Hi folks,

The transmission has started to occasionally slip when going from first to second.

I don't know anything about transmissions, especially in a MBZ.

I'm wondering if it's smart to take it to a transmission shop to have them diagnose the problem, or just spend the money on buying/installing a rebuild right from the get go.

Funds are tight right now, so I don't really want to spend the $150 quoted for an evaluation if replacement is really the only option. Are there other things that could potentially be fixed without me doing the replacement? Is it worth having it diagnosed?

The car has 192K miles on her.

Thanks......

Hello,

Just out of curiousity when was the last time the tranny fluid and filter were properly changed?

A transmission cannot operate forever on old gnarly fluid...

If your repair shop suggests a complete tranny flush, they cost anywhere from $70-150 USD...

Transmission might or might not return to normal operations...

Only trying to help thanks.

Based on my experience with my 380SL, if the transmission has a lot (125K or more) on it, and you intend to keep the car, then you might as well bite the bullet and get a rebuilt trans.

I spent the money on an evaluation, a fluid and filter change, and a rebuilt valve body - probably $500 - and still ended up needing a new tramsmission.

It might make sense to drain the fluid, pull the pan, and see if there is clutch material in it. If so, button it back up and get a rebuilt. If not, proceed to change the filter and fluid, and see if that helps.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

At that milage you are likely to need a rebuilt trans. Any decent trans shop won't just pull it and rebuild it without doing some diagnostics so you will have to get a check done anyway.

If you get the check done now it might be savable, if not you haven't wasted anything as the mechs will want to have a look at it.

Matt.