I finally got around to changing the transmission fluid, gasket and filter on my 1991 300CE at 137m. The holdup was getting a low range torque wrench. The six pan bolts are only 8nm. The car had a major dealer service @111m-5/2002, which I hope included a tranny fluid change. I did just a fluid change at 120m-6/2003.

The car has been shifting smooth and perfectly, no complaints. The fluid was still relatively clean. The bottom of the pan was near spotless with only the barest of "silty" oil residue. The most alarming stuff was found in the several depressions on top of the filter body. Settled in these depressions were small piles of jagged aluminum metal, not shavings, some well larger than a grain of sand. It looked liked these piles had been there awhile as they sat in a silty like oil residue. The filter sat in a bucket of hot oil for awhile until I fished it out to check the gaskets.

Any thoughts? Should I start saving my $?

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280
1990 LS400