I am new to this web site and have a couple of post about the 83 300SD that I was and have bought.

Well I bought it Thursday night and drove it to work on Friday and all seem well drove fine no problems. So on Friday night I am going to OKC to a race that is Saturday TVRP in Noble,OK.
Well I check all the fluids and air in the tires before I leave and all were fine, so I kiss the wife and I'm off in the Benz on my first road trip. I stop and top off the fuel and were off, hit the KS turnpike at 75mph and all is good. Well just before I get to the Blackwell (about 65 miles from home) exit 3 miles the motor revs up like it kicked out of gear so I hit the brakes to turn off the cruise and thinking what the hell was that???
So I get back up to speed and reset the cruise and I go about a mile and it does it again, but this time there is no going back to speed. So I pull over and check the tranny fluid and it's way HIGH on the stick. So now I'm thinking to myself, self you didn't check this did you???
And I had checked it and it was OK. So I get back into the car and start to drive off, wanting to get off the hyway and IT happened top gear is goes, by the time I get off the hyway 2 miles later and road constuctioin only having one lane of traffic and being screamed at by some crazed nut job behind me, I am down to first and reverse gears only. I get to a station and pull the dip stick and the fluid smells so bad I don't even have to get close to smell the money.
So, now I ask you after 3 days do I take the car back, or ask for some of the money back to fix said tranny or am I screwed??? What does a tranny cost for something like this?? Am I better off finding a used tranny?? Here I go with the million dollar questions of what to do???
The body is in great shape and the motor runs very strong and the interior is in good shape... So what's a guy to do???

Thanks for your help in advance...

Joe

i think you may have a good shot at taking it back.

even though it was sold (presumably) as is, there is a legal presumption that it will actually be in working order. and if it blows up on the way home that is probably equal to not working when you picked it up.

i would try to get the dealer to take it back or fix it and then if they refuse i would talk to an attorney.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

First thing is to accurately check the transmission fluid level. This is done with the car warmed up on level ground, engine running with the transmission in Neutral. If the fluid is way high still, you probably have your culprit. These transmissions are as sensitive to overfilling as underfilling. When it's overfilled, the fluid startes foaming and stops pumping, lubricating and cooling. Once again it's only one of the possibilites, but might explain the lack of performance and burned up fluid. I'd take it back and demand a remedy, you just don't know what damage has happened there. Best case would be a flush, filter and proper fill solving your problem. Let us know how it turns out..

__________________
'79 300D, Ivory "Gunther" ......going
'81 300SD, Metallic Blue Silver, The Grey Ghost.....going
'87 300D Turbo ...gone
'05 CDI.... gone

Happy Easter Gents, Forgot to say that earlier.

Thank for the suggestions guys, I bought it from a individual, so no dealer here. I plan to call him later this evening as it is Easter and have a chitchat with him about the car.

I will keep you posted.

Joe

You buy used cars "as-is", especially from individuals. I guess you could always just see what the previous owner says, but he will be under no obligation.
This is assuming there are no particular laws governing this type of thing in your area, but I doubt there is. Best bet is to do what the knowledgeable folks here advise, regarding your tranny.
Good luck. Either way, you will have a nice car, you just might be out more $ than you would have wanted.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Sounds like one of the clutch packs is shot. Did you check the tranny fluid according to the manual. eg running after 5 min.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

If I sell a car, I give a 30/30 warranty.


30 seconds or 30 feet, whichever comes first.


But to be serious though.... If you bought the car from an individual, just give him a call and see if he is willing to work something out. If not, take his arse to court. :fork_off:

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1983 Mercedes 300D
Atlanta, GA

I see this in posts from time to time, and am just curious about the strength of your case from a legal standpoint. Court is not like a forum. You have to walk into court with a case that fulfills the requirements of law......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Unless the person you bought it from was a used car dealer? If so you may have a case, certain laws apply to them.

I'd still call the owner and see what he says, he probably knew.

Figure $1,200 for a rebuild, maybe less.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Well good news,

Good news is the guy was very understanding and knew that the trans had a problem. So he gave me back $500.00 to buy another trans and said good luck. So now I have to find a trans for it, I got on Google and typed in MB trans and up popped about 20 places that sell used and rebuilt units.
Tha rebuilt units range from $1200. to $2000. in price. On the other hand the used units range from $250. to $1200. in price. Has any one on here had good luck with any one salvage yard??? I went to UNEEDAPART.com and man-Oman do you get replys, I got close to dozen emails from folk with trans for the 300SD.
Any thoughts on this???

Thanks for all your help.

Joe

Is it me, or are most MB motorists good people?

__________________
Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

That is one stand up dude. Goes to show, it never hurts to ask.

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Well, I'd think better of the previous owner if he had disclosed the known transmission problem BEFORE he sold the car.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

Can't fuss to much about this solution...I hope you have good fortune with a used or rebuilt tranny. If I have he $$$, I prefer to use an indepedent transmission rebuilder opposed to a franchise, dealer, or used parts/dismantler. If you choose used parts, ask around for recomendations for reputable recyclers. Ask plenty of questions and make sure you have a good understanding of any warranty and get it in writing. Keep all your receipts, cross your fingers, and say a little voodoo prayer (It can't hurt!). Of course most folks do not start out to deceive or run a con game but that ten percent really can irk the karma. Given all that, even the best used part from a reputable dealer can and will give out, so sometimes you simply pay your nickel and take your chance. (again with the voodoo prayer!)

Good Luck!

__________________
Bama1


2008 SLK 280, Firemist Red - "Hurricane"
2001 F150 Lariat 4x4, Black on Black - "Badboy"
1982 240D 4 speed survivor -"Pearl" - Donated to Vietnam Veterans
1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 -"Gertrude"

1954 model original owner - ~2.5M
Gray softtop/solid exterior/modified chassis

I have to admit that when I pick up the check he was a seemed little miffed about giving me the money back, but he did. thanks for all your great help and guidance.
Allot of the salvage yards do test there units before thay leave there shop, or so they say thay do. Like the shop here in Doo-dah that checked out my F-250 tranny and said that he had dynoed it and said it was good. Nope, had to fight him for 3 days till I had the truck towed to his shop and told him to fix it, I said if you take it out and find that I was at fault, I'll pay 100% of the bill, but if your at fault, you pay it all... I didn't pay a dime extra, he admited that his tech for got to dyno it. It was a Friday afternoon and Beer:30 was to close.
So live and learn.. Does this school of hard knocks ever stop??? HAHAHA