yes, it engages in reverse fine....theres much slippage when pulling from a dead stop...but when you get up into 3rd gear, youd never know anything was wrong with it...and yes, it was sudden as hell, although my shifts from 1st to 2nd had always been a little harsh...i think that was more a vacuum problem....but like i say, it hadnt slipped a lick before yesterday....something just popped, and murdered 1st gear....maybe this is a blessing...ive always wanted to have another mode of transportation so i can be able to do some serious work on this car...but whats funny is, im thinking about getting out of one of the safest, most dependable cars to have ever driven on the road, and getting on a metal, two wheeled death trap... go figure

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1985 300SD 192,000miles...Astral silver/ Grey MbTex

1983 300D 194,000miles...White/Tan MbTex...my newest addiction