In searching for a 123 engine transplant I came across a transmission from a source that I'm skeptical of. He says its from a '94 Mercedes (didn't give model info) with 68k miles that got crunched and his friend is parting it out. This guy used to work on transmissions and is "95%" sure this tranny would work in my 1983 300D turbodiesel sedan. The fact that my tranny was working when then the timing chain busted and thrashed the engine ONE WEEK after completing a 3k TOTAL suspension rebuild isn't relevant. As Helga sits, heartless, awaiting an engine transplant (thought process here is: okay, suspension is TOTALLY rebuilt with new rims, rubber, springs, shocks, and every single suspension part replaced; engine, at some point, will be replaced.... hmmmm, what other MAJOR SH&*t can go.... TRANNY), why look a gift horse in the mouth?), the thought of a later model tranny transplant while she is gutted - kinda a WTF, why not? 150 bucks...

So I asked him how sure he was that this "available at a bargain price" tranny would work in my MB - and (sketchy guy but someone who has a vested interest in earning favor - chronic pain patient and I'm his pain "doctor") - and all he said was: "MB didn't change their basic tranny for 20 years - it's the same bolt pattern.... it should be fine.) That's it.

OK, I'm an idiot. It's sitting in the passenger seat (front) of my '92 Nissan Pathfinder. It was one of those: "get it now, it'll be gone tomorrow" deals. AND, he said I could return it if I found out it wouldn't work. So I'm throwing this out to the guys/gals who would know... Here are the numbers that I pulled from it in descending order from top to bottom:

It says "Mercedes Benz" in several places.
R 115 271 4201
D (or "0") 005 454 606
35.4734.00 (the rest of this - if there is any more - is obscured by some misc. hardware on the outside of the body of the tranny).

Any help/adice/recommendations folks?

Jon

I'm no expert, but my present knowledge on this is, they physically look and bolt the same, but, internally are different between 240's with a 616 engine, 300 N/A's with the 617, and 300 turbos. By 94, I don't believe W123's were even in production anymore....if anyone else has input on this......

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

I am skeptical that this will work for you without some fairly major modifications but the "R115" number on the casting leads me to believe it may bolt up.

To identify the tranny you really need to read off the numbers stamped into the casting right above the oil pan on the passenger's side. There should be a 722.xxx number imbedded in there somewhere.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)