My 1994 E320 Cabriolet transmission started acting up before Christmas. Used to be, reverse gear needed just a tap on the gas pedal to move the car backward, it sorta leaped. Now, when I put it in reverse, the car sorta shudders and I only slowly "feel" reverse gear setting in. The car will back up on level pavement, but if I tap the gas, the tranny just winds out ... then sometimes lunges back, like popping a clutch on a manual transmission. But I can't back up the slightest incline (which means I'm always looking to park so I can pull out forward!). All forward gears work fine. In fact, it used to "hang" in start-up gear when the engine was cold, but that problem seems to have vanished.

I drained the tranny and torque converter, added six new quarts Dex/Merc and it seemed a bit better, but not much. Reverse works when the engine is cold and just started, I guess because the ATF is stiffer when cold. But once the ATF has warmed, reverse is a sometimes thing.

My limited research on the Web and elsewhere indicates these trannys have problems at 75,000 to 100,000 miles, and mine now has 100,000. I suspect the rear clutchpak is failing (B2 band or something like that) which requires pulling the entire tranny. But is there some simpler problem I may be overlooking? Or something I can try before getting the tranny pulled?

I figure if it must come out, I will need more than just a repair of the reversing problem. Should I have this one overhauled, or should I buy a rebuilt one? One place I called said they had a used one availble ... but I don't feel inclined toward buying someone else's old tranny. Your advice is appreciated.

Also, anyone knows a good MB tranny mechanic on Cape Cod, I'd appreciate the suggestion, too.

Thanks! This site is really helpful!

Welcome to the joy of w140 tranny ownership.

(Like everything on this car - when it works, it's the best... when it doesn't work, it's expensive...)

Phoenix Reman Trans will sell you a rebuilt tranny for about $1400. (This is the least expensive I have found from a "big transmission rebuilder" kinda place). Also, they have a tranny dyno, so in theory you would know that the unit was put together right prior to it leaving their facility. They also have some ***** on the web (there is a site www.phxreman-sux.com), but when you do the volume they do (several 1000 trannies per year), you are going to have a few deals that went bad.

I found a small indy shop (German Transmission Company) and they (he, one man shop) did the job (total, including resealing the main seal on the engine) for $1400. From my research, this price seems too good to be true, but so far, so good.

In the end, I think you will find that doing a full rebuild (either by rebuilding yours or trading in a rebuilt unit) is the way to go. From there, you can pay what you want (as long as you pay lots or lots and lots), so I would look at warranty and other signs of good faith. A good independant shop (doing the R&R) and sourcing the trans from a national place (like Phx Reman or (I think) Metric Mechanix) is probably the best deal. (Should run about $2500 total).

Of course, if you are near Phoenix, German Trans is by far the least expensive...

-David

I realized later that this wasn't a w140 car, but it is the same basic 722.xxx tranny...

-David

There are two very well-regarded Mercedes independent mechanics that I visit.

One shop will install a rebuilt transmission, purchased from the dealer with a two year warranty, for $2,000.00

That is $2,000, out the door, including removal, re-installing, and sales tax.

Another shop that I frequent, the famous Mr. MB Motors that we all rave about on this board, uses a local rebuilder that specializes in MB transmissions, and will do the whole job for $1,500 installed. Enrique says that he has installed over a hundred transmissions from this rebuilder, and has never had a problem.

I happened to speak to Enrique today about his advice on the W210 E420 or E430, and he commented that they use an electronically controlled transmission, and that this newer type 5-speed tranny costs about $4,000 to rebuild.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I had the same problem. I wound up getting a used transmission for $600 from a guy in Texas - shipped via Yellow Freight. He gave me a 90 day replacement guarantee. That was almost 3 years ago and I have put over 20,000 miles on it. I kept the original transmission with the intent of tearing it down to see what the problem was and rebuilding it but haven't had a chance to do it yet. I was told it was more than likely the front pump on the transmission - don't know if this is true or not.

You see a lot of people having problems at 100k but I think well cared for the 4 speeds are usually good for 200k. But sometimes a problem is just the luck of the draw.

I would say get your transmission rebuilt in your area by the best, most honest shop you can find. I say keep the one you've got because you know there isn't much wrong with it. The reality is that it probably doesn't need that much - just some work on the front pump. But nobody wants to do that job. Everbody wants to rebuild the whole thing. And there is a good argument for rebuilding the whole thing - it's about seven hours just to get it out and in the car.

If you were in Phoenix, or even in the southwest, it's a no-brainer. You take it to German Transmission Co. Like Dave I had mine rebuilt there, for about the same price, and it's been bulletproof. But that's an anomaly - it's a one man shop, the guy can rebuild transmissions in his sleep, and he's just starting up the shop. I would think where you are you should be able to get it for $2k or a little less.

STAY AWAY FROM AAMCO!! Most of those shops don't know Mercedes transmissions and will do more harm than good.

I think there might be a little confusion, as Suginami suggested that the trans could be sourced from the dealer and installed at an indy for $2000 total. I checked with several dealers, and none of them would supply a tranny for under $2500.

I'm thinking that maybe you (Suginami) meant that the older (pre-722.xxx) could be rebuilt, with dealer parts, for under $2000, but anything newer would get expensive real quick...

(Just trying to make sense of the info...)

-David

Whatever the stock transmission that is used in 124.032 cars is the one that MB Stars installs, out the door, parts and labor, plus tax, for $2,000.

To be more clear, they are purchasing and installing a rebuilt transmission, from the dealer.

It comes with a one year, 12,000 mile warranty.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

MB factory rebuilt transmissions have gone up in price over $1,000 in last year - for example in my case one day $1700, next day $2700. Not sure if this is attributable to the exchange rate or something else.

I am curious how much the tranny for a 87 260E would cost from the dealer with the two year warranty. I was quoted 3650 from the dealer that includes labor. Does that seem way over priced ?

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Whether you think you can or cannot, Either way you're right!. by Henry Ford.

My dealer quoted $4500 for a rebuilt (w140 500sel). Indy quoted $2600 (for almost the same exact deal - professionally built tranny sourced from MB or other reputable source).
-David