E300 trans. Uh-oh . . . - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TMAllison · #16 07-22-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

Terry, you're doing lots of highway miles...as you know those are the easiest on the tranny. You'll probably get 400K out of yours. It's my run-around driving that kills them at 200K.

I agree the dealer is a rip-off, I was just saying that even if you had to spend $6K you can't buy a car for $6K that would be anything close to this and they will give you nothing for it unless it is fixed.

The ony problem with that logic is the amount of slow and go freeway driving I do. 80 miles full speed and 30 miles at 0-30mph; it shifts alot......but hopefully will last anohter year and 35k and by then I'll be looking seriously for a CDI.

i like the manual idea; you could name your price then.

pawoSD · #17 07-22-2008, 10:26 PM

The older auto's must be more rugged....I drive in the city 80% of the time, for years and years (5 so far) and its held up great. I change the fluid and filter once a year.....shifts are firm and quick as always....273k on it.

It was "serviced" at 213k by the dealer to have the seals replaced (it was drooling fluid) they said the insides looked like new still. Awesome!

I am rooting for the motor/trans of my car to make it to 350k, I should be able to get another (maybe a used CDI!) by then if I can get a decent job.

By then the rust will be inevitable anyways. We'll see what the future brings. I'd be perfectly happy driving my car another 10+ years too....I'll never want to get rid of it.

dukegrad98 · #18 07-22-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Wow wish you were closer. I'd buy this car for salvage which is what $3k, and put a $2,500 trans into it myself. I'd have a $12k car at 1/2 price.

Sadly for you and others, I can do the math.

Whether I keep the car or not, I have reached the conclusion that it has to be repaired.

Not sure yet what I'm going to do. I have enjoyed this biofuel/diesel experiment car an awful lot over the last 16 months or so, but maybe it's time to put some miles on my gassers and not worry about fuel filters and roadside "incidents." Stay tuned.

Thanks again for the links on remanufactured trannies. That's going to help me a whole lot, I believe. Now I just have to find a reputable shop around here, as my practice doesn't allow me enough free time to get out and do this one myself.

Cheers, John

dukegrad98 · #19 07-22-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

Here's a challenge, why not turn the lemon into lemonade and convert this beast into the only 5 speed (or 6 speed) manual W210 E300 D-T in the country?!

A great idea. But since you asked why not, my reasons in order of descending importance:

1.) Time.

2.) Money.

3.) Expertise required.

Still, a very fun thought!

Cheers, John

WINGAS · #20 07-23-2008, 05:44 AM

I know some Chevelle boys down in Houston, if you have a prob finding a trans shop, PM me.

Yeah, a nice 5 speed out of a Mustang would be nice !

Cervan · #21 07-23-2008, 06:35 AM

sawdust ftw.

notfarnow · #22 07-23-2008, 09:31 AM

Oh man, that's terrible.

Were there any other symptoms or previous oddities? Every now and then, my car seems to shift HARD into first, usually when I'm slowing down in a parking lot, just creeping along. This has me a bit spooked.

Offhand, has ANYONE ever done a 5sp swap in a w210? That could be an interesting alternative, if it didn't have to be done completely from scratch. Being able to copy someone else's setup would make it a lot more feasible.

nhdoc · #23 07-23-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Oh man, that's terrible.

Were there any other symptoms or previous oddities? Every now and then, my car seems to shift HARD into first, usually when I'm slowing down in a parking lot, just creeping along. This has me a bit spooked.

Offhand, has ANYONE ever done a 5sp swap in a w210? That could be an interesting alternative, if it didn't have to be done completely from scratch. Being able to copy someone else's setup would make it a lot more feasible.

I don't think anyone here has done one, but I would suspect all of the parts would be available since 5 speeds were available on the W210 (in europe, at least). It would be interesting to know if the 6 speed they used in the SLK and C class could be bolted to the OM606.

dukegrad98 · #24 07-23-2008, 09:47 AM

A five-speed swap would require a new pedalbox, flywheel, clutch, trans, throwout, and more. It's definitely do-able, the question is just how hard it would be to collect all the necessary parts -- and how good your skills are with assembly and fabrication. If I had all the time and money in the world, I'd be all over it -- but I have neither.

The trans exhibited zero symptoms prior to this self-destruction incident. The car was actually running like a champ. No warning, just failure.

Gotta make some calls. Recommendations for Houston-area trans shops would be appreciated, as dealer labor rates are not too competitive.

Cheers, John

Hatterasguy · #25 07-23-2008, 07:15 PM

Any history on when the fluid/filter was done? Was the service done 35k miles ago its first?

dukegrad98 · #26 07-23-2008, 09:43 PM

All I have is a huge unsorted folder of receipts from the prior owner; I'm not even sure it's the full history -- but it's at least from 90k onward (194k now). I know the last trans fluid change was somewhere around 160k or 165k, but will have to dig and see whether I have records of maintenance before that.

The only thing I know right now -- and I think it's good news -- is that the trans computer is showing no codes. That tells me what I suspected, which is that it's just mechanical failure in the gearbox. No electrical gremlins, I hope -- simplifies the repair and reduces the cost.

I just had one offer to buy the car here, via PM, but no price. I haven't made any decisions for sure, but will know more after I talk to a trans guy or two tomorrow. Thanks for the tips, help, and general moral support!

Cheers, John

michakaveli · #27 07-23-2008, 10:48 PM

I realize that all this depends on is your financial situation. Granted, a new car with a warranty is 9/10 the best choice financially. But, considering the realistic price of a tranny, say $6k, or a car payment.

Pros:
- new car is under warranty
- minimal list of items to go wrong, and if they do, Warranty

Cons:
- monthly car payment
- what can you get for at least $6k, if not a new car
- probably something you'll like LESS than your E300

If you are mechanically inclined and can do the usual E300 quirky stuff, getting the new tranny sounds like the best financial alternative. And you still keep a nice MB diesel! (which probably still looks better than most new cars in an economical price range today)

dukegrad98 · #28 07-23-2008, 11:13 PM

Great analysis, Michakaveli... And as I said above, whether I keep or sell the car, it has to be repaired -- scrap value for a non-working car is pretty low these days. They command some decent bucks on eBay lately.

I'm reasonably mechanically inclined. On this E300, I've personally done all new glow plugs, new brake pads and discs, the AC fan voltage regulator retrofit, new swaybar bushings and links, and (gasp -- the travesty!) the two-tank biofuel system. That doesn't count all the little routine maintenance like changing my oil and filter, rotating tires, etc. Child's play.

I'm currently working on an engine swap in another car -- a weekender toy.

The problem with a new car is that there won't be anything sensible or economical about it. If I get fed up with this and sell the Benz, I'll probably put a new 911 in the garage. Makes little sense financially, but if you have ever owned one you understand. My old 993 was the best car I've ever had, by at least an order of magnitude. Still, in the interest of frugality and preserving my very un-American high savings ratio, I'm trying to convince myself to "live cheap" for another six months or a year. Heavy investments in depreciating assets don't line up with most of my long-term goals.

I'm looking forward to talking to the trans folks tomorrow, once the new gang has had a peek inside the box. I'll post back some more info when I have it. Thanks again.

Cheers, John

michakaveli · #29 07-23-2008, 11:22 PM

Duke....

I hear you 100%. One of these days I owe it to myself to secure a 911 also, but financially speaking it's not a solid choice when you're rather young, or even if you have the capital. With the economy looking the way it is, personally I would find myself a nice property (house prices are coming back down to realiztic levels in most areas if not better). With that aside, it's tough to beat a nice weekend or daily driver if you know your way around an E300.

compress ignite · #30 07-23-2008, 11:45 PM

I have No Connection to these fine people at All.

BUT,you hopefully will.

http://www.peterschmidtransmission.com/