The longevity of MB 722.3/.4 series transmissions depends on how and where they are used (and I'm not entirely sure what ALL of the relevant variables are). Stu Ritter reports that it's rare for them to reach even 200kmi in Denver. In Pittsburgh 250kmi is about average, but many 300D/SDs have provided 300-400kmi of service - most of those have a LOT of highway miles and much less city driving time. Transmissions wear MOSTLY when they shift. In my 10 years of weekly commuting from Pittsburgh PA to Washington DC, I've shown that the number of shifts on a small engined diesel (190D 2.2) even during highway driving is nearly double that of a larger engined diesel that's more powerful ('87 300TD or '87 190D 2.5 turbo). Twice the number of shifts should produce just about twice the wear (and small engined MB automatics DO seem to go thru transmissions prematurely - many only lasting 150-200kmi or so vs cars with somewhat more powerful engines going nearly double that distance before requiring a rebuild.

Marshall