I feel your pain. I just paid $4400 for a MB rebuilt trans with torque converter and control unit. The parts alone from MB was $4000. He only charged me $400 labor as he initially quoted me $4000 but MB gave him the wrong parts cost initially. I paid in cash to save on the tax. My 97 E420 has 132K miles. It quite a shame that these MB trans don't last very long. My indy says that this trans is electronic and that was it cost so much more than the 94 E320 rebuilt trans that he installed for $2400 at 78K miles. My 93 BMW 525iT has the original trans with 168K miles although he had to rpolace the trans oil cooler. With the cost of computer controlled parts no one will be able to afford the new car off warranty. It's a mess and will only get worse.

Did the '97 require the Mercedes fluid only or did that start with the '98 models? BTW, as I recall I think the Mobil 1 synthetic ATF is something like $8/liter. Your mechanic is making one hell of a profit charging you $20/liter. The MB fluid can be had for about $10/liter. If your transmission requires the Mercedes only fluid, then that's what I'd insist be in there.

I notice a couple of red flags with that invoice, no mention of a rebuilt torque converter, they are dirt collectors; a rebuilt is a must especially with planetary failure.


No mention of an updated K2 drum, so he must have used the early design planetary gears which failed often, due to lack of lube, Your transmission failure, early design pre 1999 722.6 transmissions had this type of failure, failure of lube bushing that links the K2 input drum with planetary gears. Updated planetary kit comes with an updated K2 drum.



No mention of a TCM soft wear RE flash, which is done with an updated valve body. Rebuilt Valve body must be the original early design from your car, no updates or improvements.

Hopefully you will get another 109,000 miles from that transmission. .
Good Luck.

Now I get my 97 E420 back with the $4400 rebuilt trans and torque converter and it feels like the trans is a bit rough. It shifts up and down hard and is perceptable whereas the original was very smooth and it would shift seamlessly. Is there a break in period for rebuilt trans? Doesn't MB thoroughly test these rebuilt trans before selling them? My indy says to drive it for a week and bring it in for a check up and not to worry as it is warranteed. Any thoughts?

722.6 transmissions have what is called “Adaptive memory” The TCM will correct and adjust the time and pressure it takes, for a clutch drum to apply to optimize shift feel. The more you drive the better it will shift.

Thanks, Steve. It has been feeling better and smoother as the days go by. I appreciate your input.