuum modulator
on the tranny that can be adjusted or could be
broken.(the seal leaks sometimes too).

I wish that I could say for sure that it has a
bowden cable like the w123 series but if it
does, it too can be adjusted and makes a world
of difference or worst case, it would need replacement.

All of this is alot cheaper then having a rebuilt
put in.

Using an independent mercedes mechanic is the
way to go it think.
Look around your area for someone who has
always a bunch of MB's waiting to be service or
fixed.
Talk to the owner/person in charge and gauge what
the place/service is like and if you are satisfied with
the responce/info you receive then you might have
someone who will not F.... you over.
Clearly ask about the labor rate before you leave your
car and keys.

Louis.

I recently rebuilt my tranny through an indie. Cost $1,500. Runs great.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate