I've got a 1985 500SEL automatic stuck in a little beach town in Mexico an hour north of Puerto Vallarta since October. The water pump and reservoir needed replacement; I was going back to the States and brought those parts back down to Mexico with me. The local mecanico put them in, all was well I thought, until I drove off the lot and the car would not shift out of first gear. Did a uturn back to the mecanico, but eventually got it to a local transmission mechanic. I ended up having friends from the States bring down a rebuilt body valve, modulator, and oil pan and seal, all recently installed. But now the car drives like a manual, having to shift to neutral before shifting back into drive, and not going further than second gear. Very weird. Acts better when it's cold, and gets hot within 20 minutes. The local tranny mecanico doesn't seem to be able to go any further with it. I'm thinking of paying a guy from Guadalajara to come out and take a look.....but does anyone have any ideas on what to check on next? It's got 134,000 miles on it, and I wasn't real good with maintenance, but the tranny oil seemed ok, not burnt. ANY help would be appreciated! Thank you!
Arlene, stuck in Mexico (better than CT though)

You espero que - generalmente los automechanicos de Mexico no vale nada; Nadie en Mexico entiende ni jota del marca Mercedes Benz en todo de este pais;

ADEMAS su coche es muy viejo --mas que vientecinco anos!!!

Talves su mejor idea is transportar o manejar su coche al la frontera y despues, a l" Mercedes Benz of San Diego," para reparaciones y servicios....

4750 Kearny Mesa Road
San Diego, CA 92111-2405
(858) 569-6900


El Presidente del MBCA ( San Diego Chapter ) es un amigo mio, Jon White, dueno del tres y mas modelos: dos 500SEC's, 300TE, and es un person muy familiar con estes coches.

Jonathan White (858 279 5378), <-----Ademas, Jon es un miembre del PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum, a friend of mine, and he is FROM England, and Speaks English !!! Call him!!!

Buena suerte,
Jim B.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

That's not entirely true. I've been retired in Mexico for 4 years and have found Mexican mechanics to be very resourceful and able to replace parts for my car, so long as we can find parts. Usually, I have them muled down from the States. But after reading everything available re transmissions on this site, and related links, there's no doubt that transmission work may be beyond their skills. Anyone know how much a transmission weighs in case I have to pick one up in San Diego? Any other ideas on what to check next after the parts that have already been installed? Much appreciated.

A typical Mercedes automatic weighs about as much as a big man can carry. You can get a good grip on a tranny even if it is greasy and I would estimate 100 to 120 pounds without the convertor.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!