OK - so I've investigated my leaks - which is what they've turned out to be - just leaks (seals).

To replace them, the gearbox has to be dropped.

I can continue driving it as long as I top it up regularly.

The guy who checked it out basically said that it may be a good idea to recondition the box while it's out ($2000AUD) - even though its sound at the moment, he said that dropping it and replacing the seals can start a "chain reaction" that will mean that the box may need to be reco'd shortly thereafter (meaning everything will need to be done again anyway).

He wasn't able to comment on Mercedes - just gearboxes in general.

- The car has 190k (km)/ (120k miles) - the tranny has never been touched.
- To replace the seals is about $600 + filters, et al.

Can anyone comment on the durability of this transmission - and when they normally need attention/reconditioning (how many miles)?

thanks...

contact MB Spares in Canberra. They know their stuff, offer advice and are not ripoffs.

www.mbspares.com.au

Mark

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'72 280CE
'05 Honda Odyssey (wifes car!)

Thanks Mark,

I have requested some info from them..

I am still interested in getting opinions on what I have though.

My own experience aand observation is that these automatics start to have problems at around 100K miles depending of course on maintenance history and driving habits. They will start to flare on shifts to the point where it can't be adjusted out, take a long time to engage reverse, etc.

That is not to say that some may go 200K or longer, and others expire at 60K.

What your man is saying makes sense. If you re-seal, your are spending $600 for labor and about $10 parts. If you plan on keeping the car, and driving it a lot, an option is to use the labor charges to install a rebuilt unit and know that you are good for another 100K.

There is no real way to predict what the best course is. It all depends on the wear and tear on a bunch of little parts in your existing trans, how you plan to use the car, the size of your checkbook, and your tolerance for risk and uncertainty.

If it were me and I planned to get another five years of regular driving out of the car (meaning that it is otherwise in good shape), I woud go for a rebuild.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe