The tranny in our 260E totaly gave up the ghost without warning one day. $100 servo inside the tranny. Unfortunaly it required total dissassebly to repair so we had it rebuilt by a local shop that specialisse in MB trannies.

Took about 1 week, done with OEM parts and cost us about $2200 drive in, drive out. It was tought to spend at the time but other than the radiator inlet failure at around 90,000 miles it was the only problem we had with the car.

It's not cheap but I think a rebuild is a great way to go. Lots less fuss. I've done *many* tranny swaps in a lots of vehicles. I'd never do it myself on a primary transport car ever again (way to big a hassle). If it was an occastional driver, I might take my time and do it. YMMV.

Good luck and I hope it's something simple. I guess MB trannies are a crap-shoot. They either last forever (my 300E has 190k on the clock) or they take a major vacation earlier in their careers..