I found my Dad a 1990 MB 300SE. The car had a complete tune up, new motor mounts, all fluids changed, new O2 sensor and more work. The front end was repaired with new ball joints and tie rod ends and is now tight. A few issues still linger. The most important one is a slight whine in the rear end area. When we test rode the car I sat in the back seat and in the front. The whine is louder in the back seat but when driving I can still hear it. Can someone give me an estimate to have the differential replaced with a rebuilt unit? I am frequesntly wrong but I thought I read somewhere that rebuilt differentials basically right bolt in and cost around ~$300. Not inlcuding labor of course.. The interior is very nice and it seems everything works except the cruise control, but I am still reading the original owner's manual and might not know how to turn it on right yet. So can someone who has had a differential replaced in a S-class 126 body give me a estimate of the cost of the repair. I am also not sure about the shop we are now using. He strongly hinted to me that bolting in a used salvage yard used differential is the way to go. I would think a rebuilt unit would be more reliable since I would know they are not bolting in a used differential with 400K miles into the car.. I am at the point where we can still sell the car with records and recover the cost of repairs and then move on. In fact I am now looking very hard at MB diesel cars. I am still learning as I have always owned faster cars. But finding a nice MB car for my Dad is what this is all about. Thanks people for taking the time to read this. John from MA

are known for whining a little, so unless it is pretty loud, even a new one might whine a little. i would think a rebuilt would be more than 300 though i have never priced one. used from 2 to 300. labor around 300 i would expect. the cruise is the essence of simplicity and convenience to operate. push the little lever up to engage, down to decellerate, forward to shut off and pull toward you to resume.

good luck with with your dad's benz. a 126 is very well built and engineered yet still pretty repairable and not overly comlex.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Well, I dont know about $300. I priced out just the limited slip clutches and seals for my 560SL and those came out to $400.00. I dont know if you have limited slip or not, but I belive if you have a whine then it will most likely need a new gearset. I think you are more likely talking over $1000.00 to rebuild it. On the otherhand rear ends are relatively trouble free and are one of the few parts I would consider getting from a junk yard. I would expect about $200-$400 for a good used unit.

John Roncallo