Glad it worked.

I'm also working on a 1997 E420 722.6 right now.

Mine has a very flared, delayed shift in all gears. Has firm engagement, but is chirps the tires in 3-5 gears, and it sets off the ESP.

Took off the pan, orig fluid was beautiful, no particles whatsoever.

From my digging I found this modulator pressure control spring for the valve body.

http://www.transmissionspecialty.com/parts/parts/68942-01.htm

The spring was a few bucks (less than $5) , and I'm going to try to install it tonight. I'm hoping that this will prevent me from buying a new valve body, conductor plate, and tcm...

Mercedes doesn't offer this spring (that I am aware of ).