Rebuilt Transmission Prices

[JoJoDFG]

Any idea how much a good rebuilt transmission installed runs today?
Dealer?
Indy?
Should I be cautious who does the rebuilding? One indy (who comes highly recommended) in socal wants $1600 installed, mine wants $3500 to rebuild mine himself, including a torque converter installed.
Whadda'ya think?
Jo

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by JoJoDFG

Any idea how much a good rebuilt transmission installed runs today?
Dealer?
Indy?
Should I be cautious who does the rebuilding? One indy (who comes highly recommended) in socal wants $1600 installed, mine wants $3500 to rebuild mine himself, including a torque converter installed.
Whadda'ya think?
Jo

A typical front wheel drive Ford unit cost about $2500-$3000 in this part of the country CT. Thats about 2 times the work as a RWD Benz and about the slightly more cost in parts.

You know what I think.

John Roncallo

[SunGuy]

For comparatives on rebuilt trans, you can check the vendors below.

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/index.html

and

http://www.phoenixhardparts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=86

From any of these sources, to me, the big things are references that bought the same one I might be looking for, Warranty coverage and term, total cost (trans, TC, shipping, core, etc.)

Good Hunting!

Bob

[Kebowers]

To rebuild the MBZ transmission (non electronic control) takes a good 8 hours of skilled tech time (this is to disassembly, clean, reassemble with new friction disks, seals, accumulator seals,etc, but no mechanical damage, no disassembly of valve body -(another 1-2 hrs there). ) R&R of tranny is 3-4 hrs. Parts cost $250. Add $125 for a brake band if needed. If front seal leaking-bad oil pump? another $400 in parts.

Ask the local indy exactly what he intends to do. IF he is qualified and skilled on the MB tranny, it is not difficult, just takes time.

[Alkraut]

adsitco.com sells warranteed rebuilt units and converters. You have to pay shipping and installation. Also a core charge if you don't give them yours. Check them out for reference.

[Off2SoBe]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking in the SL forum for a few weeks soaking up information on SL600s. A coworker drove an SL500 in a few weeks ago that her husband bought on eBay. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. It was a champaign-colored ’92, and I couldn’t believe what she told me they paid for this car (less than 10k), it was in great shape, 68,000 miles and looked as factory fresh as any 16 year old car can. I’m a bit of a compulsive person, so I began reading and researching everything I could about the SL and I’m hooked. I’m leaning toward a 96-98 Benz SL600 for my descent into mid-life. Now, to find one “the one” that has been pampered and cared for is my next challenge. Glacier White or Black Opal Pearl Metallic with tan interior and panoramic hardtop. However, that’s another story…

For what it's worth...regarding tranny rebuilds, there have been members of the NICO (Nissan/Infiniti Owners) forum that have had very good experiences with Level 10 (Hamburg NJ). Mostly they have daily driver Q45s (some modified with NOS and diff gearing) that are routinely used in street racing/weekend drags/road course events.

Level 10 specializes in upgrading components to handle high torque/race applications. I have not heard of a single failure in a Level 10 transmission in a street car application when it has been maintained regularly (flush/pan drop/filter yearly or 12,000 miles) and it has adequate cooling. I’m planning to use them to rebuild the transmission on my ’94 Q, when/if it ever goes out (knock on wood…222,000 miles and counting on the original tranny). There is rarely a day that I don't hit redline, and although Level 10's service costs quite a bit more than some rebuilders I will feel much more comfortable with a product that has the reputation of being as “bullet-proof” as a transmission can be. They don't list Mercedes in the product list, hence my email to them...

Rebuild price for the 96-98 SL600’s 5-sp 722.621…$3,896.00/tran, $798.00/TC. Quote stated, “THE COST FOR AN UPGRADED TRANSMISSION FOR YOUR VEHICLE WILL BE $3896.00. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE FRONT PUMP UPGRADE FOR A COOLER RUNNING TRANS. … THE VALVE BODY UPGRADE FOR MORE POSITIVE SHIFTING. WE ALSO HAVE AN UPGRADED TORQUE CONVERTER FOR $798.00. THE TURN AROUND TIME IS ABOUT 5 DAYS.”


www.levelten.com

--Jeff

[charmalu]

try Peter Schmid. www.peterschmid.com they do BMW Mercedes-Benz
Audi. they are located, 1331 Rollins Rd. Burlingame, Ca 650-438-3990
they have vacuum schematics, some good links and great info.

hope that helps
charlie

[Mike Miller]

My indy says a good rebuilt for my '92 500 SL (non-electronic) will go about $2500. Give or take a little plus labor and you are close.