Hey folks,

I'm considering buying a W123 wagon. The price is good, but it needs work. The main issue is that the transmission slips. It's an automatic.

I've done some mechanical work in my time - changed a couple of manual gearboxes on other cars, but never worked on a wagon. Would it be an insurmountable job to do? I'm just trying to get a rough idea about just how much is involved.

Thanks!

Loaded question!

You must be more specific. Slips, is the fluid level correct? Difficult to ascertain. Hesitant to shift? Tries but has a hard time?

Perhaps a deal breaker, perhaps not.

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83 SD

84 CD

Thanks for your reply.

Yeah, it's a tough one to be more specific really. The car has starting issues too (needs new glow plugs), so I haven't been able to give it a proper drive to really see - it's not insured. I'm also not sure on the fluid levels. The owner tells me it's drivable but "the transmission slips" - that's his explanation, nothing more.

The price for it could make it a bit of a steal. I don't mind putting a bit of money into it. The body is solid etc., so that's not a worry. It's just the transmission.

I live up in Canada, and wagons are something of a rarity around here - and I'm after a wagon specifically. I was having a bit of a browse on eBay earlier, and it seems you can buy a transmission rebuild kit, which could be a possibility.

Anyway, this car is a bit of an unknown, but potentially worth a punt because of it's price, and perhaps it would pay off. Just thought I'd get some advice first

Any further thoughts greatly appreciated!

Where abouts in Canada are you? The thing with these transmissions is that they can "flare" when the vacuum level is out of adjustment. This would be interpreted by most people as a slipping transmission... Really without a test drive its hard to say.

That being said, there are many, many of these transmissions floating around and a used one would not be hard to source. You could also swap in the manual 4spd from a 240D model.

If it was a rust free example, and everything cosmetically was in nice shape, I'd probably be tempted to make an offer on it. Would they be willing to put a day permit on it for you?

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Make certain to check the rear suspension, with the engine running the wagon should not be drooping in the rear. Repairs tend to be costly. I miss my wagon also and love my 124 and 210.

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92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

Check for rust on the bottom inside of the tailgate, also check in the corners of the rear quarter windows.

SLS suspension is awesome, but it's expensive and complicated when it needs attention. My car will not sag out in the slightest bit, even when I parked it for 7 months.

Do a compression check, hard starting could also be low compression and or improper IP timing.

Also check for blow by.

My 300TD (T= touring = wagon) has extreme blowby, and I plan on turning my engine into a anchor for my tollycraft as it's so frustrating.

I did a 4 speed manual swap. You have to rev the piss out of the car daily because the ratios are different. I enjoy it, but I have yet to calculate my fuel economy.

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1981 300TD 4 speed manual
Euro bumpers, zender valance and skirts, H&R springs, billy HD's, leveled sls, real AMG Pentas 16x8 et11, vdo boost/egt gauges intergrated into ash tray, eurolights, led 3rd brake light

If the car is a good deal with a bad trans, it would still be worth it. I think the transmission is the weakest link in these cars. Buying a wagon with an unknown amount of miles on the trans is not as good as buying one for a little more $ with a known good trans (essentially what you will have after the rebuild). If it is repairable (adjustments made), then you are better off still by not having to rebuild the trans right away. Folks have said "there is nothing worse than a cheap Mercedes", but I disagree. I have found that the cheap ones are the BEST ones to get!

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

The model year of the wagon is going to determine how easy it is to get the replacement transmission (or find anyone who wants to work on it to fix).

Where are you in Canada?

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22