We got the car at 248,000 miles in October 2007. I immediately changed all of the fluids to Mobil-1. This was an error, at least for the transmission, which exacerbated an old front pump seal leak that the POs had been living with for years and which I could have continued to live with for many more years.

Unfortunately, the smaller molecules in the synthetic lubricant increased the leak such that it was leaving a tablespoon or two on the floor every time the car was driven. Changing back to non-synthetic fluid did not help. After a couple of months I gave up and had the transmission pulled and rebuilt by a local shop with a good reputation, Santa Rosa Hydramatic.

The mechanic's report was that all of the "hard" parts were good, decreasing the ultimate cost. I was also told that the "wear" parts (clutches, etc.) had another 50,000 miles on them, oh well. In the end, it cost me just under $3,000 for parts, labor, and tax. The work also disturbed some of the "environmentally friendly" insulation on the wiring to the reverse light switch. The mechanic patched this as best he could and I rebuilt the wiring later. I also had the car back in once at no charge to tighten up the pan bolts and stop a slight ooze of fluid.

The transmission has been trouble-free since (22,000 miles). I'll let the shop do the next fluid and filter change just to protect the warranty. They wouldn't use that as an excuse but it gives them an opportunity to look over their work and keep an eye on things. I probably will buy the filter and gasket myself and let them put it in.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970