just did one at work about a month ago; big chunks of metal in the pan.

got a reman from the dealer; list price was something like $4000 which included a new torque converter.

wouldn't gamble with a rebuilt from an independent rebuilder.

i agree, most newer MBZs are cr*p. get a Lexus...

the last of the good ones was the W126 IMO.

if you want to vent, here's a site dedicated to peoples' MBZ ownership woes. you are not alone.

http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/index.php

__________________
W108
W116
FJ60

The notion that buying non-dealer parts and service is a gamble is one that keeps the dealers in high cotton. Whatever makes you comfortable but you've paid $4,000 for a transmission for a car that likely isn't worth $4,000, with or without a new transmission. This to me seems like a gamble.

Wow Chris, it sounds like you got a bad apple.

It's sad to see someone so dissatisfied in a Mercedes. I have 2 E320, both 1996 Vintage and i love them to death (except the spring perch falling off on the Green One, and the rust that always seems to creep up...) But i must say, the reliability of the car starting every morning and getting me where i need to go is exceptional. The M104 engine is by far one of the most reliable and enduring engine's in the world. The transmission on your car was probably never serviced by its prior owner. These trannies should be serviced between every 20-30,000 miles. When purchaseing a pre-owned mercedes, it is important to have the car inspected prior. All of the problems that you had to take care of on your car were pre-existing, they might have been picked up with an inspection. All the best in what you decide to do....

And as far as Lexus goes- do not even get me started. Yes, the fit and finish is nice, but the constant engine sludge that plagues them year after year never seems to get noticed? How about replacing an engine on a 2 year old RX300 and an engine in a 3 year old LS430? Yeah- you never hear about that stuff until you know someone that works at a Lexus dealership....

Just my opinion....

__________________
My Work:
Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, Inc.
Business Development
536 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10036

-My Garage-
1996 E320: White 118,000 miles ~Dad's Driver~
1996 E320: Green 109,000 miles ~Mom's Driver~
~My Babies~
2000 SL500: Desert Sand 96,000 miles
-Previoulsy Judge Judy's-
2008 E350 4MATIC Sport
-Flint Grey/ Ash/ Black Birds Eye Maple-

722.3 transmissions have been around for a long time and have successfully been rebuilt by many independent shops.

You'd have to be a lunatic to spend $4,000 for one at a dealer when they are available by reputable shops for $1,500 installed, also with a one year warranty just like the dealer.

__________________
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".

You could trade it in for a 99-01 Lexus RX300!

(They have terribly high transmission failure rates, and Lexus basically gave the finger to owners. MB is not the only one that uses "deny, deny, deny.")

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Apparently virtually all of the 05/06 Toyota Avalon transmissions failed too, at ridiculously low mileage. Read this in Automotive News a while back. This was in-warranty but apparently the dealers couldn't really get them fixed.

Great news! I dropped by a local Infinity dealership this afternoon on my way home from work to check out a new G-series and they made a VERY acceptable trade-in offer for my Mercedes. Right now, it looks as if my luck has made a turn for the better and I'll be piloting a brand new G-series sedan tomorrow morning.

Chris