Have the same car you have and i changed my fluid a while back when I also felt a funny 2-3 shift.

Drainen both pan and tourqe converter, color looked like yours.
I changed the filter and 2 orings at the electric connector, pan gasket, copper seals and about 8 litres of MB oil.

It was a bit harsh in the shifts after the change but it's like new now.

My list:
8 L oil A 001 989 210 310
Gasket A 140 271 00 80
Filter A 140 277 00 95
Seal ring (Pan plug) N 007 603 010 112
Seal ring (Converter) N 007 603 010 100

Preventive:
Seal ring (connector) A 026 997 41 48
Seal ring (connector) A 026 997 40 48

MB now want oil to be replaced in the 722.6 and 722.9 gearboxs once at 60,000km/40,000mi. This change came into effect in March this year. Personnally I would be changing the fluid every 100,000km/60,000mi regardless of how long MB think it can last.

Also make sure that there is a magnet in the transmission sump, the early ones didn't get one but we now put them in any time we have the sump off and it doesn't already have one.

Is there a written technical service bulletin on this? My MB dealer refuses to service the 722.6 because of the "filled for life" slogan that MB adopted and I would love to tell them they need to reconsider this policy.

The change is effective in the march 2005 WIS (workshop information system) update. It is now in all the service sheets except W163, W170, W202, W208, W210. In the newer models there is a chassis number cut-off where the service should now be performed.

I know of no changes as to why some don't need servicing but on my own car I change it even though MB still say don't change it.

I do have the exact bullitin number but I'll get back to you with it tomorrow as it's in my folder at work.

It's red.

I went over to the dealer I am friendly with.. a mechanic drove it for a few miles and said it felt like a very minor slip.. he thinks the clutch packs may be worn but can't tell for sure unless hooking up to the computer and reading the adaptation values. He started to talk about rebuilding it when I interrupted and starting talking about a trans fluid change first.. he wasn't crazy about the idea.. said the car shouldn't need one. He wants me to bring it in for an hour labor ($100) for a diagnostic scan.. then who knows what he'll want to charge.

A local indy I know will change the fluid for me, but doesn't think it will help for $200.

I can do it myself.. but the only thing I am unsure about is the trans fluid temp, therefore I can't get an exact level.. but alot of people have done it here.

Then I could always leave things be and just replace it when it fails completely.. In the back of my mind I can't help but think I can make things worse by changing the fluid.

What should I do?

I would change the fluid and filter, it's been in there way too long. If it causes the trany to not work, right away then it was already too late. Dont forget to drain the converter and I would also flush out the cooler with something like Kool Klean.

Your specific shift problem may be repairable in the car start searching for other posts on this.

Good Luck
John Roncallo

Since you have a 98 I would change the fluid, filter and install a pan magnet.

I did my own transfluid change on my 98 E320 since the local dealers refused to change it. I measured what I took out, put the same quantity of new fluid back in and used the "special tool" to "roughly" check the fluid level with the engine at operating temperature and the level was correct on the dipstick (special tool).

I did a write-up (search under 722.6 trans).

Gilly has said again and again that the right fluid level is vital to the shifting on the 722.6. It needs to be checked at 80C (I think don't hold me to that) the dealer has the tool that measures the temp so they can get a proper reading.

MB of North Haven charged my friend just under $180 to change his trans fluid on his 98 E300D.

However if it is already slipping, it might be in the process of dieing and changing the fluid probably wouldn't help much. 230k+ miles is getting up their.

Seems like the benz dealer wants to take alot of my money to diagnose the car, when I really don't care what thier diagnosis is.. I just want my fluid and filter changed. I'll talk to the service advisor tommorow..

Which MB tranny is a ZF?

It's "normal" but not what comes out of a new bottle
 

Read the writeup by rjronnie and do a search under my username for my experience.

Very easy procedure. Makes you wonder why they bothered to "Lifetime Fill" it.

I had the dealer do the fluid today.. I watched part of it and when the fluid came running out the tech said "oh *****".. he says it was the darkest fluid he's even seen come out of a 210.

$299 later (!!!!!!!!) I have new fluid and a filter.. shift quality appears to have improved some but still have a funky 2-3 shift when warm.. though not as pronounced.

I guess I'll live with it until it stops moving completely.

Overall, Mercedes automatics are awesome. ZF is a completely different company, and Mercedes has never installed their junk in any of their cars. If they have, I haven't heard of it.

ZF makes trannies for BMW, and they ahve had many, many years of garbage. They installed whacks of behind-V-8 and behind-V-12 units where the front pump stopping running at idle. Great. Spend some time in traffic and you'll be lucky to get 100K-miles before a total rebuild.

Even the 722.6 is easily a great tranmission. The early builds had some problems, but they have been resolved and these are terrific units and many are now racking up big odo numbers only showing regular service.

The ZF in my Audi A6 Quattro shifts like new at 115,000.