Cost of Repairing/Replacing W210 Transmission

[arnel_lim]

I have a 1999 E430 with 110K miles on it. Today the transmission just went south. When I started the car I heard an awful whirring sound. Then, when I drove off, it felt like it was skipping/clunking past 1st and 2nd gear. Seemed fine at higher speeds. Well, suffice it to say I never made it to the shop. The thing died about 5 miles out. I was stuck at light, and the car wouldn't go anymore. It was idling fine, but no power to the transmission when I hit the gas.

I know it's going to be painfully expensive, but anybody have any experience getting their W210 transmission repaired or replaced? Just looking for what others paid, dealer vs. non-dealer, fix (if there's anything to fix) or replace, etc.

I dropped it off at Mid-Auto in Sunnyvale, CA (a Benz/BMWshop) across my office and I'm waiting on the bad news.