Transmission replace/rebuild
 

Transmission on my '83 380 SEC suddenly stopped engaging.

Other than very minor slippage that I've come to expect on an older vehicle, there was no warning of this. I put it into drive, and engine just ran free. Same with other "gears" -- no resistance whatsoever.

Fluid level is still topped, with no apparent leakage, so I'm guessing this is just an internal seal?

What should I expect to pay for a rebuild? Would replacement be cheaper? (Adsit has a rebuilt one for $1400) Any insight about best/worst-case scenario here?

transmission
 

I'm having the transmission in my 87 300E rebuilt, it will cost $2500.

The transmission was leaking and was not shifting properly/smoothly.

Good Luck!!

You had the warning, but you decided to ignore it. Doesn't matter how old the vehicle is, it's not suppose to do that.

All the seals on my '88 300SE are starting to leak (well, some of them are and I'm afraid that if I just replace those the others will go). I'm gonna have my mechanic drop it and replace every single seal inside and out.

My mechanic ballpark-quoted me around $1800. At least, he said that's about what it cost last time he did one.

my condolences on that one...I would think that $1800 would be really fair for a good rebuild. my 1990 300te leaks fluid too, but i just top it off every couple of months, knowing full well that eventually that will not work any longer. who makes these trannys anyway? I had a ZF 4 rebuilt for my BMW in Albuquerque by a private shop for $1380 and they did an excellent job many miles ago (like 30K). I called every transmission shop from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and the prices ranged from $1200 (poor BBB report) to $3600 (local BMW dealership) and found this place. Only downside was it took them 2 weeks to get the car back to me, but they did outstanding work....good luck

Mercedes Transmission Rebuilt to Factory Specs.
 

MZF ,Inc.

http://www.peterschmid.com/

This is where I'll send my 722.418

AWESOME! Parts diags and other technical info about he transmissions!