ok, so I'm going to take my 95 e320 over to "Creeds Transmission". I'm going to give him $2000 to completely rebuild the transmission.

I put a used transmission in it and it lost reverse in 5 starts.

I could do it again as there is a wrecked 95 e320 in welcome, nc for $1000.

I just don't think I can emotionally handle another gazzillion hours (less obviously after what amounted to 3 removals and installs of the 722.369).

Creed rebuilt the tranny in my 04 odyssey at 250k miles and its awesome.

I know I could buy another working e320 for what I'm paying to rebuild this tranny. But I already did the evaporator and the SLS on this wagon and I know it from soup to nuts.

Just wanted to run this by everyone. Not wearing a flame suit so I may start crying like a little girl.

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg

I know the GOB way is to keep throwing used trannies in, but I think the rebuild option is a safer bet if he is good, uses good quality parts, and guarantees his work, especially if you want to keep the car awhile. I can't speak to the price, though.

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Prost!

Just a point of reference...

Sun Valley (a very reputable MBZ trans re-builder) currently lists the 722.369 at $1,750 exchange, including a torque converter & two year warranty.

Of course, shipping costs are an unknown, but I believe that they will warranty any needed repairs throughout the country. That could be a big factor if you take very long trips in the wagon - far from where your guy is at.

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Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

I totally identify with your pain and your plan. I would do the same for a car which I know inside out and which I plan to keep. Great choice of photo!

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 411K

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Objects in closer are mirror than they appear.

Yes, sun valley is the best if you are removing the tranny your self, but all the work is in removing and installing a transmission. Fixing the tranny(one of these .3 ) is the easy step. Fixing reverse is a weekend job...This transmission is well documented on the web on how to fix. I guess by your email you are hurting(alot) to pay the 2k

Experiment on your old one. The reverse is fixed this way. It is the small rubber lip seal

722.5 transmission oil pump rebuid DIY - Mercedes-Benz Forum

Experiment on your old transmission.

Martin

I experimented on the first tranny only to find that the front pump had eaten itself. Bits of springs were everywhere. I'm sure the one in the wagon now is fine, just needs a reseal as you say. But there is a chance it needs more. If it needs more then I will wish I'd just had it rebuilt.

Once the rebuild is complete, I can start fresh, I'm excited.

It's really just re-buying my wagon. The best part being that I know what I've got

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg

Creed is now a known and local entity to you. I would say your decision making on this was sound advice to yourself. The buying of used components is Russian Roulette, and totally price (bargain) driven....

Thayer, your approach to resolving the transmission problems makes sense considering the time and effort you have expended already. Hopefully that's the last major repair for a while. I spent $4,000 in July 2012 for an evaporator replacement in our 1995 E320 sedan. I appreciate the ride, handling and build quality of the 124 cars too so I understand why you're willing to invest money in a 1995 E-Class wagon.

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Fred Hoelzle

oh yeah...its a straight 6 with rear wheel drive. Can you even buy that new?
Its certainly the best riding and handling vehicle I've got.

It sat for 3 months without being touched...I got in it..and it started with no issues. I miss her....shes comin' home.

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg

I hear you.

I love the power of the V8 in my E430, but I sometimes wish I would've kept my old W124 E320.

The quality level is higher in the 124's over the 210's. Heck, even my wife can tell the difference, which is a miracle.

I still find myself wasting too much company time on the internet looking at W124 500E's for sale...

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I'm going to bite the bullet on my w201 and go with sun valley. IMHO, the prices on the scrapyard trannies is way too high for what you get. $800 shipped should be a sure thing, but it's a 50/50 bet at best considering the age of these cars. For $2000 shipped, you get a sure thing, and don't have to keep paying shipping both ways and arguing with scrap yards who may or may not accept a return. I'm unimpressed with scrapyard prices in general, but that's a different topic.

yes true, after I redid my W124 to ride like a W124 should - my wife usually sneaks away with it and leaves her "NEW" car at home. This is not fair.

her new car is a Nissan Altima which she bought because it was so cute looking.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Sun Valley rebuilt the transmission in my old E320, and it was flawless, with a one year, 12,000 mile warranty, IIRC.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I have 30k on my rebuilt from Sun Valley I got 2 years ago almost to the day now....
I did the first fluid change on it a few months ago at 25k...and well...it speaks for itself:

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

that is the most beautiful tranny pan I've ever seen. Lets all take a moment and look at that pan.

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg