Hi everyone,

I wanted to do a quick post to introduce myself and ask a few questions:

I'm new to Mercedes but have multiple Porsches, so very fond of German engineering! I've just acquired a 1991 420SEL for...get this...$810.00. It has 171K on the clock but I got a folder with near complete maintenance records from approx 1995-ish. Dark gray over light gray, all stock, nothing fancy. Near mint inside. Seems to have been consistently maintained by either the MB dealer or specialty shops.

Since it hasn't been driven much in the last year or so, I do have a few minor things to sort out, some of which may sort themselves out once it gets some semi-daily use, but the main item is the tranny. It has the well known Reverse lag and many times after everything is warmed up, Reverse gear will not engage at all. I'm willing to spend the money on a rebuilt transmission, but how difficult is it to do a direct swap? Are there any special tools required to DIY? I'm far from a mechanic but have a shop, access to a lift, tools, tunes, and a fridge full of beer. I'd love to meet and chat with any Northern VA wrenchers and fellow Northern VA owners.

- Darryl