I will be getting a 1988 300SEL with about 78K miles.
The muffler and transmission will need some work.
The seats also look worn.

Any advice about servicing these cars?
Also, any advice about good mechanics in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?

Thanks-Texasrad

78K miles and seats are worn? Hmmm.. are these actual miles? My car has nearly 100K more miles and I would hardly say its "worn". The only wear area I have is the side closest to the door from the seatbelt rubbing, but its not damage to the leather, but just that the dye has rubbed off. I have owned the car for almost one year so far. I have had the fuel filters, oil filter/change, new waterpump, serpentine belt, window motor and other various minor things done to it. Its been so far a great car and can't complain much about it. Its not a hot rod, but its not too slow either. Can you explain what kind of transmission problem you are expiencing? I thought I had a transmission problem at first, but learned it was normal behavior of mercedes trannies and also the subfreezing weather had a hand in it.

good luck

The maintenance schedule is pretty simple. Just follow the intervals in the maintenance booklet.

I always point out to owners about two fluid changes that are frequently missed as they are the only items that are changed in time intervals, not miles.

1. Brake Fluid - to be changed every 2 years.
2. Radiator Fluid - to be chaned every 3 years.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

snibble, you mentioned some difficulty with your se transmission during particularly cold weather.

I have previously posted in the diesel discussion, however, we ALLknow that a diesel will make MINIMAL power until somewhat warmed up. It has been my experience that when parked facing uphill on a severe incline, the vehicle will NOT move forward at all until the engine warms up some. The transmission will obviously warm some as well via the radiator mounted cooler and various associated pressures from the pumps. Reverse seems ok, however, gravity does come into play. Note, regular atf and filter changes (perhaps synthetic down the line)..My only other Benz transmission experiences have been manual and or the OLD "HYDRAK" devil units.

Just wondering what you were refering to. The way you spoke, it seemed to me that what appeared abnormal to you at first became "the norm". Please elaborate if you will.

Best wishes always, spo.

Sorry, just saw this post. I hardly ever come on this particular board. I am not sure of what you're asking for... but to recap about my experience was that when the car is first started at tempretures of about 20*F, I had an incident where the tranny scared me when it wouldn't hit a higher gear. So I decided to head back home. Next day, I let the car run for a few minutes untill it reached ideal tempreture and car shifted and drove with 0 problems. Since I am a new driver, and am in a family that doesn't drive .. I had some learning to do on whats normal and whats not.