what to do?
 

My 300sdl (big baby) is stuck in 2nd gear. the repair guy said it would cost around $3500 to fix. i only paid $2500 for the car and i really can't go from benz to just anything. would it be wise to just trade or sell the car instead of paying for it to be fixed? i've never trade a car before. if i do how much should i be asking? also is this a problem i may be able to fix myself?

Is the car nice? is it worth saving? Only you can decide. $3500 sounds high. I would drop the pan, drain and look for metal chips, refill with new fluid and look for vacuum leaks. Then drive it to another place. Ask them specifically what is wrong.

Thats way too high. A rebuilt factory trans is $2,600 for that model. (plus installation) I just called for you. Doesn't include torque converter and you'd need to ship the core back to the dealer.

There is an excellent MB trans rebuilder in SO CA if you are interested that would be much less money. PM me if you are interested in the details.


Where are you located?

i'm in Atlanta GA. I just got the car back from the repair shop and he said the car is still in good shape (except the trans.). i spoke with another mercedes repair shop and the guy told me that he has a transmission for $500 (but they don't install). the previous guy said he'll put it in for $500 so i may come off better that way.

You can get a rebuild from adsitco.com for $1195. It is a very simple transmission to change so even for 10 hours of labor @ $75= $750 so thats $1945, throw in a transmission mount $35 from Fastlane and a front flex disc $75ish from Fastlane. If you want to go crazy front trans cooler lines are $10 each and probably due. The shop who quoted you $3,500 know nothing about Mercedes, 10 hours labor is also a little much, it really is a simple job, not to mention the shop will have a lift and trans jack. I will be pulling it in my driveway and I bet I will have mine out in less than a day. If the car is in good shape find someone who will do it for $2k or less.

The shifter bushing should also be changed, I don't think their more than a dollar or two.

Adsitco and its twin out here in SO CA (no relation to adsitco) run "recycler rebuilds". They are dismantlers who also rebuild trans in-house. Once you've seen one of these operations AND then seen a professional rebuilder who uses genuine MB factory parts (Transmeister) there is no comparison.

Transmeister runs almost a clean room (OK a little exageration) and their customers are other MB mechanics (90% for the trade) and that tells you something.

I've been to the well known SO CA dismantler (who also rebuilds trans in-house) and I wouldn't buy one of their rebuilds. The place is filthy.

Like a lot of things, you get what you pay for and you may not be in a position to spend that much. I'm not knocking your decision. I wish you good luck.