I just got word from my indy. My new (to me) '87 300SDL with less than 100k on the clock has transmission issues. He says there is a noise coming from the middle of the transmission that indicates that "the planetary gears" are "torn up". I do not know much about these. The noise it makes is a somewhat high-pitched whine; depending on engine speed. It makes the noise whether in gear or not.

I also recently sprang a sizeable leak of transmission fluid that comes from the front of the transmission - about 1 qt/10mi. He says this is unrelated, and is caused by a seal on the front pump.

I am being advised to get a re-manufactured tranny. The cost of dropping the tranny to replace the seal is about $750. He has not yet given me the price of a re-man; says to expect about $1600 with a torque converter. He says he will only buy from a place in California that was started by three guys who used to work for MB - claims nobody else knows these transmissions as well.

Does this sound about right? Should I get a second opinion? How hard is it as a DIY? How repairable are these transmissions? He speaks of them as if they are really difficult to do any repair. The low miles on this car would indicate that it likely sat for awhile. I have had it for about 10k and I love it.

Help!