Ray, Thanks!
I just uncovered a post from 8/31/04 that Gilly had copied a whole MB Service
document that stated that the color could be anywhere from dark red to pale yellow depending on age and temperature. The title of the post was "99 S500 Transmission". It also stated that the color range does not indicate that a fluid change is necessary.
That makes me feel alot better......I thought the previous owner had put something funky in there! WEW!

__________________
FRED

Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K
Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini
Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K
87 300SDL, 251K
94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K