I've got an '83 240D Automatic...I was pawing through the original owner's manuals today and found what it said were the shift points...like 1>2 at 15 mph, 2>3 in the 20s and 3>4 at about 32 mph.

My car shifts consistently at different points.

1>2, 15 mph (that's okay)
2>3, ~30 mph
3>4 ~ 55 mph, the engine is WAY loud at this point. Driving above about 40-45 mph, the engine is so loud from RPMs that it's almost impossible to have a conversation in the car/listen to the radio/etc.

What would you guys recommend? I was thinking of taking it to AAMCO and having them do a 100% tranny flush+refill, hoping that might make a difference.

Vacuum system is "good" as far as I know, no leaks, the car shuts off with the key immediately, all the tranny linkages on top of the crankcase are connected with the vacuums (one had been broken but I fixed it) and the vac line going to the tranny is good.

I'm hesitant to do any tranny work myself since I don't really have jacks/jackstands, and don't want to destroy the thing by doing something "wrong"

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER

Can't say I would recommend the "flush", but certainly a full fluid and filter change never hurts, especially if unknown when the last change was.
As far as shifting goes, you'll need at least a vacuum gauge to diagnose the problem. Do search on this forum for more information. It's best to read up on it so you get an idea of how it works if you want to tinker with it. I've been playing with mine for a while now, and while I'm far from being an expert, from what I gather, the shift points are controlled by a cable hooked to the throttle linkage on top of the valve cover and the quality of the shift is controlled by the vacuum signal.

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'83 300D Turrrbo 295K miles

I think maybe you are misinterpreting the information. The lower figures sound like minimum shift points the others sound like correct points for full throttle shifts.

Tom W

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[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.

Hmm, it's possible I'm just being to aggressive driving then?

I'm already so slow off the line that I get people flying around me inches from clipping my bumper, honking, fingers, one kid in a mustang yelled death threats and tried to run me off the road, etc.

What should my 0-45 time be, optimally, for ideal shifting?

(I don't think it's my driving, because I never "floor it" up to speed and then back off, its always a very slow process, but I'm willing to see.)

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER

AAMCO! Argh! Don't do it. They seem to have a corporate policy of bending the customer over for repairs and work that are not needed. I have a little personal experience with this. I know of three cars that different AAMCO shops claimed needed rebuilt transmissions, when they all only had simple issues like a leaking pan gasket, a bad speed sensor, etc.

Also, I'd love to see a Mustang force a W123 off of the road. I imagine the 'Stang would suffer severe crippling body damage if you held your ground and contact was made. Heh. I won't condone it, but it would be interesting to see.

I can't help with shift points, but I do know nothing is going to make a 240D with an auto capable of accelerating like most cars on the road do these days. It does sound like it could be shifting a little late, though. How is the shift smoothness? That can give some indicators of transmission condition.

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- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

I'm okay with slow -- I'm not okay with it getting so loud you can't hear. I also think it staying in a low gear is making my gas mileage terrible, I got 16 mpg on this last tank.

I think the shifting is "medium", 1-2 is good, 2-3 is pretty rough a lot of times (it varies a LOT when it'll **** and it jerks), 3-4 is pretty smooth most times though.

One of the vac lines going from the frontleft of the engine, up to the switch vacuum assembly on the crankcase was snapped in half and broken so I fixed and reconnected it, no change.

Do they even know how to fix vac-controlled Mercedes auto tranny setups?

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER