Someone is conveniently located thats selling an automatic transmission that will fit my 1985 300TD. (w123).

I'm told to be cautious with this dealer. I plan on having someone else install it, I just want to buy it off him. Hes asking $500.

By visual inspection for an amateur like me how can I be sure its going to fit my car?

What models of Deisel MBs are compatible (so I can ask him what it came out of) and how could I see when looking at just a transmission, (serial no. or something) that it will be the right one and hes not just selling me some completely incompatible tranny.

Thanks for any of your wisdom.
M

Maybe you can have yours fixed? I had to have mine 'replaced' for $3,300 but I took it to a small transmission shop who repaired mine for $850.

Well, a mechanic I respect said with a transmission that old, it better be completely rebuilt. He didnt know off the top of his head but though it would amount to a good $2000-$3000.

Thats why I thought of going the route of replacing with a used one. I'd b e happy if I got 3 more years out of it. The body of the car is not going to last much longer than that, so no use dumping in too much $.

I wouldn't buy from someone that I had been warned about. Simply paying labor would be more than I want to risk on parts bought from a shady character. I've seen "remanned for ~$1500 but don't know what "remanned" means to them or the quality of the work.

Sometimes people of integrity will make a mistake or act out of ignorance. Shady.....Well, you've been warned.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.