My 1995 E320 wagon transmission has started to go. Works fine in all gears except reverse. It takes 2-3 seconds to engage. It struggles/slips when backing up hill and it pushes against the brakes if backing down hill. I had the transmission serviced 2 months ago. My mechanic looked at it again last week and said the problem was internal.

Any estimates on how long I can get out of it if I baby her (ie. let it take time engaging, don't park pointing downhill, try to find parking where I can pull through etc..)?

It's a crapshoot estimating time... It could be next year, it could be tomorrow... no real way to estimate it..

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

I have similar problem lately with my S320.... and my mechanic checked it and suggested I need to open up the tranny! any opinions???

Check out this thread:

94 E320 transmission rebuild

If you have the case where the B3 piston is impacting the K1 clutch carrier, your tranny will have ground up aluminum in it. If that's the case, I would expect more problems sooner rather than later.

If your tranny has a known history of fluid changes per the MB schedule, and is otherwise in good operating condition, you might be OK just to replace the B3 friction discs. On the other hand, a complete rebuild might also be recommended. I had this discussion with myself not to long ago--just read the above thread.

If you are likely to opt for the complete rebuild, it probably dosn't matter if you continue to drive the car as is. Any further damage you do by driving would be addressed with the complete rebuild. If you are likely to try the B3 friction disc only rebuild, then I would recommend doing it sooner rather than later. This would reduce the chance of additional damage that would not be corrected with just a B3 friction disc replacement.

Just my opinion......I'm not an expert.

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles